Hills
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- Posts: 328
- Joined: 25 Aug 2008, 5:03pm
- Location: Glasgow/Edinburgh
Hills
Here's a conversation I usually find myself having when I'm in Edinburgh.
"i would cycle, but there's so many hills in Edinburgh". True enough, Edinburgh does have seven of 'em.
But my reply is one of the following - it depends on who i'm speaking to...
to the older generation, I reply "ahhh, you get used to them... and once you've done a hill once, you're not feared to do it again - and you'll do it better"
And to the younger generation? "ahhh, I LOVE the hills!"
It's true. sometimes I don't like a hill, but usually I love 'em.
I've noticed a funny thing on Spokes and Go Bike rides... I sometimes fall behind on the flat, always do on the downhill - others have the advantage of drop bars (i have to choose between stability or speed at an uncomfortable position with no braking - i generally choose comfort and braking power). But when we get to an uphill i'm away! Perish the man who happens to be infront of me! well, not really - i'll just overtake.
it seems i'm incapable of maintaining a slow but safe speed when going uphill - i end up being more tired than if I had done it quickly!
There is one notable exception to this, and this is the hill that connects Craighouse and Myresside. I like going down (not love - it's a bit tricky, especially with morning traffic), but I despise going up it. It's a short sharp VERY steep one... I've managed to do it a total of three times without being so tired I feel like collapsing. eee, i hate that hill. Myreside road can give some momentum if the wind is with you, but not very much...
Glasgow is the same as Edinburgh. Many people I've spoken to cite the hills as being the major obstacle to them getting a bike. Rubbish! The worst hills happen to be in the centre, either going toward Sauchihall Street, or going out of town to the West, via Bath Street - in which case, the journey will be full of many hill starts because of the traffic lights, which give a nice breather!
Is anyone else in the same boat?
"i would cycle, but there's so many hills in Edinburgh". True enough, Edinburgh does have seven of 'em.
But my reply is one of the following - it depends on who i'm speaking to...
to the older generation, I reply "ahhh, you get used to them... and once you've done a hill once, you're not feared to do it again - and you'll do it better"
And to the younger generation? "ahhh, I LOVE the hills!"
It's true. sometimes I don't like a hill, but usually I love 'em.
I've noticed a funny thing on Spokes and Go Bike rides... I sometimes fall behind on the flat, always do on the downhill - others have the advantage of drop bars (i have to choose between stability or speed at an uncomfortable position with no braking - i generally choose comfort and braking power). But when we get to an uphill i'm away! Perish the man who happens to be infront of me! well, not really - i'll just overtake.
it seems i'm incapable of maintaining a slow but safe speed when going uphill - i end up being more tired than if I had done it quickly!
There is one notable exception to this, and this is the hill that connects Craighouse and Myresside. I like going down (not love - it's a bit tricky, especially with morning traffic), but I despise going up it. It's a short sharp VERY steep one... I've managed to do it a total of three times without being so tired I feel like collapsing. eee, i hate that hill. Myreside road can give some momentum if the wind is with you, but not very much...
Glasgow is the same as Edinburgh. Many people I've spoken to cite the hills as being the major obstacle to them getting a bike. Rubbish! The worst hills happen to be in the centre, either going toward Sauchihall Street, or going out of town to the West, via Bath Street - in which case, the journey will be full of many hill starts because of the traffic lights, which give a nice breather!
Is anyone else in the same boat?
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- Joined: 24 Jul 2008, 7:03pm