[Solomon76]

I have gotten used to climbing hills because I live where a person can't travel 5 miles in any direction without having to do so. My hill work has gotten a lot better over the past 8 or 9 months that I've been riding (I have to climb 200 feet in just the first mile of my commute every morning: see profile chart below), but my question is does anyone here actually enjoy climbing hills? If so, what tips can you give to the rest of us to make hills more enjoyable. The only time that I don't dread climing hills is when I'm racing my buddies because although I don't necessarily like hills, I can beat almost all of my buddies up them (mostly thanks to my daily commute: see profile chart below).

 

[Nat]

I love climbing extended hills. It's part of mountain biking. Without them you're only getting a partial experience.

How to love them? Change your attitude that hills are something to dread.

 

[Lord Humongous]

Umm, yeah.

I know of at least five people in my immediate riding group who love to climb technical and/or steep hills. We relish the mental and physical challenge of attempting a technical climb with the goal of not dabbing and the endorphin rush when we complete a long steep climb is it's own reward.

I am not saying that everyone should climb and like it, I am just saying that there are those of us who do like the climb for it's own sake and we aren't that rare.

 

[Circlip]

does anyone here actually enjoy climbing hills?

Hell yes. If I didn't get to climb as much as I descend I'd find another activity.

If so, what tips can you give to the rest of us to make hills more enjoyable.

You could get a gym membership instead and stare at the same view for an hour from a treadmill, exercise bike, or other cardio machine. That's all the motivation I need.

 

[eatdrinkride]

I absolutely love steep technical climbing with big step ups, rock strewn switchbacks and whatnot. I'm not opposed to extended smooth climbs but I will never LOVE them. It's boring to me, like road riding. There can be a certain 'Zen' factor to be found and that's why I say if you love road riding you probably would learn to love long, not-so-entertaining climbs.

Now you know what the first shuttler's were feeling, lol.

 

[Uncle Six Pack]

The way I look at it is... the more you climb, the more potential energy you have stored up... small hills are an easy challenge with a small reward, big hills are a tough challenge with a big reward.

I don't really enjoy the actual climb itself, but I suppose it is better than than not riding...

 

[JSumner13]

Some of my riding buddies think I'm nuts ,but I like to go up just as much as I like to go down.

 

[Solomon76]

My commute to work is about 90% bike trail and when the days were longer and the sun was actually out during my morning and evening commute, I used to use my Garmin Edge to compete against my best times to/from home and work which of made commuting a lot more fun. Now that it is pitch dark in the mornings and evenings when I'm riding, it isn't nearly as fun anymore and that is why I was asking the question. The darkness, along with the cold and all the extra gear seems likes it takes a lot more out of me. Hopefully riding in the dark and cold will all pay off once it starts to warm up again by allowing me to set new personal best commute times.

 

[guyplaysbass]

I have gotten used to climbing hills because I live where a person can't travel 5 miles in any direction without having to do so. My hill work has gotten a lot better over the past 8 or 9 months that I've been riding (I have to climb 200 feet in just the first mile of my commute every morning: see profile chart below), but my question is does anyone here actually enjoy climbing hills? If so, what tips can you give to the rest of us to make hills more enjoyable. The only time that I don't dread climing hills is when I'm racing my buddies because although I don't necessarily like hills, I can beat almost all of my buddies up them (mostly thanks to my daily commute: see profile chart below).

Ok, I admit that I have a weakness/addiction to the high-speed DH runs but you're talking about 200 FEET in a mile??? :eekster: That is kinda steep I suppose. Considering most of my favorite easier trails have 10 x's that amount of climbing (albeit spread out over more distance at times) I can't say I feel your pain. I can think of one loop in particular that I've done a few times that has 30 x's that amount of climbing spread over nearly 40mi. Two sections on that trail climb nearly 2000' in approx 2-3mi or so. Climbs of 1500 to 2000 vertical feet is common in this area (Oregon) so I suppose you should be greatful you live where you do if you're not into climbing :thumbsup: I for one really enjoy the pay-off on the way down

 

[crashedandburned]

Being from West Virginia, I won't say I love 'em but they can't be avoided. A number of the WVMBA races start out on long climbs.

My saying was always "When in doubt, go up!" Besides, going up a looonngg climb makes coming back down even sweeter. :thumbsup:

 

[Zipp0]

Ride uphill for a while and you won't see many people. Here's a fun loop I loke to do:

 

[Ricko]

My only complaint about an extended climb is sometimes you get so toasted from the climb it's hard to enjoy the ride back down.

I ride a 32lb AM bike and honestly, I get most of my grins from going down hill. My favorite rides involve rolling/hilly terrain rather then mountainous terrain where you have a looong 2/3hr climb to earn the 1/2 hr/45 minutes of bombing back down. On a typical 4 hr ride on hilly terrain I spend a much larger portion of my time with a grin on my face rather then 4 hrs in the mountains. This won't keep me from taking my 2 or 3 trips a year to the mountains though, there's something very satisfying about completing a big climb...must be the masochist in me that finds climbing enjoyable:thumbsup: .

 

[redranger]

climbs

My only complaint about an extended climb is sometimes you get so toasted from the climb it's hard to enjoy the ride back down.

I ride a 32lb AM bike and honestly, I get most of my grins from going down hill. My favorite rides involve rolling/hilly terrain rather then mountainous terrain where you have a looong 2/3hr climb to earn the 1/2 hr/45 minutes of bombing back down. On a typical 4 hr ride on hilly terrain I spend a much larger portion of my time with a grin on my face rather then 4 hrs in the mountains. This won't keep me from taking my 2 or 3 trips a year to the mountains though, there's something very satisfying about completing a big climb...must be the masochist in me that finds climbing enjoyable:thumbsup: .

I have never heard you complain about the long climbs. Just glad you still out there with us cause you always got something funny to say at the top. See ya

 

[btadlock]

My favortie local ride is about 1790ft in just under 3 miles, moderately technical.

 

[Chapped (o) Hole]

I commute my 36 lb am setup to work through some pretty hilly terrain and my motivation is making the climbs faster each time. I time myself up each climb and try to beat my previous time. When I reach a comfort level, I also try and hammer bigger gears up the hills.

 

[E.J.]

My favorite ride....

Three and a half miles and 1300 feet vertical up....and then I get to take that back down.....

 

[chumbox]

Up hills are awesome... it's like love hate... I love it cos it's hard and painful but the pay off it awesome. Down is cool but boring.

 

[13pumps]

Love it, separates the the men from the boys. The return down is the reward for the work

 

[nachomc]

I used to hate climbing when I sucked at it. It's a fact of life where we live though, so I got used to it, got better at it, and now I enjoy it.

 

[f3rg]

I love steep/extended climbs, especially when they're extremely technical. Any bozo can hang on while gravity pulls his bike downhill (see YouTube if you don't believe me), but ascending takes actual talent, not to mention lung/heart capacity, and an ability to shrug off lactic acids as they build to nearly intolerable levels in your legs.

On the flip side, heading back down hill is also fun, but it's best used as rest for your next climb, as opposed to a test of how many components you can break.