This should not be *this* hard
#26
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Wind, particularly cross winds... that are slightly at your back but mostly a cross wind... that go on for 20 miles! And that are only 20 MPH... with gusts to 30... I love riding on the Northern Plains!
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There's a short ramp on my evening commute, about 1/4 mile into the ride, that leaves me huffing.
That same ramp at the end of a 60 mile weekend ride is pffffft.
Weird but true.
That same ramp at the end of a 60 mile weekend ride is pffffft.
Weird but true.
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#28
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Tectonic plate activity of the Earth's crust makes all the hills steeper every year.
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You need to work on pacing yourself better. Next time try riding the first hills real slow and prepare to attack the smaller climbs at the end of the ride. Report back.
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I have a large hill going on my commute. About a 6% grade and for about 200 feet. Alls i have to say is push thru it. With time that hill will be nothing compared to what you can achieve in the future.
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#35
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its not that the climbs are hard and this has nothing to do with pacing. they are quite small in comparison to the rest. what is comical about them is that they are so minuscule but can be a little tough. it is as if there is a force field, higher gravity, or far denser air causing greater effort. these little spots *should* not be that hard...but they are. i always get a chuckle while riding them.
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I had one near where I used to live in SoCal. On multiple occasions I got off the bike to check if my back tire was rubbing the frame of the brake pads or something. Nope. Just this weird stretch of road with no apparent slope or wind that just sucks.
Later on, I found a portion of Highway 395 in Oregon that for some reason was fast in both directions. I'd hit 20mph without much effort on the outbound and homeward legs of rides.
Later on, I found a portion of Highway 395 in Oregon that for some reason was fast in both directions. I'd hit 20mph without much effort on the outbound and homeward legs of rides.
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Just looked at the map on a large monitor. I did Brandon Gap west to east during my self-contained trip across the country. It was the only climb during the entire trip that I though I might walk for a bit. Near the top my computer read 0 mph at one point. I did a uey, went back down a bit to regain momentum, did another uey and completed the climb.
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Have you ever done D2R2 out of Deerfield, MA? Great event.
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Yeah,with that climbing I expect I’ll be content with 80. I’m staying at a local B&B for the weekend, it’s about a 3 hour drive. I’ve ridden near Deerfield last fall but I’ve not done the D2R2 yet.
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There are about 2 or 3 places that i can think of where i ride and it suddenly gets real hard. all involve climbing. one particular place is a little 1-2% grade that lasts for about a 150' about 6 miles into my morning commute. before that little climb i already climbed a bunch. another spot is maybe 2-3% for about a 1/4 mile where i have already done 5-6% climbs for way way longer. these little climbs just seem to get me and i don't really know why. i find it comical, have anything like that on your rides?
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#41
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The road to our apartment is one way road, in the middle of a climb so the way out and back is a climb! I put small gears on my bike so I can still warm up properly. Yeah, going back after a long ride can be a pain. But have gone used to it.
#43
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I have no idea about snow. But the way back exhausted can be annoying. It can be an opportunity to do a "make-believe" victory sprint up the hill, grimacing in pain like the pros but I don't! I've done it a few times and felt sick afterwards!
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its not that the climbs are hard and this has nothing to do with pacing. they are quite small in comparison to the rest. what is comical about them is that they are so minuscule but can be a little tough. it is as if there is a force field, higher gravity, or far denser air causing greater effort. these little spots *should* not be that hard...but they are. i always get a chuckle while riding them.
Don't discount the possibility of very tiny black holes.
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#45
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On my short loop (just under 7 miles) I get in three climbs. One short quick steep ~15% climb a mile into my loop that I'm out of by the time I start to get winded and then a 200 yard 2% for a run-out.
The second is a medium climb around 300 yards long that gasses me a little bit, but it's the last climb that is frustrating. It's a 1 1/2 mile stretch that starts out with a short 200 yard 6% climb to get the blooding flowing, then a 400 yard stretch that is probably 2%, then a 100 yard 3% or 4%, then the remainder is a steady 1% 2% to the end. There's no relief.
Now, this would be a piece of cake with my geared bike but I rarely ride it any more. I ride my single speed Wabi 99% of the time and this last climb is a real leg burner that looks like it should be a breeze. I think part of the problem with climbs like this may be the make-up of the road surface. I think some asphalt surfaces drag on the tires whereas a similar stretch may ride fast on another road.
If anyone figure this out let me know......
The second is a medium climb around 300 yards long that gasses me a little bit, but it's the last climb that is frustrating. It's a 1 1/2 mile stretch that starts out with a short 200 yard 6% climb to get the blooding flowing, then a 400 yard stretch that is probably 2%, then a 100 yard 3% or 4%, then the remainder is a steady 1% 2% to the end. There's no relief.
Now, this would be a piece of cake with my geared bike but I rarely ride it any more. I ride my single speed Wabi 99% of the time and this last climb is a real leg burner that looks like it should be a breeze. I think part of the problem with climbs like this may be the make-up of the road surface. I think some asphalt surfaces drag on the tires whereas a similar stretch may ride fast on another road.
If anyone figure this out let me know......
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