Hills – drive up them hard, or spin until you are fitter?

[peanut]

ok so if 10% =(1/23lbs)x 1000
10% hill requires 43"
20% hill requires 43-10 = 33"
ie 34x27 right thats what i have .
Now power as Jeremy C would say
7Watts X (106Kgs +11Kgs ) = 819 Watts ..strewth

so how does this relate to the 20% hill ? can I get up it and if so what gear will I need ?

 

[yello]

7Watts X (106Kgs +11Kgs ) = 819 Watts ..strewth

Strewth indeed. An article I read a few days back said that the peak output recorded for the Huez during TdFs was 460w by Pantani in 1995. Ulrich recorded 474 watts on the Arcalis in 97.

819 watts will require more 'assistance' than either Pantani or Ulrich had!

 

[TW85]

The trouble with this approach is you have to be very proficient at getting your foot from pedal to ground and holding yourself upright on a steep gradient.

I just make sure I get a good run up, I don't start on a hill in a high gear


I do the old 'stand up while pedalling' if it gets hardcore

 

[jimboalee]

ok so if 10% =(1/23lbs)x 1000
10% hill requires 43"
20% hill requires 43-10 = 33"
ie 34x27 right thats what i have .
Now power as Jeremy C would say
7Watts X (106Kgs +11Kgs ) = 819 Watts ..strewth

so how does this relate to the 20% hill ? can I get up it and if so what gear will I need ?

I think you have the wrong end of the stick here. 7 W/kg is the aspiration of a race wannabe. It is the level at which pros NEED to be to be competative.

You and I, because of our excess mass and limited time in the saddle will have a figure much less than 7.

If I put your figures into PowerCalc on the CTC website, to get up a 20%, you need to find 450 Watts to crawl up at 4 mph.
This will be 40 rpm on a 34 x 27.
You will need to be standing up and pulling up on the upstroke.

Your W/kg ( based on a 25% ) is 3.8. Yeh, HALF of a pro.

 

[peanut]

Thanks Jimbo next time I'm at Red Hill I'll put your figures to the test although i fear i am unlikely to manage even 225 watts not 450

 

[jimboalee]

Thanks Jimbo next time I'm at Red Hill I'll put your figures to the test although i fear i am unlikely to manage 225 watts not 450

Strange how that 450 was just below Pantani's 460. Marco will be riding faster on a longer gear.

Is that indicative of the muscle mass you both possess?

 

[TW85]

...What speed to you let yourself drop to before you stand up on the pedals?...

When it's too difficult to carry on sitting down, but not so difficult that you might have to change gear, trying to keep as much momentum as possible

 

[jimboalee]

When it's too difficult to carry on sitting down, but not so difficult that you might have to change gear, trying to keep as much momentum as possible

Around 30 rpm.

 

[Alex]

Am I the only one who has to ease off cos of the extreme pain? I practice up the road hill in greenwich park, and after three quarters of the way i really struggle and slow to about 5mph
It happens regardless of whether i sprint up the first 3/4 or go slowly

 

[jimboalee]

Am I the only one who has to ease off cos of the extreme pain? I practice up the road hill in greenwich park, and after three quarters of the way i really struggle and slow to about 5mph
It happens regardless of whether i sprint up the first 3/4 or go slowly

How many repeats in an hour are you doing?

 

[Alex]

The hill takes about 3-4 mins, then i usually roll straight back down and begin again, i do this about four times, have a rest and then start again so i'd say about ten in an hour