The big hill
 

On my normal 8 mile ride to work I go down a really big hill. I reach speeds of 35-40 going down it. I avoid going up the hill because I think I cant do it but I frequently see serious roadies going up it - though slowly. My rides to and from work are on Map My Ride for 43360 if you want to see the elevation.

Thursday when I left work for whatever reason I thought I would try goin up 'the hill'. Well a long story short, I made it. I am no longer afraid of hills. In fact on my Saturday morning ride I reversed my route for that ride so that I had to go up an even bigger hill and I also made that one. I saved almost a mile from my trip home going up the hill.

I have been commuting for two months now and I feel like I have had a heart and lung transplant from Superman. I dont know how far into cold weather I will be motivated to ride when fall/winter rolls around but for now I am absolutely loving the ride. I was telling a coworker this and he questioned which trip home had the biggest health benefit. 9 miles gaining in elevation over most of the trip or 8 miles climbing a large hill - I dont know the answer but I enjoy either way home. Both take 34 min on avg. and my trip to work takes 27.

That is awesome. I'm still at the point where big hills are more of a pain in the butt than a challenge...but the big hill on the way to the coffee shop gets easier every time.

This is my big challenge also. I'm not scared of them as I've done some pretty major climbs in the past (Roan Mtn) but I'm out of shape this year. My commute is 21 miles one way and is flat as a pancake or I could go over Bald Peak which takes off about 5 miles off my route. Unfortunately, it's 18% grade in spots and is about 2 miles long.

it feels good to tackle a hill don't it?

I have a pretty stiff hill to go up on my way in, but is is getting easier each time. It is about mid-way on the 12 mile ride into work, with a few smaller ones closer to town. Shift down to the right gear, and it makes a big difference!

i say forget shifting and let your legs get stronger and then it will get easier

Theres a bridge that I have to cross that is a real challenge for me everyday. The bridge isn't that steep but by the time I get to it I have been going up a gradual incline for a couple of miles. It always frustrates me becuase I feel weak for not being able to just fly across it.

Try that on your hardest gear and then come tell us if you made it, lol. Single speed that puppy for some excercise.

keep at it and try not to downshift and soon you will be climbing with ease

I used to live out west and ride mtn bike only, even when on road trips. I was much younger then. I have also had my Giant ATX760 on the Rosarito Ensenada ride and the hilll at the half way mark is BIG.

This hill I am referring to here locally was a big deal, but I made it so because of my age and the time I have taken off from cycling. Now I am pretty close to what I was 10 years ago in my cycling ability. I wont be single speeding up hills but there are none around here I am afraid of now. Yes it feels good to tackle hills and it bypasses the two houses on the other route home that have mis-behaved dogs that chase - bonus.