So, I'm watching the Tour de France and I'm thinking to myself "Okaaayyy...so those boys are wiggling their little butts up 8.3% now. Hmmm...I really think my bike computer that I replaced was wrong. I'm pretty sure those grades I've been riding have really only been like 3% or 5% and not 7% or 10%." I actually had myself completely convinced that this was the case.

Then, I got to the Portland Internation Raceway bike races last night, my BF's boss wins and we're chatting afterward. We're discussing the hill that leads from his house and how I'm NEVER EVER riding it again That I might was well whip my lung out, put it over my shoulder and head on out... So he says "Well, that one's 11%" And I'm thinking, "Hmmmm...that seems about in line with the computer" Then I say, "I like doing the long hills, not the short steep ones. You know, like Thompson." And he says, "Oh, that one's only like 6%, that's why".

So of course, now I have to pat myself on the back! Ok, so they are only like 1/2 mile to a few miles long...but what the heck...I've ridden steeper inclines than TdF!!!!