Originally Posted by Rootman

With all due respect to those of you that can keep a fast pace and climb hills with aplomb! I salute you. I am NOT one of you.

I have nearing over 4 years of GPS data that I have collected of over over 4 thousand cycling miles recorded. I have an average speed of - taa-daa - 10 MPH! A few days ago I rode with a couple of guys, one I met here on the forum, and I warned them I was slow. I just couldn't keep up and I could see they were getting irritated with having to wait for me. So we parted company partly due to my poor pace and the heat / humidity. Up hills seem to be the thing that gets me. I am just forced to sit and spin, I get extremely fatigued standing and or seated mashing uphill.

I know practice, practice, practice and push myself. I have before and it seems to make absolutely NO difference. Except for the fact that the hills I used to have to get off and push my bike up I can now spin up with effort I never seem to improve in performance. I really enjoy riding and don't want it to become something it presently isn't - difficult. I really enjoy looking at the beautiful Ozark scenery, animals and peoples houses and stuff along my rides. I also seem to suffer from soreness if I push myself too hard, otherwise it's manageable. I seemed to have plateaued, and the plateau is awfully, awfully low.

So any more slow pokes out there? Have you found riding partners to ride with? Anyone in the NW Arkansas Area of Rogers in the same boat? I like to chat while riding, stop and take a drink now and then and occasionally take a break on a bench. So by any chance if there is someone also wanting a slow partner please IM me. Thanks!