Either everyone else is out of shape or the training I am doing is greatly improving my climbing skills. I've dropped down to a lithe 119 lbs of lean muscle. My stomach is starting to show ripples. I should be a naturally good climber because my physique is lean and my muscles are of the long and lean variety (as opposed to beefy or thick). If I tried to bulk up, it wouldn't happen; I don't have the muscle type for it. My father's musculature is also sinewy.

The core work I'm doing at the gym is paying off. I've focused on lower back muscles, upper and lower abdominals, and obliques. While climbing I have noticed how much the lower abs and obliques contribute to the work I am doing. And when the hill gets steep, additional upper body muscle groups start working: biceps, triceps, pectorals, and lats.

I'm going to keep working on developing climbing as one of my strengths on the bike. I think it may take a couple of winters to build up major strength in the quads without injuring myself. Though currently I am already delivering some whoop-ass to other cyclists on hills. (My bike gets some of the credit - the Scott CR1 practically throws itself forward when getting into a climb.)