The Hill
I live about a mile from the UNC law school. That’s not far on a bike. But remember how it’s called Chapel “Hill?”
When I tell folks who know the area where I live and where I have classes, their next question regarding getting between the two is generally about “The Hill.”
It’s 1.2 miles from my door to the law school, and most of that is a pretty vicious uphill grade. It’s a bear going up, about 180 feet in elevation change according to Google Earth, but coming down it on Monday I recorded 39.6 miles an hour on my bike computer.
:)
Truth of the matter is it’s not all too bad going up – just a little more patience and a little more gear.
And I’ve been getting stronger. This is a hill I’ve worked with before – running and riding up and down it as an undergrad and an alum, and this time I’ve looked at it as my daily workout.
The first few times I had to go up the hill in my lowest gear. Then I was able to do it in the second lowest. Then third. Then fourth.
Then I got tired of getting all sweaty before getting to campus and started going up in first again.
Just think – while my classmates are struggling to get a few minutes of exercise into their busy schedules each day, I get to take advantage of the time I would have spent waiting for the bus to get a little workout, do a little environmentally-friendly commuting, give myself a little extra flexibility in my schedule and even have a little fun.
Coming downhill Monday I recorded 39.6 miles an hour on my bike computer.
:)
I’ve got a hybrid bike. That means it’s not really great at anything – too heavily built for long, fast road jaunts (though I’ve done it, and it hurt) and with wheels a little too narrow for rugged mountain trails (though I’ve done it, and it hurt).
But it’s “good enough” at just about everything – perfect for a campus commute full of gravel, dirt and curbs, as well as the standard, well-paved roads. I can crawl up trails and down steps, and still manage 20 miles an hour on level pavement.
So far I haven’t had a chance to do too much recreational riding, on road or on trail, but I’ll get around to it at some point. Like in Cleveland County, there are a lot of good opportunities around here.
Such as The Hill.
:)
When I tell folks who know the area where I live and where I have classes, their next question regarding getting between the two is generally about “The Hill.”
It’s 1.2 miles from my door to the law school, and most of that is a pretty vicious uphill grade. It’s a bear going up, about 180 feet in elevation change according to Google Earth, but coming down it on Monday I recorded 39.6 miles an hour on my bike computer.
:)
Truth of the matter is it’s not all too bad going up – just a little more patience and a little more gear.
And I’ve been getting stronger. This is a hill I’ve worked with before – running and riding up and down it as an undergrad and an alum, and this time I’ve looked at it as my daily workout.
The first few times I had to go up the hill in my lowest gear. Then I was able to do it in the second lowest. Then third. Then fourth.
Then I got tired of getting all sweaty before getting to campus and started going up in first again.
Just think – while my classmates are struggling to get a few minutes of exercise into their busy schedules each day, I get to take advantage of the time I would have spent waiting for the bus to get a little workout, do a little environmentally-friendly commuting, give myself a little extra flexibility in my schedule and even have a little fun.
Coming downhill Monday I recorded 39.6 miles an hour on my bike computer.
:)
I’ve got a hybrid bike. That means it’s not really great at anything – too heavily built for long, fast road jaunts (though I’ve done it, and it hurt) and with wheels a little too narrow for rugged mountain trails (though I’ve done it, and it hurt).
But it’s “good enough” at just about everything – perfect for a campus commute full of gravel, dirt and curbs, as well as the standard, well-paved roads. I can crawl up trails and down steps, and still manage 20 miles an hour on level pavement.
So far I haven’t had a chance to do too much recreational riding, on road or on trail, but I’ll get around to it at some point. Like in Cleveland County, there are a lot of good opportunities around here.
Such as The Hill.
:)
posted by John Derrick | 7:10 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home