Finally starting to feel stronger

[teawoman]

That *is* a big deal. Congrats! I'm overweight and have been struggling on the bike too, and those hills are hard!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That hill would be difficult for me too, and I'm not even overweight and I ride a lot. It would prolly take me a couple days to get to the top, but I'd get there eventually! I've got some daunting hills I battle with too.
Way to go, girl. It's a great feeling when you can actually measure a difference in your fitness and ability.

[Mr. Bloom]

Great Job.

And remember, when you're in a mountainless area, you never get a chance to rest on a downhill...so it has its advantages in building stamina.

I do hills well, Silver does flats...she has the better stamina that offsets my stronger legs. So, you're building endurance!

[Aggie_Ama]

Congrats Donna!! I have had that hill where I was giddy at the top, isn't that the best feeling? And the floods stink but the greenness is magnificent.

I noticed when we ride up near Lampsas and Florence (closer to Donna) the hills get less steep but longer. Down here they are short and almost violently steep. I still haven't found one to be easier than the other. Right now I think oh the longer hills are easy because you can pace yourself, then I ride them and I think where are the steep guys that are over and done quick??

OKay that was a threadjack. I can't wait to hear you report on how much easier that hill gets.

[makbike]

Way to go! Keep plugging away and soon those nasty hills will seem like little bumps in the road. Congrats.

[latelatebloomer]

Actually, DDH, it sounds like you are doing very, very well!! I think we have some similarities body-wise, ride-wise, and head-wise. Ambition is great, but don't use it as a stick to beat yourself for not being "there" yet! Some days I have to tell myself this, oh, at least 90,000 time a ride. Ya can't open the rose by pulling the petals open - keep riding, and our "pedals" will blossom - er - help me, Captain Metaphor! Anyway, DH, besting that hill is a great accomplishment, I toast you with my water bottle!

[Aggie_Ama]

Looking at the pictures again I noticed something else.... That is chip seal! Doesn't look too smooth to me, which is a beast to climb. Pat yourself on the back one more time.