I am slightly masochistic and I just have to...

Um, because there are hills between me and where I want to go.

Because is there.
(to quote George Mallory)

Always loved climbing, meaning the real thing: mountains. So climbing on the bike is just an extension of the previous, the feeling and exhilaration of getting to the top, conquering it.

Corsaire :)

Because I live where there are mountains

Beacuse hills make you fast on the flats.

I climb for two reasons, the sense of accomplishment...there is nothing like climbing a hill the will mash you and conquering it, but also for fun because going up is only the begining the hills I climb I must come down and on my new Trek 1000 coming down goes very fast.

RacingPain

Because hills/mountains look at me funny when i ride by. Can't let them get away with that.

i climb whenever the road I am on goes up. I try to plan my rides with the climbs at the end. I find if I start my rides to fast, or to hard that I am more tired at the end of my ridess

Why do you go down hill?

I think I do it for the sense of accomplishemnt too.. But there is this Primeval urge when you see a mountain that rises... You just have to... Many a time when I climb I am cursing the mountain inside my mind. Sometimes even aloud.. I think I have startled a few people this way too :o

You might as well ask why do we breathe.

I used to climb trees as a kid, and since I don't see as many trees in my advanced age, hills it is!

Because my house is downhill of everything in this valley.

Well, in Los Angeles we do it to help filter the smog out of the air. :eek:

for many reasons....to get where I am going....to see what I am made of...to see if I can out climb my friends...but the best reason?...its obvious...on the other side is going down...and that means....speeeeeeed.
George

Because it's so fun going back down.

No hills = no fun

Around where I live, the hilly roads generally have less traffic and better scenery.

I really do have to climb a really big hill to get back home. No avoiding it unless I drive the car to the bottom.

BR

Word.

Where I live on Bainbridge Island, Washington - Home to the annual February "Chilly Hilly" ride one must ride hills as there is no option. Beside as it was once pointed out to me, if you can't do the miles go hit the hills!!

Because the hills break the head wind.

GIMME THAT LACTIC... OH YEAH!

I enjoy the pain because I know that it's something my body is feeling... pain to a certain extent makes me feel absolved and alive.. I feel human...

Granted my muscles do have a limit, so I try my best to hold on until I either reach my pain threshold or my muscles give...

Because I love telling people what route I took that day, and seeing their utter disbelief that I'd do that on purpose.

That's what Greg Lemond said: "no time for hogging the miles? just head for the hills."
(synthetize but effective work-out)

Corsaire

Thank you - I'm a total chicken on descents. Glad to know I'm not alone.