Well no wonder I couldn't make it up that hill...

[Crankin]

You can do it. It's not an impossible goal. Get it in the lowest gear, keep your cadence even, or slow it a little, and try not to stare ahead too much. I know I get myself into a "zone" when doing this kind of climbing. I've only been defeated twice (once quite recently, so it happens to all of us) and both were a sustained mile of 18-20% grades. Since there is a spot on my driveway that is 15%, it's all relative. Just keep trying and eventually you will do it.

[MomOnBike]

Don't even let the "loser" thought enter your head. It could get stuck there. Instead, when you decide to walk, think of it as cross-training. Seriously. Take the opportunity to stretch out any tight muscles (for me it's the quads). Walk with purpose and intent, with your head high to get oxygen into your lungs.

That way, when you get to the top of that monster, you are refreshed & ready to continue your adventure.

Two other things to try. 1) You could wait 'til you have a good tailwind. 2) Tackle the grade when you are mad enough to chew nails and use the anger to fuel you up.

After you get up the first time, you will know you can and it will get easier.

[indigoiis]

I have a hill like that right before my road. You can't get up it without four wheel drive if there's snow on the ground. THAT kind of steep. But you know, if you keep doing it, you'll eventually get up that hill. It may not get easier, but it will get less hard. I know that doesn't make sense. Until you do it - then it will make sense.

[Kalidurga]

1) You could wait 'til you have a good tailwind.

There's no such thing

You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

[malkin]

...think of it as cross-training...

Nice!

Remember even if you walked, you still made it up the hill.

[Bike Chick]

It's not an unrealistic goal to climb that hill. Keep at it and you will make it.

The first year I rode I would have an anxiety attack when I saw a hill approaching and my heart rate rose with each pedal stroke. I was such a wreck by the time I started climbing that I could hardly pedal. I gained confidence with every hill I could climb and eventually learned to relax--which made the climbing much easier. A lot of it is mental. I now enjoy riding hills and look forward to the challenge. The same hills I had to walk up 3 years ago I now can climb with confidence. You will do it too.

Just take a deep breaths, relax and spin. If you are leaning forward, try to sit back a little more and get your weight off your front tire and use your legs; alot of energy is wasted if you use your upper body. And smile while you are climbing........it's a little trick someone taught me and it works

[sarahspins]

think of it as cross-training

I love that

I avoided the hill entirely today because it's wet out - didn't really figure 30mph in the rain was safe (for me)

However, I have noticed since going clipless that some spots on my rides that kicked my butt before aren't so bad now... or maybe I'm just getting in better shape

[Miranda]

I was just posting in a diff thread about how I think clipless pedals help my hill climbing.

Just when my legs feel spent... I say in my head, "PULL UP!". I have new found strength to go more as those muscles are fresher.

I think the steepest I've been on to date was 11%. Personally, spinning in the granny gear the whole hill just kills me. I have asthma and even with my meds I think I'm a bit disadvantaged trying to burn my lungs that long.

I try to use my muscle power (pulling up) in a harder gear, and stand in 8 count intervals--alternating. Climb the thing as quick as possible and don't delay the inevitable is my theory.

Plus, on hills I really thought I was going to die if I didn't stop... I didn't think I could unclip without falling over. Thus, the head conversation goes something like... "cartwheeling backwards hurts WORSE (done that one on my mtb before)... you can do it! almost there... KEEP GOING!". Then, thx the lord, I'm at the top.

But I have been told, and totally agree... there is no shame in walking any hill... because you tried!

[sarahspins]

I have asthma and even with my meds I think I'm a bit disadvantaged trying to burn my lungs that long.

Word. I sometimes can't get enough air going up even little piddly hills! I know that is a BIG part of my problem.. my lungs give up before my legs really do.. so I have to slow down to breathe and spinning in a granny gear just kills me.. I think if I were able to get enough air and muscle up I'd be doing a big better. I am starting to wonder if a change in meds is in order I do have a doctor's appointment later this month so I'll ask about it... I haven't had many serious issues with asthma for a few years now since I eliminated the biggest sources of allergens in my house, but in the past few months I've had some trouble,

I did reply on the other thread you posted to.. I think I am too new to clipless to really be giving my pedal technique too much thought (I'm just trying to avoid any skinned knees or stupid falls at this point) but I can already tell that some different muscles are getting a workout.. certain hills/climbs seem to be a bit easier

[Miranda]

Word. I sometimes can't get enough air going up even little piddly hills! I know that is a BIG part of my problem.. my lungs give up before my legs really do.. so I have to slow down to breathe and spinning in a granny gear just kills me.. I think if I were able to get enough air and muscle up I'd be doing a big better. I am starting to wonder if a change in meds is in order I do have a doctor's appointment later this month so I'll ask about it... I haven't had many serious issues with asthma for a few years now since I eliminated the biggest sources of allergens in my house, but in the past few months I've had some trouble,

I did reply on the other thread you posted to.. I think I am too new to clipless to really be giving my pedal technique too much thought (I'm just trying to avoid any skinned knees or stupid falls at this point) but I can already tell that some different muscles are getting a workout.. certain hills/climbs seem to be a bit easier

Oh yea... the meds are huge. It's like a puzzle sometimes to figure out what's the right combo when, what, etc. I *love* my allergy/asthma doc. Hope you get some resolve with that. Sometimes it takes a few tries. Which can sux. Just don't give up. Of course you never want to stress your knee joints, etc... but my quads finally did beef up to help out. On falling over clipped in... everyone has been there (me too). And why does it always seem to happen when someone is watching--or when you are dressed nicer? Good Luck.

[BalaRoja]

Wow! You are certainly not lacking in ambition in tackling a 15% grade!

Getting up hills is purely a matter of how many watts you generate in relation to how much you weigh. If you happen to be on the petite/slim side (and fit), then you might find hills are fast friends. If you aren't, then maybe things won't be quite as friendly

Personally I try to avoid any sustained (as in long stretches) climbing at over 6-7% or so. Unless you generate mass power, and I definitely do not, then your cadence is going to drop way, way down once you get into those really steep grades and that means the force of each pedal stroke goes up correspondingly.

Maybe if your knees are A-ok then no problem but mine are far from it so self-preservation is my motto

[Bike Chick]

and your gaining confidence!

[Reesha]

And don't forget that if the road is fairly quiet and empty, you can always traverse you way up it. Wind this way and that. I was reminded of that yesterday when we had three or four loooong climbs over 15%. I did not feel bad for stopping and resting in the least!