Well no wonder I couldn't make it up that hill...

[Miranda]

I was just posting in a diff thread about how I think clipless pedals help my hill climbing.

Just when my legs feel spent... I say in my head, "PULL UP!". I have new found strength to go more as those muscles are fresher.

I think the steepest I've been on to date was 11%. Personally, spinning in the granny gear the whole hill just kills me. I have asthma and even with my meds I think I'm a bit disadvantaged trying to burn my lungs that long.

I try to use my muscle power (pulling up) in a harder gear, and stand in 8 count intervals--alternating. Climb the thing as quick as possible and don't delay the inevitable is my theory.

Plus, on hills I really thought I was going to die if I didn't stop... I didn't think I could unclip without falling over. Thus, the head conversation goes something like... "cartwheeling backwards hurts WORSE (done that one on my mtb before)... you can do it! almost there... KEEP GOING!". Then, thx the lord, I'm at the top.

But I have been told, and totally agree... there is no shame in walking any hill... because you tried!