About my Cycling Journey so Far
I moved from Christchurch, Dorset, to the Polish Beskidy Mountains in 2020, right in the heart of the pandemic. Along with me came a museum piece, a PK Ripper 26" BMX Cruiser, and a cheap GT Transeo built for light trails and road rides.
Back then, running was still my main passion. I trained for fitness, chasing the occasional local 10K, half-marathon, and trail races. Cycling was just a sideline defined by occasional easy rides on local cycle paths until running injuries forced me to rethink everything.
What started as recovery rides slowly became something bigger: a rediscovery of movement, adventure, and freedom on two wheels. One climb, in particular, would come to define my journey...
That Damn Hill
Cycling turned out to be much kinder to my joints during recovery from running injuries, and slowly became my default daily exercise. I mixed running and cycling through 2022, but it was in 2020 that I first encountered the beast that would change everything: That DAMN HILL!
Back then, I was unaware of gear ratios, rolling resistance, tubeless tyres, or different chainring setups. I just knew one thing: my bike and I were absolutely not going to make it up that climb. The hill in question?
Nieledwia Hill is a 1.91 km Strava Segment with an elevation gain of 152 metres, with an average gradient of 7.9%, with sections peaking at 17%. Looking back, it's no surprise I cracked on that first attempt. No tangible fitness plan, no gear knowledge, no strategy, just a lot of stubbornness.
After that, I planned every route to avoid hills entirely. If only I knew then what I know now: hill training is not optional if you want to improve as an all-route and all-terrain cyclist, truly. Hills are a cyclist's nemesis on any route, no matter the distance; they sap energy and burn fuel. Being prepared is key.
Still, my determination paid off in its own way. I stayed consistent, riding five or six times a week, building on my strong cardio base from years of running. In 2021, I began working with a triathlon-focused coach, and it wasn’t long before she drilled simple truths into my head. Knowledge is best when shared:
"If you want to ride up hills, you have to ride up hills." And the same with speed. "If you want to ride fast, you have to ride fast."
No shortcuts. No hacks. Just showing up, putting in the hours, suffering a little, and getting stronger. Every tough climb, every ride in the rain, every small win, it all adds up. Your journey starts the same way: One ride, one decision at a time.
Let's ride smarter, together.
That Damn Hill — Where it all Changed
“No matter the season, no matter the struggle, the road is always waiting. All you have to do is show up, don't keep it waiting. That Damn Hill was my nemesis, what will be yours, what will you overcome?”
@jogonjon - April 2025