Hill Conquered. Now What?

As I've written previously, I started riding my bike again on July 4. The following Sunday, I went for my first "long" ride - 10 miles (my current longest is 24 miles so 10 seems short now). I was riding on the sidewalk on the north side of Walnut Lake Road heading west between Farmington and Drake. There is a spot where the golf course comes almost right out to Walnut. I had some speed but then a man with a dog on a flex lead blocked the path. I lost all of my speed and couldn't make it up that hill. Very embarassing.

One recent Sunday morning I rode with my sister out to Cranbrook, and we parted ways at Maple and Cranbrook. I started heading home across Maple (I live south of Maple between Middlebelt and Orchard Lake). The whole time I'm thinking: Oh no! There is a massive hill going up to Middlebelt plus there isn't any sidewalk there. So I did the only responsible thing I could. The sidewalk there is on the south side of Maple. While pedestrians should walk against traffic, bikers are supposed to ride with traffic. I gained what speed I could, crossed over to the north side of the road and just went. 

And pedaled. And down shifted. And pedaled. And downshifted.  Over and over again. By the time I got to the top of the hill I was in my lowest gear. I felt like I was barely moving but I know I still had good balance. Finally I hit the top of the hill and mentally patted myself on the back.

The whole time this was going on there was a pedestrian on the other side of the road. I passed her at some point going up the hill. I remember being really concerned that she'd get to the top of the hill before me! Fortunately I got there first.

I know I want to get better at hills. Like now would be fine with me.  But then I remind myself of the following:

• I've only been biking again for a little over 2 months. I need to be patient.
• While I've lost 11.5 pounds since I started riding, I still have at least 30 more to go. Getting up those hills will be a lot easier when I have 30 less pounds to push up them. 
• I'm not 24 anymore. I can do this, but I've got to remember I turn 50 next year.

I am starting to actively think about how to bike in these rapidly shortening days.  More on that in the future.

P.S. Did you know a gallon of water weighs 8.35 pounds? That means I'm lost the equivalent of almost 1.4 gallons of water. Let's say I lose another 33.4 pounds.  That means I don't have to carry 4 gallon things of water everywhere I go. Now that is motivation.