I live in Kitsap County WA state (Port Orchard), and I have been riding for a while now. I am 6'2", and I have lost 20#, went from 205# to 185# and still going. My target is about 170#.

Anyway, I don't know if any of you live in this area, but our hills are absolute torture. On the flats, I can easily cruise on the 52 chain ring at about 22-24mph, but these hills force me down to the granny gear on my 42 chain ring. I have to push so hard, sometimes I need to stop at the top[ and catch my breath. I am getting better at continuing on and catching my breathe when I am back on a level area, but some of these hills are so steep, I feel like it would easier to just fall over and die.

For example, I did 20 miles today and when I get done with my ride, which is a fairly level area, i feel good, because I can catch my breath, but I know if went much further, I would fall over because the hills absolutely kill me. Maybe someday I will be able to afford a new bike with a 52/39 chainring, and 12/25 cassette.

Right now I am runnning a 52/42, with a 23/14 6spd cassette. It is an older Centurion that weighs in at 22.5# bare, and around 24# with all of my equipment.

I don't mean to sound like a whining little whimp, but I feel like I am just not progressing because of these hills. My avg spd for my ride was about 16mph with two rest stops in the hills for a gulp of water. Other than these dang hills, I can move along pretty good.

I think you should just give up cycling.

I know it seems like you're not progressing but you are. Give it time, and keep turning the screws on those hills, smirk at them when going up...you'll be fine.

Corsaire

Lord Opie, you are either being sarcastic, or you have the worst bedside manner I have ever seen.

That comment is uncalled for. He is trying and with time he will get better. Losing weight can take muscle mass if you aren’t eating right while losing weight. So let him continue his progress without your negative comments.

Cheers.

From what I know of Lord Opie, I'm guessing Sarcasm!

L8R

Hey, sounds to me like you are doing great! I'm riding a triple with a 12-26 rear and still find myself out of breath after climbing sometimes. Don't worry about it. Just enjoy the riding!

Sheldon
OCR2

I think LordOpie's comment was funny, and not to be taken seriously. I was in the same boat when I first started road cycling. I just kept at it, and eventually lost 60 pounds. Then I upgraded to a nicer bike and I feel great. Although if you want to get strong FAST, try riding a fixed gear bike. I never got stronger faster than when I bought my surly steamroller and had to attack everything with only one gear. It was so gratifying and addicting that I ride it now more than anything else. Good luck to you, and maybe you'll learn to love the hills. Do you ride with any clubs? That also helped me.

Since you keep at it...you are not a wimp...not even close...stay the course

You are not a wimp. I live in Washington also and I know just how hilly it is. Your gearing is too high for this area unless you are training for the Olympics or TDF. I go on rides with the Cascade Bicycle Club and frequently find that a lot of the riders end up walking up some of the more insane hills because they have 42 tooth low chain rings with 21 or 23 tooth cogs. I am using a compact ( 50/34 ) crank with a 12/25 cassette so I can stay on my bike on the worst hills.

I'd say that 42/25 is not that much of a granny gear. I've given up paying any attention to what number of teeth I'm using. I have bikes with traditional 53/39 chainrings, compact 50/34 and 53/34 setups, and one with a DA triple on it. Rear cogs are all 12/25 or 12/27. I only like to do mountainous/hilly rides, and I just use whatever gear gets me up and over the hills.

As for the hills keeping you from progressing, I'd bet the opposite. Your average speed may not be increasing right now, but I bet your strength and endurace are improving. Keep at it, and you'll notice that you're much stronger on the flats, and your average speed will improve, too.

Above all, I'd say have fun!

No, I'M a whimp. Although I can't find a whole lot of time during the week to ride, I still find myself huffing and puffing after just 20 minutes or so in and around the sneaky hills in my neighborhood. I haven't ridden anything since college and have only had the bike for a couple of weeks, but I feel like a schmo.

I think pmseattle kinda knows what I am going through. My objective is to do my usual 20 mile ride without having to stop at all. Today I had to stop twice (two hills), to catch my breath. But, it only takes a minute, then I am back riding and feeling much better.

I do wish I had a smaller chain ring with a lower granny gear. But, I will admit, I CAN climb the hills without walking up, but just have to catch my breath at the top.

I have also noticed my endurance is going up. I don't stop nearly as often, and my avg spd on the flats is not too bad, once I have a stretch to get the lead out.

