I'm almost fit enough to start riding the "tough hill". Yesterday tried, and had to stop about 5 or 6 times gasping for air. I was also having some HR problems. Today, felt much better and my HR was more or less where it should be. Tried the hill again today. Still had to stop to catch my breath and get my HR back down. And I was trying to pace myself up the hill.

On the way back, I stopped at TriAthlon Labs in Redondo Beach. Guru reps were there and you could try out their bikes. I passed since I'm not planning on buying any new bikes. Besides, I can't afford it. So there I was, talking to one of the owners of the shop. Asked me why I wouldn't try a guru. I said I'm spent on the "tough hill" (for those in LA area its Hawthorn blvd up Palos Verdes). He told me it was steady 10-12% grade for solid two miles. OH!

Maybe I need to start paying a little more attention to my hill routes. Okay so its nothing compared to Velobomina, jobob, Fredwina, Brandy...


easy come but not easy going up,
Smilingcat