In most cases the longer you do something the better you become. I experienced this initially during single speed season. I remembered that spinning and then coasting is quicker than just trying to pedal. My cadence increased. I remembered how to climb with limited options, as in one gear, and descend without suspension. I felt I was getting stronger and doing well.

Then it all progress stopped and started to going backwards. I can't climb what I could (which I will detail below). I keep spinning out or simply loosing power. It is so bad, Chris had a climbing tutorial for me today.

I keep getting increasingly frustrated. Chris comments that maybe I was not cut out to ride a single speed because I hate hiking my bike. I am okay walking if it is not a section I can normally ride. Walking when I should be riding is when I get ticked.

Today was not different and I struggled climbing. I decided to take the American way though and blame my lack of ability on something or someone else. As a coping mechanism, I blamed my sans skills on the changing trails--they are getting more loose--and the wearing of my rear tire. If is does not have the tread it initially did combined with the loose trails, of course, I can't climb stuff. Denial made today's ride much more enjoyable.

Below is a short catalog of things above Timp Park that I can not climb on my single speed. Please note this is not an all-inclusive list.

Dragon's Back

Toward's the base of Dragon's Back

Frank's Trail

Frank's Again

Lower Dragon's Back