Ever just think, "Eh, what the heck?"

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09-18-2008, 12:37 PM
GraysonKelly

Ever just think, "Eh, what the heck?"

Uh, yeah, I did that today. 12.5 miles into my ride (a new route, I like to explore) I came to this hill that looked pretty steep. I stopped, chugged some water, looked at the hill, took stock of how I was feeling, and decided "Eh, what the heck, I'll try it."
Yeah, what I didn't realize was that this hill was an 8% grade for 1.8 miles!!! Oh my goodness!!! Now I realize that there's probably a lot steeper hills around here and that most of you have done what I did today with no problems, but WoW! Holy smokes! I thought I'd never get to the top of that thing, but I did it. This hill made the one I did the other day seem tame.
I am very, very tired. My ride was 26 miles altogether and I feel awesome!!! I told a friend of mine recently that I refused to get off the bike until I finish what I start so I did not get off that bike. I pedaled the whole way and cussed my damn obstinance after the first half mile, but what a great feeling of accomplishment.
Okay, I'm done.
Have a great one!
Gray
09-18-2008, 01:27 PM
TexasMermaid

Good for YOU! What a great attitude for tackling that hill. I will remember that the next time I want to turn tail on something difficult!

Where in WV are you? My husband is from Fairmont and we were just there in August visiting his family. It's beautiful up there!
~ Jennifer
09-18-2008, 01:36 PM
Misandal

Gray, what you described here is exactly why I love riding in the mountains! Good for you, girl! Go attack some hills! :D
09-18-2008, 01:50 PM
Jiffer

Awesome job! I know what 8% for 1.8 miles feels like. But it's definitely harder when you don't know what you're getting yourself into! I climbed a steep hill during a Metric Century recently and just wanted to know when it was going to end. I finally stopped for a break and as soon as I got going, I saw the end. Of course. :cool: Good for you for sticking it out.

I did some serious hill work today. Strangely enough, I planned it that way and sucked my friend into it with me! Around here, this ride is known as the Padua ride, except it's really on Mt. Baldy Road. The first part of the climb is a couple of miles at around a 5%, but then you end up going up about a quarter mile at 10-13%, followed by a mere 7-ish% for a while, a short reprieve and then some more 5-ish for a bit before a nice rewarding downhill section. :)

My friend was so nervous about doing this ride. She has only done it once, not long after she got her bike (in Feb), when our crazy friend took her on it. She literally thought she was going to puke and had a really hard time with the idea of doing it today. I was the crazy friend today, who made her do it, but I knew she wouldn't puke or even feel like it because she has gotten so much stronger and done a lot of other hill work. She's stronger than I am and I was making ME do it ... so she had to do it with me!

Anyways, we both had hill climbing success! I was thrilled to try out my new easier gears Dh added to my bike the other day and, oh what a difference!

Woo hoo for successful hill climbing!!! :D
09-18-2008, 01:59 PM
Tri Girl

Great job, Gray!! :D

It sure is hard, but it sure feels great when you get to the top. Congrats!
09-18-2008, 02:27 PM
Smilie

Yay! Great job! I really, really don't like hills. Did some on Tuesday, my friend said I did great, I felt like I was a wimp with him breathing down my neck! Maybe someday I too, can be like you and kick their tails!:D
09-18-2008, 05:35 PM
luvmypwds

How do you measure the grade???

Good for you for completing the hill!
09-18-2008, 07:34 PM
GraysonKelly

TexasMermaid,
I am in Morgantown, WV just up the road from Fairmont. And it is very beautiful here...just wish it were a little more bicycle friendly.:rolleyes:

Luvmypwds,
I didn't know the grade until I got to the top and turned around and saw a yellow warning sign for trucks that said 8% grade. I didn't actually measure it.
Thanks for the encouragement everyone.
Gray
09-19-2008, 02:43 AM
NJBikeGal

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraysonKelly

TexasMermaid,
I am in Morgantown, WV just up the road from Fairmont. And it is very beautiful here...just wish it were a little more bicycle friendly.:rolleyes:

Luvmypwds,
I didn't know the grade until I got to the top and turned around and saw a yellow warning sign for trucks that said 8% grade. I didn't actually measure it.
Thanks for the encouragement everyone.
Gray

