[New info at post 180. Jump down there.]

Did the Santa Barbara triathlon yesterday. Once again, on the same bike, I had to walk up about a 1/2 mile of the course. The difference between this year and last year though is I think I could have stayed on the bike, but I got to a point where I think I was spending more energy staying on than walking up. I have a Velo on this bike and when I dismounted, I was averaging about 4.2mph. Walking I was doing 2.9mph. So I definitely gave up some modest speed, but I also don't feel like I was burning myself out as much. I think the gearing is OK, I guess. It's not like I ever ran out of gear. I could keep spinning at a decent rate, but I was going so slowly that I was wobbling all over the place.

So I don't know if there is anything bike/equipment related that can help that, or if I just need to get stronger on the hills. I do know that I can maintain a pretty strong pace on the flats or down hill sections, but I give every bit of it back and then some when I get to the climbs.