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

[GraysonKelly]

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

[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

[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. 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!!!

[Tri Girl]

Great job, Gray!!

It sure is hard, but it sure feels great when you get to the top. Congrats!

[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!

[luvmypwds]

How do you measure the grade???

Good for you for completing the hill!

[sundial]

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.

LOL! 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). Isn't funny how we give up almost too soon, just before the end is in sight?

[Misandal]

Gray, what you described here is exactly why I love riding in the mountains! Good for you, girl! Go attack some hills!

[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"

[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!

[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.

[GraysonKelly]

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