Hills

It took me nine months to conquer a hill with an 100 ft elevation increase over .1 mile (17% grade - 20% at it's steepest) on my commute home. I would have to get off the bike at the steepest point. I actually thought I would never ever be able to ride up this hill.

Did it just two weeks ago several times in one week. And twice last week. Not something I can do every day and don't try every day.

I stay in the saddle as long as possible at the lowest gear and switch into lowest early. Then try to get at least 20 rotations in. If feeling good, a few more. If it even feels a bit easier on a rotation --- then success.

So keep plugging away.

I think each of you have hit on part of my problem in climbing. Just a little more background on me. I do clip in. I exercise at least five days a week with one/two days of strength training. As part of my exercise program, I try to run at least one day a week. I think part of my problem is that I dread the hill when I see it coming. Another problem is that I try to hit the hill too hard and too fast. I should slow done and keep my heart heart down. Maybe I should learn to just slow done and push through it and REMAIN CALM!

I used to hate hills. I got upset when I would see one in front of me. Then I did a metric on the eastern shore of Maryland -- pancake flat and boring as all get-out. I realized that at least the hills give you some variety.

Now I actually like them. I'm still really slow going up, but who cares.

So yeah, just smile and enjoy the downhill when it comes.

One of my most grueling rides last summer was a loop around a local lake - pretty much all hills, one after another. The good thing is that they were ONE AFTER ANOTHER...which meant using momentum from the previous downhill to make it about halfway up the next hill without having to exert too much power. By the time I realized what a big hill I was climbing, I was 2/3 of the way up it and just told myself to get it done.

As a larger gal, I used to hate hills. All my skninny little buddies used to fly up them and I was left chugging. Well that hasn't changed but my attitude has. I now love hills. There is something about conquering a hill that is appealing. Long ago a friend gave me some good advice. While mountain biking I used to attack the hills and I would peter out towards the top even having to stop. He asked "why are you doing that to yourself? Why don't you "rest" up the hill instead?". "What", I asked.

Turns out instead of attacking a long hill, he just resigns to the ride, puts the bike in granny or a low gear and spins up comfortably. I put his advice to the test and now I understand. I can use hills to rest!!! There is generally a gear for even the steepest hills, that allows one to spin. I get into a even cadence and think good thoughts about the scenary etc. In no times, the top is there.

I started forcing myself to do hillier and hiller routes. Now the flat stuff is really boring. I still power up short hills, like overpasses, but use granny for any grade that is long. One thing to remember - this is your climb, no one elses. So what if I am last up? At least I got up there. Always do your own thing and never be forced to do someone elses pace. I generally make up the difference by speeding downhill.