Tierra Bella April 9th in Gilroy?

[jobob]

Good luck on Hamilton today. I'd never, ever make it up that thing. Sheesh. You guys are masochists.

Slinkedog, for what it's worth, less than a year ago I was saying I'd never climb up Diablo, never climb up Hamilton, never make it up {insert name of steep hill here}. It just was not going to happen, of that I was sure!

In fact, sometime this past spring Veronica had talked me into riding partway up Diablo with her, and, just between you and me, I was terrified at the prospect! I'm ashamed to admit that I was so relieved when she had to call the ride off that morning (her cat was sick and V. had to take her to the vet - that of course was not a Good Thing, but luckily Tilda turned out OK. I have a soft spot in my heart for that cat to this very day, and when I officially met Tilda a couple of months ago I gave her a surreptitious little pat of thanks).

This all changed sometime in October when I went on my first ride up Diablo with a group of Rivendell owners. My husband and I only made it partway up (up as far as V. was trying to get me to go this past spring) but still, I realized I could actually DO it!

Jo's Great Truths About Hills:

1) Go at your own pace. Don't let anyone make you go faster than what you're capable of, otherwise, you will burn out. Take your time, stop for short breaks. So what if you're slow, just the fact that you're doing it is awesome !

2) If you don't make it up the hill the first time, fine, it'll still be around for when you try it again. Sooner or later you'll make it to the top, and you'll feel sooo good about yourself.

3) Low Gears!! Make believe you're Lance, spinning up L'Alpe d'Huez. Of course, you'll be going about 1/10 of his speed but spinning is better for your knees and your stamina than grinding up in a high gear. Try to avoid standing too much, it can tire you out very quickly (that said, it's nice to stand briefly once in a while to give your backside a rest)

My husband loves to ride that thing just so he can race cars on the way down. He's crazy.

Oh, the descent down Hamilton is the best part - what a blast!! Altho we don't race the cars down ... we get to a spot where cars can safely pass us and we pull over and wave them on past.

And then we often match their speed when we follow them, but not too close, don't want to piss'em off

Basically, slinkedog, don't write yourself off. If a 45 year old slightly overweight former confirmed couch potato can climb Mt. Diablo & Mt. Hamilton (albeit at a snails pace), then so can you.

- Jo.