My gravel bike recently got a few upgrades, switching from a two‑by to a one‑by and adding a bigger cassette to help me on climbs. We decided to test everything after work on a Thursday ride in Cleves. Mt. Nebo Road is a long steep road out there that I’ve ridden down before but never attempted to climb. I reluctantly agreed to try.
My husband and a friend told me that if I had to put a foot down, we’d turn around and ride back down. Honestly, I wanted to quit before I even started. Partway up, moving slowly and already in my lowest gear, I felt like I was grinding. Not knowing how much more hill remained left me mentally unprepared. After stopping to rest, I tried again even though I said I was done. Reaching what might have been the steepest section brought me to a stop once more. This time I really was done. I walked my bike the rest of the way up.
I felt defeated and disappointed for not pushing myself harder. There wasn’t much hill left, and with more energy, proper fueling, and a little more belief in myself, maybe I could have made it.
Mindset Matters
The next day, Alex sent me a Rickson Gracie video on YouTube. Gracie describes a fight in which he was exhausted and ready to give up. His father dismissed it and told him the other fighter was even more tired, and to keep going. Rickson ended up winning, but the experience made him realize that he could not let his mind be his own worst enemy. That resonated with me: your mindset can convince you to quit long before your body needs to.
Two days later, I rode with a small group who had vacationed with us in Italy. The route in Kentucky was hilly, challenging, and hot. Unsure of who would show up or how strong they were, I was nervous going in. I didn’t want to feel like I was holding anyone back.
This time, my outlook was different. If I could make it up the hills in Italy on a bike with fewer gears, never once thinking I’d walk, then I could get through this ride too. With more than 2,000 feet of elevation on the 32 mile route, slow and steady got me up every hill. My mindset made a difference, and the group, made up of riders of all levels, helped by being genuinely supportive.
The Cleves hill reminded me that the real challenge isn’t always the hill itself. Sometimes it’s the voice in your head that needs overcoming.
