Well no wonder I couldn't make it up that hill...

Well, going up the steep 15% side, anyways! I tried it once, and had to walk up the last third of it, and I felt like SUCH a loser. I go up from the other less steep side all the time (some days it's easier than others)... and ride it down, which is an awesome end to my longer rides (this hill is just under a mile from where I live).

How unrealistic is 15%? Is that something that will ever be possible? If not, what is the steepest grade that would be? Is it more of a how long (distance) you are climbing than how steep thing?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2535/...4f0e782849.jpg

I imagine going clipless will help to some degree with these sorts of hills.. but I still wonder if I'm just asking too much of myself :)

15% is certainly ridable, difficult for sure, but rideable. I've been up one reported to be 26%.... That was hard to do without tipping over backwards.... (and no I did not make it all the way up the first time I ever tried, but since than yeah baby!)

Why does having to walk up a 15% grade make you a loser? 15% is freaking steep! Heck, even walking up a 5% grade doesn't make anyone a loser.

There are things you can do regarding gearing and training and such that could help you get up that hill and I'm sure you'll get lots of great advice from ladies here. But the first thing I'd suggest is to stop thinking of it as something that you should be able to do and begin seeing at it as a challenge you'd like to work towards. Then go from there.

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

Why does having to walk up a 15% grade make you a loser?

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Maybe I didn't mean for it to sound that way.. I just felt bad that I had to get off my bike and walk up a hill.. less than a mile from my house!

I don't see it as something I "should" be able to do right now.. obviously I can't! I'm mostly asking if it's realistic to make it a goal? Or should I just stick with going down it.. lol

You CAN get there! I live at the top of a hill that's roughly that (I think it might actually be 16%?). The first 2 times I did it, I just tried to get as far as I could, and then I walked. I think the first time I made it about 1/3 of the way, and the second time, about halfway. I can now get there, albeit extremely slowly (sometimes I'm amazed at how I'm still upright, I'm going so slow).

What kind of gearing do you have? I have a triple and I get in to the absolute granny gear of the granny ring to make it up the hill. Another thing that seems to help me is that the hill has certain landmarks that I used to push myself with. The first time, I told myself I could get to the fire hydrant. Then, I wanted to get to the sign that was the next "landmark" beyond it. I found that having a goal like that helped break it down into more manageable parts and made it feel less overwhelming.

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Originally Posted by sarahspins

.. less than a mile from my house!

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Do you go straight there or do you warm up first?
For me, it would make a difference.
Just keep doing it, see how much farther you can make it each time.

And throw away that graph;)

oh that's a nasty little climb. keep trying, you can get up this one. I've walked lots of hills!

Crankset is 28/38/48, rear cassette is 11-32 8 speed. I am already using the lowest gears to get up the other side (well rarely on the lowest low gear, but usually the 2nd or 3rd lowest, I think I made it up once on a slightly higher gear when I thought I was in a lower one). The last time I tried going up the steep side I was on the lowest gear and I just plain wore myself out and had to walk.

I use landmarks to get up shorter hills, or "invisible" hills... usually mailboxes, sometimes signs, occasionally trees when there's nothing else.

You can do it. It's not an impossible goal. Get it in the lowest gear, keep your cadence even, or slow it a little, and try not to stare ahead too much. I know I get myself into a "zone" when doing this kind of climbing. I've only been defeated twice (once quite recently, so it happens to all of us) and both were a sustained mile of 18-20% grades. Since there is a spot on my driveway that is 15%, it's all relative. Just keep trying and eventually you will do it.

Don't even let the "loser" thought enter your head. It could get stuck there. Instead, when you decide to walk, think of it as cross-training. Seriously. Take the opportunity to stretch out any tight muscles (for me it's the quads). Walk with purpose and intent, with your head high to get oxygen into your lungs.

That way, when you get to the top of that monster, you are refreshed & ready to continue your adventure.

Two other things to try. 1) You could wait 'til you have a good tailwind. 2) Tackle the grade when you are mad enough to chew nails and use the anger to fuel you up.

After you get up the first time, you will know you can and it will get easier.

I have a hill like that right before my road. You can't get up it without four wheel drive if there's snow on the ground. THAT kind of steep. But you know, if you keep doing it, you'll eventually get up that hill. It may not get easier, but it will get less hard. I know that doesn't make sense. Until you do it - then it will make sense.

