Why do we love climbing?

This was a question someone asked over on bikejournal yesterday as a few of us (and yes, I was guilty) were setting climbing challenges for 2006. On the surface it seems quite a valid point -- after all, I live in a rather flat city. There really is no need, nor any reason for me to willingly or otherwise inflict pain upon myself by riding against gravity. There is certainly no reason for me to travel to the opposite end of the country to ride up hill (as in the origins of the above picture). So why do I do it?

For me I climb first and foremost for the scenery. Riding through the mountains offers wonders that just don't exist in open, flat areas. It's not only the views accessible from the mountains, but there are other things. Often it's the chance to watch clouds forming or breaking up from close quarters, perhaps riding through the remnants of a storm (I've done that a few times). It's also the business end of a lot of water systems, and there's nothing that quite matches the sound of rushing water when you're pushing your way toward the summit of the climb -- Curtis falls on Mt Tamborine comes to mind here.

Let's also not forget the physical release that comes from cycling up hill. There really is nothing quite like it. Pedalling up a long, steep climb is such an all-consuming activity that anything on your mind causing stress at a particular time is bound to be shoved aside, at least temporarily. I know that this has allowed me to perceive many situations differently in the past, and solve many other problems that I would not have solved otherwise. It's also a feeling of satisfaction about taking on a mountain and winning, although that's a minor benefit.

In the end, pain is only temporary (and not really all that bad to begin with), but the things I see as a result of cycling up hill often stay with me for much longer, forever in some cases.