Help me on Hills!

[apollo179]

I prefer long, gradual climbs. I find that as long as I get into a gear that requires an effort level that I can sustain, I'm happy to just keep on plugging away. But we're all different. My OH prefers short, steep hills because they're over quicker.

I guess alot has got to do with how you feel physically.
If im feeling ok i welcome the physical challenge of a good hill. On the other side of the coin if im tyred then any hill is torture. Busy roads with passing pedestrians are the worst case scenario because one has to perform , the granny ring really isnt an option.

 

[Seigi]

As many have said - Practice makes perfect, there's quite a long hill on my cycle to my partner's house and I've only cycled to hers about 4 times (8 times include there and back) and I found that on the third time the hill started to get easier, and the 4th time easier still, well, not easier but I got up there without being out of breath so much, I remember saying to myself "Last time I was completely buggered at this point, whereas now I feel fine".

 

[apollo179]

As many have said - Practice makes perfect, there's quite a long hill on my cycle to my partner's house and I've only cycled to hers about 4 times (8 times include there and back) and I found that on the third time the hill started to get easier, and the 4th time easier still, well, not easier but I got up there without being out of breath so much, I remember saying to myself "Last time I was completely buggered at this point, whereas now I feel fine".

It has been scientifically established that the pschological affect of love can affect perception and just maybe in your case, the climb seems to be getting easier but infact the reality is that this is just a mirage due to the affect of blossoming young love. Wait till you have a fight and see how the climb feels then.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Thing there is that so long as youve got fuel in the tank you should be able to manage the long gradual climb , ive got one climb locally that is only about quarter of a mile long but is so steep and the road so potholed i allways have to get off halfway .

I used to have an off road hill that always beat me. The first time I managed it I was over the moon

 

[Angelfishsolo]

It has been scientifically established that the pschological affect of love can affect perception and just maybe in your case, the climb seems to be getting easier but infact the reality is that this is just a mirage due to the affect of blossoming young love. Wait till you have a fight and see how the climb feels then.

 

[TheCharityShop]

I would suggest you get off the bike and try and do a few running sessions, maybe 5/6 miles 3 times a week

Also try and do some fast walking/jogging up your nearest hill then get back on your bike and things should be easier

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I would suggest you get off the bike and try and do a few running sessions, maybe 5/6 miles 3 times a week

Also try and do some fast walking/jogging up your nearest hill then get back on your bike and things should be easier

That does not make sense. The only way to get better at cycling up hills is to cycle up hills.

 

[TheCharityShop]

That does not make sense. The only way to get better at cycling up hills is to cycle up hills.

Made sense for me, my fitness increased enormously with an intigrated running regime alongside cycling

Cycling regulary on the flat only takes your fitness/endurance to a certain point, ive always found running to be greatly beneficial when i get back on my bike

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Made sense for me, my fitness increased enormously with an intigrated running regime alongside cycling

Cycling regulary on the flat only takes your fitness/endurance to a certain point, ive always found running to be greatly beneficial when i get back on my bike

Have you asked the OP about his/her weight, knee condition or any other pertinent question. Running is a much higher impact sport than cycling. I was a track, cross country and road runner from about 10 into my teens so I have a little experience.

 

[TheCharityShop]

Dont know anything about the OP maybe he/she could provide abit more background as to their general health

As a rule cycling/swimming is an ideal introduction back to regular activity/fitness and low impact aswell but i gather from the posters enquiry is that there is an assumption that he/she should be flying up hills
that is just never going to happen particulary after a long lay off

But like i said introducing abit of running may help on inclines because fitness does plateau out after a while cycling on the flat, different muscle groups are brought into play when running and ive always found i have much more strength negotiating hills after a few weeks intensive running, coupled with cycling up inclines aswell

 

[barongreenback]

Short steep hills are definitely harder for me being a bit of a fatty - much prefer the longer gradual drags where I can get into a gear and spin away.

 

[zexel]

Have you asked the OP about his/her weight, knee condition or any other pertinent question. Running is a much higher impact sport than cycling. I was a track, cross country and road runner from about 10 into my teens so I have a little experience.

Is there anything you haven't got experience in!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Is there anything you haven't got experience in!

Oh many things I assure you. You for one It's just by the time you reach 40 you have usually tried a few things out.

 

[apollo179]

the info that i am getting is that any individuals cycling potential , regardless of personal individualities , is largely regulated by your glycogen energy levels and to best prepare for a days cycling you should topup your on board glycogen before starting, top it up on the way and maintain a steady maintainable cycling effort on route.
Hills are obviously a big effort and will reveal any underlying glycogen deficiency and indeed may act to cause glycogen deficiency.
Its also said that its best to cycle within yourself for the first half hour so you dont exhaust your bodies ability to supply energy from the outset. In light of this statement it may be the case that although you feel like attacking a mountain at the start of your ride - in fact it might be better to schedule it for mid to end time when physiologically your body has reached some kind of handle on things.

 

[Glover Fan]

I find doing core exercises helps me a great deal in climbing hills, its not all about the legs. There are some simple exercises you can do at home, but swimming is also good for your core strength, it will also strengthen you arms, you wouldn't believe it, but being able to pull my bike up the hills with my arms helps as much as spinning my legs.