Quote Originally Posted by Pax View Post
BSG - The hills in Northern IL are loooooong slow inclines, they appear flat until you're on them and then your thighs explode about halfway up.
Yes we have some of those several mile long inclines around here too. My thighs used to 'explode' halfway up them too....but after a couple years of fairly average type riding in our pretty hilly areas, I have little trouble with them now, simply because my leg muscles have gotten stronger. As Tulip says, "The hills will get easier ONLY if you ride them. Otherwise, they'll stay hard."
I'm 55 and I've only been riding for three years, never having been involved with any exercise at all before that. I also have some respiratory limitations. Hey, if I can do it on my 30 lb. steel bike, anyone can.