a new accomplishment

[rij73]

Today I did a lap of Prospect Park without dropping to my small chainring! I can't believe I was actually able to stay in the big ring (50t) all the way around including the hill! Maybe it's the cool weather...

Just for perspective: when I started riding in the spring on my flatbar, I had to go to my easiest gear to spin up that hill at about 6mph. That gear was a 30/26 or 31 gear inches. Today I never dropped lower than my 50/24 or 55 gear inches, and I maintained a speed on the hill of about 11mph!

Just thought I'd share my little milestone. It has been an incredible feeling to improve so drastically over the 6 months I've been riding. It really boosts the self esteem!

[sgtiger]

WoooooHooooooo! That's awesome! Remember that no milestone is little. They all add up to show you how far you've come and open up the possibilities to where you can go.

~Soo

[rij73]

Thanks Tiger!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Totally awesome!!!!! So great that you are getting noticeably stronger!

I was riding with DH this morning and as we went up a bunch of rolling hills, I was struggling a bit and said "Gee, these hills are getting worse or I'm getting older". Dh then said "Sweetie, you're in your big ring!". I totally thought I was in my middle ring the whole time and wondered why I was struggling.
Now he keeps calling me "Big Ring Sweetie" all day.

[rij73]

Thanks Lisa! That's so funny that happened to you!

[Bklynmom]

Great job Rachel! That hill in a big gear is not easy.