How to tackle Hills

[Nigelnaturist]

re: hills, mine are either very long or very steep. I find picking a gear when I'm at a good speed/cadence and am not too pushed helps. Change sooner so you aren't on the back foot and just GET UP IT!!! You'll soon find yourself doing better, getting off and pushing isn't something to be ashamed of, we aren't all Chris Froome/Nigel

If thats referring to me Steve, I dont climb much as there isnt much around here as Chris says I got to ride 15-20 miles to the hills, got a few short climbs, but nothing longer than 1/2 to 1 mile, if it wasn't aimed at me ignore my ramblings as I may have missed something.

 

[themosquitoking]

Knowing when to change gears also helps. If the slope you're climbing is about to become steeper, change to the lower gear you need for the steeper bit slightly before you reach it, then you'll find you ascend the hill at a more consistent speed. That makes it easier on your quads .

I tried this today and what do you know, it made everything much easier. Cheers fella.

 

[Peteaud]

Did this today.

Red = > 10%
Blue = >5%

%​

Nearly killed me.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

^^^^ Bit steep that - you did good!

 

[Peteaud]

^^^^ Bit steep that - you did good!

Thanks


CoffeeJo will know this hill.

Its the one next to Barleymows that drops down to wadeford op the haymaker.

 

[coffeejo]

Thanks


CoffeeJo will know this hill.

Its the one next to Barleymows that drops down to wadeford op the haymaker.

I was at Barleymow's today!! We went round Combs St Nicholas though, didn't fancy it after the climbs up Blagdon Hill, and Upottery-Stockland-Barleymow's.

 

[Peteaud]

I was at Barleymow's today!! We went round Combs St Nicholas though, didn't fancy it after the climbs up Blagdon Hill, and Upottery-Stockland-Barleymow's.

I must go for breakfast there soon.

I go down the road op barleymows and along the ridge past Ferne Animals, then drop down towards Axminster to waggs plot.

The scenery is jaw dropping.

 

[coffeejo]

I'm very taken with that area. A friend's brother farms in that neck of the woods and it's just incredible.

 

[ribbleboy]

Just keep practicing

 

[SWSteve]

If thats referring to me Steve, I dont climb much as there isnt much around here

Oh, from previous posts I have viewed you as a real king of hills. I shall withdraw that

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Oh, from previous posts I have viewed you as a real king of hills. I shall withdraw that

Nice of you to say so, I do try, and got a few p.b's on a few today.

 

[SWSteve]

Nice of you to say so, I do try, and got a few p.b's on a few today.

Great going! I think that molten ball in the sky has helped us all, it certainly helped me, if only it wasn't going to rain all week.

 

[philinmerthyr]

I was in Gulidford yesterday to went to see Leith Hill and Box Hill. I'll need to ride both 50 miles into the London 100 in Aug. After that I've realised that I need to start adding more of the welsh valley climbs into my training.

The KOM was due to me being in the car. I've now deleted both rides from Strava so I don't upset any of the Strava racers.

Leith Hill was the steeper of the 2. There were loads of cyclists idling the hills. Driving around them was a nightmare.

Off out soon to do some hill climbing.

 

[Rob3rt]

I think the answer is quite simple.......... ride your bike more!

 

[GrasB]

Did this today.

Red = > 10%
Blue = >5%

%​

Nearly killed me.

That isn't a hill! THIS is a hill... with fangs & claws at the ready to devour the unsuspecting.

9.5km with 980-1100m ascent depending on what resource you use (my Garmin keeps come up with numbers around in the 1025-1040m range). The last section to the top is just shy of 20% & it maxes a shade over 26%. It's a nightmare to deal with because it's not a straight forward climb you can settle into, it's like a choppy rolling landscape put on top of 9% sustained ascent. So you just about get settled into the climb then it's into a short descent, but just as you get sorted in that it's rising up heading for 20%.