Originally Posted by
horatio
Thanks for the encouragement. I don't think my quads would agree at this point, though. Even though power is power, strength is still needed for sustained climbing. I'd say my fitness level now is roughly what it was the first time I tried that climb, eight years ago. On that ride, my legs gave out before reaching the top, so I have to consider the limits of muscle fatigue in my equation.
Sounds like all you really need are the right gears. Muscles don't give out when there are adequate gears to spin, the task becomes all about breathing at that point. Keep spinning and keep breathing, and you WILL reach the summit eventually. Maybe not as soon as you would
like to but patience will be rewarded.