This made me laugh! I was fully expecting you to say something like, "oh, my computer measures incline, wind speed, the temperature in Hades, the barometric pressure on Mars, and the airspeed of African Swallows." Your "measurement" technique is much more accurate and simple! :)

Good for you, by the way! Climbing is definitely one of those things that I challenge myself with often. I wish we had more long climbs like that. While we have a few here in Philadelphia, we also have things like "The Wall" - it's only 1K, but it hits 17%+!!! FUN!
09-19-2008, 04:42 AM
bmccasland

inquiring minds want to know

How was the trip down? There's the pride of making UP a tough hill, but shouldn't there be the reward of a good downhill? :cool:
09-19-2008, 08:02 AM
GraysonKelly

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmccasland

How was the trip down? There's the pride of making UP a tough hill, but shouldn't there be the reward of a good downhill? :cool:

How was the downhill?

YEEEHAWWW!!!!!! ::D
09-19-2008, 08:36 AM
aicabsolut

Haha I had a similar experience on a training camp last month. Only, I had to go up the hill to stay with my group. There's nothing quite like going around a curve on a hill like that, and then another, and then another and seeing no end in sight. You think you're in a rhythm, but it really challenges your mental toughness. We got to the top and saw a sign for the elevation and one of the truck warning signs (9%!). The descent was wide open and fast for a couple of miles, which made the suffering worth it.

Great job!
09-19-2008, 08:42 AM
sundial

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiffer

I climbed a steep hill during a Metric Century recently and just wanted to know when it was going to end. I finally stopped for a break and as soon as I got going, I saw the end. Of course. :cool:

LOL! :D I know that feeling very well. I get so darn mad at the hill and sometimes I stop to let off some steam (unless a car comes by and then I act like I'm adjusting my shoe). :rolleyes: Isn't funny how we give up almost too soon, just before the end is in sight? :p
09-19-2008, 08:49 AM
beccaB

[QUOTE=GraysonKelly;363820]Uh, yeah, I did that today. 12.5 miles into my ride (a new route, I like to explore) I came to this hill that looked pretty steep. I stopped, chugged some water, looked at the hill, took stock of how I was feeling, and decided "Eh, what the heck, I'll try it."
Yeah, what I didn't realize was that this hill was an 8% grade for 1.8 miles!!! Oh my goodness!!! Now I realize that there's probably a lot steeper hills around here and that most of you have done what I did today with no problems, but WoW! Holy smokes! I thought I'd never get to the top of that thing, but I did it. This hill made the one I did the other day seem tame.
I am very, very tired. My ride was 26 miles altogether and I feel awesome!!! I told a friend of mine recently that I refused to get off the bike until I finish what I start so I did not get off that bike. I pedaled the whole way and cussed my damn obstinance after the first half mile, but what a great feeling of accomplishment.
Okay, I'm done.
Have a great one!
Gray[/QUOTE

I usually cuss a lot on the steep inclined hills I come across, which is why I call them "cussing hills"
09-19-2008, 11:22 AM
mtkitchn

Morgantown and Fairmont! I used to work and live in both. WV is so pretty...I always liked it there. Did the lung association ride on the Greenbrier Trail in southern WV in ...? 1993ish? Beautiful ride!
09-19-2008, 01:34 PM
uforgot

I rode through West Virginia when my son and I drove to Norfolk last Christmas. Are you sure about the 8%? I'm thinking it must have been more like 98%. Everywhere you look is a huge hill/mountain. Beautiful state.
09-19-2008, 08:21 PM
GraysonKelly

Quote:

Originally Posted by uforgot

I rode through West Virginia when my son and I drove to Norfolk last Christmas. Are you sure about the 8%? I'm thinking it must have been more like 98%. Everywhere you look is a huge hill/mountain. Beautiful state.

LOL! No, the sign said it was only 8% but after riding it I started thinking about some of the other hills I've ridden. I've come to the conclusion that most of the one's that I tackle are between 5% and probably about 11% grades. I've been doing a lot of hills lately because I've been venturing out of my comfort zone and actually trying them. I can't go fast, but I can do them. I've very excited.
On behalf of WV thanks for all the compliments on our fine state. It is very, very beautiful. I am currently trying to leave to go find a better job and a more accepting culture out in CO, but no matter what this will always be my home...cycling unfriendly roads and all.
Gray