Quote Originally Posted by Nanci
Does this happen only on longer rides, or everything? Are you getting enough calories during the ride??
Nanci
Happens on every ride. I believe I'm getting enough calories ~ especially since I'll hit this at the begining of a ride as well.

Try this, on the flat as you apprach your small hill, down shift once and then once again as you attack the hill. If you are spinning too much then click up once. It may also help to get out of the saddle to finish the attack. Sit back down once the hill becomes easy or is conquered.
That's exactly what I was doing this past ride. I was working on high cadence in flats, shifting down to compensate for the extra work of these little blips, but couldn't maintain rpm or recover speed after the exertion. I even found myself going to my granny gears to try to help w/ spinning fast even if I wasn't moving fast - but it's as if my legs are under water and simply can't maintain the quick movement.

I'll have to get a heart rate monitor. I guess one of the frustrations is the pain / exhaustion is so isolated - I don't feel that my cardio or aerobic system is being over taxed in these stretches, it's that the legs don't want to move.

Thanks everyone for your help! I do appreciate all the feedback & will continue working on it & applying your suggestions!