Biggziff

I was able to make one of my smaller goals this evening. When I ride from my house I either go left and downhill for a mile and nearly 1000' descent or go right and go downhill for about .6 mile and 400 feet of descent. Not much for some of you, but I have been unable to climb either of these after a ride...end up walking most of the way...well tonight I did a fairly hilly 12 mile loop for the first time and at the end I managed to climb the hill to my house...slowly....verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry slowly, but I did it and didn't fall over in the process. As I said, not a big deal to you guys with thousands of miles under your belt, but for this n00b, it is a huge milestone.

newbalous5001

It always feels good to set some kind of new personal best. Pretty soon I bet you will fly up that hill.

Cheezerod

Not all of us have thousands of miles under our belts. There are people just like you who have to take small steps, everyone begins somewhere. So to you I say CONGRATS !!!on passing a milestone, a small one you say, but one passed none the less.

mateo44

Congrats!

Biggziff

Thanks...I know there are lots of others like me on here. I've been inspired by many of you. My first ride was about 3 miles, uphill, stopping every so often...averaging maybe 5 mph. Now I can ride on the flats for 20 and average 16 or so solo. I've been avoiding hills, but not anymore. Felt really good to make it up this one...next is the bigger one..1 mile and 1000 feet of climb...

Thanks to all!!!!

big john

Do you have a low gear? We can all hurt on a late climb, especially after a climbing ride.

big john

1 mile and 1000 feet=BRUTAL...like, over 20%

TheKillerPenguin

Congrats! There are climbs that I had to stop on multiple times last year that I climb without a problem this year...Keep at it and pretty soon those climbs will feel like speed bumps...very tall, very long speed bumps

Biggziff

Ya, went from a 12-23 to a 12-27 and that helps a LOT!!

crypticlineage

Congratulations!!! Hills will get easier and easier with every climb.

I personally have made considerable progress in climbing hills too. 2-3 months ago, small hills with upto 400ft climbing used to get my heart rate so high, I would be panting and walking rest of the way up, no anymore baby! Now I routinely do a 800 ft climb 2-3 times a week and then on weekends I do a 30 mile ride with a total of 1700 ft of climbing. Of course its all very slow climbing but I am sure with enough practice and after getting my first road bike next season, the speed will go up too.

Goodluck!

nobrainer440

Way to go! The hills out here in Kansas are actually all over the place, but nothing is ever more than 300 feet, so I don't get much climbing practice. Keep it up! They only get easier!

badkarma

I started riding May, 2005 and I remember having to walk my bike up some 600' inclines (in my triple), and a few months later I was able to motor up those climbs in my double. Congrats on the PR, just keep riding and there will be many more PRs to come!

substructure

Congrats! Keep setting small goals. They're easier to achieve and keep you motivated.

Biggziff

Thanks...saw your recent post on climbing...I'd still be climbing that one!

Panic

How do you guys measure your climbs?

badkarma

With a combination of vertical feet and % grade.

Panic

How do you know the % grade and the vertical feet?

Not trying to be smart ass, I just have no idea.

Biggziff

I use a Garmin Edge 305 computer, but you can use something like www.routeslip.com to measure elevation and distance for a route you plan out.

Panic

Thanks Biggziff. I'll check out the site.

ranger5oh

Seriously... 1000' over 1 mile is a pretty serious hill! That is a 19% grade. Im not much of a hill guy myself, but I do have a few thousand under my belt. I would be darn proud of that hill.