What have I done???

[pyxichick]

Oxys'

When is your big ride? Do you have a couple weeks to practice doing hills before then? If you find hills to ride regularly, they suddenly become a lot less daunting.

You could also try this: When hills get too steep for the legs to continue to push (or too long, and the heart can't keep up) stop and rest until the HR goes back down, and then get back on and finish the hill ON the bike.

Good luck on the ride-- you'll have fun!

[Bad JuJu]

Remember to downshift before you absolutely have to.

I learned this mantra while bike-touring in Vermont about 20 years ago: Eat before you're hungry, drink before you're thirsty, shift before you have to. On that same tour, I remember riding for a while with a guy who was clearly suffering with the uphill effort, and I asked him why he didn't downshift. He said he was "saving" his granny gear. I asked him what for--I mean it's not like you'll use it up. I guess what he meant was that he was saving it until he really needed it, but trust me, he really needed it just then.

Keep the engine fueled and use those grannies when you have to. And....have fun! You'll be fine.

[Bikingmomof3]

You can do it! Enjoy your ride.

[EvilTwin]

Oxysback: I am undoubtedly the worlds worst hill rider.... I STOP... lots. I pick a spot ahead, preferably in the shade, pull over, and stop. I let my heartrate and breathing get back to a normal level, then climb back on, and go again. If I need to stop again, I will. This behavior drives my BF nuts, but it's how I get up hills. On Bike Idaho, I leap frogged with people all the time... I could pass them when I was pedaling, then I'd stop, and they'd pass me. I had some great conversations with some of them and we encouraged each other up the hills. Go for it girl.... You can do those hills!

[oxysback]

When is your big ride? Do you have a couple weeks to practice doing hills before then? If you find hills to ride regularly, they suddenly become a lot less daunting.

The ride is this Saturday. I've riden this particular road several times in the last 3 weeks....still waiting for the hills to be less daunting. Should be any day now, right?

Just kidding! Thanks for your kind words!

[bikerchick68]

oxysback... you're gonna have a great ride! trust me... it's always harder in your head than it is once you're out there with everyone inspiring you!

I've had many people who are bigger than me drop me on rides... when it comes to cycling... size DOESN'T matter! looking forward to hearing your stories of conquering!

[Denise223]

Hi Ellen!

Just take your time & have fun . I'm a plus sized woman too, and just started riding in June. I am having a BLAST !!

Originally posted by Bad JuJu: Keep the engine fueled and use those grannies when you have to.

You've received some very good advice in this thread!

Twenty miles for some experienced riders can be done in much less than an hour -- but, for some of us, 20 miles will mean more "time in the saddle", so.....make sure you stay properly hydrated and bring along some Luna bars & fig newtons - (just an example).

EvilTwin mentioned stopping in the shade & getting off of your bike for a bit to get your heartrate & breathing back to normal. GREAT ADVICE!! I do the same thing. I cannot climb a hill unless my HR & breathing are in control. This also gives you a chance to have some water or gatorade.

Originally posted by oxysback: I know I can do the distance, just not looking forward to the HILLS! And since it's my first official group ride, I'm a bit nervous. I know I shouldn't be, but, being a larger rider there's always that self-confidence thing going on...especially when wearing lycra in front of about 1000 riders!

Hills aren't pleasant, but practice will make you better. Already mentioned here, make sure to downshift BEFORE you need to.
You probably look a lot better in your lycra shorts than YOU think YOU do !!
I know all about "the self-confidence thing" -- but, to be honest, getting out there and biking has helped me tremendously with that !
The women here at TE have been very instrumental in helping me with a lot of things that I was struggling with. Lots of threads here are very helpful & informative .

Just remember, You are a STRONG, POWERFUL WOMAN !! You really can do anything that you set your mind to. Have a blast!

Have a peaceful evening.

Denise

[oxysback]

You've received some very good advice in this thread!

Yes indeed I have! Thank you, everyone, for all the encouragement! I will post my ride results on Saturday

[Kano]

I'm looking forward to your ride story too! I looked at the web site, and it looks like a beautiful ride, and I've got to admit, I'm a little bit envious!

There's been so much good advice, and I want to echo what Evil Twin said about stopping to recover on hills.

Like she said, when I'm about to start up a hill, I pick a spot and when I get to it, I stop and breathe a while, have some water, and maybe a bit of my trail mix. (I've been experimenting with a sort of "steady stream" of trail mix lately, and it's made a difference in my energy levels on longer rides.) When I'm ready, I pick a new spot and start on up to it -- and I actually get a couple of gears back after the break, so I have room to shift down again. This helps my confidence, knowing I have somewhere I can go with the gears. If I "run out of gears" I might stop to recover a bit earlier than planned, but I've learned to allow myself those pauses. I think that was the hardest part of hill climbing: giving myself permission to take a hill in stages, and that stopping isn't failure just because someone else can do the whole hill at once. I'm still working on convincing myself that it's okay to be slow as mud, as long as I get there eventually!

If it will help you, I'll share my permission with you!

Karen in Boise

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I've been riding for 2 months.
My method of dealing with hills is this:
I make sure to downshift in advance as much as possible.
I just peddle up the steep hills in Granny Gear as long as I can. Then if I am exhausted I just get off and walk the rest of the way. I stop and rest at the top.
The fact that you are going to FINISH this 35 mile event (my current distance record is 23 miles, by the way) is reason to be proud. Whether you walk up a few hills is irrelevant right now. Just remember, 95 percent of everybody else is sitting on their _ss doing absolutely NOTHING.
As for spandex- I think you look great! If you FEEL good, you LOOK good. Period.
You GO, girl!!!