I don't go out of my way to ride climbs. I live in Seattle, so I do ride hills but I am not looking for them. I was diagnosed with hypertension about 2 years ago. Not wanting all the side effects that the drugs can have, I changed my diet. The goal wasn't to lose weight, but many of the foods with high sodium where also high in fat. I have been consistently dropping weight since I started. My blood pressure is now 115/80 and I have been rolling over hills a lot faster. I rode with group of guys who say they have 40,000 feet of elevation gain for the year. We are all above 200 lbs. I am probably the heaviest. Smoked them over the small to medium climbs and finished with the group on all the others. There is a reason that many pro cyclists watch their diet the way they do. You will see much more success on climbs by losing weight then by buying a bunch of lightweight equipment

Congrats on the healthy diet to be able to climb faster

Congrats on the weight loss! I thought I was the next Marco Pantini the other day riding (except the earrings and cocaine habit, oh, I have hair too) but then I realized I had a compact and they didnt. But I agree on the eating. Im on two damn high blood pressure meds, and I hope to do as you have and get off at least one. Hate all the pissing.

In February of last year, I was 267# and on two different BP meds. I have lost 70# in the last year, ditched one of the meds completely and cut the dose of the other in half. You would not believe how much faster you will be uphill without all the extra weight on you. It isn't that hard to do...just start with a firm plan and stick to that plan.

40,000 FT already in 1.5 months? What hills are you riding in seattle?

I don't have that many. If you go east from Seattle, you can easily do 3,500 to 4,000 feet in 40 or so miles. There are a lot 10 to 15% grades around, also.

Climbing hills fast is the best part of road cycling. If there were no hills I wouldn't even ride.

My love is the velodrome. We used to say, "the only hill I want to climb is a bank."

hills are my current challenge. been working on my climbs by riding and doing squats thats work the same muscles to battle fatigue.

congrats on the weight loss! i am anti pill (they are dumb) and pro diet and exercise. we all have the potential and greatness in us waiting to be unleashed.

Keep in mind that much is genetic. Of the 3 elements of climbing:

Genetics
Strength
Weight

I put genetics at the top. (Same in the running community. Some can simply get up off the couch and run 6 minute miles)

There's a rather large guy (about 50lbs overweight) in our group who rides up hills like a monster. If he lost the 50lbs, I shudder to think what he could accomplish, but many a weight weenie have eaten his whip as he rode away up hill.

Nevertheless, I too, would recommend to anybody/everybody to drop excess weight.