10%?? Or maybe it was really 3%....

[Lynne]

So, I'm watching the Tour de France and I'm thinking to myself "Okaaayyy...so those boys are wiggling their little butts up 8.3% now. Hmmm...I really think my bike computer that I replaced was wrong. I'm pretty sure those grades I've been riding have really only been like 3% or 5% and not 7% or 10%." I actually had myself completely convinced that this was the case.

Then, I got to the Portland Internation Raceway bike races last night, my BF's boss wins and we're chatting afterward. We're discussing the hill that leads from his house and how I'm NEVER EVER riding it again :D That I might was well whip my lung out, put it over my shoulder and head on out... So he says "Well, that one's 11%" And I'm thinking, "Hmmmm...that seems about in line with the computer" Then I say, "I like doing the long hills, not the short steep ones. You know, like Thompson." And he says, "Oh, that one's only like 6%, that's why".

So of course, now I have to pat myself on the back! Ok, so they are only like 1/2 mile to a few miles long...but what the heck...I've ridden steeper inclines than TdF!!!! :p

[Saxa82]

Pat away!!! You most definitely have climbed steeper hills than the TdF boys!

[Grog]

Hmmmmm... I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble, but if a 25 km climb is 8.3%, it's an average, so it's likely that there are 11, 13, 15% (or more) climbs for a few hundred meters (or more) within the climb...

But : you still rock, no matter how steep or long the climb, by the simple fact that you try it and conqueer it!! :D

[trigurl]

I did a Mtn Climb time trial Sunday, 10% for 1.89 miles no letting up either and switchbacks all the way up - on a road - the winners all men, made it up in 9+ minutes, I on the other hand did it in 19:54 :o I thought what I had been climbing was 10% and it may be in parts but there are also downhills to catch your breathe, not on this one tho.

I wasn't last there were only 2 other women who did it, in the age group younger than me, and they both came in over 21 min :p I loved it.

I went for a ride last night and caught up with a group of riders, one guy said hey your the time trial lady, great job, he said he checked the results and I did good :D I was really excited! I can't believe he recognized me or thought almost 20 min was a good job.

Now I have to get a thingy to check the grades! I am also climbing that same mtn every monday with a new bike buddy! next year I will have a much better time

chanting "hills make us faster, hills make us faster"

[DeniseGoldberg]

Now I have to get a thingy to check the grades! I am also climbing that same mtn every monday with a new bike buddy! next year I will have a much better time

chanting "hills make us faster, hills make us faster"

I believe some of the more expensive cycling computers include % grade, but if you're looking for a less expensive answer you might try a Sky-Mounti inclinometer (http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=265). I know at least one person who has used one while touring who has been very happy with it.

--- Denise

[Lynne]

Hmmmmm... I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble, but if a 25 km climb is 8.3%, it's an average, so it's likely that there are 11, 13, 15% (or more) climbs for a few hundred meters (or more) within the climb...

But : you still rock, no matter how steep or long the climb, by the simple fact that you try it and conqueer it!! :D


roflmao...not to mention the fact that I'm all red-faced, sweat soaked and sometimes drop down to less than 6 mph...NOT exactly what the boys are doing in the Tour, now is it? But hey, I motivate myself how and where I can ;)

[CorsairMac]

Now remember Lynne - Stuart O'Grady was climbing a 6% avg at 6.1 mph so see - you ARE a pro racer!


I'm with you hun - sometimes it's the little things that keep me going.


yeah yeah yeah - they ride for 3 wks, 100+ miles a day etc etc etc......but sometimes when the temp outside reads 100 degress and I'm climbing my 6% avg hill home and I'm avg 9 mph.......I smile to myself and think: I'm climbing faster than Stuart O'Grady!! :p

[trigurl]

Thanks Denise, I will check it out.

Those guys also get paid to ride! we do it for the pure fun :p

[trigurl]

I went to LBS at lunch and bought one of those incline-o-meters! Same price as online. I can't wait to see what these hills I ahve been climbing are.