Riding on level ground v hills

[Croxden]

Hills or no hills which is better? Having always lived in hilly areas I have always though how nice it would be if only the roads were level.


Having to take my car in for a service and MOT I took the Delite and rode along side the canal from Stoke to Stone, stopping to take photos as it was to good to miss. The return journey, because I had run out of time was non stop, in eco mode except for the rise along side the locks when it was full power.


I found it so exhausting, ok it was a hot sunny day but tiring more so than my normal ride of more miles. Thinking about it I can only presume it's because there is no let up in peddling. Hills will have a downward slope where you can rest a bit, I understand now why some prefer a hand throttle to 'rest your legs'.


I feel for the Dutch.


The car failed the test by the way.

 

[Artstu]

Give me the variety of hills any day, rougher surfaces are also a lot more tiring.

 

[flecc]

I suppose it's a mostly a matter of personal preference. I do live in a very hilly area but despite that prefer to pedal almost all the time. I use the pedalling with a high gear to accelerate the downhill speed, then using the kinetic energy to help after the downslope, especially valuable when another climb follows.

Sorry your car failed, I hope it won't be too expensive to fix.

 

[Emo Rider]

What you may be experiencing is a case of less is more. I have a BH City 700c that has a torque sensing system. When I am in a hurry, I quickly go faster than 15mph and wind up with no assist from the bike. Hence tiredness, sweat, etc. If I was on a canal path and trying to make time, I would not be using the system at all, more sweat, tiredness etc. Slowing down a bit and letting the system help will not get me home as fast but I would not be tired either. To answer your question, I would still prefer the flats.

 

[neptune]

Living in the fens, I prefer flat routes as that is what I am used to. The fens is the best place in the UK for flat routes. Plot an elevation profile for the route from Lincoln to Cambridge. Over the 100 mile route, the difference in height between the highest point and the lowes is a mere 75 feet. The winds however can be another story...

 

[D8ve]

Simple on hills you AND the bike work up them. Down hill it's easy.
On the flat doing 16mph plus it's only you working.
If you do 10 on the flat you could fall asleep it's so easy?

 

[berkobennie]

I've just finished the Chiltern Cycleway, (in stages!), and I must say I preferred the southern loop, from Henley to Berkhamsted, as it followed the ridge of chalk involving a fair bit of scarp and vale scenery, terrific vistas and a really varied ride. The northern loop across the Bedfordshire plain was much flatter and was below the chalk ridge, not as interesting, but a different viewpoint.
South Downs Way is next on my to-do list, so yes give me hills anyday!