"You're fast! Do you race?", they asked after I pulled them and then dropped them :)

[luv2climb]

I love stories like these. Great job

I had something similar happen a little over 2 weeks ago. I was on one of my usual solo rides and another female cyclist caught up to me at a red light. When the light turned green we both started up a climb. We were talking about training, climbing, and weight loss. I told her about my Athena weight (162 lbs at that time, on my 5'4" frame), and that I wanted to drop to 120 lbs. She told me that when I reach that weight I would "fly up this thing". I told her I could hardly wait to see what that feels like. Then she said "you're a strong climber". I just happened to have the camera rolling like I always do on climbs, so when I got home and played it back I noticed that I was going almost as fast as I normally do on that climb, minus the heavy breathing. Something about riding with another person must have made that climb easier, because on the next climb when I left her behind the heavy breathing and pain returned.

Do any of you find it easier to go faster when riding with others?

[redrhodie]

Great story. Glad you got it back!

Along a similar line for me today, as I passed 2 guys, one said to the other one, "You gonna let that girl pass you?" and the second guy said, "Yup." Then the first guy said, "Me too." It was totally cute, and made my ride.

[maillotpois]

Along a similar line for me today, as I passed 2 guys, one said to the other one, "You gonna let that girl pass you?" and the second guy said, "Yup." Then the first guy said, "Me too." It was totally cute, and made my ride.

Oh that one's excellent, too!

Well done, both of you!

[redrhodie]

I should probably add, they were old enough to consider me a girl. I'm 43

[Jiffer]

Great story. Glad you got it back!

Along a similar line for me today, as I passed 2 guys, one said to the other one, "You gonna let that girl pass you?" and the second guy said, "Yup." Then the first guy said, "Me too." It was totally cute, and made my ride.

I LOVE that! Made me laugh out loud!

On my club ride Saturday, I passed a couple of guys on a climb. They were chatting while I was trying to get up the climb as fast as I could. That part of the climb leveled out just a little, which I always gain momentum on. So I passed them pretty quickly and one of them starts egging the other one on relentlessly. "You gonna let a girl pass you? Come on! Go get her! Go! Go! Go!" So, the guy takes off and passes me, expecting his buddy to do the same, but he never did! He just wanted to make his friend work! The guy who passed me told me the story from his perspective when we got back. Pretty funny.

[Jiffer]

Do any of you find it easier to go faster when riding with others?

Definitely. They can either be a carrot to make you push yourself harder or, if you're competitive enough, you can try to stay ahead of them and/or just not get dropped. However, when I'm chatting with someone, I'm not riding as hard as I otherwise would, particularly on a climb. I breath harder than most people, apparently.

I did Heartbreak Hundred the last two years. A century with about 7,500+ feet of climbing. It was a timed century, but you could leave within about an hour window of time. I purposefully left about 30 minutes before two of my friends, a guy and a girl, who are both stronger than me. I spent the whole time trying to stay ahead of them and they spent the whole time trying to catch me. I am happy to report that they never did catch me! Their overall time was a little faster than mine, only like 5 minutes for my girlfriend, but I never let them catch me! I kept expecting to hear them behind me yelling my name. They said they WERE yelling my name, only they never saw me. They were yelling, "Hey Jen! Where are you?!!!" Felt pretty good.

Great story you shared. A little encouragement from others sure goes a long way, doesn't it? And half the time they don't even realize what a big deal their comments are to you ... they may assume you are aware of your ability, whatever it may be.

[luv2climb]

However, when I'm chatting with someone, I'm not riding as hard as I otherwise would, particularly on a climb.

Me neither this time. I rode just fast enough so she wouldn't fall behind, but not so fast that she couldn't comfortably carry on a conversation. I ride with a Take-A-Look eyeglass mirror, so I was able to keep the right speed without constantly turning my head.

I breath harder than most people, apparently.

I wonder if I do too? I posted a solo ride video with that same climb in this thread just over a week ago. The climb we were on is in the beginning. I was pushing hard like I always do on hills, so there's lots of heavy breathing. If you watch it, let me know if I sound like I breathe harder than most people too. Since I always ride solo, I have no idea.

I did Heartbreak Hundred the last two years. A century with about 7,500+ feet of climbing. It was a timed century, but you could leave within about an hour window of time. I purposefully left about 30 minutes before two of my friends, a guy and a girl, who are both stronger than me. I spent the whole time trying to stay ahead of them and they spent the whole time trying to catch me. I am happy to report that they never did catch me! Their overall time was a little faster than mine, only like 5 minutes for my girlfriend, but I never let them catch me! I kept expecting to hear them behind me yelling my name. They said they WERE yelling my name, only they never saw me. They were yelling, "Hey Jen! Where are you?!!!" Felt pretty good.

Good job I love stories like this!

Great story you shared. A little encouragement from others sure goes a long way, doesn't it? And half the time they don't even realize what a big deal their comments are to you ... they may assume you are aware of your ability, whatever it may be.

Thank you Yes, it sure does I've never considered myself a "strong climber" at my weight, so that lets me know I'm making progress