magohn

In March I posted a newbie thread on how I had attempted to cycle to work and almost passed out:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ghlight=magohn

The last two miles of this 12 mile commute to work is a 7%, 2-mile climb that literally almost made me collapse in March. It wrecked me for two days.

That hill has been my nemesis for 3 months now and has stopped me from attempting to ride into work. Well this AM I decided to take it on. I gave myself plenty of time as it took me over 2-hours last attempt in March and I did not want to be late for work. It took me an hour! Not blazing fast but I took it easy, paced myself on the final hill, and rolled into work before anyone else even arrived - plus, no hill walking! The hill was tough but I have learned (from you guys! - thanks!) not to throw everything at a hill immediately, DONT look at the length of the hill, and spin away.

I am thrilled. Definitive proof that riding,riding,riding works!

In the grand scheme of things not a big deal, but to me, I have replace a negative memory with a triumph over "the hill"

MIH-Dave

Great news! Any triumph is still a triumph, big or little. You'll be flying up that hill in no time.

So Many Roads

Congrats on overcoming your hill.

I had a similar problem with a hill on my commute. I tried bike commuting last summer and gave up due to the hill. I wasn't strong enough to make it up the hill and it beat me. So I didn't ride and I didn't get any stronger. I let the hill beat me.

This summer, I tried again, but I cheated: I rode the bus up the hill, with my bike on the bus' front rack. I arrived at work fresh and not sweaty and pedaled home.

Until a few weeks passed, and one day, as I waited for the bus with my bike, I said to myself, "Why am I standing around? If I went up this hill, I'd be at work by now." So the next day I tackled the hill. I was in better shape just from the ride home--I made it most of the way up that hill before I had to walk. And every day after that the hill became shorter, flatter, until soon I pedaled the whole way up in my granny. Barely, but I made it.

Patience, and don't try to take on too much at once--and you'll be surprised how much you can do.

TrojanHorse

I still haven't ridden up my own driveway! It's probably only 30 or 40 yards long. I gave it a shot this morning, second time ever and even standing in low low gear I think I was moving backwards between pedal strokes. So I hopped off at the mailbox.

Some day! I too will be able to ride up my own driveway.

Seattle Forrest

So, congratulations on the hill and all, which is no small thing, and shows that you've learned the only secrets there are to climbing them ... but does this mean you get to leave early on a riday?

magohn

Thanks for all the positive feedbacks.

Seattle Forrest - I will be leaving "early", though only after my usual 8 hours. With the ride home I will have clocked a 24 mile commute and saved a gallon of diesel. You probably know the "hill" I'm referring to, its the I520 climb up to "shangrila" (Microsoft HQ)

Kamala

Rocking brother!!! I remember my own tribulations with starting the westside commute last year, but way less hill in my way :-) Now you got a 24 mile day whenever you want it!!

magohn

Thats true. However, Friday is the sweet spot as both my office mates work from home. Therefore, I get to sit here "un-showered" and not worry about my smells bothering others Seems pointless to shower as I still have to ride home!

Mr. Beanz

Cool, deal! Good thing is knowing that hill will never stop you again!

CliftonGK1

The SR-520 (it's only a state route) climb from Leary Way to campus isn't quite a steady 7%, although there are a couple 7 - 8% sections in there. But to balance that out, it's also longer than the 2 miles you credit yourself. It's more like 2.5 miles. Nice going on kicking its butt!

You should try Novelty Hill next! It's around the same length (just a bit shorter) but after a steeper initial grade for 1 mile it shallows out to about 4% for some recovery, then has a quick 10% pitch for 0.1mi, and another recovery section (actually going downhill!) before a final 8% section for 0.2mi and a gentle 3 - 5% for the last mile to the top.

magohn

CliftonGK1 - thanks!
I have ridden past Novelty Hill most Saturday mornings when I'm on my way out to Carnation for my weekend 50 miler. It looks nasty and a little intimidating - dont they all Perhaps that will be my next target.
The Microsoft hill was such an iconic hill for me and in a way I should be grateful to it. When I "rode" it in March it kicked my a$$ and truly put my health into perspective and how I needed to change my life. Since then, Ive dropped 30lbs and ride approx 100-125 miles per week. Not earth shattering but for a guy who couldn't bike more than 4-6 miles in March, I'll take it!

Peter_C

Sweet That's really great for you I love to read these kind of stories as they continue to give me hope.

Long ago it was my secret dream to become a microsoftie...

CliftonGK1

I'm talking about from the Avondale side, not the Snoqualmie Valley Rd side, just so you know. The side you see from Snoq. Valley Rd. is really short and steep, and has a crummy shoulder. The Avondale side has an 8' clean paved shoulder most of the way up, and isn't nearly as horrible.
You might want to try Woodinville-Duvall Rd. from down in the valley. That's another 2 mile climb at a progressive increase up to around 8%.

magohn

I live at the top of Woodinville-Duvall Rd! So much fun, wherever I ride I know I have the joy of that climb as I return home.

P.S Peter, Im actually a contractor at MS as are 75% of the people there now Sign of the times I guess.

FunkyStickman

What are these "hills" you speak of?

Just kidding! Good job, man!

MagsPaws

Way to go Magohn! Nice climbing! This area is great for climbing. CliftonGK1 If you think Novelty is tough, you should try Duthie Hill from Fall City up, that is a tough one, along with Inglewood Hill from East Lake Sammamish. Another nice climb is coming out of down town Woodinville up to the Woodinville Duvall Road. They all dwarf "The Hill" on the STP at about mile 50. My only problem is trying to figure out what grade they are. It changes on MapMyRide depending on how much mileage you add to your route. One day it is a 5% the next 3%, it doesn't make sense to me. But it doesn't really matter, learning to climb them without stopping has been fun. My next challenge is Fay Road and Stillwater Hill roads up and around Duvall.

CliftonGK1

Swing by Sammamish Valley Cycles and pick up an inclinometer for your handlebars. Set it for zero/level in the shop and you'll know what all your hill inclines are from then on. They're tiny and cheap, so it's not like they add a lot of weight or take up much space.
I've done the Iss-Fall City climb as part of the Woodinville-Granite Falls 200k with the Seattle Randonneurs. Along that segment, I also like Louis-Thompson and Inglewood Hill and the long 9% up Black Nugget Rd.
For super ugly repeats in Issaquah, I do laps up Squawk Mtn. From Sunset @ Newport, head up Mtn Home Blvd to Mountainside Dr and around Squawk Mtn Circle. 1170' in 2.25 miles. Almost as tough as Zoo Hill. I've made it for 3 laps so far. My goal is to be able to do 5.

XR2

Congratulations. Life's little triumphs are really the ones that you remember.