Help me on Hills!

[Klaus]

They say hlls never get easier, you just get faster climbing 'em. It is just a matter of getting the miles in and you will soon feel the benefit. Drop down to a low enough gear, then settle in to a nice smooth rythm - sitting is more effective - and set little targets (the next lamp post or parked car for example) then move on to another target. Don't worry too much about speed, it's not a race.

totally agree - it works.

 

[al-fresco]

Oh, I forgot to mention that a friend told me recently that sticking your chest out and pulling your shoulders back helps when climbing. It was news to me but I have tried it and it does seem to help - especially when you're at the point when you're slumped over the bars...

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Oh, I forgot to mention that a friend told me recently that sticking your chest out and pulling your shoulders back helps when climbing. It was news to me but I have tried it and it does seem to help - especially when you're at the point when you're slumped over the bars...

I'm not sure about sticking your chest out, but moving forward in the saddle and pulling on the bars does help

 

[byegad]

I could never stand on the pedals for long. I've always preferred to sit on the saddle and spin a lowish gear. I've never been fast uphills as a consequence. Now I ride recumbents so sitting is the only option and gearing low enough to get me up the hills is essential.

You don't say how old you are or what your background fitness is like. If you are older, fatter and have previously done little real exercise then what you are describing is lack of basic fitness. If you are younger, lighter and fitter then you simply don't have low enough gearing. I suspect it's the former.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I could never stand on the pedals for long. I've always preferred to sit on the saddle and spin a lowish gear. I've never been fast uphills as a consequence. Now I ride recumbents so sitting is the only option and gearing low enough to get me up the hills is essential.

You don't say how old you are or what your background fitness is like. If you are older, fatter and have previously done little real exercise then what you are describing is lack of basic fitness. If you are younger, lighter and fitter then you simply don't have low enough gearing or enough leg strength. I suspect it's the former.

FTFY

 

[lejogger]

Agree with all the posts, but always important to remember that you have good days and bad days.

This morning I obviously woke up with my climbing legs on, and the steady drags I have on the way in to work seemed a breeze - I even tackled a couple in the big ring. This certainly isn't an everyday occurence though. Obviously riding them every day is the practice required to make them easier to conquer in the long run, and although they never become easy, you will find that over time you get to the top less out of breath, in a harder gear, and in a faster time. Some days however, I know i've not got the energy to force a large mph all the way up and you have to sit and spin them out.

On steep climbs I like to think that I'm attached to a winch and every pedal revolution is pulling me up to the summit. Seems to help sometimes as from a psychological (cycleogical??!) point of view it helps you remember that it's a certainty that in a number of revolutions you'll be at the top and you'll have the instant relief of the flat, or even a descent if you're lucky, rather than just aimlessly climbing, wondering if it will ever end.

 

[briantrumpet]

I could never stand on the pedals for long. I've always preferred to sit on the saddle and spin a lowish gear. I've never been fast uphills as a consequence.

You can still be quick up hills by sitting most of the time, just standing up for the tough bits. I'll only blast into short sharp rises where I think I can keep enough momentum to get me over the brow or up to a flatter bit. Otherwise I'll quickly get into a low enough gear to sit and spin - when I ride with a friend who prefers to stand and grind, I realise that I'm just as quick, and don't burn up my lungs or drain my legs in the process.

 

[NeilEB]

Thanks for the replies all - glad to hear it's nothing I'm doing wrong, it's just that I'm fat and lazy!

Actually, on second thoughts, I think I'd rather it was something I was doing wrong....

Couple of rest days for me now before I attempt a 15 / 20 miler (flat route) at the weekend.

 

[apollo179]

Hi Neil; What hills have you done. I regularly do A411 barnet lane which has a few hills that are testing for the terminally unfit like me.
When i get to desperation point i have a habit of counting the pedal strokes in the illogical beleif that if i can just make it to 100 that will be the top.
Recovery time is important.

 

[Tyres23]

And one thing it never gets easier well not for me because I have caught this strange bug I was warned about . Once I finally do that big hill I keep doing it faster then I find a bigger one and start again!!!!

 

[User16625]

As has been said the only way to get better at hill climbing is to ride more hills. You can improve base fitness my riding on the flat but the power needed to climb comes from climbing. Sorry fella. I wish there was a magic button as well

So the power to climb "earned by climbing" im assuming can also be used to increase speed on the flat and downhill. Luckily for me there are good mountain routes nearby and I have a mountain bike aswell as a (crap) road bike.

 

[Glover Fan]

Once you are fit enough you'll find that cycling is boring without hills.

Done some hill training on the edge of the cotswolds today and my legs feel good for it.

Practice is the only easy you can improve hill climbing. I'm finding the hills in my area boring note though, they are all pretty steep, but I want some proper long and high hills/mountains to get my legs stuck into. Gonna have to drive over the bridge to south wales I think.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

So the power to climb "earned by climbing" im assuming can also be used to increase speed on the flat and downhill. Luckily for me there are good mountain routes nearby and I have a mountain bike aswell as a (crap) road bike.

Keeping the pedals turning in a high gear on the flat is a skill set in itself. You may have strength but the constant cadance requires stamina as well. Thus whilst hill climbing may help flat speed only riding fast on the flat will have a significant impact. I THINK!

 

[Matthew_T]

It's easier 'standing' on the pedals, but I can only maintain this for a very short time. If I sit down, I find myself dropping into the lowest gear possible, which makes pedalling easier, but means I get nowhere and therefore tire.

There must be something I'm missing?

You do have the right techniques but probably not the best method of entering the hill.

From what cyclists have advised me about riding up a local hill (nicknamed 'The Wall') in a time trial, the best method is to approach the hill as fast as you can, to carry a lot of speed up it. When entering the hill, you need to have your revs going just over that of the gear you're in.
If the hill increases in steepness the higher up it you go, you will have to change down but try to do this before you are having difficulty with the gear you are currently in.
Then stay in the easiest gear possible (without your legs going too fast) for the rest of the hill.

On very steep hills, I find that I cannot decide whether or not to stand or sit. I too find it easier to sit but find that I have to use my whole body to maintain the speed. Standing is good for a boost of power or very very steep parts of a hill.

I personally cannot decide whether or not to sit or stand so normally keep jumping out of the seat every second.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

You do have the right techniques but probably not the best method of entering the hill.

From what cyclists have advised me about riding up a local hill (nicknamed 'The Wall') in a time trial, the best method is to approach the hill as fast as you can, to carry a lot of speed up it. When entering the hill, you need to have your revs going just over that of the gear you're in.
If the hill increases in steepness the higher up it you go, you will have to change down but try to do this before you are having difficulty with the gear you are currently in.
Then stay in the easiest gear possible (without your legs going too fast) for the rest of the hill.

On very steep hills, I find that I cannot decide whether or not to stand or sit. I too find it easier to sit but find that I have to use my whole body to maintain the speed. Standing is good for a boost of power or very very steep parts of a hill.

I personally cannot decide whether or not to sit or stand so normally keep jumping out of the seat every second.

That is great technical advice. Anticipation of gear change is a worthy skill indeed