Ok, so it’s been established by others that Portland, OR is NOT on top of the mountain. And it has been determined that some kind of training is advised in order to get OUT of Portland and over the aforementioned mountain. This much has been established – unless I miss the mark.

What hasn’t been discussed is that training thing.

“I live in Floridakansasillinoisnebraska, etc and there are no hills, let alone mountains to ride on.

HALP!”

One way to train for hills when there ain’t any is to ride into a headwind in a higher gear (large chain ring and small cluster gear) and ride to maintain either cadence or speed (mph). You can enhance the fun factor of this exercise by letting some air our of your tires to increase rolling resistance. Practice riding and maintaining cadence or mph while remaining seated. And then stand on the pedals, pick out a spot ahead (or ride for a minute ,then two, then three…) and hammer to it.

You can always downshift to increase the speed of your pedaling, but power will be gained by pushing the bigger loads offered by the high gear thing outlined above.

If you have the time and disposable income you can fly to Atlanta, GA and ride Mt. Mitchell, or go to Tucson, AZ and tackle Mt Lemon. Many options exist. But the common thread here is work.

It will take work to get out of Portland, and work to get back into town.

It’ll be easier work if you prepare for it ahead of time.

(The attached pic is of a switch back on Mt Lemon – the fun’s contagious!)

– Andy Kittsley, Team Florida