Do hills count if I stop halfway up for a rest?!

I guess the subject says it all really.
Living in South Wales I am starting to sniff out some of the better/harder climbs (and let's face it lots of the easier ones). Am I allowed to stop halfway up when I run out of steam ? Does a stop mean (in general acceptance) I can't really claim to have riden up 'X' hill?
For what it's worth, I have revisited one or two which defeated me first time and have since managed them non stop. It'll keep happening I'm sure, but I'll keep trying too!
Cheers,
A
Living in South Wales I am starting to sniff out some of the better/harder climbs (and let's face it lots of the easier ones). Am I allowed to stop halfway up when I run out of steam ? Does a stop mean (in general acceptance) I can't really claim to have riden up 'X' hill?
For what it's worth, I have revisited one or two which defeated me first time and have since managed them non stop. It'll keep happening I'm sure, but I'll keep trying too!
Cheers,
A
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Summer beast; http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff015.jpg
This is just my opinion of course but my philosophy whilst trying to get fit by cycling Ive only just started out so may be wrong ?
Good luck Chris
Is that the fear of falling off your bike when going so slowly? :shock:
(You as in one ..., nothing personal)
works for me
See, they return, and bring us with them.
I always thought Mid Wales was a void, black hole, with nothing there at all
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Actually, in one of the mags this month here was an article about cycling up the Ventoux three times in a day (ha ha) and the guy mentioned calling in at the cafe on one of the ascents for a fuel up.....
I did have a real sense of achievement when I made it up them in one hit (especially effective is the desire not to be overtaken by the cyclist looming behind!!), but I would always say I'd ridden up them. Now they seem much flatter
That's a fair point - and Chris from mid Wales too - in that it can act as a good measure of progress and the fact that I do want to get up them in one hit as quickly as possible (as a test)
That's a fair point - and Chris from mid Wales too - in that it can act as a good measure of progress and the fact that I do want to get up them in one hit as quickly as possible (as a test)
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Yeah!! Who cares if you stop. You're still in the minority percentage who are actually getting off their ar$es and doing something!
The sense of anticipation of a big climb can make one attack it too aggressively, try and keep calm and keep a steady pace in your lowest gear from the start - I find it is largely an issue of mental approach, if I keep calm, pedal quietly and smoothly, it keeps my heart rate down and I go further.
Summer beast; http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff015.jpg
For me, stopping on an ascent would mean me having to go back to the bottom and start again. I wanted to get off on the Galibier to take pictures of the many marmottes recently but couldn't as it would have been, by my rules, cheating. Unfortunately I was going a little too fast to see if they were still there on they way down.
However, if you are just starting hill climbing or ar less fit then 'success' may mean just getting to a certain point on the hill and trying to beat it next time.
It is indeed harder to get going again on an incline. I try not to stop because I just know I won't be able to unclip before falling over :shock:
Are you trying to cluimb the Bwlch and Rigos?
Rule number 1 is never get off
www.ogmorevalleywheelers.co.uk
10TT 24:36 25TT: 57:59 50TT: 2:08:11, 100TT: 4:30:05 12hr 204.... unfinished business
That's a Mighty fine point! Cheers to those who have supported my ocassional stops - I try not to, but it's good to know the general consensus is that I can still hold my helmet up high, er.
Yup it is with me and my bike
If the possibility exists, I've sometimes later tried to repeat the climb to see if I can do it without dismounting, to satisfy my conscience, sotospeak.
I'm less certain how to judge an Alpine pass 15+ km long, a pass; I know club colleagues who've walked streches of such totalling 1 km and still counted the pass as climbed.
The problem with dismounting is that after walking a 20-25% slope, it can be very hard to start again on a narrow road with 15-20% slope, so you end up walking farther than you're probably capable of.
I had my first go at The Bwlch today and am happy to report an ascent with NO stops! Once I got settled into a rhythm I was pretty comfortable all the way up.... steady shall we say, at just over 7mph all the way. That'll do for now.
Defo something in the psychology, as one or two of you said.
i'm greatly encouraged by my performance!!!
A
Ave is 6% with a Max of 14% (according to DragonRide website)
you can check the distances on the Dragon ride as before.
www.ogmorevalleywheelers.co.uk
10TT 24:36 25TT: 57:59 50TT: 2:08:11, 100TT: 4:30:05 12hr 204.... unfinished business
The problem with that is, as you get fitter, the rules change!
If I've been off the bike for a couple of months, I make a point of going out and doing the hardest local loop I know. It kills me when I'm 'in form' and absolutely anihilates me when I'm the fat knaker I am now! If you're just starting off and are happy making the rules up as you go allong, then I see no problem with that. The only problem arrises when you've done a hill once and know that you CAN do it but have had some time off the bike. You then have to start back at square one.
I refuse to give up! Thats just my way! I've fallen over sideways before because I simply refuse to stop trying.
I look at it this way - If you get to the point where you cant turn the pedals anymore and fall over at 0mph, then you've givenALL of your best! Nobody can ask any more than that, ever!
If you're just starting out, then I'd suggest finding an easier way to the top of a hill/mountain and ride down the hardest bit. When you find the easier way getting easier and easier, try the steep one. By this time, you'll have become a little fitter and will be looking for a new challenge! The added fitness will make you more determined to do the steeper route, as you'll be more confident.
Theres no shame in stopping either!...... Just try to stop a little further up next time.... and the next..... and the.......
Also, it doesnt matter how fit/unfit/fat/skinny you are...... just enjoy it(if you can), advance YOURSELF regardless of other peoples abilty and remember to look at the scenery wherever safe and possible - it makes it all the more enjoyable!
It doesnt matter what type of cycling you do, as long as you've got two wheels and a smile, thats all you need!