I didn’t set out to climb Mount Seymour yesterday. On the contrary, I had already completed a 45 km workout on the hilly terrain at UBC. But, after running an errand on the North Shore, I found myself at the foot of the mountain with the bike on the rack.
I couldn’t resist.
Mount Seymour is a 12.5 km climb up the the popular ski and hiking destination. It is the most difficult of the 2 local mountains road cyclist train on with an average grade of 6.7% and, sections as steep as 18%.
I have completed this climb before. For the past several years, I do it at least once a season. This time, I was not properly prepared. I wasn’t prepared mentally (I wasn’t planning to do it that day), I was tired from my earlier ride, I didn’t have any food, and my water bottles were empty. I decided to try the climb anyway. I could always turn around if it got too tough. Right?
This was a tough climb. Hot. Long. And steep. I needed water. And food.
I learned a lot with this climb. I learned climbing is largely mental. It is digging deep, and not letting up. It is continually fighting against not only gravity, but a multitude of negative thoughts.
It was difficult right from the start. I said to myself, “I’ll do 3 km and then turn around”. But when I got to the 3 km marker, I said “I’ll go to the 5 km marker and turn back down”. When I got to the 5 km marker it got a little easier, and I said “I’ll go to the 8 km marker and turn around there”. But when I got to the 8 km marker i said “I’m almost there. There is no point turning back now”.
I had one thought in mind. I wanted a picture of myself at the top that I could share with friends and family. I wanted proof I had done this alone on the hottest day of the year after completing a 45 km ride earlier. Without the picture, no one would believe me.
I didn’t set any records. It took me an hour. People climb it in 30-45 minutes regularly. But I did it, and was exhilarated at the top. I know I can do better. If I was properly prepared, had gels in my jersey pocket, and water in my bottles, I am sure I could climb faster. But, in a way, it was more rewarding completing the climb without fuel. It taught me the mind is the real fuel. By climbing 1 km at a time, fighting off negative thoughts, and focusing on the end goal, I completed the climb confident there are longer, stepper climbs to come.
PedalWORKS 
Just tell yourself next time…Calgary is 1,000 metres above sea level. Next time it’ll be psychologically easier for you.
Congrats!
Thanks 🙂
Wow, that’s impressive. I’m impressed. But no water??? You definitely need water for a ride like that.
Really? I think you are pulling my leg 🙂
No, I was being serious. 1000m is high!
That makes me feel better. I thought you were being facetious. I know it is not your kind of cycling. Thanks 🙂
Funny thing, I am working on a post in which I discuss my lack of a need for food and excessive amounts of water on a ride. Yesterday I rode a 65 miler on a small bag of Gu Chomps and two water bottles. Today, 57 miles, even faster, on 1-1/2 bottles (one had Perpetuem in each ride) and a half a Payday candy bar. In my first couple of years this would have been near impossible but now it’s not as big a deal.
Nice job man, and to climb after you’ve already ridden and cooled down? That’s pretty tough. Too cool.
Interesting. I find I need less water. A bottle will last me 2 hours. I am told you need to take in a bottle every hour. It depends on the heat, how hard you are working, the terrain, and your fitness level.
It was a tough climb only because I was ill prepared. It was more mental than physical, and I was pleased I dug in and was able to summit in reasonable time 🙂
😀 I love that you started with small markers but I bet you deep down, you knew you wanted to go to the top. And I think that inner voice helped you get there.
I use motivation in the same way. If it sounds like something worth sharing, I’ll push myself, 90% for me, 10% for the others (the percentage varies according to the activity and the stakes…) but I think this balance is crucial.
It reminds me of Into The Wild, have you read the book/watched the film? “Happiness is only real when shared.”
I have seen the movie. Such a tragic ending but you/he are right – happiness, like most things, is only real when shared. 🙂 My daughter’s friend (also an architect) was travelling alone in Europe a few years ago, and returned much earlier than planned because, in her words, “I had no one to share the experience with. I’ll return when I can.”. Happy hiking, and be safe 🙂