Climbing the steepest streets in San Francisco on a folding bike

[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.

[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).

[ladyicon]

WOW! Great photos, and good for you for even attempting it. Now I know not to take my bike there, hills are my worst enemy, but I fight them all the time. Kudos to you for doing it.

[luv2climb]

I probably should have kept my cynicism to myself, as it seems to have hit a nerve with Veronica, who should probably just put me on ignore.

I've seen videos of the Dirty Dozen bike race in Pittsburgh, PA where the riders climbed Canton Ave, a cobbled 37% grade. I have no doubt in my mind that everyone who I saw ride up Canton could make it up Broderick no problem.

I just don't feel comfortable making claims of climbing 31.5% grades with a folding bike without some kind of proof. I want people to have no doubt that what I said I did is true.

Even Garmin data is no longer foolproof. When I upload my data, there is now an option for "full edit". That means I could be dishonest and change the readings. No way am I doing that!

[Veronica]

Huh? English, please!

The word skeptical means you doubt that someone accomplished what they did, which I interpret to mean you are calling someone you don't know, a liar.

What does it matter if someone did or didn't do what they claim? Why do you need proof?

BTW - panties in a wad - is rude and insulting.

Veronica

[luv2climb]

The word skeptical means you doubt that someone accomplished what they did, which I interpret to mean you are calling someone you don't know, a liar.

What does it matter if someone did or didn't do what they claim? Why do you need proof?

BTW - panties in a wad - is rude and insulting.

Veronica

Why does it matter? Because they posted it in my thread, that's why. I would like to see someone, anyone, climb that hill because it would be inspiring to me and many others.

Why don't you do yourself a favor and put me on ignore? Nothing I can say is going to change your opinion of me, so please do us both a favor and ignore my posts.

[Crankin]

Well, I am going to throw myself into the fray here. I "put myself on ignore," in a way, because while I do like looking at pictures of any rides in places where I have not ridden, I am not going to comment on the descriptions and I certainly am not watching the videos. I could care less about the technology of helmet cameras or any cameras. I don't know the man that the OP and Veronica are talking about, so it's not like I am defending him. But something just feels "wrong" here. I don't discount the OP's accomplishments, I am sure she's done all of these hill climbs.
Won't comment any more, as I really don't want to start a war. But, I do agree with Veronica.

[luv2climb]

I will try my best to clarify what I said earlier, for those who think I'm just stirring the pot.

I am not familiar with the BF poster who made those claims, or his cycling accomplishments. When I first saw his post, I thought he was either super-fit and actually climbed Broderick, or he exaggerated. Anyone who has ever spent time on the Road Cycling section of BF knows how much bragging and outright lying goes on in there, so naturally I was a bit hesitant to take his word that he climbed that hill in that gear combination. Many roadies have big egos, and many male roadies hate it when a woman is as fast or faster than them. Since climbing is probably the ultimate display of strength, many roadies are very competitive and like to try to outdo each other.

With all this in mind, I would have felt more comfortable with that claim with just a little more data, a picture, or a video. That is all.

[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.

[jobob]

Good grief.

Luv2climb, I don't know you from Adam and I don't think we have exchanged any correspondence before this thread, in which, I might add, I was the first one who complimented you on your achievement.

Your later posts implying that someone did not actually climb Broderick because he didn't supply you with adequate "proof" were, to put it mildly, rather odd. Even more so because I too know the man you are alleging to be a liar. I've known Bostic even longer than Veronica has (and she probably doesn't even know that); I met him way before V started doing double centuries. He is a kind and an honest man, and yes, a damn strong cyclist. If he said he rode up Broderick, he rode up Broderick.

Anyone who has ever spent time on the Road Cycling section of BF knows how much bragging and outright lying goes on in there, so naturally I was a bit hesitant to take his word that he climbed that hill in that gear combination. Many roadies have big egos, and many male roadies hate it when a woman is as fast or faster than them. Since climbing is probably the ultimate display of strength, many roadies are very competitive and like to try to outdo each other.

So what? What is the big deal if someone exaggerates? You still did what you did, how might some pathetic person's exaggeration diminish your own accomplishments?

You have no reason to be so insecure. The "male roadies" on bikeforums were very impressed with your achievements. As was I, at least until you started trashing someone out of the blue. And I'm not at all impressed with the way you lashed out at Veronica because she pointed out your incorrect assertions about her friend (and mine). Kind of unfair, imo.

