wobblyoldgeezer

And it wasn't a very big hill, maybe 1/2 a mile at 15% or so

I used to be able to 'honk' it without even going to the smaller ring on a 50/34

But then I had a little tumble and now I don't have the leg strength yet, even though it's coming back - and I really didn't want to risk 'stalling' and taking a fall while I still have all the pins and screws in my wonky leg

The only mitigation is that it was about kms 65 into a ride and 43 degrees C.

Can I still play here, or should I pick up my towel of shame and leave?

Bionicycle

I’m not ashamed to say, that if I had a dollar for every hill I have walked a bike up; I could probably buy a new bike. (exaggeration) With my replaced hip and knackered knees I’m trying a different strategy this season, my lowest gears are a 28 front, and 30 rear. If I can spin fast enough to stay upright, I should be able to climb a cliff.

cyclinfool

1/2 mile of 15% in the big ring - I think you can rest on your laurels and stick around!

miss kenton

Wob, In my opinion, any singular item bolded above would have been a plausible reason to walk your bike up the hill! Carry on!

The Weak Link

Aw HTFU.



Seriously, as I was told a short while ago: don't worry, it happens even to good cyclists.

Allegheny Jet

It happens to all of us. I was in a race last year that had a killer hill that also had some loose gravel on it. My back wheel slipped and I stepped out of the pedal to keep from falling and ended up walking the bike up to a step so I could clip back in. I'm sure there was a lot of loose sand/gravel on your hill.

Louis

You could probably beat me on a hill even with your wonky leg; and I'm still here. I think.

gcottay

With the typo fixed, this reads.

As far as I'm concerned, if we make it up under our own power and if we are willing to ride/walk/crawl up every time rather than avoiding a beast, it counts as victory.

stapfam

Considering how short a time ago you broke the leg- I am surprised you are even able to ride yet.

If I was you- I'd do the ride in reverse next time- Then you won't have to wear out your shoe leather by walking this hill.

But what a target to aim for- 1/2 mile at 15% in any gear will do within the next 6 months.

( And the local basket at 16% I don't do very often- I have to be fit and I have to be in the mood for some slow cadence work.)

kr32

Am I wrong but isn't 15% pretty steep?
Anyhow the thing is you made it up and kept going so all can't be too bad.

cranky old dude

In my book, walking up a hill is only embarrasing if you need someone else to push the bike for you (and even then, only just a little bit embarrasing!)!

Stick around.

cyclinfool

15% for 1/2 mile is not just steep it's Stuck'n Feep.

The Weak Link

It's blood out the ears steep.

chinarider

Sounds big to me. But that's wanted you wanted to hear, isn't it?

jdon

That is why god invented cyclocross.

billydonn

I was thinking the same thing.

Wildwood 

43 C is reason enough to avoid any exertion.
"Only mad dogs and Englishmen venture out in the noon-day sun"

wobblyoldgeezer

That was about 8 am. The ride started 6.15 am!

Steepness - the hill in question is a two-stepper, up to an old fort, highest look out point for miles around. The first 250 yards or so is REALLY steep - I'd compare it to some of the 1 in 6 hills I used to tackle way back as a Yorkshire schoolkid racer. The middle bit, maybe another 250 yards, is pretty level, before a less steep but still demanding last 250 or so.

I used to have the leg strength to gain and maintain enough momentum to just about honk up the first bit!

rumrunn6

dude you're an animal ... and an inspiration! now get back out there! :-)

NOS88

Towel of shame? Anyone who has read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy would cringe at the notion of a towel ever being anything but the most useful item one can carry with them. Given your recovery, I'd say you did fine. It can be discouraging to experience the longer, and often more difficult, recovery that comes with age. But your still out there riding! As difficult as it might be for most of us, it is inevitable. There will come a time when we can't do what we used to do. The real question is, are we doing what we can do? I'd say you certainly are.

bjjoondo 

I surely hope they let you stay or I may have to leave too!! On my "Food Run", with my utility trailer and week of food and stuff in it, there's a single hill, but it's "super steep" on the 2nd. half!! I'm riding a converted MTB with a 22-32 combo and so far I can't make it past 3/4 the way up, without "walking" so I'd have to join you!

stapfam

In case you hadn't noticed- Mad dogs have more sense nowadays.

BluesDawg

There is no shame in walking a hill. I've never done it myself, but I'm sure it's OK.

Just fooling. There are hills on a local MTB trail that I have never made it up and possibly never will. I walked up a good portion of Brasstown Bald the first time I rode it (but I came back the next year and rode it all the way). I'm sure you'll be back to conquer that baby when you heal.

tcs

So?

tcs

PaulH

As far as I am concerned, if you make it up to the top under your own power, it counts.

Paul