If cycling is about three things–speed, endurance, and strength–the place I lack most is strength, if strength is about climbing.

There’s certainly a possibility lots of that is psychological. Since I started life as a cyclist weighing a lot more than I do now, I was an absolutely horrid climber for a long time. I’ve improved–I know because now there are days I can actually catch and pass people on climbs–but I’m far from a mountain goat.

Since the century next month will involve the usual hills–Keolu, Makapu’u, Kamiloiki, and several others of less significance–I have to expose myself to some hills and work on my climbing. My speed’s decent. My endurance is my real strength. But the thing to work on is not my strengths, instead it’s my weakest point–and climbing is it.

And once again, the only way to do it… is to do it.

I’ll see you after I struggle up the next hill.