the hill
05-26-06, 02:46 PM
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the hill
There are lots of different hills on my regular rides but there is one hill . . .its not the tallest or longest but just something about the contour murders me. Longish, with almost a mile of low grade leading up to it, not a lot of trees so it often gets a headwind. Its not steep enough to really seem to require getting out of the saddle and yet it just seems to suck speed out of the wheels and I'm always swearing by the time I get to the top. I actually like hills but this one. . .I hate with all my soul
05-26-06, 02:51 PM
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Maybe the terrain and surroundings make it look flatish and not steep, but you're really going up an 8%.
Toporoute it!
Toporoute it!
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05-26-06, 04:14 PM
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Sometimes hills that are easier in the first half are hard because you didn't pace yourself properly and save enough energy for the second half. You need three things to be a good climber: gearing, fitness, and pacing. You may be able to overcome your gearing through great fitness, but even Lance Armstrong needs to pace himself on long steep climbs.
05-26-06, 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by johnny99
Sometimes hills that are easier in the first half are hard because you didn't pace yourself properly and save enough energy for the second half. You need three things to be a good climber: gearing, fitness, and pacing. You may be able to overcome your gearing through great fitness, but even Lance Armstrong needs to pace himself on long steep climbs.
05-26-06, 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by VeganRider
Two more things, strong muscles and low body weight are a winning combination.
05-26-06, 11:30 PM
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Embrace the experience. The hill is what it is, it's up to you to find your peace with it.
I know that sounds pretty airy fairy, but hill climbing can be a source of meditation.
It's all good. Steep, long, hot, windy. Embrace it, suck the marrow from the experience.
I know that sounds pretty airy fairy, but hill climbing can be a source of meditation.
It's all good. Steep, long, hot, windy. Embrace it, suck the marrow from the experience.
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Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
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05-26-06, 11:31 PM
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Embrace the experience. The hill is what it is, it's up to you to find your peace with it.
I know that sounds pretty airy fairy, but hill climbing can be a source of meditation.
It's all good. Steep, long, hot, windy. Embrace it, suck the marrow from the experience.
I know that sounds pretty airy fairy, but hill climbing can be a source of meditation.
It's all good. Steep, long, hot, windy. Embrace it, suck the marrow from the experience.
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Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
05-27-06, 02:28 AM
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Originally Posted by fruitless
There are lots of different hills on my regular rides but there is one hill . . .its not the tallest or longest but just something about the contour murders me. Longish, with almost a mile of low grade leading up to it, not a lot of trees so it often gets a headwind. Its not steep enough to really seem to require getting out of the saddle and yet it just seems to suck speed out of the wheels and I'm always swearing by the time I get to the top. I actually like hills but this one. . .I hate with all my soul
Obviously you gotta take that particular climb a bit more seriously and, as has been stated, pace yourself better.
Last edited by EGreen; 05-27-06 at 02:33 AM.