As far as losing weight goes, I am on a 2000 calorie diet, and trying to eat plenty of higher protein foods to prevent too much muscle loss. I still lift weights often to keep my tone, but don't want to build too much muscle. I am not looking to be a body builder. I want to lean out, and be faster on my bike. And, hopefully finish my rides with a faster avg spd, and no rest stops.
By the way, my little computer keeps ticking away when I stop, so my avg speed includes my little rest stops, so I am probably going a little faster if you don't count the moments of dire loss of breath. LOL

And yes, I am sure Lord Opie is being sarcastic.

Anyone who keeps riding isn't a wimp! The first 15-20 mins are the worst for me on any ride...takes that long to get my body in to cycling mode. Most think that DFW is flat, but while there aren't any mountains, the sneaky hills (GREAT term) will get ya. Lots of 'false flats' too, thinking that I'm either going great or that I suck because I think it's flat when there's really an incline.

Patriot, are you climbing in or out of the saddle? I find it's actually easier for me to climb about 50-60% out of the saddle. Splitting it up also works slightly different muscle groups.

In the end, just do whatever works for you and just remember that you are probably in better physical condition than 90% of people your age.

I usually start a hill in the saddle. Then as it gets "REALLY" steep, I stand up. And believe me, some of these hills around here are "STEEP". You know, the kind that makes your car down shift to first gear. But, at the top as it starts to level out, I usually can sit back down to finish it off. However, as I said earlier, sometimes even after sitting at the top, I just have to stop for a breath or two because I feel like I just road my bike up the side of the Empire State Building.

I am 33yo, and yes, I do seem to be in better shape than most of my friends. Not to brag, but my friends just don't seem interested in riding with me. So I just go out on my own. I actually like riding alone. Gives me time to think. I have never been really sociable in big groups.

No way man. From one fat man to someone who is on their way to heaven, keep it up. One day you will look around and be like, "**** I am a bad ass!"

Cheers!

"but I feel like I am just not progressing"

You are progressing.

You are not a wimp, but you are probably starving. You may need to be a little less obsessed with your weight.

If you are riding 20 miles a few days a week, and lifting weights, and limiting your calorie intake, you may be damaging your body.

Muscle is heavier than fat. Go by how you look and feel.

Goals change. Absolute torture is only for short periods of time. You may need more rest, also.

Relax, Dude. You are living your dream, right now. Don't waste it.

Or rush it.

Never ever EVER look at your average speed. Useless function.

im also terrible at climbing

Compared to the pros, yeah we're all wimps. Compared to the fata$$ in his SUV chaining down 20-a-day you're a rock star. S'all relative.

I started riding again this March after a lay off. Colorado has some hills in it too.
After four months of riding I felt like i was making no improvment, still very short rides. But I was working at increasing my milage because i want to be able to do a century.
I went to see a nutritionist, who also happened to be a marathon runner.
I didn't change what I ate, but I did change WHEN i ate it.
I can not believe the big jump in performance I had.
Now my rides are limited to the time available I have for them. Last week I did three 31 mile rides, one day off between each. I keep waiting for the next time i have more than two hours available so i can do a higher milage day.

Keep working at it. Since you said you are trying to loose weight (as am I) you have to be very carful of what you eat. You also have to remember that you need to replace the calories you burn when you ride. If you don't this will limit your improvment too.

keep at it, hills kill me to im 247# 6ft 5 and i dont want to lose weight as i lift weights first rideing is sec. -a very close sec.-, please dont beat me up to bad fellas i still ride at least four days. but the reason i write, as a nutritionist it does sound like your are starving your muscles. at your output you need more input to say it simply

Since I am getting closer to my target weight, I am becoming less worried about it. The cycling, and brisk walks everynight with my German Shepherds help alot. I guess I shouldn't complain too much. I lost 20# already and feel alot better. More energetic. Now that I think about it, When I first got on my bike, I road down the street (about a mile), and was out of breath. So, I have progressed quite a bit in the last 3 months I suppose.

MacMan, I own a Suburban for travelling, with a bike rack on the back. So I resemble that remark. LOL

I own a Jeep! BUT ... I'm not a fata$$ and I don't puff 20-a-day! I'm willing to bet you don't either. As for your weight - HOLY CRAP! At 6'2" 185 isn't heavy at all. I can understand the desire to get a bit lighter - I'm 5'9" and am trying to get below 170 (currently at about 174). Either way, sounds like you're in pretty good shape!