P
Penny S
Guest
Since there's 6" of frozen elephant snot on the ground, skiing sucks, biking sucks, I can
dream a bit.
Here's some of what I love about climbing on my bike...
Long steady climbs, even logging road climbs... real satisfaction and kind of a meditation in the
rhythm of the pedals when you are in just the right gear, the breathing, the scenery.
The top. Of anything. Any ride is so much sweeter when you know there's no more higher to go. Hop
off the bike, have a snack, have a drink, have a leak, have a chat, enjoy the view, take a deep
breath... appreciate the effort it took to get there.... and then the downhill return!!
The progression. Nothing like a few little local climbs to see both the fitness and skill
improvement. We've got a hill here "half mile hill" (or five minute hill) which can be killer the
first few rides of the season. You might start out chanting to yourself "I will not die" and then
later on in the season it's just another long sweaty climb. ( that your buddies are dying on because
they don't get out as much) and then just maybe you'll do that section TWICE next time.
I love conquering little sections that present challenges whether it's a technical move, or just a
steep pitch. These little parts on my local rides can tell me if I'm having an "on" or "off" day...
I'm forced to listen to my body, my balance... the parts that force me to just ride and not think
too much about.
Heh, heh... I love riding up past the guys pushing their 40#+ pig bikes. And I love it when some of
the gals I know say, "dang I wish I had biker legs like you" You don't get those from shuttles.
Observation: Not trying to be sexist here, but why is it that I know more male riders ( not all,
certainly) than female riders who really like to whine about going UP " we never ride there, too
much climbing?" I never hear this from women. Really.
Penny
dream a bit.
Here's some of what I love about climbing on my bike...
Long steady climbs, even logging road climbs... real satisfaction and kind of a meditation in the
rhythm of the pedals when you are in just the right gear, the breathing, the scenery.
The top. Of anything. Any ride is so much sweeter when you know there's no more higher to go. Hop
off the bike, have a snack, have a drink, have a leak, have a chat, enjoy the view, take a deep
breath... appreciate the effort it took to get there.... and then the downhill return!!
The progression. Nothing like a few little local climbs to see both the fitness and skill
improvement. We've got a hill here "half mile hill" (or five minute hill) which can be killer the
first few rides of the season. You might start out chanting to yourself "I will not die" and then
later on in the season it's just another long sweaty climb. ( that your buddies are dying on because
they don't get out as much) and then just maybe you'll do that section TWICE next time.
I love conquering little sections that present challenges whether it's a technical move, or just a
steep pitch. These little parts on my local rides can tell me if I'm having an "on" or "off" day...
I'm forced to listen to my body, my balance... the parts that force me to just ride and not think
too much about.
Heh, heh... I love riding up past the guys pushing their 40#+ pig bikes. And I love it when some of
the gals I know say, "dang I wish I had biker legs like you" You don't get those from shuttles.
Observation: Not trying to be sexist here, but why is it that I know more male riders ( not all,
certainly) than female riders who really like to whine about going UP " we never ride there, too
much climbing?" I never hear this from women. Really.
Penny