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Originally Posted by MomOnBike

1) You could wait 'til you have a good tailwind.

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There's no such thing ;)

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You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

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Originally Posted by MomOnBike

...think of it as cross-training...

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Nice!

Remember even if you walked, you still made it up the hill.

It's not an unrealistic goal to climb that hill. Keep at it and you will make it.

The first year I rode I would have an anxiety attack when I saw a hill approaching and my heart rate rose with each pedal stroke. I was such a wreck by the time I started climbing that I could hardly pedal. I gained confidence with every hill I could climb and eventually learned to relax--which made the climbing much easier. A lot of it is mental. I now enjoy riding hills and look forward to the challenge. The same hills I had to walk up 3 years ago I now can climb with confidence. You will do it too.

Just take a deep breaths, relax and spin. If you are leaning forward, try to sit back a little more and get your weight off your front tire and use your legs; alot of energy is wasted if you use your upper body. And smile while you are climbing........it's a little trick someone taught me and it works:D

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Originally Posted by MomOnBike

think of it as cross-training

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I love that :D

I avoided the hill entirely today because it's wet out - didn't really figure 30mph in the rain was safe (for me) :p

However, I have noticed since going clipless that some spots on my rides that kicked my butt before aren't so bad now... or maybe I'm just getting in better shape :)

I was just posting in a diff thread about how I think clipless pedals help my hill climbing:).

Just when my legs feel spent... I say in my head, "PULL UP!". I have new found strength to go more as those muscles are fresher.

I think the steepest I've been on to date was 11%. Personally, spinning in the granny gear the whole hill just kills me:o. I have asthma and even with my meds I think I'm a bit disadvantaged trying to burn my lungs that long.

I try to use my muscle power (pulling up) in a harder gear, and stand in 8 count intervals--alternating. Climb the thing as quick as possible and don't delay the inevitable is my theory.

Plus, on hills I really thought I was going to die if I didn't stop... I didn't think I could unclip without falling over:o. Thus, the head conversation goes something like... "cartwheeling backwards hurts WORSE (done that one on my mtb before)... you can do it! almost there... KEEP GOING!". Then, thx the lord, I'm at the top.:cool:

But I have been told, and totally agree... there is no shame in walking any hill... because you tried!:)

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Originally Posted by Miranda

I have asthma and even with my meds I think I'm a bit disadvantaged trying to burn my lungs that long.

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Word. I sometimes can't get enough air going up even little piddly hills! I know that is a BIG part of my problem.. my lungs give up before my legs really do.. so I have to slow down to breathe and spinning in a granny gear just kills me.. I think if I were able to get enough air and muscle up I'd be doing a big better. I am starting to wonder if a change in meds is in order :rolleyes: I do have a doctor's appointment later this month so I'll ask about it... I haven't had many serious issues with asthma for a few years now since I eliminated the biggest sources of allergens in my house, but in the past few months I've had some trouble,

I did reply on the other thread you posted to.. I think I am too new to clipless to really be giving my pedal technique too much thought (I'm just trying to avoid any skinned knees or stupid falls at this point) but I can already tell that some different muscles are getting a workout.. certain hills/climbs seem to be a bit easier :)

and your gaining confidence!

And don't forget that if the road is fairly quiet and empty, you can always traverse you way up it. Wind this way and that. I was reminded of that yesterday when we had three or four loooong climbs over 15%. I did not feel bad for stopping and resting in the least! ;)

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Originally Posted by sarahspins

Word. I sometimes can't get enough air going up even little piddly hills! I know that is a BIG part of my problem.. my lungs give up before my legs really do.. so I have to slow down to breathe and spinning in a granny gear just kills me.. I think if I were able to get enough air and muscle up I'd be doing a big better. I am starting to wonder if a change in meds is in order :rolleyes: I do have a doctor's appointment later this month so I'll ask about it... I haven't had many serious issues with asthma for a few years now since I eliminated the biggest sources of allergens in my house, but in the past few months I've had some trouble,

