Do hills get easier?!

[Cannondale Lady]

Inclines get easier, they used to be hills. Hills just get steeper, because as you conquer them they turn into inclines....that made no sense but I understand......

What I used to think as hills have now become inclines.

 

[Dave 123]

They do get easier, but then they don't.....

The hill you speak of may become fairly straight forward, but then you'll have an off day and you'll die on your arse! All depends on how you feel on the day.

 

[ColinJ]

Try riding up some absolute monster hills, huge buggers... then your normal hills will at least seem relatively easier!

The absolute monster hills, huge buggers ARE my normal hills!

I'll have to go and find some mountains to ride up instead ...

 

[kiriyama]

The absolute monster hills, huge buggers ARE my normal hills!

I'll have to go and find some mountains to ride up instead ...

I live amongst those same monsters! cant beat that feeling when you get to the top though

 

[gasinayr]

As a friend of mine said, to do hills, you have to do hills.

 

[tyred]

I think your inner chainring seems to shrink over the years.

 

[ColinJ]

I think your inner chainring seems to shrink over the years.

Certainly true for me!

On the bike which started off with a triple, it did ... 30 -> 28 -> 26, and biggest sprocket 26 -> 28.

The bike which did not have a triple now does ... 53/39 -> 48/38/28.

My CX bike just got converted from 46/36 + 12-30 -> 46/34 + 11-36.

 

[puffinbilly]

The hills around here (Newcastle) certainly seem to have become smaller but then you just move on to find their big brothers. As you get fitter it's certainly more pleasant to ride the hills and becomes something of a challenge to go out and find them.
However, one thing that someone told me and I have yet to experience...... they told me the hills were alive with the sound of music....

 

[RegG]

Many, many thanks for all the replies and advice, far too many to reply to individuals. But just to answer one or two questions raised:

I am 61, in reasonable health and just want to keep fit.
My bike is a Giant Defy 0 and is equipped with a 34/50 crankset and 11/32 cassette.

I feel that I am using my gears in a sensible manner and am certainly not going down into the lowest one at the start of the hills - I do try to keep in the highest gear I feel comfortable with.

Again, thanks for the replies and advice. Much appreciated.

 

[loveandpeace1]

4 things i learnt on hill climbing. Go slow (No rushing at the bottom) . Be relaxed (its not a white knuckle ride). Choose a nice easy gear and last this see video. No need fo massive upper body movements. (Legs doing the work). All the best.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoHlrQScWl0

 

[gasinayr]

If you want some good hills, check out www.ayrshirealps.org

 

[Paul139]

No because as you improve you ride steeper hills.