timmyquest

After my best week of cycling, i actually rode every day--i tried to tell myself to take a break but i always managed to find an excuse to go on a ride--i have decided to attack Bull Valley. This is a small unincorporated town adjacent to mine. Full of wooded roads and huge houses...and hills, lots and lots of hills.

I'm going to go ride through it, and either die or come out a victor. The last time i tried this i had to turn back at the 5 mile mark which surprisingly (or not) is around the largest/steepest hill that i know if in the county.

I guess to people in the northwest or in the Rockies this would be nothing but I live in the midwest!. My county, McHenry, is the most glaciated county in Illinois, and bull valley is the hilliest "town" (is that a word) that i know of.

So umm, wish me luck

nova

Sounds fun and chalenging. So good luck and enjoy your self. Instead of turning around could always stop before the hill recover a bit then take it on. Maybe find a ride partner who has taken the hill on and ride with them. I find it helps if your ith some one whos done it before. Couple reaons you got something to focus on other than the hill. And 2 the fear of being laughed at it you fail

Those 2 things should let you get up that sucker heheh.

timmyquest

1 hour 30 mins, 1,400 calories, 22 miles, 3 towns, and two households (i stopped at my dads) later...i'm back.

Best ride of the season, and for the first time in my life

1.) I was told "you've lost weight!" (my brother, sister, and dad all said it on seperate ocasions)

2.) I have ridden more then 100 miles in a week.

I say i'm the victor.

My intention was to only hit the one hill, my heart rate was at a nice 155 bpm at the bottom, at the top it was hitting 183...eeks

Instead of turning around i decided i was halfway to my dads and i should say hi. Glad i did...even though it did include 3 more hills of nearly the same size.

Reynolds 

Buena suerte amigo!

nova

Good job!! just becareful doign more than you plan for on a ride.

iab

This is exactly where I almost hit a deer. See this link.

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/209519-almost-hit-deer.html

I do those hills also and I agree they can be difficult. My route takes me east on Bull Valley Road. I have that good climb right before South Valley Road, then I go south on South Valley which gives a fast descent (and deer on the road) and a very steep, but short climb. Its the second one that always gets to me.

Keep it up, it gets easier every time.

timmyquest

Awesome!

I was kind of hoping someone from the area would notice this thread. I suppose most might not think of these hills as much of a challange as i do, but considering i only rode 3 months last year, and that was the start of my "career", i'm making strives

It should be noted also that "those deer" are part of the draw i have to riding in Bull Valley, some of the prettiest roads in the area as far as i'm concerned. I'm particularly fond of cherry vally road just off of bull valley road where it bends down a hill and past a very well kept and senic barn...more so in the fall.

I always want to bring a camera but the only camera gear i have consists of some heavy stuff...3lb camera--without the lens.

PS, that hill on bull valley road right by valley hill, as well as valley hill road, are home to my "record" speeds of 47 mph, down bull valley road...cranking my butt off and the other on valley hill in which i also hit 47, but to give you an idea of the hill, i was too scared to pedal!