What comes down, must go up!

I agree. I enjoy the hard work of the climb. It makes me feel like I really earned the downhill afterwards. Besides, the hill climbs make me a better, more conditioned rider both physically and mentally. For each gut wrenching uphill ride I do, I know the next ride will be that much easier, I hope!

Right, and it's amazing how quickly you gain fitness. If you are new to "uphill cycling", or have lapsed a bit over the winter, the first climb is a killer, but after a couple of rides it is amazing what you can do!

In the last 2 weeks, I have made several 6 mile, steep climbs. Felt like puking on the first one, and each time they get a little easier. Im trying to convince the group I ride with that every little bit of climbing now will pay off in the spring and summer when the good riding starts. Hopefully there buying into it.

You're absolutely right - I did the regular local training climb (about 1500ft, 3 miles) yesterday, just to see, and my time was TERRIBLE. But I know it will hugely improve if I keep at it, and I won't go into the next season struggling!

I totally agree. I really feel like I'm getting a workout when making climbs, and the sweet reward of the downhill afterwards is a bonus.

I'm trying to get out there in the winter, so that the trasition to my spring and summer biking schedule won't be as tough. Even if I end up riding on the road becuase the trails are clogged with a few feet of snow.

MikeG

Either riding or Thinking of Riding... The madness of MTB, I love it!

OK, I'm gonna be the contrarian here. Now, I like a good climb, and it makes the downhill that much sweeter. And I mountain bike to stay in shape, so I don't shy away from climbs.

But, a few times a year I love to go up to the ski resorts with some buddies and do the chairlift thing. Great fun, and I don't feel guilty or wimpy.

There's a study (I think I even mentioned it here once) of mountain bikers' average heart rates climbing vs. doing technical downhill. Guess what: The DHers' HR was slightly higher!

My point is that a day of fun technical downhill can give you a serious workout and have you beat at the end of the day, even though you took the chairlift up. (Doesn't apply to the easy trails, of course.)

That's interesting, Steve. I never thought that the heart rate thing that you mention would be true, but it makes sense. Is the heart rate likely result of the adrenalin, and not so much the workout? Is it cardio, but not as much strengthening/conditioning?

Regardless of the science, it is probably rewarding, fun, and I'm sure it is still exercise. I would love to try it sometime. Would one dare to do it with a front suspension, or would you want full suspension for pure downhill?

MikeG

Either riding or Thinking of Riding... The madness of MTB, I love it!

I can believe that. When I raced motocross, my heart rate was screaming,my body was exhausted, and I didn't have to pedal. So coming down a hill at high speeds, along with the concentration, adrenaline, and whole body muscle involvement, would be similiar. I can see how the downhill run would tach the body out. Now, if I only had a ski area within 200 miles from my house that would allow me to ride the resort in the summer, I would love to try it out. I guess I'll have to shuttle.

Here's the blog item I posted about this a while back.

Includes a link to an article about the study:
Dispelling the Myth of the Lazy DownHiller

Great blog item Steve, and good article. I wasn't going to comment because I didn't want to be the lazy one to post. I do the climbs, but nothing beats a fast and technical downhill. It's super fun and it usually kicks my ass, I need the chairlift to hammer down some energy, so I can shoot down another run. Great forum topic.

I used to HATE climbing hills and would curse Sarge every time he'd bring us to hills. But it's so addicting to push yourself harder and farther. I haven't been able to try out the use of lifts but it seems like that would be a fun option as well. Until then, I'm a closet hill lover.

I'm not too proud to ride the lifts at a resort a couple times a year.
I'm not a Mt.Biker, I'm a Desert Trail Rider.

Ha, OK! You've got me convinced! Maybe I will give it a try.

I was imagining a lazy ride up in a chairlift and a sedate ride down with gravity gently aiding me.

I am such a chicken when it comes to serious downhill stuff. Where I ride the trails are usually shared by tractors and stuff and you always end up in the ruts they leave, which are a good way to bail in an instant. Should work on my technique I guess and give those chairlifts a go :)

I would love to ride the chairlifts with my asthma i am so beat by the top of the hill i have to wait to long at the top of the hill to recover. I am working on increasing my endurance and ability to climb but haveing to walk a bike up a hill thats over a mile of climbing is a pain in the butt for some decent downhill. I like my Florida riding better anyways short up followed by short down rinse repeat thats what i like

OK, there you go, another good reason to use a chairlift.

Guess my theory is wrong :) (sheepish grin)

mark

I guess most of the people I know would rather ride up and come down a hill. I'm not pedding some down hill sled that ought to be fitted with and engine either. It just seems like a flat lander thing to do.

Whatever.....
Slim

I'm not dissing downhill here have not tried chair lifts so I can't judge. One of my favorite things is the adrenaline rush you get after having pushed yourself up a seriously technical climb. The ones where you have to find the balance between the right weight over your front tire so as not to go over backwards, yet enough weight on your back tire so as not to skid out on loose soil, throw in some roots and when you reach the top, you feel like a conquering hero.

now get out there and ride on

I can totally agree with you Spacemonkey. Your right on the money.

MikeG

Either riding or Thinking of Riding... The madness of MTB, I love it!