sportive or not?

[jdtate101]

Graham, trust me once you loose the heavy MTB and get on the CUBE, you'll be surprised at just how much easier hills are, but be warned it's still hard work, your just not trying to haul a large, heavy lump of steel up the hill. You will find the gearing harder to work with as you'll no longer have that granny gear, so even the lowest gearing will require a fair bit of effort. Trust me, you'll end up addicted like the rest of us!!!!

 

[MickL]

Portway Hill is my nemesis 10% gradient not yet managed to get up with out stopping but working on it.

 

[Graham1426]

Portway Hill without stopping will be my cycling goal, when I do beat it, it will be no doubt a great feeling.

How far have you gotten up Mick ?

 

[oldfatfool]

Hi alci4, I am a posty and started cycling July/August last year. Weighed in at 109 kg now down to 94kg. Did my first 100km Audax in Oct, and now break the 100km distance regular, (160 km yesterday). So with a little determination plenty of cycling and avoiding the nibbles when you are sat at home in an afternoon it is easily achievable, especially as you are basically 'fit' from work

 

[MickL]

Portway Hill without stopping will be my cycling goal, when I do beat it, it will be no doubt a great feeling.

How far have you gotten up Mick ?

Ive managed to just pass the farm/big house on the right and thats it, jump of and walk up , When I do the full commute from home (Priory Estate) to fives ways Brum, I come down that hill its great fun till you see the lights turn red at the bottom, I prefer this route rather than Brum new road with its traffic and pot holes and going through Dixons Green and smelling fresh batch of Teddy Grays Herbals on the go is great

 

[alci4]

Hi alci4, I am a posty and started cycling July/August last year. Weighed in at 109 kg now down to 94kg. Did my first 100km Audax in Oct, and now break the 100km distance regular, (160 km yesterday). So with a little determination plenty of cycling and avoiding the nibbles when you are sat at home in an afternoon it is easily achievable, especially as you are basically 'fit' from work

cheers m8 thats my aim try to drop a few £ and get a bit faster and further

where u from m8 u a local postie?

@ mickl and graham 1426 i

am just off the wolverhampton rd by west smethwick park never been up portway hill (didnt even know it existed lol) but i will be trying it out to see how far i can get up. did a loop round west brom up to wolves then back down brum new rd today

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/146126272

but was coming the wrong way to try the hill but will lyk how i get on with it

 

[oldfatfool]

Hi alci4, I am up in sunny Bradford.

 

[Graham1426]

Mick

To the cottage is a good effort mate, some serious speed can be gotten coming down as you are fully aware, that's where disc brakes would come in handy.

How long have you been trying to reach Portway summit ? I'm hoping to have it licked I within a couple of months of daily commute once I get my road bike.... well I can dream lol

I live about 0.5 of a mile from Dudley Golf Course, it's great going on an outward journey on bike but the return is hills hills hills lol

 

[Graham1426]

alci4
Just checked your route out, you were very close to Portway Hill today mate....

 

[alci4]

alci4
Just checked your route out, you were very close to Portway Hill today mate....

yep will be trying the hill in the next couple of days as long as the white stuff dont land round here

 

[Graham1426]

Look forward to reading your post

 

[MickL]

tried a couple of times so far just before xmas, not tried it since, need to build my fitness up as Im still a fatty so ditched the bus now commuting by train with one full commute each week up to two then Portway Hill Coming from the priory its all hills as well, soon as I leave my house Im climbing, even going to Coseley to get the train its the same, guess thats why they built a castle in Dudley alci4 its not a big hill just steep !!!

 

[Downward]

Cracked Farley Lane tonight not tried it for 2.5 years but today was fine. Even had a quick burst from Winwood to the tower.
Winwood Heath is horrible only tried this twice last week but its pretty nasty. I see some crazy descents on it on strava which if a car was ever coming up the hill would result in a serious accident.
Hagley wood lane is still the main one though very steep and no let up.

 

[Deleted member 22722]

Cracked Farley Lane tonight not tried it for 2.5 years but today was fine. Even had a quick burst from Winwood to the tower.
Winwood Heath is horrible only tried this twice last week but its pretty nasty. I see some crazy descents on it on strava which if a car was ever coming up the hill would result in a serious accident.
Hagley wood lane is still the main one though very steep and no let up.

Cracked Hagley Wood Lane for the 1st time last weekend.

It was my 3rd attempt to make it up in one go. 1st time I had a go was a few months back I had to stop twice but made it to the top eventually. The 2nd time I made it 3/4 of the way up then had to get off as I thought I was going to throw up. After a 10 minute rest I was that disheartened that I just turned around and went back down.

Then a week ago I attempted it with a mate and I think that probably helped as I didn't want to be defeated. Made it to the top without stopping although it did take me nearly 6 minutes and had to wait a good few minutes for him to catch up. It turns out he had to stop twice and nearly had to throw up. Funnily enough that was his first attempt. He's now made it his goal to get up it in one go.

Mucklow Hill was the 1st big hill I conquered and I made it on the 2nd attempt. Portway Hill was a bit of a killer and took me a good 3 or 4 attempts to crack it. I've found that once you've cracked a hill once it never quite seems as difficult. Must be a psychological thing.

Doulton Road in Rowley is a bit of a killer but maybe I shouldn't have attempted at the end of a 70 mile ride in 30 degree heat

Interesting to see a few people who live in my local area so if anyone's up for a ride at anytime let me know. I'm just off Titford Rd in Oldbury.

 

[Downward]

Winwood Heath Road has been resurfaced.