Climbing technique

[montage]

I now spin up hills - I find this keeps far more energy in my legs if I need to jump out the saddle and respond to attack. I do however try and grind up hills for training sometimes - just to strengthen the legs .

With the pedals I focus on pedalling in a full circle, accelerating through the top of the stroke - when I am out of the saddle I just focus on the pushing down and pulling up.

 

[palinurus]

I realise there are several different things I do while climbing, I've been taking note of them this week. Here's the general approach.

On longish climbs when I want to remain seated I do this. Before climbing I change down to a low gear. I find it's better to go too low and have to change up, this technique is about feeling better when climbing and changing down on the climb might feel like defeat. I allow the bike to slow quite a bit then pick up pedalling at an easy pace and once I've found a rhythm I shake myself down and get comfortable on the saddle, holding the bars lightly, trying to relax as much as possible.

Then I focus on trying to make the effort as easy as possible- this is hard to describe but easier to do. I'm not sure what I do- possibly making small adjustments to my pedalling and breathing, trying for -what feels like- greater efficiency. I've no idea if my climbing is more efficient, but it feels better and gives me something to focus on. Perhaps if I had a power meter..

Anyway, I start off like that. Once I get a bit further up I might increase the pace, change up even. Having something left towards the top feels good. If riding with a group I might let them get away at the bottom of the hill, chances are I can catch up later.

This doesn't always work as some hills are just bastards. Without low gears there's no chance of settling into a rhythm or getting comfortable. Even with low gears there might be no chance either.

 

[tomkb]

id say just always be in the 'right' gear- always keep the pedals spinning- with training u will be able to increase the gear you can cope with on a certain climb. rhythm is important. relax but a bit of grit and anger never hurt anyone when training.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Having just completed the MTB course, they suggest - Sit forward in the saddle, arms relaxed, elbows in and a low but not spinning gear. Works off road for certain and when I tried the technique on a road climb that I used to need granny for I managed in the middle ring instead. (In some respects it does seem counter intuitive but if it works and al that.........)

 

[gbs]

and a low but not spinning gear.

V interesting - what is yr cadence in this low gear and what do you consider to be normal cdence range (on the flat, not battling a headwind)?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I have never accurately measured my cadence but I'd guess at around 80 on the flat and maybe 90 - 100 on a MTB trail hill.

V interesting - what is yr cadence in this low gear and what do you consider to be normal cdence range (on the flat, not battling a headwind)?

 

[montage]

Went round the Isle of Wight a few days ago....VEEERY hilly, and it was kind of race style (though with alot of stops to let people catch up ). I was usually the first up all the hills and the one making all the attacks/stretching the group etc and more than often out of the saddle. I was really surprised at how much I was out of the saddle.

Sitting down and spinning does work, especially for the longer hill climbs with a fairly gradual gradient, but I find that it exhausts my quads. When my quads were exhausted it was impossible to get out of the saddle, so for the rest of the hills I would be out of the saddle before I hit this stage. Standing up I would go at a slower cadence compared with my usual spinning, but I was definately faster standing.

 

[stoatsngroats]

Went round the Isle of Wight a few days ago....VEEERY hilly,

......ooohh, that's worrying, which way did you go round..? You've worried me now about the forthcoming Randonee, which I was hoping to add to my Littlehampton/Pompey and return.......getting selfdoubt now

 

[montage]

......ooohh, that's worrying, which way did you go round..? You've worried me now about the forthcoming Randonee, which I was hoping to add to my Littlehampton/Pompey and return.......getting selfdoubt now

You will be fine... I went round anti-clockwise. Hmmm they are fun hills to climb though, some short sharp steep ones you can blast up, some long windy ones...some long steep windy ones

Adding it to a route? hmm it is something like 62/67miles. Don't selfdoubt, ye shall be fiiiine

 

[stoatsngroats]

Adding it to a route? hmm it is something like 62/67miles. Don't selfdoubt, ye shall be fiiiine

Thanks for the support, Montage.....it's appreciated muchly!

 

[montage]

Also when you asked which way I went round....I wasn't aware that there were only hills going one way :?:

 

[stoatsngroats]

Also when you asked which way I went round....I wasn't aware that there were only hills going one way

No, you P%&T, which way YOU went round....

AaarrGh, do I have to explain EVERYTHING!

(did you go round to the LEFT, or the RIGHT....? )

 

[Angelfishsolo]

LMAO - Is that his left or yours????

No, you P%&T, which way YOU went round....

AaarrGh, do I have to explain EVERYTHING!

(did you go round to the LEFT, or the RIGHT....? )

 

[montage]

No, you P%&T, which way YOU went round....

AaarrGh, do I have to explain EVERYTHING!

(did you go round to the LEFT, or the RIGHT....? )

left facing the island or right facing the island?

 

[Marko62]

Wouldn't describing the way you went around the island as clockwise/anti-clockwise make more sense?