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Post by bberk1 on Jun 22, 2009 9:56:21 GMT -5
I've never been this bad on hills biking. My legs just don't have it. I have 2 weeks when I can really train hard. Any tips? I did the sprint yesterday at monroe falls and am really pissed how poor I did overall and especially on the biking. The little hills they had kicked my butt.
I'm tired of getting passed like I'm standing still on the hills.
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Post by Aussie Rob on Jun 22, 2009 10:10:35 GMT -5
On your regular rides, hammer every hill. On every little riser or roller, try to maintain the same speed over the top you had running into it. It'll burn.  Maybe hills just aren't you thing though, and that's ok too. |
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Post by Steve Yutzy on Jun 22, 2009 11:56:20 GMT -5
My hill advice (I love hills)
-On small rollers, hammer the hill just like Rob said. The philosophy here is: "hill? what hill?"
-On larger hills, your legs will probably die if you try to hammer the whole thing. Instead, try to build your effort to the top
-As you do more and more hills, you'll find that more of them fit into the first category than the second
-Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades. Seek out some hills during your rides. Practice might not make perfect, but it does make improvements.
-Hills are much easier with a faster cadence (90-100) than a slower cadence ( < 90)
-Try to accelerate through the top of the hill, don't let up just as you reach the peak
-Don't get too good at the hills, otherwise guys like me might actually have to try to get faster on the flats to balance things out.
Just kidding on that last one of course
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Post by jen on Jun 22, 2009 12:03:48 GMT -5
I agree with what's been said but really it comes down to riding a lot, riding hills, and riding with people who are faster. And I've also been told it "takes 5 years to get your biking legs." I also was told to scoot back on your saddle going up for more power. So get out with some of the groups and ride  |
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Post by bberk1 on Jun 22, 2009 12:34:07 GMT -5
dang. I was hoping for a magic pill I could take. ha.
Lastly, stand or sit for the hills. Obviously some are definite standing ones. But the others?
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Post by Aussie Rob on Jun 22, 2009 12:45:33 GMT -5
Whatever is most comfortable. On longer climbs i alternate. Depends on the hill.
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Post by jimdehner on Jun 22, 2009 14:38:51 GMT -5
I'm certainly not a great climber but I have made strides this past year - sit or stand with a purpose - if your cadence is dropping before you give up on the gears your in - stand go to 1 gear heavier (yes heavier) and power up the hill then drop down a gear as you sit down and take your cadence back up - steve is right - climbing at a higher cadence is easier than at a low cadence -
when seated sit back in saddle and push your peddle over the top and pull across the bottom
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Post by Steve Yutzy on Jun 22, 2009 16:14:18 GMT -5
What Jim said might sound complitated, but it'll make sense when you do it. You can't hold a high cadence when standing (at least I can't) and you can produce a lot more power from your body weight helping mash the pedals down so you need a harder gear. Use the standing period to get your speed back up so you can get back to a higher cadence seated with an easier gear.
I usually don't stand all that much on hills unless it's steep, and even then only do it to get my speed back up if it's dropping too much.
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