went on my first club ride!

[RoadRaven]

Woohoo, MH!!
I have been on my first two rides with the local club in May. The first was a TT, so essentially I rode by myself, but the second was a road race and it was a bit intimidating - but once I got there, and started, it was fun and exciting and i am looking forward to the next.
The race last weekend was cancelled due to atrocious weather (heavy driving rain almost impossible to see in) so I am hoping for better weather this weekend. Its a flat course (my main weakness is hills).

Looking forward to reading more about your club rides... as for advice on hill rides, have a look at this current thread

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6323

and if you want more, do a search for hills, because they are mentioned not infrequently in this forum

[mhtrek]

Thanks you guys for your input! I'm going to go ride hills tonight! you guys have got me pumped! I'll let you know how it goes. Take care and keep riding!!!!!!!!!!

[Wizzer]

One of the best things I have found it actually taking a spinning class. It's a little different than riding outside, but it has helped to make those hills a little easier to climb I can tell you that. Hills are my stronger point. I agree that shifting that gear when you see it coming is a major part of finding what you can do in what gear and once you get that momentum going, there'll be no stopping you!

Good luck with your hill training, practice, practice!

Wizzer

[KSH]

Way to go!

Yes, hills can be a huge challenge. You just have to keep riding them to get better.

For me, to get up those hills... I focus on the top of the hill and making it up as quick as I can. I also focus on making a full rotation with my foot and not pedaling on my tippy-toes.

Because of this, I tend to speed up going up hills, instead of slowing down.

[bikerchick68]

good for you! the fact that you went on a group ride is great... it will make you stronger and you'll no doubt learn lots of skills from other riders too! When I was new I asked a TON of questions to experienced riders... I found that the cycling community is in general VERY helpful... everyone WANTED to help me learn...

and yep, repeats are excellent for training... climb, climb, climb... and you WILL be stronger... and maybe you were the last one up the hill... but you got up there! way to go...

[Prairiedog]

Megan...I ride hills constantly. I live in a rural area and as soon as I leave my driveway, which is a hill itself, I am either going uphill to the right or downhill to the left. Plus, I ride predominately on gravel roads which is much more difficult especially after a heavy rain and you really bog down into the road.

I am so used to having to work that hard that I am just much better conditioned than even people who ride more than I do in a week.

The only way to get faster/stronger on hills is to get out and ride on some...alot. When my kids were small I used a trailer for them behind my bike and they added 75 pounds to what I was pumping uphill. Now that they ride their own bikes I will still load the trailer up with weights and take it for a ride so I don't get too soft! My husband can not keep up with me if he rides my routes and I credit that to the extra conditioning I got pulling my kids in that trailer. Notice that I always pulled the kids, not him! Sissy.

[latelatebloomer]

Megan, I'm right there with you! Three club rides to my name and the hill slug every time. Is there a more experienced rider willing to stick beside you and coach you on hill technique as you go? That's really helping me - seems that eating hills is part legs, part lungs, and part strategy.

Keep it going, and congrats!