Hills.... any shame in walking up them?....
- Thread starter RegG
- Start date
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Cush
Veteran
- Location
- North Cumbria but still a Geordie
That reminds of the TA man who used to say "To apologise is a sign of weakness" Never apologise (He was never a regular because his mother wouldn't let him sign up or so he told me one night when he was 1/2 cut)
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Not at all. Even Tour de France winners do it. Here's Octave Lapize
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Here's some professionals (the Belgian champion there may be 2005's Serge Baguet, as this is RvV 2006) having a nice walk up the 11.6%-average Koppenberg:
(pic from http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/apr06/rvv06/index.php?id=raceday/S-KOPPENBERG_6297)
(pic from http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/apr06/rvv06/index.php?id=raceday/S-KOPPENBERG_6297)
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Ah yes, that is a nice one indeed
No shame at all in having to get off and push. I'm usually bloody-minded enough to stop and rest for a minute, then try to ride on up, but if I need to walk, so be it.
Hill Wimp
Fair weathered,fair minded but easily persuaded.
Heavens there is no shame in walking up hills. Its a good measure of how you are improving in your cycling the further you go each time.
Your body, your bike, your ride
Your body, your bike, your ride
swee'pea99
Legendary Member
If you don't have a bike, no. Otherwise SHAME ON YOU YOU DEFEATIST SOFTY! 
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
TBF though - that would be because there had been a problem up ahead and they couldn't get going again after being brought to a standstill.Here's some professionals (the Belgian champion there may be 2005's Serge Baguet, as this is RvV 2006) having a nice walk up the 11.6%-average Koppenberg:
(pic from http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/apr06/rvv06/index.php?id=raceday/S-KOPPENBERG_6297)
As for the 24 inch gear (yes, I get it!) ... @Littgull was showing me his new gearing on Monday - he now has a 16.5 inch grovelling gear (22/36) on his bike and has used it to get up a local monster climb (Church Lane/Mytholm Steeps), one which has often defeated me and reduced me to the 24 inch gear option.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Was it? I thought 2006 was the year that conditions weren't wet (when loads of riders start wheelspinning on the cobbles) but they just couldn't fit a low enough gear with their usual drivetrain and the Koppenberg was far enough from the finish (80km away - it moved closer to the finish in 2012) that many teams felt it was better to walk than use a long cage.
Jody
Stubborn git
When I got back in the saddle 2 years ago I was struggling with hills. I still do to some extent, although as you point out it gets easier. The biggest hill I managed without walking was in the peaks, off road and between 20-30% (helped along with a 22/36 granny combination). Although I could only do it in 20 meter stints
That said, there is no shame in walking.
That said, there is no shame in walking.
rideswithmoobs
Guest
- Location
- North West
I just started SS and as yet got up every hill even if my quads were bursting. I don't want to stop and walk mainly because there are no paths on the country lanes and the thought of a two tonne bumper up my arse keeps me going.
rideswithmoobs
Guest
- Location
- North West
^^^