Hills. I hate them. What Would Dirt Do?

[jrenaut]

I’m very much looking forward to the next stages in my childrens’ biking careers. Last time I was on Beach Drive I saw a man with his daughter on her own bike behind him – she was probably 8 or so – and I felt distinctly jealous. So I’m trying to teach my kids to love bikes as early as possible.

[baiskeli]

@Marcella 13749 wrote:

Also, learn the words to the Foo Fighters’ “All My Life.” Sing as necessary.

Hey, that’s my favorite biking song in my biking song list!

Brings up another way to deal with hills – spinning class.

[DismalScientist]

Ann,

Not trying to be helpful or anything, but have you considered mounting a seat post-attached rack to Spartacus? Of course, this depends on how much stuff you put in you panniers, but a road bike may make the hills easier.

[acc]

Dearest Dismal Scientist,
I have a deep and twisted relationship with Spartacus, I can’t bear to put a rack on him, it would be like reassigning his gender. I sacrificed the mountain bike after he dragged me through gravel over Thanksgiving at Wakefield.

Spinning class…There is a remarkable young man who teaches spinning classes. I’ve named his quads “Shock” and “Awe.” But spinning is probably the third reason I went to that class. If the weather turns horrible I’ll go find Mr. Shock-Awe, but I do better on the street. Last winter spin class helped me understand cadence.

ann

[Subby]

There is a hill that I still have not made it up yet. When you cross Chain Bridge into Virginia you ride through a small parking lot and go up the residential back street that crosses underneath the GW Parkway overpass. Maybe I’m crazy, but it feels like a 20 story climb in about a fifth of a mile. Right now either I walk or slow-motion fall over on my side.

One day I’ll conquer it. One day.

[Riley Casey]

I was foolish enough to try that hill once. It looked so promising, as if there might be a genuine reward at the top for the effort. As it turned out, blah , more inner suburbia – and more hills.

[Tim Kelley]

That’s 41st Street! It’s one of Pete’s Top 3 Five Toughest Hill in Arlington: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pedrogringo/sets/72157625204127690/with/5099618268/

Here’s some reading on it: http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?95-Arlington-s-toughest-hills-list

I’ve taken at least three friends up that hill who have tipped over (one actually sprained his wrist!).

[vvill]

Good ol’ 41st St. I love that hill, although I only made it on my 3rd attempt, back when I mostly rode my hybrid. When I first took my road bike up it I realised I had a higher lower gear than before (double vs triple crankset) but I think the reduced weight of the road bike let me still climb it (just). Really need to pace yourself on that one, unless you have 3 lungs.

[americancyclo]

@vvill 13910 wrote:

Really need to pace yourself on that one, unless you have 3 lungs.

Tim has 3 lungs.

[Dirt]

@Tim Kelley 13906 wrote:

I’ve taken at least three friends up that hill who have tipped over (one actually sprained his wrist!).

I still haven’t made it up on the fixie road bike yet. I did it on the fixie mountain bike, a few different road bikes and the cargo bike. I can’t make the last pitch on the fixie though. I just don’t have the power to turn the pedals over the last 10 times.

[jabberwocky]

I’ve tried 41st twice on the fixie. The first time I made it to the pedestrian walkway at the top and simply couldn’t keep the bike moving. The second was post hurricane, and it had two trees down across it. I made it over the first one near the bottom, but the second one close to the top thwarted me.

Definitely on my list to retry someday.

[jrenaut]

@Dirt 13924 wrote:

I still haven’t made it up on the fixie road bike yet. I did it on the fixie mountain bike, a few different road bikes and the cargo bike. I can’t make the last pitch on the fixie though. I just don’t have the power to turn the pedals over the last 10 times.

Okay, I have to try the hill that (conditionally) got Dirt. I think I’ll try it WITHOUT the trailer.

[WillStewart]

@DaveK 13755 wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA

Just keep spinning.

And start breathing more deeply as you ramp up your energy level approaching the hill. Believe the hill is 10% higher than it really is, then you are at the top before you know it…

[Dirt]

@jrenaut 13927 wrote:

Okay, I have to try the hill that (conditionally) got Dirt. I think I’ll try it WITHOUT the trailer.

48×16 is just too tall a gear for that hill. I’m not man enough for it at least.

[Tim Kelley]

@americancyclo 13923 wrote:

Tim has 3 lungs.

Wow, americancyclo sure has a lot of KOMs on Strava.

Many of them local…nothing like a little competition!

[Author]

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