Walk or wait. . . What to do?

[mainerider]

Having been in a similar situation, when I was going 4 mph, and almost fell over because I couldn't get my feet unclipped fast enough, I walked until I could get back on my bike and finish the climb. I did feel defeated for walking that small section and still have that climb "to do" over again. (Crawford Notch, NH).

[snapdragen]

I think it takes more energy to walk, than to just wait a bit and get back on the bike.

[Deanna]

I believe in stopping. I like to say I rode the whole hill, even if I have to stop a few times. If it's a climb I plan on doing repeatedly, it's motivating to aim for one less stop the next time I go up it.

[alpinerabbit]

Kinda hard to walk in road shoes. So I tend to stop.

[SadieKate]

Everybody is different, but I walk. If I stop and stand, the muscles in my legs won't continue to pump and keep the circulation going, otherwise everything pools in my feet. For long straight downhills where I don't care about gaining speed, I'll even keep my legs gently turning over so that circulation and flushing is maintained. If I'm riding a familiar route and know that a particular hill is going to be a problem, I try to get my heart rate down by riding at a very low effort for quite a while before.

Good recovery after a ride includes putting your feet up, not standing still, so it just seems that walking is better than standing. Only time I stand is when I've stopped at the flattest place and couldn't get started elsewhere. I kind of view it as a mini-cooldown period like you should do at the end of a ride.

There is no rule that you have to ride the whole thing. In a mtnbike or cyclocross race, the racers take the most efficient means of locomotion. If that means getting off the bike and running up a hill with it, fine.

Fitness, gearing and confidence will help you conquer the hill one day.

[bcipam]

Unfortunately this happens to be more than I like... I stop, catch my breath and start walking. Problem with a steep hill and ultra granny is it's tough to get started again. Takes alot of technique and skill. I look at it this way. I'm still exercising. It's not easy pushing a 25 - 30 pound bike up a steep hill. It's still work. Once the ground levels out a bit, then I try and get back on the bike. It's all good.

[Trek420]

what bcipam sez

"I look at it this way. I'm still exercising. It's not easy pushing a 25 - 30 pound bike up a steep hill. It's still work.... It's all good."

It's all under your own power, it all counts, it's cross training! But my goal is to do it fewer times and less.

I think it was the great Eddie M. who said something like "You're faster going than not going" so I keep moving. That's probably not what he meant but...

Trek-never met a hill I'm ashamed to walk-420

[Dianyla]

I believe in stopping. I like to say I rode the whole hill, even if I have to stop a few times. If it's a climb I plan on doing repeatedly, it's motivating to aim for one less stop the next time I go up it.

Yeah, what she said.