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Do you get to like climbing?

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Do you get to like climbing?

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Old 06-02-13 | 10:39 AM
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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?
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Old 06-02-13 | 10:43 AM
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People here don't get it.
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Old 06-02-13 | 10:52 AM
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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.
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Old 06-02-13 | 10:56 AM
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It's not a ride unless it has climbing.
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Old 06-02-13 | 10:59 AM
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The more climbing you do, the easier it will get. Long steady climbs are great conditioning for your heart and legs.
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Old 06-02-13 | 11:03 AM
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If you think climbs are boring, try the track.
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Old 06-02-13 | 11:06 AM
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From: Limey in Taiwan
Switchbacks. Designed to crush the soul and drive hapless cyclists to despair.
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Old 06-02-13 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by h2oxtc
It's not a ride unless it has climbing.
60mi flat < hilly 40mi

There's no satisfaction riding on flats.
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Old 06-02-13 | 11:25 AM
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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!
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Old 06-02-13 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by h2oxtc
It's not a ride unless it has climbing.
Originally Posted by KantoBoy
60mi flat < hilly 40mi

There's no satisfaction riding on flats.
Neither of you come here then..
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Old 06-02-13 | 11:37 AM
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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.
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Old 06-02-13 | 11:38 AM
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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.
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Old 06-02-13 | 11:39 AM
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Mix up standing, mashing, and spinning to get to the top faster = less time being bored
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Old 06-02-13 | 11:41 AM
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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.
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Old 06-02-13 | 11:46 AM
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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.
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Old 06-02-13 | 12:01 PM
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I like climbing but I love descending. I just wish we had more of it around here.
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Old 06-02-13 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by koolerb
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.
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.
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Old 06-02-13 | 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by CALE262
I like climbing but I love descending. I just wish we had more of it around here.
More descents! Woo hoo!
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Old 06-02-13 | 12:52 PM
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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.
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Old 06-02-13 | 12:53 PM
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I prefer climbing to any other part of the ride. But even then I occasionally wonder if a given hill will ever stop.
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Old 06-02-13 | 01:32 PM
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I live in Oregon. If you don't climb, you don't ride.
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Old 06-02-13 | 01:32 PM
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I don't ride where there's no climbing. more climbing = more fun!
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Old 06-02-13 | 01:38 PM
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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.
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Old 06-02-13 | 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by kenji666
The more climbing you do, the faster you'll get
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It never gets easier
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Old 06-02-13 | 02:03 PM
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