Originally Posted by
Bjforrestal
Mine is about 500 feet change according to googling elevation points...so I go down 200 feet in about a mile, then I'm at the river. Cross river, and start climbing 500 feet over 8 miles with a couple of miles of flat here and there. Sounds like nothing compared to your climb but again, so conditioned to 12 miles right next to the Pacific Ocean, don't think I could've gotten a flatter commute if it tried. I'm going to look into a few options. Also seems like my bike doesn't climb efficiently out of the saddle. Got a trek 520, maybe it's my Arms and legs that are noodly and not the frame....running 32s nothing too fat, good tire pressure. Going to do a few adjustments, and keep truckin!
That's still a pretty substantial elevation shift in 8 miles, and as part of a regular commute it can be daunting especially if the elevation shift comes in sections. It's possible you're losing and gaining that elevation too which can mean quite a bit of overall climbing.
Things that I've found make a difference:
Saddle height.
General bike fit.
How much stuff I carry- weight.
Spinning (high reps) in low gears as opposed to "grinding" (lo reps). I'd probably do most of a commuting ride, even with hard climbing, seated.
A cleated bike shoe/pedal combo or even toe clips and not just a flat pedal.
Check your tire pressure regularly. Nothing worse than doing a long climb only to find out that your tires were low or that your brakes were rubbing the whole time. A well maintained machine is critical in hilly country for ascending and
descending.
For commuting in hills I give myself plenty of time for the commute so that I never have to feel rushed in the climbing. If I'm motivated to push the pace that's fine but feeling like I
have to makes it less fun.
If you're able to get used to this commute you'll start to enjoy it and get into really good shape from it. Keep it fun! And enjoy the down hill ride home- you earned it!