[Crankin]

LuvToClimb, the reason I only spoke up after V's comment is I didn't want to get the reaction from you that is in your last post. Veronica's comment made me realize that I am not the only one who feels this way. OK, so you you think I should go out and ride? Get rid of my frustrations? Really, I don't have any. My life is great, and I just came home from a 14 mile ride at 5:00 AM. I guess I am just wondering what else is in your life, besides taking long rides by yourself? I admire the athletic accomplishments, for sure, it's just we know very little about you, besides the fact that you do long rides up steep climbs. Most of the people who post here talk about their riding/running/swimming/x country skiing, but we also share other stuff about ourselves. Not super personal, but I could list the other interests and family/friends of several TE people. It makes them feel like friends, not just some random poster I see on the Internet. In fact, I have met several TE people in person and this would not have happened if I didn't feel a connection, in addition to the riding. Perhaps this is just my own personal take on this, but I have never seen you post about anything other than your climbs.

[pll]

I will chime in to say that I agree with Jobob, Veronica and Crankin here. I always enjoy seeing your pictures, luv2climb, but your tone in this thread and the ad hominem attacks you made are lamentable.

I clicked on the link you gave to Bike Forums, and fail to see any "one-upmanship" in Bostic's post. If you read the regular threads in this forum, about weekend rides, I would read Bostic's post in the same light, as a similar and relevant report. I don't see any reason to suspect that the poster was exaggerating in any way: considering the tone of the post, and the seniority of the poster in Bike Forums, asking for a video a proof seems just out of place. I am sure there are trolls who exaggerate, but why would anyone bother engaging them?

[luv2climb]

The reason I have a problem with people exaggerating the truth is because that's not how I was brought up. I feel it's pointless to embellish things just to make yourself feel better.

I will repeat. I do not know the poster on BF, so I wasn't going to automatically take his word for it after some of the stuff I've seen other people post on BF. I don't believe everything I read on the internet. I take it with a grain of salt.

Veronica only speaks up when she has something negative to say to me. That is "odd", IMHO.

This is a cycling forum. I don't feel comfortable sharing other things about my life with random strangers on the internet. I know there's no risk in sharing the climbs. And yes, I have posted in other people's threads about other subjects. I don't have the time to go through every thread on every forum though.

I can't figure out why those who are so quick to defend the BF poster can't understand where I'm coming from. You know him. I don't. I don't believe everything I read on the internet. That's just common sense. Now that several of you have insisted that he's telling the truth, I'll believe you.

[shootingstar]

This is a cycling forum. I don't feel comfortable sharing other things about my life with random strangers on the internet. I know there's no risk in sharing the climbs. And yes, I have posted in other people's threads about other subjects. I don't have the time to go through every thread on every forum though.

I highlighted a portion of your comments in green as a reference for mine, before..I get misunderstood.

Hopefully luv2climb you will continue to participate in other forum members' subject threads. Or even initiate topics that are outside of cycling hills.

While, true that it is probably this group of women who also cycle often, would appreciate your hill-climbing, it is after all, an Internet informal community virtual group.

Making it a place that is dynamic for ongoing dialogue, does need the lubricant of other side cycling topics or nothing to do with cycling. I think this is why TE forums has remained an active forum with a decent wide number of regular participants ("regular" can be thought of as only a few times per month/year even).

If we all stuck to just announcing our cycling achievements on the forums, it would be a pretty dry, boring place, after all.

Consider the "social lubricants" or other topics that are related and not related to cycling, that make TE a great place for women cyclists to dialogue and connect --globally.

We need to remind ourselves this..occasionally.

I actually don't care about the guy, etc. and his cycling. I just care about how TE forums hang together and not fall apart.

[MM_QFC!]

Why wasn't there an apology for the unnecessary and uncalled for rude and insulting response to Veronica?
There was a challenge to a post by the OP, but it neither rude nor insulting, so I found the response to be both and undeserved too.
IMHO, there is never a good reason to bring that type of behavior nor speak to any TE member in a rude and insulting way. Isn't that what many of us find objectionable on other forums? When someone chooses to deteriorate to insulting, rude comments to another TE member, then don't others of us have to challenge it to keep our experience here one that is enjoyable, educational, and respectful of each other. I'd prefer not to lower that bar; you?