Hill 1 : Commuter 0
09-02-12, 10:44 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: California
Posts: 390
Bikes: 2012 Civia Prospect, 2012 Specialized Sirrus Sport, 199x Canondale M800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hill 1 : Commuter 0
Since it is Sunday on a holiday weekend here in the States, I decided to go into work a little latter and take my time getting in. After all, I don't need to be here anyway! Well, except that I told the publisher of my book I'm co-authoring that I'd have chapter 1 to him by Tuesday and it still isn't completed <insert grumbling about Chicago citation style here>.
I decided to go a slightly longer way (9.8 miles) where the highest point is about 900 feet higher than the lowest (according to my bike computer). It is basically one big ridge/hill so on the way to the highest point there isn't many downhills or even flats to rest on. Well, I did good at first, but when I hit the steeper section, I couldn't do it. I had to get off and walk
. I got back on the bike and off a few times. I guess I can say at least I didn't turn around. Next time I'll try it coming home. It should be easier because I'm already 1/3 up the ridge so there is less climbing and I think the grade is little better. Maybe if I took out some of the weight from my bike trunk it would've helped some but honestly, I just can't do it -- yet!
I decided to go a slightly longer way (9.8 miles) where the highest point is about 900 feet higher than the lowest (according to my bike computer). It is basically one big ridge/hill so on the way to the highest point there isn't many downhills or even flats to rest on. Well, I did good at first, but when I hit the steeper section, I couldn't do it. I had to get off and walk
. I got back on the bike and off a few times. I guess I can say at least I didn't turn around. Next time I'll try it coming home. It should be easier because I'm already 1/3 up the ridge so there is less climbing and I think the grade is little better. Maybe if I took out some of the weight from my bike trunk it would've helped some but honestly, I just can't do it -- yet!
09-02-12, 11:01 AM
#2
Old Face, New Name
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Milwaukie (Portland), Oregon
Posts: 19
Bikes: 2004 Trek 7500FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hills suck for all but the most toned, trained, and masochistic. It's good to learn how to climb efficiently (and kudos to you for carrying on!)...but hills still suck.
09-02-12, 11:40 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 771
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Once I was going up a hill, and I could see the cross street up ahead about 20 yards where the hill topped out. I just couldn't make it. I was in too high a gear and couldn't shift at that point. I was stanging at the time and going about .02 miles per hour on the hill.
09-02-12, 11:46 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Allston, MA
Posts: 171
Bikes: Trek 720 (touring, 1981 (?) model); Trek 7.3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-02-12, 12:06 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: California
Posts: 390
Bikes: 2012 Civia Prospect, 2012 Specialized Sirrus Sport, 199x Canondale M800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-02-12, 12:07 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: California
Posts: 390
Bikes: 2012 Civia Prospect, 2012 Specialized Sirrus Sport, 199x Canondale M800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-02-12, 02:50 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: North shore of Mass.
Posts: 2,131
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
Do not look up to the top of the hill. Look at the road right in front of your tire. Looking up just brings your mind into the equation, and the results will be that the hill defeats you.
Attack the bottom of the hill with as much speed and momentum as you can, then work your way through your gears as you loose momentum. Wait till your 80% up the hill before you stand on the pedals (if you choose to).
Attack the bottom of the hill with as much speed and momentum as you can, then work your way through your gears as you loose momentum. Wait till your 80% up the hill before you stand on the pedals (if you choose to).
09-02-12, 06:43 PM
#9
Senior Member
There's one hill in western Massachusetts that defeated me every time, near where my in-laws have a house in the Berkshires. But two or three years ago I was determined to make it up and I did. It wasn't so much that it was steep, it just didn't let up. There was one point where it leveled and I took a breather while still pedaling and gained enough wind to go the rest. Once at the top it was an easy 40 mile ride. I was planning on doing it this weekend, but we changed plans and didn't go up there and went to the beach instead. No bikes at this beach, no cars either, nor roads. Just boardwalks on Fire Island.
09-02-12, 09:00 PM
#12
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
09-04-12, 05:41 PM
#13
In the right lane
My two observations about hills:
1. They get easier as you get to know them. I guess you learn how to make the climb.
2. Otherwise, walking is very healthy too.
1. They get easier as you get to know them. I guess you learn how to make the climb.
2. Otherwise, walking is very healthy too.
09-04-12, 05:50 PM
#14
Banned
Be tough, NEVER, EVER push your bike. If you cant ride it up a hill, CARRY it.
09-05-12, 09:47 AM
#15
Senior Member
Easier gearing?
09-05-12, 10:33 AM
#16
Intrepid Bicycle Commuter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 819
Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile, Austro Daimler 'Ultima', 2012 Salsa Vaya, 2009 Trek 4300, Fyxation Eastside, State Matte Black 6, '97 Trek 930 SHX, '93 Specialized Rockhopper, 1990 Trek 950
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Liked 94 Times
in
34 Posts
Hills are tough. I've got some killer hills on my commute. Sometimes my legs are fresh, and I do the hills. On other days, I walk them. I'd rather enjoy my trip than let pride get in the way.
Hills do get easier though. I could do the hills maybe maybe once or twice a week, a couple years ago. I now do them pretty much 4 days a week without issue. The more you do them, the easier they get.
Hills do get easier though. I could do the hills maybe maybe once or twice a week, a couple years ago. I now do them pretty much 4 days a week without issue. The more you do them, the easier they get.
09-05-12, 12:27 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: UT
Posts: 398
Bikes: Ibex Xray
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do not look up to the top of the hill. Look at the road right in front of your tire. Looking up just brings your mind into the equation, and the results will be that the hill defeats you.
Attack the bottom of the hill with as much speed and momentum as you can, then work your way through your gears as you loose momentum. Wait till your 80% up the hill before you stand on the pedals (if you choose to).
Attack the bottom of the hill with as much speed and momentum as you can, then work your way through your gears as you loose momentum. Wait till your 80% up the hill before you stand on the pedals (if you choose to).
