Climbing the steepest streets in San Francisco on a folding bike

[gnat23]

Wow! Your rear derailleur looks like it would touch pavement on a right turn. Super impressive, those steepies scare the daylights outta me.

-- gnat!

[luv2climb]

LOL! You're right! I just looked at the bike and the bottom of the long-cage derailleur is about an inch off the ground. That's the stock configuration too. So far no problems with clearance though.

The one-upmanship has started. A man on another forum claims he made it up the 38% Broderick St with a 34x26. Maybe he did, but without video proof I'm skeptical. I've been accused of being an attention you-know-what for posting videos, but that's not the case. I do it to back up my claims, and because I've been told by many people that they enjoy watching them. If they didn't, I wouldn't waste my time.

I wish more people would post raw footage ride videos to back up their claims. I mention the raw footage part because it shows the viewer how hard the rider had to work to make it up the climb.

[hebe]

wow, never was there a more appropriate use name! I'm amazed, I've only visited San Francisco once, and got a little giddy just doing the hills in those trolley cars!

Brilliant stuff, well done!

[Veronica]

That's rather bold of you. The guy who made that claim on BF is a serious hardcore rider, volunteered with me at Knoxville Double 2010 and completed 5 double centuries, including three of the hardest ones - DMD, Terrible Two and Mount Tam in 2010. He then repeated those three this year to finish 24th in the Cal Triple Crown stage race this year.

Really, just because there is no video, does not mean it did not happen.

Veronica

[luv2climb]

That's rather bold of you. The guy who made that claim on BF is a serious hardcore rider, volunteered with me at Knoxville Double 2010 and completed 5 double centuries, including three of the hardest ones - DMD, Terrible Two and Mount Tam in 2010. He then repeated those three this year to finish 24th in the Cal Triple Crown stage race this year.

Really, just because there is no video, does not mean it did not happen.

Veronica

Look, I know I'm not exactly your favorite poster out there, but I am cynical of most of the stuff I read on the internet. Anyone can say they did this and that, and it's not always true. I never said he didn't do it. I said I was skeptical because that Strava page he linked to doesn't show the detailed ride data that Garmin's site does. I had no way to see what and where he rode.

Don't forget, many men hate being "chicked", so they will bust their *** to outdo a woman.

[Blueberry]

I don't have a dog in the fight of who did or didn't post what about their ride.

However, I will say:

1) I do not have a helmet mount camera. I haven't ruled it out because of crazy drivers, but it's not likely something I'll spend money on anytime soon. I certainly wouldn't find it necessary to back up a claim of what I did or didn't do.

2) I refuse to provide any public access to my Garmin data. I don't want people to know where and when I start and end my rides for security reasons. I also don't really necessarily want my HR data out there for all to see.

Neither of these would necessarily verify what gear someone used anyway.

I don't tend to watch videos on the internet anyway - but I do enjoy seeing the photos

[luv2climb]

2) I refuse to provide any public access to my Garmin data. I don't want people to know where and when I start and end my rides for security reasons. I also don't really necessarily want my HR data out there for all to see.

I don't use my Garmin on any ride that starts anywhere near home. I only use it for climbing rides, which start at a minimum of 25 miles away.

[Veronica]

Don't forget, many men hate being "chicked", so they will bust their *** to outdo a woman.

You are the window through which you see the world.

Veronica

[luv2climb]

You are the window through which you see the world.

Veronica

Huh? English, please!

I base my opinions on past experiences, both my own and other people's. Sorry if you can't accept that some, not all, men feel threatened by women who are at least somewhat strong. Before you get your panties in a wad, I am not talking about the BF poster who said he rode up Broderick in a 34x26. I don't even know who he is. I just wanted more concrete proof of his climb, that's all.

[shootingstar]

There's nothing wrong asking for abit of proof. Why is Garmin data proof so critical anyway? My partner cycled across Canada twice with his gear solo and I didn't have to ask for Garmin proof. He had photos of where he went and stories how wiped out he was on certain day.

I'm sure we know we can't ask the sherpas in Tibet for Garmin proof when they carry trekking loads up those steep altitudes for themselves or for tour groups.

Anyway, any experienced cyclist, even for a turtle like me who ends up walking up some of those type of hills with my bike, knows it's not an easy feat.

I enjoyed the video luv2climb. I've been to 'Frisco (twice).

[luv2climb]

I want to thank all those who gave positive feedback. You are the reason I post these videos and pictures. I wouldn't do it if it didn't make people happy.

As far as those who only speak up when they have something negative to say to me, turn off your computers, go outside, and go for a ride or do some other type of exercise, It's much more productive to take your frustrations out on the pedals than on some random stranger on the internet.