When nearing a big climb, do you generally look forward to it, dread it, or take another route?

Not sure I look forward to it, but just resolve myself to keep pedaling and not to look too far ahead. Seems that if I maintain my focus on closer milestones like the next mailbox, or next tree, or something in the near distance, I can usually make it up any hill I encounter.

I must look forward to it since I keep coming back for more.

Not that I'd ever admit it.

Was wondering if the county had torn down "the shack" on GMR yesterday since it felt like it took forever to get there. LOL

"If you didn't tag the summit, you didn't do the peak"

If I hated climbing, I wouldn't bicycle where there are hills to go up or down. They are part of riding a bike (outside of Florida and Illinois).

Not really referring to average hills and inclines. I'm speaking more of major climbs. Grades of at least 8%, and distances of say at least 1/5 of a mile.

Plan ahead , gear down early , I don't be too proud to get off and push..

If the hill is worth riding down, sure, I'll ride up it. Unless it is simply too steep for my gearing or fitness. But climbing hills is part of cycling and I wouldn't avoid that any more than I'd avoid going down them or riding around curves.

I look forward to the challenge and give it my best shot. I am also riding fixed gear so it makes things more difficult

I, too, look forward to the challenge and give it my best shot. I may need to stop 2-3 times on the way up to catch my breath for 15 seconds or so (my hills are rather short, but steep), but I've never had a hill beat me yet!

I would love to try one of those 15 mile rides with a grade of 7% the whole way.

I anticipate hills with feelings ranging from pleasure to mortal dread, depending on fitness and how much gas is left in the tank on the ride in question. When I was racing, every climb had to hurt, but it was also an opportunity to pick up places, so I always viewed them with mixed emotions.

You need to check out Colorado's Triple Bypass. Three very long wonderful climbs with some steep pitches and elevation guaranteed to raise the heart rate. Tops out at 12000ft. Check it out. Very well organized and it's a ride not a Fondo or race.

Funny but when I ride, I ride up and down the local foothills. I may see another 4 or 5 cyclists but they always seem to be riding across. I'd rather ride up.

Avoid the climbs? You tell me!

Hard to avoid around here. Most are doable and not too long. We only really have one HC rated climb, 13.5 miles 3900 feet of gain with an average grade of 5.5. Many of the climbs I do on a daily basis are Cat 4 or less. I've been trying to lose weight and get a bit fast so I do actually look forward to the climbs. I love the feeling of being challenged and the struggle for it.

when my kids were young we would see someone pushing their bike and I would tell them "pushing your bike is an oxymoron and I should never see you doing it!". Last year I was bicycle touring in a very mountainous area and as we were struggling up long extreme grades I could hear my warning to my kids and regretted not being able to stop and push. My kids thought this was hilarious.

I'd have to drive 150 miles to find out. Or tour.

I am constantly trying to find and create new routes that have long somewhat consistent climbs. Suffer a bit going up, big grin coming down. I would MUCH rather do a long 5+mile gradual 5% climb than some of these quick, winding short rollers. I'm in the smoky mountain area. Some of these areas in the foothills and surrounding area can have brutal short rollers that will have you begging for mercy even though it's only a quarter mile long.

There are no big hills or mountains in Indianapolis where I live, but I do enjoy tackling the small rolling hills at Eagle Creak Reservoir. I enjoy the challenge, even though I suck at climbing.

I enjoy it but only if I can do it. I don't think I could do any big hills right now, maybe in a few more months.

GMR

Climbing

I live at 3,700' that's 1,100 meters for those in the civilized world. Right up against the mountains. There are hills on every ride I go on. Sometimes I ride up to the ski resort. Two hours of constant steep climbing. Very fast ride home.

It is the essence of our sport.

I couldn't imagine living somewhere without at least some hills to climb.


-Tim-

Love it, dread it. Climbs make the flats sweeter.

I hear the theme saw to Jaws as I'm on the flats leading up to a climb.

I don't hit my 3-year "Strava-versary" for another month or so. I should be well past 1.25 million vertical feet by that point. So to me, a "big climb" is ascending constantly for at least an hour. Viewed in that light, most of my rides are light on climbing. I'm heavy. Climbing is hard, and the reward is seldom favorably proportionate to the investment. I mean, two and a half hours to get to the top, and 25 minutes to get back down? Most days, I would prefer to spend two hours at 18mph rather than 90 minutes at 8mph and 30 minutes at 35mph.

I hate it. But I do have a Mt. Diablo t-shirt, so I have that going for me, which is nice.

Love it. So much. Also, I like pain.

It's too bad that I didn't go all-in with road cycling while I lived in places with serious climbs, like Colorado and California. Oh well. A mile or two at 10% is still pretty fun. Maybe the next place I live will have mountains; otherwise, it's something to look forward to when I'm old and have time and money.