While I can agree with Bulley on most of his comments, as I tend to drive
our '82 in much the same way, I can't, in good conscience, let this one
pass.

G. Matthew Bulley wrote:
| My experience biking bears this out as well. Most riders have a "sweet
| spot" between 60 and 72 pedal strokes per minute (30-36 rpm at the
| crank). As long as you aren't racing (going for speed) you can climb
| mountains all day long, and never tire more than on the flats, if you
| change gears appropriately to keep pedaling in your sweet spot.

Cycling at 30-36 rpm going up a hill will do two things for you.  One will
be to leave you well rested for the ride back down.  The other would be one
of two things.  Either you will punish your knees and circulatory system by
trying to power up the hill at that rpm or you will have plenty of time to
enjoy the views.  Spinning at 60-100 rpm seems to be the best compromise
between being light on the pedals (i.e. easy on the joints)  and power to
get you up the hill at a decent pace.  Think of it much as you have
described the use of the air-cooled motor, a free spinning engine lasts
longer in the long haul, with less damage in the short term as well.

Mark
'82 Westy
2-'95 Cannondales