This was good strength training!

[laura*]

You're the second person I've seen (or heard of) in the last week doing some big climbs on small wheels... maybe that's a sign that I should give it a try.

Me three!

Last week I went shopping on my Dahon Speed TR (20 inch wheeled folder). I tried out a "new" route. This had me dive down into a valley and back up the other side - 200 feet down, 180 feet up, all in half a mile. That means the climb averages just under 14%.

The Speed TR with all its commute goodies weighs 30 pounds. Add a big "New York" lock and panniers to that.

Because it is a folder, I have to climb sitting down. I've changed the gearing, so it was just lots of spinning - and zigzagging to make the hill less steep.