Hills. I hate them. What Would Dirt Do?

[KLizotte]

@acc 15158 wrote:

On the other hand, the delivery dude who made sucking noises and said, “That’s a great a***,” I was not amused.

That’s what happens when you build buns of steel 😮

[Riley Casey]

The gentleman thinks it with admiration, the lout blurts it out. :p

@acc 15158 wrote:

On the other hand, the delivery dude who made sucking noises and said, “That’s a great a***,” I was not amused.

Happy Trails,
The Rhinestone Cowgirl

[SpokeGrenadeSR]

I’ve gotta say I’m surprised there’s no love for Wilson Blvd off the W&OD. It’s wonderful to ride up one side, then back down just to go up the other! Kinda like a painful rollercoaster. And it’s certainly a bit more aggressive than Walter Reed from what I’ve experienced.

[DismalScientist]

@SpokeGrenadeSR 15309 wrote:

I’ve gotta say I’m surprised there’s no love for Wilson Blvd off the W&OD. It’s wonderful to ride up one side, then back down just to go up the other! Kinda like a painful rollercoaster. And it’s certainly a bit more aggressive than Walter Reed from what I’ve experienced.

Make sure you trigger the speed radar so that you can have the experience the traffic light at the bottom. Using your built-up momentum is cheating.

[pfunkallstar]

So THAT is why I get stuck there. Damn speed radars.

[consularrider]

I actually had to stop for that light yesterday afternoon (on my bike) because a pedestrian actually had the nerve to push the activation button! Good thing I knew him and had ridden with him the day before.

[Subby]

@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.

Finally conquered that $%^&er on the way home yesterday, access path and all. Small victories.

[acc]

My most sincere congratulations!

[KLizotte]

Is this the hill of terror you are all speaking about?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]831[/ATTACH]

[jabberwocky]

Yup, thats the one.

[Tim Kelley]

@KLizotte 16512 wrote:

Is this the hill of terror you are all speaking about?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]831[/ATTACH]

That’s the one–go ride it and report back!

[KLizotte]

@Subby 16488 wrote:

Finally conquered that $%^&er on the way home yesterday, access path and all. Small victories.

There should be a little box at the top full of star stickers so you can wear one on your forehead for the ride home.

Whooohooooooo!

*Leaderboard*
Subby: 1
Gravity: 0

[SpokeGrenadeSR]

kinda like the “this bike climbed mount washington” stickers. i’d support that motion haha.

[acc]

Update on Hills, I Hate Them

Last December I came up with my best bad idea ever. I took my heaviest bike, slapped a rack, panniers, and fat tires on it, added some lights and made it my commuting bike. I hoped the 16-mile ride would transform me into a tough, hill-climbing rider by spring. I wanted to be the kind of cyclist who instills fear; shock and awe every time he appears on the trail, in other words, someone like Tim Kelley. The reality that I’m a short, middle-aged woman who had not broken 23 mph on a flat road before never entered my mind.

Like many of my ideas, the rhinestone bike for one, it seemed rational at the time, as I sipped my glass of wine and mulled it over. It’s the details that get in the way. Of course I practiced the route before I began riding to work. I practiced it with my lightest bike because I didn’t think an extra ten pounds of gear on a heavy bike would make much difference. My lungs are inclined to disagree.

By the way, January is a fine month to begin bike commuting between Vienna and Fairfax. The wind is delightfully brisk; you can appreciate it through two pairs of tights and gloves. And the rain keeps your face moist and your pedals slick. There’s no need for coffee once you hit that top tube once or twice.

And the hills. What can I say that hasn’t been said before? It’s an almost out-of-body sensation when I reach the top with two fully loaded panniers. The momentary feeling of lightheadedness is truly special.

This week marks almost three months of commuting and I had the opportunity to take Spartacus, my road bike, out for a few joy rides. I discovered my evil diabolical plan worked. The hills through Rosslyn on the Custis trail, not a problem. Four Mile Run, not the disaster it had been the summer before. But the best part, the moment I never dreamed would happen, I saw the number 26 on my speedometer as I cruised around Hains Point by myself. I did not imagine it; the magical Garmin recorded it for all of posterity. Ok, it was only briefly, but that one moment exceeded every goal I had.

I will never be like Mr. Kelley. I know that. But I can dream. And don’t get me wrong; I still hate hills, just not as much.

Happy Commuting Trails,
ann

[Tim Kelley]

Now do 41st Street.

Stay seated as long as you can, spinning smoothly in your easiest gear. Sit towards the back of the seat and find that sweet spot on the saddle. If you need a short break from that position, stand out of the saddle, but don’t burn out your legs, get seated again right away. Keep your breathing controlled. Once you near the top, before the steep path part, cut left to take a quick one-second breather and then charge at the steep path. Get out of the saddle, lean forward so you don’t tip over backwards, mash those gears, hang onto the handlebars using your upperbody strength to drive you up the hill as the bike rocks underneath you like a pro racer sprinting for the line. Feel every muscle fiber in your legs burning and the sharp gasping intakes of breath searing your lungs. Collapse at the top and revel in how far you’ve come from having to drive to group rides.

Report back.

[Author]

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