Killer Hill need advice

[Biker Joe]

I recently tackled a 23% climb at the end of a 40 km ride. I have a compact chainset 50/39 and an 11/25 cassette (9 speed).
The climb almost beat me. I almost got off and walked 3/4 of the way up. I did manage it however. ( Very satisfied feeling at the top).
I'm 69 yrs, 6' 1", 85 kg.
So yes I think it must be a fitness thing with you.
Ride those hills young man and build up those muscles.

 

[User16625]

Don't look up the hill you're riding! Your head tells you that you're knackered before your legs realize you can do it!

Some of the routes I ride its actually better to not look down.

Probably the best way to train for hills is to get into mountain biking. Usually involves long steep ascents over rough terrain. Hard but even on hills that are steep enough to raise the front wheel with every push of the pedals, I feel well used to it now. Gearing is much lower on a MTB but you still have to push yourself pretty hard.

 

[Mickthemove]

Just improve your gearing, on la vuelta they were climbing hills between 12 and 26 percent and most had 11-28 or 30 on the back, even if you don't use it, it is there incase you meet a short and Nast at the end of a good ride!

Take little notice of the tour riders on here who claim to climb every hill on 11-23 etc, let them have their moment of pain whilst you get up that hill!

I speak as a fat git of 16 and a half stone that does not walk up any hill now I have the right kit!

 

[Doyleyburger]

Hi @jasonmccullum
Firstly as a beginner i'm no expert, but there gave been a couple of hills that I have had trouble with, but I find that slowing down a little and trying to stay as relaxed as possible has helped me overcome them. I think the pace will then improve once your used to getting up it without stopping.
Not sure about the whole looking down comment. Understand about gritting your teeth and trying to power through it, but bloody hell, even I know that you need to keep an eye on as much of the road as possible. Not just for keeping an eye on vehicles but also pot holes etc will be on you before you know it. All the best with the hill fella

 

[Dusty Bin]

Hi @jasonmccullum
Firstly as a beginner i'm no expert, but there gave been a couple of hills that I have had trouble with, but I find that slowing down a little and trying to stay as relaxed as possible has helped me overcome them. I think the pace will then improve once your used to getting up it without stopping.
Not sure about the whole looking down comment. Understand about gritting your teeth and trying to power through it, but bloody hell, even I know that you need to keep an eye on as much of the road as possible. Not just for keeping an eye on vehicles but also pot holes etc will be on you before you know it. All the best with the hill fella

You're in NCE yes? Which hills are you referring to?

 

[User6179]

I recently tackled a 23% climb at the end of a 40 km ride. I have a compact chainset 50/39 and an 11/25 cassette (9 speed).
The climb almost beat me. I almost got off and walked 3/4 of the way up. I did manage it however. ( Very satisfied feeling at the top).
I'm 69 yrs, 6' 1", 85 kg.
So yes I think it must be a fitness thing with you.
Ride those hills young man and build up those muscles.

50/39 is a standard double Joe , at 85kg with a 11/25 cassette I would say you are under geared for a 23% climb , no chance your cadence up a climb like that would be any where near optimal.

 

[Doyleyburger]

You're in NCE yes? Which hills are you referring to?

Hi mate, yes I live very close to NCE.
Used to struggle with the one from Penrhiwllan leading into Horeb and also the one leading from aberbanc to coed y bryn. I'm sure they're harder ones around here but they used to really do me in when I first started

 

[Dusty Bin]

Hi mate, yes I live very close to NCE.
Used to struggle with the one from Penrhiwllan leading into Horeb and also the one leading from aberbanc to coed y bryn. I'm sure they're harder ones around here but they used to really do me in when I first started

The climb to Horeb is a killer - I don't go out that way much. Not been up the other one. The worst (or best, depending) for me is from Drefach up to five roads, but I don't go up there much either. No shortage of killer climbs round here

 

[lukesdad]

Some of the routes I ride its actually better to not look down.

Probably the best way to train for hills is to get into mountain biking. Usually involves long steep ascents over rough terrain. Hard but even on hills that are steep enough to raise the front wheel with every push of the pedals, I feel well used to it now. Gearing is much lower on a MTB but you still have to push yourself pretty hard.

Only if are going to ride an mtb on the road.

 

[lukesdad]

The A475 is a lumpy old road.

 

[Doyleyburger]

The climb to Horeb is a killer - I don't go out that way much. Not been up the other one. The worst (or best, depending) for me is from Drefach up to five roads, but I don't go up there much either. No shortage of killer climbs round here

Ah yes that is Cwmpengraig I think. Yet to have the guts to tackle that one ! Where abouts are you? You in a club @Dusty Bin ?

 

[Biker Joe]

50/39 is a standard double Joe , at 85kg with a 11/25 cassette I would say you are under geared for a 23% climb , no chance your cadence up a climb like that would be any where near optimal.

I hear what you are saying. Whether it is an optimal cadence or not doesn't concern me. I have to make do with what I've got in respect to gearing.
I'm just happy that I got up that climb that day.
I've been up it again since and an even steeper one. I don't have a problem getting up them now. They are the two steepest climbs in my area so if I can get up them, anything else is a doddle.
I don't have to go up them if I don't want to. I just use them to get the muscles working hard and as an indication of my fitness. I'm getting fitter all the time.

 

[lukesdad]

The Drefach to five roads climb has a nice smooth tarmac surface now.

 

[User6179]

I hear what you are saying. Whether it is an optimal cadence or not doesn't concern me. I have to make do with what I've got in respect to gearing.
I'm just happy that I got up that climb that day.
I've been up it again since and an even steeper one. I don't have a problem getting up them now. They are the two steepest climbs in my area so if I can get up them, anything else is a doddle.
I don't have to go up them if I don't want to. I just use them to get the muscles working hard and as an indication of my fitness. I'm getting fitter all the time.

My hats off to you sir getting up such a steep climb with those gears but you would be better served with lower gearing IMO , would be more beneficial to fitness , going up a hill in to hard a gear wont build fitness , it will increase power but not sustainable power , its a bit like what body builders do , like if you cycled on the flat in a 60/10 gear if such a thing exists.

 

[Dusty Bin]

Ah yes that is Cwmpengraig I think. Yet to have the guts to tackle that one ! Where abouts are you? You in a club @Dusty Bin ?

I'm fairly local - I'll send you a pm..