Hills. I hate them. What Would Dirt Do?
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Me? I just tell people to get the hell outta my yard.
Then I put spandex on and ride my carbon fiber bike.
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.176189,-78.116179Why are so many people on this forum so against people who ride for fun instead of transportion?
Well I’ll answer.
I knew I was going to cause trouble – and it was largely tongue in cheek (thats why there were so many smileys).I aint against the people who ride for fun. ALL I do is ride for fun (I also happen to ride to get to work – its fun).
No, what I am against :rolleyes: (picture Kruschev at the podium banging with his cycling clipless shoes) is posers – not people who ride for fun – but people who go out, spend silly amount of money on equipment they dont need, that they take out and ride once, and then never ride again. And I love calling out the spandex kings, cause, well, they just look so cute (honestly, 60 degrees tonite and the guy in front of me had full spandex pants on). I wear spandex – I am just smart enough to know that I look like a dope wear it
I have ridden since…. well frankly I cant remember that long any more. I would rather be on a bike than anywhere. I love riding. And I love watching the spandex boys fly through my neighborhood at speeds I will never again achieve (seriously – its kinda awesome to see how it has all taken off).
Look. I’m having fun. And it aint “because those people are different than me.” More because those guys are me – and I am the slowest oldest guy on the trail – and I wouldnt be trying to
except fir I am having so much fun riding a bike.@rcannon100 14108 wrote:
Well I’ll answer.
I knew I was going to cause trouble – and it was largely tongue in cheek (thats why there were so many smileys).I aint against the people who ride for fun. ALL I do is ride for fun (I also happen to ride to get to work – its fun).
No, what I am against :rolleyes: (picture Kruschev at the podium banging with his cycling clipless shoes) is posers – not people who ride for fun – but people who go out, spend silly amount of money on equipment they dont need, that they take out and ride once, and then never ride again. And I love calling out the spandex kings, cause, well, they just look so cute (honestly, 60 degrees tonite and the guy in front of me had full spandex pants on). I wear spandex – I am just smart enough to know that I look like a dope wear it
I have ridden since…. well frankly I cant remember that long any more. I would rather be on a bike than anywhere. I love riding. And I love watching the spandex boys fly through my neighborhood at speeds I will never again achieve (seriously – its kinda awesome to see how it has all taken off).
Look. I’m having fun. And it aint “because those people are different than me.” More because those guys are me – and I am the slowest oldest guy on the trail – and I wouldnt be trying to
except fir I am having so much fun riding a bike.I spent an unfortunate amount of time working at bike shops around the area back in the 90’s and was pressed into service every once in a while to do sales when things slowed down back in the wrench section. I HATE sales. Why? Because I’m honest. The first question I would ask is “How much do you want to bike?” followed by “How much do you want to pay?” Usually I would steer most people towards a middle-of-the-road hybrid or the occasional mountain bike.
I remember one woman in particular who came in with a triathlon magazine and pointed at a rather expensive Trek 5200 (old Ultegra OCLV). She had never ridden a bike before, weighed over 200 lbs, and had been convinced by a coworker to start doing triathlons. I’m pretty sure that same exact bike was bought by a friend of mine no more than three weeks later.
I want to try too, is 41st similar to this hill? (photo by VVill, potomac st in georgetown)
Also, if you cross over from DC, do you ride C&O canal or Canal rd to get to chain bridge?
@Subby 14275 wrote:
Today was the day I was going to conquer 41st street. I did a nice slow pace over Chain Bridge to conserve my energy, making sure I didn’t beat the light at 123 and Glebe. Gathered myself and waited for the light change. Started slowly chugging up to the lot – man it gets steep quick. Shifted all the way into the highest (or is it lowest? christ I am such a newb) gear, stood up and methodically pedaled up…up…up. Made it past the initial incline, sweating like a 40 year-old fat guy on a hybrid commuter bike climbing a steep-ass hill.
Halfway there! Just staring at the road, focusing, cranking, focusing, cranking. Finally, make it to the end of 41st street – woooohooooo! SUCK IT, HILL.
Now I just have to make up the little connector path to the street above and victory will be mine. Feeling good. Pedaling…slower, slower…gravity…winning…OH GOD….FALLING OVER. ARRRGGGGGH.
FAIL.
Almost made it. Luckily I caught the metal rail with my left hand before I went all the way down. So. Very. Close.
You’ll make it soon! Took me 3 tries on my hybrid. Even these days when I ride up I still have a fear my legs/lungs will give out and I’ll start falling over while clipped in.
@dcv 14280 wrote:
I want to try too, is 41st similar to this hill? (photo by VVill, potomac st in georgetown)
Also, if you cross over from DC, do you ride C&O canal or Canal rd to get to chain bridge?Not really, 41st is a fair bit steeper and longer than Potomac St. And the pavement isn’t that smooth, and the gradient changes as you go.
The only official route from DC is to take the C&O. You could ride on Canal Rd I suppose but it’s uphill, often with a fair bit of traffic.
The other option is to take the CCT until you are just above the Canal/Chain Br intersection and walk down an offroad path, and then cross Canal Rd with your bike, including stepping over the barrier. It’s ugly but if you don’t want to ride skinny tires on the C&O, it works okay.
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