Do you get to like climbing?
#1
Thread Starter
Still can't climb
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,024
Likes: 6
From: Limey in Taiwan
Do you get to like climbing?
I was never any good at it, but rolling hills was fine. There was only short climbing bits followed by rest. Now I seem to be climbing and then climbing more with no respite until going over the top after ages. I hate it. It is so boring and monotonous.
Will I continue to hate it or grow to like it?
Will I continue to hate it or grow to like it?
__________________
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
#3
I love climbing. I like the challenge and find it fun. I used to hate it until I got better at it. All the mountain biking rides helped. Most trails here have a ton of climbing and hills are just unavoidable.
#6
ka maté ka maté ka ora
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,423
Likes: 4
From: wessex
Bikes: breezer venturi - red novo bosberg - red, pedal force cg1 - red, neuvation f-100 - da, devinci phantom - xt, miele piste - miche/campy, bianchi reparto corse sbx, concorde squadra tsx - da, miele team issue sl - ultegra
If you think climbs are boring, try the track.
#7
Thread Starter
Still can't climb
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,024
Likes: 6
From: Limey in Taiwan
Switchbacks. Designed to crush the soul and drive hapless cyclists to despair.
__________________
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 6
From: Lewisburg, TN
Bikes: Mikkelsen custom steel, Santa Cruz Chameleon SS, old trek trainer bike
I try to only do flat rides once every week or two. I try to climb the local mountain 2-3 times a week. Used to be the opposite so... I guess I grew to like it!
#10
#11
Pretty rigid member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: The 951
Bikes: Sycip Unleaded, Raleigh SS, Trek 1.5, IF Crown Jewel, QR Kilo
I've been planning my rides around local long climbs. Last week it was Palomar Mtn (both grades, over 20 miles of climbing), yesterday it was Mtn Center/Idyllwild (up and down twice 25+ miles of climbing). My next one is crossing Ortega Highway from Lake Elsinore to OC and back (25+ miles of climbing). I just enjoy them. Put the music on and go.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 14
From: Upstate NY
Bikes: CAAD 12, ROS 9+, and some others
I look forward to climbs before hand, feel satisfaction afterward, but generally hate them about 3/4 of the way up. Climbing is one of the things that keep it interesting for me.
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Merry Land
Bikes: Guru Evolo R, Colnago Pista, Look AL 464P SS, various frankenbikes
Around here, you're either going up a hill or down a hill. Minimal flats. As a result, I love the challenge of a climb. I think one key to embracing climbs is not to always push as hard as you can, rather, learn to find a sustainable rhythm, soft pedal at times to catch your breath and give yourself a break, but also push hard at others at certain points or when the inspiration strikes. If you force yourself to go all out on every climb, you'll start to hate them.
#15
Senior Member




Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,437
Likes: 13,460
From: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Some people will always hate climbing, even some who are good at it. I suck at climbing but I like it. It's pretty hard to find a flat ride around here.
I climb at least 300,000 feet per year and have been for years. I'm not going to get any faster and I suppose eventually I will start avoiding long climbing rides.
I climb at least 300,000 feet per year and have been for years. I'm not going to get any faster and I suppose eventually I will start avoiding long climbing rides.
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,047
Likes: 302
From: location location
Bikes: MBK Super Mirage 1991, CAAD10, Yuba Mundo Lux, and a Cannondale Criterium Single Speed
Yup. The point on any climb where you're saying to yourself "I know the top is around the next corner" for about 10 consecutive corners is the worst. But that 11th corner is one of the best feelings you can have on a bike, second only to going down the other side.
#19
Live to ride ride to live
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,896
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Texas
Bikes: Calfee Tetra Pro
I like hills that are not too far beyond my capabilities. What does me in is not the grade by the length of a hill. A short steep hill I can climb before my heart rate blows up. However, I still like to do the long hills even though they are torture. I ride for fitness and riding hills will improve your fitness.
#20
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 779
Likes: 131
From: Back-of-beyond, Kootenays, BC
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix Expert Road and Specialized Stump Jumper FS Mountain; De Vinci Caribou touring, Intense Tracer T275c, Cramerotti, Specialized Allez, Condor, Marinoni, Kona Rove DL
I prefer climbing to any other part of the ride. But even then I occasionally wonder if a given hill will ever stop.
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 1
From: On yer left
The worst feeling of failure is when you have to turn around before reaching the top, or getting off and walking the bike up the hill.
It's only happened to me once, but I conquered the hill the next time.

It's only happened to me once, but I conquered the hill the next time.
#24
pan y agua

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,812
Likes: 1,234
From: Jacksonville
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike






