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You know, I think I might. Definitely better at climbing.
Yes I do as I can’t daydream on the descents
I like the challenge, preferably if there's some tech to take your mind off the gradient too. Nice sense of achievement if you clean a big 'un without dabs or stopping/pushing.. Road climbs bore me to tears though TBH
Yes, I enjoy a nice tame descent too but mostly it’s the climbs that I ride for. I guess I’m just an off road roadie really. A climb is a test of fitness, commitment and if it’s techy of skill too. Most descents are just a test of nerve and if you aren’t careful can soon become a dick measuring contest. Getting to the top of a climb gives me a sense of achievement (and a good view). Getting to the bottom of a descent usually just gives me a sense of relief.
Yes as none of them are long ascents on my local rides!
Prefer climbing.
It's like a game that you have to figure out.
And when you finally clear a tough climb it feels ace.
I've never had much of a buzz from going fast.
I like almost all descents, except fire road/tarmac ones which are the devils work. But there's not many ascents I like.
But when you find on, ah, they can be fantastic.
Depends on what bike I'm on.
Prefer the climbs on my rigid bike.
Like both climbs and decents on the full sus. Hate the climbs on my HT with flat pedals.
Certainly do, find it easier to keep up or overtake on climbs than on descents.
like a climb, love a descent, have to go up to come down.
I would take a good climb over a descent. I kind of lost my downhill mojo yrs ago and actually don’t enjoy them much now. As overweight and slow as I am I enjoy the feeling of suffering up a climb and satisfaction of clearing it.
I'm much better at climbing than descending and as I enjoy it most when I'm good at something then yes, I do prefer the climbs to descents at the moment.
In normal times I'm happy with it all, depending upon what bike I'm riding, but after doing the same loops for months on end where the climbs were a test and the descents easy (and slow due to crowds...) I'm happy clearing techy climbs. Does help that my fitness and power took a big leap thanks the Zwift and the STW Races, despite me piling on the pounds. I may be a little slower uphill right now but I have much better stamina on long efforts and all day. Conversely lack of uplift days, gym sessions and work mean my upper body strength is non-existent and I tire on descents quickly!
Only since getting an ebike. Now every part of the ride time is fun rather than a small percentage of it, which is the whole reason i mountain bike, for enjoyment.
As a Catholic atheist it's hardwired in me to enjoy a bit of suffering.
Plus, I live in Burnley. There's a rumour that a small piece of flat trail exists around here, but no one has ever found it yet.
Like HobNob said, it’s all about the descents.
The only time I enjoy the climbs even a little bit is when I’m on my ebike riding right behind analogue riders before elbowing them out of the way when I pass. Llandegla is great for that.
The only time I enjoy the climbs even a little bit is when I’m on my ebike riding right behind analogue riders before elbowing them out of the way when I pass. Llandegla is great for that.
Pah. Was it you that sped past me the other day at deggers? I'd managed to clean the whole of the 3 mile climb up until that top berm and then some blighter came past and put me orf.
But surussly, yes I get much more satisfaction and enjoyment from a good climb than a descent. Although that's changing a bit now that I've actually bought a bike that is pretty capable on the descents.
So let's be having some of the best climbs then:
Slabs from Hollins Cross to Mam Tor.... Don't think it's possible anymore, but I did once do it in two sections.
Bottom of taboggan run up to Hollins Cross..... They've done some work on it recently and it is once again cleanable.
Pindale natch... Though very much conditions dependent.
The slabs from Derwent Res up towards Derwent edge..... Defo. Absolutely brilliant. That last 3 m to get your tyre hitting the gate before your arse hits the deck. Sublime.
Cut Gate north side..... Never quite cleaned it, but done it in three overlapping sections.
West side of Garburn..... Lovely. Not quite managed the steepest bit yet.
The bridleway East out of Grizedale visitors centre up to the top of the Fox. awesome.
Pisstaking aside, the £3 hill at Llandegla is getting better and better as it gets eroded ( the steepish switchback just after the little cave seat at the end)
Cairngorm.., stupidly pushed a section at the very bottom before I realised it was all rideable. Would never be able to do it in a oner though.
The amazing singletrack from the north up towards the Achnashellach descent in Torridon
Etc
Any idiot can roll down a hill… 😜
Reckon I might be the exception to that rule...
I mean, I like a downhill, particularly a smooth, flowing bit of singletrack,
God no, the jankier the better, what's the point otherwise?
I'm same as others different parts of the ride appeal to the different parts of me, My speed loving head loves the descents, the masochistic runner in me "enjoys" the climbing. Pleasure and pain.
...let me think - going up Helvellyn versus going down?
I think I'll take down, thanks.
Based on this thread trail centres should start doing downlift days. Better word needed.
Oh hell no! In fact, I'm not even that keen on the flat bits.
Nope, climbs are shit and only there to get you to a down.
Though as above, that was until I got an e-bike, now any off-road climg is great, the more technic and challenging the better (fire roads are still dull as ditch water, just easier).
I definitely get a kick out of real techy climbs. If someone tells me a climb is 'unridable' then I'm immediately interested. More boring climbs are still alright, but usually type-II fun for me. I definitely prefer descents though, no question.
I reckon if you're as fast / faster than your slowest riding buddy then climbs feel much easier since you're never pushing your limits (unless you want to, and then it's your choice). I've definitely been the slowest person on a ride before and it's a horrible feeling to be slow, and holding people up, while suffering internally! I bet the people who enjoy climbs are faster than (the average of) their riding buddies.
climbs are shit and only there to get you to a down.
Though as above, that was until I got an e-bike, now any off-road climg is great, the more technic and challenging the better
^^ This is a really interesting statement.
Nope. Especially with my current fitness state.
The slabs from Derwent Res up towards Derwent edge..… Defo. Absolutely brilliant. That last 3 m to get your tyre hitting the gate before your arse hits the deck. Sublime.
Pain. Pure ******* pain. I can make it 3/4 of the way up (to where it straightens out and turns from damn steep to "please make it stop" steep.
Depends, a techy scramble yup, gentle road or even fire road climb with sweeping views, yup.
Draggy middle steep climbs that go on for ever, no.
That said there's always a special feeling when you get to the top of something decent and it's more than just looking forward to bombing down again. But have never got to the top of a climb giggling like a lunatic, like at the bottom of a great downhill
…let me think – going up Helvellyn versus going down?
I think I’ll take down, thanks.
The thing is, you don't get that choice. So you might as well enjoy the up as well as the down.
I love a good climb. Luckily there's plenty around here.
Climbing becomes much more pleasant by having the attitude that when you're down to walking speed, then walk, it's faster in the end.
I'd sooner have a steep climb and gentle descent than the other way round.
I’d sooner have a steep climb and gentle descent than the other way round.
Christ, no way would I ever feel like that, a nice rolling ascent to a killer fast descent every time for me
Don't mind climbs. Two of my mates are really fit (I was before I broke my spine) so it's hard chasing them up hills. I was a roadie, so it's built in to kill yourself on hills. Been MTB'ing for last 5 years (since spinal fracture) so changed climbing technique - spin more. That's not translated well when getting back on the road bikes recently as I don't like to grind up hills - found I've run out of gears.
Doesn't help that both road bikes are vintage and I can only squeeze on a 39 x 26 bottom gear. It's also hilly where I live so climbing has to be done.
I actually don't mind fire roads, it's 'lock and load' and plug away.
all you lot that prefer the ascent to the descent are closet roadies!
mental - all of you.
When out on 'club runs' it was always 'wait at the top' - but we'd try and kill each other on the ascent. Sort of get's 'programmed in' to your mentality.
25 years ago - no hill too tough.
Today. Hmmm...Ebike
😆
Short and sharp that I can get a run into (singlespeed) are fun but I'm happier getting off and pushing up longer stuff, like the climb back up to the car park at Choppers or up to the start of the fun stuff at Hamsters, no ta, I'll just walk up and I'll see you up there.
Sometimes pondered as I churn away on a long ascent the irony of looking for classic ascents (not so closet roadie)and then wishing it all over with...road / mtb / gravel the descent is just the way home...the ascent is the challenge for me then again if starts looking like DH territory my inner mouse shouts "eak not a man" no hard core fun for me...reminds me a bit think Alex Lowe said it in context of hard rock climbing along the lines of "got to enjoy doing it...not enjoy being able to say done it"
I'm 5'10, just tip the scales at 9.5 stone and ride singlespeed. Throw in my chicken factor and the climbs are where it is at for me.
Downhill is just getting my breath back
…let me think – going up Helvellyn versus going down?
I think I’ll take down, thanks.
The thing is, you don’t get that choice. So you might as well enjoy the up as well as the down.
Can I quote you on that during the carry up Dollywaggon? 😉
fwiw I very much prefer the ups to the downs on roadbike and crossbike, partly because a long downhill on the drops really makes one shoulder hurt. Also, scary. On mtb I'll often suggest taking slower tech ways up when quicker mindless grinds are available but really it's all just a way of getting to the fun bit.
So let’s be having some of the best climbs then:
The rocky jank after Watendenlath tarn - rideable in sections, but you'd need the output of a horse and perfect precision to get up it in one.
Cheddar gorge walk. Considered 'unrideable' by some but strava shows otherwise.
Again Cheddar gorge - Blackrock BW. You'd need to be Danny Mac on an ebike to do the first section, then its a relentless blend of incline, roots and rocks requiring swiss precision, all whilst adjusting traction and power by the second against your heart jumping out your throat.
Crook Peak BW at the Webbington end up from the fairy road. Short, anaerobic singletrack whilst putting power through Marbles.
The last 10km to the summit of Pico de Veleta in thin air from the ski station also ranks in a different way, its plain, but has a purpose. Certainly ranks on the roady side though. Plenty of locals were riding it on road bikes from the bottom too!
I enjoy being at the top after having done the climb.
Being at the top without having done the climb wouldn't feel as satisfying.
@johnx2 why would you carry up dollywagon? You ride up the zigzags?
I don't think you deserve the descents unless you earn them. I'm in the minority, but I'm happy on my shoddy high horse. Working hard to earn something valuable is an essential part of the human condition, and I generally will condescendingly deplore anyone who takes the easy shortcut - or who cheats - or, at least, cheats in my eyes =].
I love climbing. "God created climbs to train the faithful", as I like to remind myself, usually about halfway up.
why would you carry up dollywagon? You ride up the zigzags?
Wha? From Grisedale tarn?? Top section's tough enough.
Anyway 'fave' climbs, lets say Cam Fell way up Bucken Pike. Always an achievement to clean.
Working hard to earn something valuable is an essential part of the human condition
I did work hard to earn my eeb, they ain't cheap you know! 😀
I'm a textbook type-A personality so I'm pathetically competitive and my sense of self-worth is tied to meaningless achievements. So, I'm into climbing and think of it in terms of beating the hill and also beating other people up the hill. Can't help it. There's one quite technical, super-steep section of a climb here where if you stall you can't get started again. Rather than walk up, I'll always go back down and do it again until I make it. Which is quite motivating if I've failed twice and know that I probably couldn't manage a fourth attempt. I also really enjoy long road climbs and will travel to tick them off, again for the challenge and the self-validation.
Working hard to earn something valuable is an essential part of the human condition
It's a very shoddy high horse indeed.
I used to hate climbing. It was just a neccesary evil to get to the descents. Not that I'm any good at descents, but I like them.
Then I got older, and realised that I spend a lot more time getting up hills than down them, and I really don't like pushing bikes. Because that feels like defeat.
So, I started working on getting better at climbs. First that was getting just a little bit further on weekly rides, then I had a period of commuting where I built up a bit more fitness and stamina.
Now, with a two year old and covid, my riding is mostly limited to short, very local stuff. Living in Hull, that means big hills are a no no - but a few miles away in the Wolds there're as many short, steepish climbs as you could want, on and off road.
So now a lot of the time I try and smash myself up as many of those little ups as I can in an hour or so, with the result that on short, steep climbs I can power my way up in a big gear, but when it comes to bigger, longer climbs I really struggle. Long and steady is ok, long and steep not so much.
TLDR; used to hate them, learned to not mind them.