Mental Strategy for Hills

[knapdog]

Just what is it that people think of when they have to "slog" (like I have to) up hills? Annoyingly I either find that I start to hum some daft rhythm, in my head, to the turn of the pedals, or some ghastly tune ( they are never the one's I really like) I heard on the radio earlier. And why is it that all I want to do is get to the top? I can't seem to enjoy the slopes along the way!

 

[gaz]

i pound them as punishment, but then again, the hills in london aren't exactly huge. No pain no gain is what i roll by.

 

[ianrauk]

I Usually work my way up to the rhythm of a constant cadence speed ie 1,2 1,2 1,2 etc

Just what is it that people think of when they have to "slog" (like I have to) up hills? Annoyingly I either find that I start to hum some daft rhythm, in my head, to the turn of the pedals, or some ghastly tune ( they are never the one's I really like) I heard on the radio earlier. And why is it that all I want to do is get to the top? I can't seem to enjoy the slopes along the way!

 

[I am Spartacus]

The trouble with going 1 2 1 2 all the time you risk being smacked in the gob on a club run!

 

[chillyuk]

I Usually work my way up to the rhythm of a constant cadence speed ie 1,2 1,2 1,2 etc

Most of the hills in my area are long rather than steep, and the problem I have with the 121212 method is that I lose count half way up

 

[snorri]

If the hill is steep enough to cause me to "slog", I dismount and walk up. Walking allows me better to appreciate my surroundings and hear the sounds of nature.

 

[Bayerd]

I sing tunes in my head, usually something that matches the rhythm of the pedalling. I find this helps to keep a constant rpm. Most of the hills I ride are long drags that aren't that steep.

 

[Ranger]

Singing along to anything in my head is how I work.

Does get you some strange looks in traffic though as I often forget where I am

 

[GrasB]

For me it's a zen thing... smooth, calm, controlled peddle motion in the saddle, just keeping the power flowing into the peddles through as much of the stroke as possible. The more laid back & relaxed I am up the climb the faster I can go.

 

[mattyashy]

Short steep hills - I tend to swear to myself and swear at the hill. Insisting it's not good enough to beat me

Long sweeping hills - I sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride in the correct gear

 

[Fab Foodie]

For me it's a zen thing... smooth, calm, controlled peddle motion in the saddle, just keeping the power flowing into the peddles through as much of the stroke as possible. The more laid back & relaxed I am up the climb the faster I can go.

+1 I generally enjoy climbing.
Alternatively I think about something other than cycling...

 

[scott s10]

dont slog , accelerate up it to keep the pain above being poked with a soldering iron.

 

[scott s10]

+1 I generally enjoy climbing.
Alternatively I think about something other than cycling...

same here for some reason when im time trialling i think about what wheels i want to buy. then imagine iv got them on to help me go faster

 

[GrasB]

Oh yeah, another thing. If you've got a trip computer turn move the display to anything but a speed output, with mine I have cadence as the main display then set it to the ride time.

 

[BalkanExpress]

Short steep hills - I tend to swear to myself and swear at the hill. Insisting it's not good enough to beat me



+1 and as for coming back down..... best to avoid throwing up