I did reply on the other thread you posted to.. I think I am too new to clipless to really be giving my pedal technique too much thought (I'm just trying to avoid any skinned knees or stupid falls at this point) but I can already tell that some different muscles are getting a workout.. certain hills/climbs seem to be a bit easier :)

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Oh yea... the meds are huge. It's like a puzzle sometimes to figure out what's the right combo when, what, etc. I *love* my allergy/asthma doc. Hope you get some resolve with that. Sometimes it takes a few tries. Which can sux. Just don't give up. Of course you never want to stress your knee joints, etc... but my quads finally did beef up to help out. On falling over clipped in... everyone has been there (me too). And why does it always seem to happen when someone is watching--or when you are dressed nicer:confused::rolleyes:? Good Luck.:)

Wow! You are certainly not lacking in ambition in tackling a 15% grade!

Getting up hills is purely a matter of how many watts you generate in relation to how much you weigh. If you happen to be on the petite/slim side (and fit), then you might find hills are fast friends. If you aren't, then maybe things won't be quite as friendly :)

Personally I try to avoid any sustained (as in long stretches) climbing at over 6-7% or so. Unless you generate mass power, and I definitely do not, then your cadence is going to drop way, way down once you get into those really steep grades and that means the force of each pedal stroke goes up correspondingly.

Maybe if your knees are A-ok then no problem but mine are far from it so self-preservation is my motto :)

Getting up hills is purely a matter of how many watts you generate in relation to how much you weigh. If you happen to be on the petite/slim side (and fit), then you might find hills are fast friends. If you aren't, then maybe things won't be quite as friendly :)

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Ah ha! This must relate to me! That means that next year I too will be able to ride up these hills. Not sure of the grade, but on a recent 64 miler, I too had to get off and walk a couple of them(cross training)! I bet it is the extra weight, even though I am pretty darn fit. Thanks for the inspiration! More pounds are going to be shed!

BahaRoja wrote: Getting up hills is purely a matter of how many watts you generate in relation to how much you weigh. If you happen to be on the petite/slim side (and fit), then you might find hills are fast friends. If you aren't, then maybe things won't be quite as friendly :)


Ah ha! This must relate to me! That means that next year I too will be able to ride up these hills. Not sure of the grade, but on a recent 64 miler, I too had to get off and walk a couple of them(cross training)! I bet it is the extra weight, even though I am pretty darn fit. Thanks for the inspiration! More pounds are going to be shed!

Well, I am petite, slim, and I think I am fit....
It seems as if my issue is power. I do climb up many tough grades, I always spin, and I still feel weak on some of them. I've gotta get my quads in shape, because my lungs rarely give out, once I regulate my breathing (I have asthma too, but mostly it's not a problem). I see myself falling back on a hill when others stand and sprint for a bit. I seem to lose all the strength in my legs right about then and have to spin slowly to get up.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

I seem to lose all the strength in my legs right about then and have to spin slowly to get up.

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So often that's a nutrition issue for me. When I'm out of glycogen I don't feel hungry at all, I just can't make power. (Although I wouldn't exactly describe what I'm doing up a 10%+ grade, when I have to take it slowly, as spinning. :rolleyes:) Just as you describe, when I call on my legs, there's nothing there.

I've started to put HEED in my bottles for every ride, and it makes an enormous difference. The "real food" alternative for me was to eat a big bowl of brown rice about three hours before the ride, which would keep me going for a hard 35 mile evening ride. On a morning ride, I just can't get up early enough to eat carbs that are complex enough to be in my system in time for the ride and keep me going throughout it.

You know, Oakleaf, I think it could be a nutrition issue. I have recently found that I need to eat a Luna bar before even one of my short "after work/out of time" 15-18 mile rides, or I really feel like crap. Since all of my rides from home involve a mile climb at the end, I am spent after that. And yes, I rarely feel hungry on a ride, but if I don't eat a lot, I feel worse. My friends seem to exist on 1-2 bars and a pbj sandwich, with some type of sports drink on our 30-50 mile hilly rides, but I think I need to do more. I am wary of eating too many calories, but it's becoming more and more of a problem.
I still want to work on my strength, though. I can barely get myself to stand on my pedals, which is why I had to walk part of the 20% grade in Connecticut a couple of weeks ago. When the others stood for the last hard part, I gave up. And that's something I don't often do...