Climbed a hill for the first time today
10-26-12, 07:10 PM
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Climbed a hill for the first time today
Did some "real" climbing for the first time today. It's probably not that hard for a lot of you but I felt like I was going to die. It was totally worth it and the descent was a beautiful thing. I had a stupid grin plastered to my face.
10-26-12, 07:19 PM
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Yea, any hill that you can make it up without thinking you are going to die if you don't stop isn't a real hill. There is a hill in my area that when I go up it, I think I will die unless I stop, at least 4 times for that .9 miles... 
10-26-12, 07:30 PM
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Ha I actually didn't make it to the top and had to take a break during the ascent. My heart was thumping and I was getting light headed. I'll conquer this hill next summer!
10-26-12, 09:06 PM
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Looks like the beautiful city of Montreal if I'm not mistaken with the Olympic stadium in the distance.
10-26-12, 10:32 PM
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Ahhhh Mount Royal, wish I'd been riding a road bike when I lived there. Just had a hybrid and rode trails with the Mrs on Ile Bizard.
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10-27-12, 12:31 AM
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When I first started riding not only did I think was going to die but other people thought so too.
Three times I have had women stop their cars, get out and ask me if I was having a heart attack. Luckily, I didn't die at least not yet.
Three times I have had women stop their cars, get out and ask me if I was having a heart attack. Luckily, I didn't die at least not yet.
10-27-12, 05:12 AM
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10-27-12, 06:44 AM
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Is La Maison Pierre du Calvet still in business in the old city. What I would do for a frothy, steaming bowl of Cafe au lait..mm mm good!
10-27-12, 01:12 PM
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If you like climbing, you should go a little bit more up in Charlevoix. I live there, and there's definitely much better hills here. the climb to "Le massif" is 700m+
10-27-12, 01:57 PM
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Would like to know if you set up your bike special for the climbs...
10-27-12, 03:15 PM
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Thanks for the suggestion. Sounds really fun; I'll try that when I'm a bit more fit.
10-27-12, 03:16 PM
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10-27-12, 10:30 PM
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10-28-12, 06:37 AM
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10-28-12, 06:50 AM
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There's a hill coming off the delaware river in NJ (Frenchtown) that is a category 4, not that long maybe a half a mile, but it does have a angle. I have done it (non-stop) numerous times and I think I am dead doing it and snap back to life when cresting the top.
Good for you.
Good for you.
10-28-12, 07:24 AM
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If I may piggyback on this thread. Quick question.
What is harder? One mile hill at an avg of 14% or 4 mile hill at 5-6%?
What is harder? One mile hill at an avg of 14% or 4 mile hill at 5-6%?
10-28-12, 07:29 AM
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The reason I asked is because I ended up being really surprised about climbing difficulty this Summer. I live in an area with short, steep hills and eventually conquered some hills that fit the 1 mile/14% category. The one leading to my house has a kick of over 20% at the very end for about 100 ft. Couldn't do it when I first started cycling. After watching some of the tours on tv and knowing that they are actually climbing for miles upon miles, I thought that I was a lost cause. One day I decided to try my luck on a local "mountain" that grades at about 5-6% for 5 miles, slopes downward for a mile, then grades another 5-6% for 5 more miles. I figured it was be MUCH harder than anything around my house. Worst case scenario, I'd go as far as I could then coast back downhill. Turns out, it was actually pretty easy. At no point did I feel the need to stop and rest like I did when I first started doing the shorter, steeper hills around my house.
Now, I'm looking forward to some real mountains on a trip out West in the Spring.
Now, I'm looking forward to some real mountains on a trip out West in the Spring.
10-28-12, 08:32 AM
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You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who says a mile of 14% is easier.
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10-28-12, 08:34 AM
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A truly flat ride takes some planning around here.
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10-28-12, 09:45 AM
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I never stopped or walked on a low % hill but I did on some 30% grades. Is it because it was harder, probably. But I suffer much more on the long low % ones (mostly because I don'T want to let my speed drop).
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