Stupid or chuffed?

johnr76
johnr76 Posts: 56
edited September 2011 in Road beginners
Went for a short ride last night to make the most of the last bits of daylight and decided on a hilly route over Stoke Hill and back in Exeter.

I've only just managed to start getting up this hill without stopping so was concerned when I found it even harder going than normal last night. I was standing up much. much sooner than usual, my legs were feeling heavier than normal and eventually had to stop about half way up.

Oh well, I put it down to one fo those things but was dissapointed. It was only when I was doubled up over my bike trying to prevent my lungs from bursting that I noticed I was still in the big front ring...

I cursed myslef for being dumb but then realised that maybe I should be quite pleased going as far as I did in a harder gear. Or maybe I should stick to feeling stupid about not changing gears correctly...

Comments

  • Zoomer37
    Zoomer37 Posts: 725
    Whilst it is a good idea to have a butchers at what gear your in when riding a road bike, theres nothing wrong in attacking that hill in the big ring. Forget about the small ring. Its for girls and mountain bikers. Hit it again and again then in a few months you'll be flying up hills in 53/11 like most people on here do.
  • johnr76
    johnr76 Posts: 56
    Motivational post noted, thanks...

    What's the small ring?
  • Zoomer37
    Zoomer37 Posts: 725
    johnr76 wrote:
    Motivational post noted, thanks...

    What's the small ring?

    The one next to the big one
  • johnr76
    johnr76 Posts: 56
    cadseen wrote:
    did you notice what sprocket you were on :lol:
    Yes the small one :wink:
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Consider yourself a big ring rider.

    (almost)

    http://www.bigringriding.com/
    _
  • johnr76
    johnr76 Posts: 56
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Consider yourself a big ring rider.

    (almost)

    http://www.bigringriding.com/

    Now that's something to aspire to.
  • Mark Bom
    Mark Bom Posts: 184
    I've done the opposite!

    Riding a moderate hill and thinking I was doing well being in the big ring and powering up the hill, only to look down and see that I'd already changed into the small ring!

    Makes you feel weak and feeble!!!
  • Peanutt
    Peanutt Posts: 229
    I did the exact same thing recently the only reason I didn't notice was that I was spinning that crank like crazy attacking the hill, reckon as long as you can keep up your momentum it's much easier. It's when you've slowed right down that it feels more like rock climbing.
    No matter where you are, that's where you've been
  • Alibran
    Alibran Posts: 370
    Zoomer37 wrote:
    Whilst it is a good idea to have a butchers at what gear your in when riding a road bike, theres nothing wrong in attacking that hill in the big ring. Forget about the small ring. Its for girls and mountain bikers. Hit it again and again then in a few months you'll be flying up hills in 53/11 like most people on here claim they do.

    Corrected for you :D
  • mcp73
    mcp73 Posts: 94
    Alibran wrote:
    Zoomer37 wrote:
    Whilst it is a good idea to have a butchers at what gear your in when riding a road bike, theres nothing wrong in attacking that hill in the big ring. Forget about the small ring. Its for girls and mountain bikers. Hit it again and again then in a few months you'll be flying up hills in 53/11 like most people on here claim they do.

    Corrected for you :D

    Excellent.
    I've yet to meet anyone who's flown up Winnats Pass in 53/11!

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