Don't tell anyone but........

[Davehateshills]

Now I am not sue how to say this as I do have a reputation to protect however the 'hills' you know, those things that I despise...... they are getting easier!

I have been cycling now for 3 months, covering between 50 and 100 miles each week and for the majority of that time I have listened to the more experienced members of this forum telling all of us 'Newbies' that it will get easier. That was true, things did get slightly easier however I could not see any light at the end of the tunnel (it was just pitch black)

Today I went for a 20 mile ride that I have done a few times. The first time that i did it was on the 20/08/12 and on that day it took me 1hr and 49mins, I did it today in 1hr and 26mins and I felt like I was literally flying up the hills.

For me it's a nice little training ride: http://app.strava.com/rides/24378590

The reason I wanted to post this is to say to my fellow 'newbies' That it is true and it does get easier, or should I say you just go faster!

 

[DaveyM]

You seem to have progressed really well. I am starting to get a bit better on the hills but still 'run out of legs'
I will continue to look for that light at the end of the tunnel

 

[biggs682]

see we told you

 

[ColinJ]

Well done - keep it up!

So, when are you changing your forum name to Daveloveshills?

(If you actually decide you want to do that, send a PM (start a 'conversation' with) Shaun and he will sort it out for you.)

 

[derrick]

Hills don't seem to get easier for me, they don't take as long as they used to though.

 

[Davehateshills]

Well done - keep it up!

So, when are you changing your forum name to Daveloveshills?

(If you actually decide you want to do that, send a PM (start a 'conversation' with) Shaun and he will sort it out for you.)

Great idea Colin however I think it could be a while before that happens!

 

[Carolineb]

uh oh - I did the Guild wheel (a cycle path around Preston 21 miles long) last week which is virtually flat all the way round and traffic free and it took me 1hr 50 mins. Guess I need to try harder and maybe start doing some hills myself...

 

[Davehateshills]

uh oh - I did the Guild wheel (a cycle path around Preston 21 miles long) last week which is virtually flat all the way round and traffic free and it took me 1hr 50 mins. Guess I need to try harder and maybe start doing some hills myself...

Slowly, slowly, just start heading out toward the hills. Cycle enough in Lancashire and you will come across hills, it's just the way it is!

 

[Typhon]

Well done Dave. I'm finding the hills are getting easier myself. Still hate them though.

 

[Gaz Vickers]

Well done Dave. I'm not brave enough to tackle Edenfield and Owd Betts just yet!
I might try it in a few weeks though, Up Walmersley Road (I havn't been that way yet)
And i'm still rubbish on Hills too!

 

[ColinJ]

Well done Dave. I'm not brave enough to tackle Edenfield and Owd Betts just yet!
I might try it in a few weeks though, Up Walmersley Road (I havn't been that way yet)
And i'm still rubbish on Hills too!

Gaz - If you manage to get a lot of riding in between now and mid-February, you might like to consider riding the mini-north-west-passage audax whose start/finish is the Spring Inn, Broad Lane, Rochdale (just off the B6194). It comes back over the Edenfield and Owd Betts climbs. (Link)

If Feb. 2013 would be a bit too soon for you, the event takes place every year so maybe you could have a go in 2014?

 

[Gaz Vickers]

Gaz - If you manage to get a lot of riding in between now and mid-February, you might like to consider riding the mini-north-west-passage audax whose start/finish is the Spring Inn, Broad Lane, Rochdale (just off the B6194). It comes back over the Edenfield and Owd Betts climbs. (Link)

If Feb. 2013 would be a bit too soon for you, the event takes place every year so maybe you could have a go in 2014?

Hi Colin, Broad Lane you say? ..... i went ''up'' that Road a few weeks ago and vowed never to return up it without an Engine!! Blimey..... it almost killed me!
I think even 2014 is too soon! hahaha!

 

[Minotier]

Well done.
It is true it does get easier, and gladly more addictive.

 

[ColinJ]

Hi Colin, Broad Lane you say? ..... i went ''up'' that Road a few weeks ago and vowed never to return up it without an Engine!! Blimey..... it almost killed me!
I think even 2014 is too soon! hahaha!

I was thinking - "Is Broad Lane a hill?" but then I checked - yes, but the pub is right at the start of the road so I had never ventured further up it. It averages 4.4% for about a mile. It is a hill, but fairly benign compared to some of the monsters round these parts! Still, you have to start somewhere and I was struggling on hills like that when I first started riding up here.

Keep riding and eventually small mountains miraculously become just big hills, big hills become small hills, small hills become molehills, molehills become 'drags' and drags become flat!

 

[Gaz Vickers]

I was thinking - "Is Broad Lane a hill?" but then I checked - yes, but the pub is right at the start of the road so I had never ventured further up it. It averages 4.4% for about a mile. It is a hill, but fairly benign compared to some of the monsters round these parts! Still, you have to start somewhere and I was struggling on hills like that when I first started riding up here.

Keep riding and eventually small mountains miraculously become just big hills, big hills become small hills, small hills become molehills, molehills become 'drags' and drags become flat!

Yep! i mist admit you are correct,already some of my big hills are already just hills. Long way to go yet though! Cheers Colin.