Originally Posted by
banerjek
Same goes for the flats.
The issue with hills is you eventually reach a grade where you can't maintain a reasonable cadence with the gearing you have. Plus you can never let up. You can ride harder for awhile, but eventually your muscles burn up.
Exactly what happened to me. I was fine for a little bit but then my legs just felt like like lead weights. I know I could have done better had I ate right, slept well the night before and had some more time in the saddle with the weeks leading up to it. I'm not saying I could have made it up without stopping but I know I could have been stronger. Trying to climb it in 39-25 just wasn't happening. At least a passing motorist asked if I was ok when stopped pouring a bottle over my head on the side of the road. Haha.