{"id":1197,"date":"2025-08-24T16:17:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-24T15:17:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2design.co\/ebike\/i-love-hill-climbs-well-now-i-do-anyway\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T14:21:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T13:21:37","slug":"i-love-hill-climbs-well-now-i-do-anyway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2design.co\/ebike\/i-love-hill-climbs-well-now-i-do-anyway\/","title":{"rendered":"I love hill climbs…. well, now I do anyway"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I love hill climbs\u2026 well, now I do anyway<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

I used to hate them, but now I love hill climbs. Why? because of my e-bike. Hill climbs can ruin a day out for many cyclists. Some dread them for days before a planned ride. Others get a sinking feeling when they\u2019re happily cruising downhill, knowing that the climb back up is still to come. Then there\u2019s the worry of whether there\u2019s enough power left in the legs to get to the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

For many, hills are the deal-breaker that turns cycling into a chore rather than a joy. But here\u2019s the good news: it doesn\u2019t have to be like that. The simple answer to enjoying hill climbs more is to try an e-bike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Me,
Wilder Kaiser, Tirol<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Arlberg, Austria<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Buchensteinwand,
Pillerseetal, Tirol<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I want to get fit\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is probably the most common concern people have when thinking about an e-bike. The truth is, e-bikes make cycling easier, but they don\u2019t mean you sit back and do nothing. You still have to pedal. It\u2019s not a moped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re in full control of how much support the motor gives you. If you want to raise your heart rate and work up a sweat, simply lower the assistance level. If you want a more relaxed ride, use a higher setting. Either way, your fitness improves because you\u2019re still moving and still pedalling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another big part of making hills manageable is gears. Use them! The right gear saves your muscles and your battery. Many people leave their e-bike in one gear, which wastes energy. A little practice with gears and power levels can transform your ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"plastic
Specialized Pedals<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pillersee\"
I love hill climbs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
That’s very steep!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hill climbs and me<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

I live in the Austrian mountains, so avoiding hills isn\u2019t really an option. Before I had an e-bike, I dreaded going out on my mountain bike. Getting home always meant cycling uphill, and if I was tired, it felt impossible. Tears, tantrums, frustration \u2013 all because of that final climb home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Now it\u2019s the opposite. I love hill climbs. Reaching the mountaintops near our village is my happy place. There\u2019s nothing quite like the freedom of heading uphill on an e-bike, enjoying the fresh air and the views as you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Over time, I\u2019ve picked up a few things that make hill climbs much more enjoyable. These tips are from my own experience, but they might just help you, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Spitz,
Wachau on the Danube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Me\"
Higher up = views!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Downhill
Climbs? yep no bother….<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Gears and power level<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The most important thing is to choose your gear and power level before you start a hill climb. Don\u2019t wait until you\u2019re halfway up and struggling, as by then it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Practise on small hills first. Try stopping and starting again on a slope. Hill starts are tricky, but if you go diagonally across the hill instead of straight up, it\u2019s easier to get moving again. Do this on gentle gradients before you attempt steeper ones. It\u2019ll save you a lot of stress and possibly a bruised ego.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Position on the bike<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Your riding position makes a big difference. A few small adjustments can make hill climbs far more comfortable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n