Ever just think, "Eh, what the heck?"

[TexasMermaid]

Good for YOU! What a great attitude for tackling that hill. I will remember that the next time I want to turn tail on something difficult!

Where in WV are you? My husband is from Fairmont and we were just there in August visiting his family. It's beautiful up there!
~ Jennifer

[Jiffer]

Awesome job! I know what 8% for 1.8 miles feels like. But it's definitely harder when you don't know what you're getting yourself into! I climbed a steep hill during a Metric Century recently and just wanted to know when it was going to end. I finally stopped for a break and as soon as I got going, I saw the end. Of course. Good for you for sticking it out.

I did some serious hill work today. Strangely enough, I planned it that way and sucked my friend into it with me! Around here, this ride is known as the Padua ride, except it's really on Mt. Baldy Road. The first part of the climb is a couple of miles at around a 5%, but then you end up going up about a quarter mile at 10-13%, followed by a mere 7-ish% for a while, a short reprieve and then some more 5-ish for a bit before a nice rewarding downhill section.

My friend was so nervous about doing this ride. She has only done it once, not long after she got her bike (in Feb), when our crazy friend took her on it. She literally thought she was going to puke and had a really hard time with the idea of doing it today. I was the crazy friend today, who made her do it, but I knew she wouldn't puke or even feel like it because she has gotten so much stronger and done a lot of other hill work. She's stronger than I am and I was making ME do it ... so she had to do it with me!

Anyways, we both had hill climbing success! I was thrilled to try out my new easier gears Dh added to my bike the other day and, oh what a difference!

Woo hoo for successful hill climbing!!!

[Tri Girl]

Great job, Gray!!

It sure is hard, but it sure feels great when you get to the top. Congrats!

[Smilie]

Yay! Great job! I really, really don't like hills. Did some on Tuesday, my friend said I did great, I felt like I was a wimp with him breathing down my neck! Maybe someday I too, can be like you and kick their tails!

[luvmypwds]

How do you measure the grade???

Good for you for completing the hill!

[GraysonKelly]

TexasMermaid,
I am in Morgantown, WV just up the road from Fairmont. And it is very beautiful here...just wish it were a little more bicycle friendly.

Luvmypwds,
I didn't know the grade until I got to the top and turned around and saw a yellow warning sign for trucks that said 8% grade. I didn't actually measure it.
Thanks for the encouragement everyone.
Gray

[NJBikeGal]

TexasMermaid,
I am in Morgantown, WV just up the road from Fairmont. And it is very beautiful here...just wish it were a little more bicycle friendly.

Luvmypwds,
I didn't know the grade until I got to the top and turned around and saw a yellow warning sign for trucks that said 8% grade. I didn't actually measure it.
Thanks for the encouragement everyone.
Gray

This made me laugh! I was fully expecting you to say something like, "oh, my computer measures incline, wind speed, the temperature in Hades, the barometric pressure on Mars, and the airspeed of African Swallows." Your "measurement" technique is much more accurate and simple!

Good for you, by the way! Climbing is definitely one of those things that I challenge myself with often. I wish we had more long climbs like that. While we have a few here in Philadelphia, we also have things like "The Wall" - it's only 1K, but it hits 17%+!!! FUN!

[sundial]

I climbed a steep hill during a Metric Century recently and just wanted to know when it was going to end. I finally stopped for a break and as soon as I got going, I saw the end. Of course.

LOL! I know that feeling very well. I get so darn mad at the hill and sometimes I stop to let off some steam (unless a car comes by and then I act like I'm adjusting my shoe). Isn't funny how we give up almost too soon, just before the end is in sight?