My Firsts:

[Crandoggler]

Depends really.

If you can keep a high cadence up in a higher gear then you'll get up there quicker. However, I think that usually people can spin a higher cadence with lower resistance for longer, especially at your stage. Being in a higher gear, going up a hill will undoubtably be harder for you.

What I would suggest is staying in a higher gear and gradually changing down. So (I don't know how long this 'bank' is) start in a higher gear and as you get further up and your legs stop working, change down a gear and so forth.

 

[Cannondale Lady]

Hubby thinks its better for me to pick the gear I want for the whole hill, on your approach, soI don't have to wrry about changing going up. I suppose it's horses for courses. Thanks for the input. I will experiment.

 

[Crandoggler]

Yeah I agree. However, I often change down as the gradient changes. Maybe try it in the next gear up and change down if necessary.

 

[Grumpyfatman]

I think you're doing fine, I agree with crandoggler the hill I question has a gradual start with a quick change in gradient but once you crest it the gradient drops quickly.
Select a good gear for the start of the incline and gradually drop gears as it become tougher. Try not to put so much into it that it makes you breathless, Mark your progress by the street furniture, One lamppost or drain grid at a time you'll get there

 

[Cannondale Lady]

There's a bend that marks the levelling out slightly...I'm ooooooh so close to it! This week I swear will be the time I do it.

 

[Crandoggler]

When I was in your boots, I used to look at landmarks and decide that I would not change down a gear until I met that target. Seemed to work!

 

[Cannondale Lady]

Gonna try all you guys have said. I will think of u all as I next climb it......probs Tuesday

 

[Pale Rider]

The hill is beating you, so I think your only option at this stage is select bottom gear at the bottom of it and spin at a comfortable cadence.

It is said climbing hills in the dark is easier because you cannot get disheartened by what's in front of you.

In daylight, try not to look too far ahead.

As regards breathing, concentrate on breathing out, not breathing in.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

My tactic (which also works when riding with my wife who hates hills) is to do what others have said and pick a point to reach, 'almost at the bushy tree' 'bit further to the start of the layby' 'bit further to the end of the layby' 'almost at the fence post' etc. Occasionally I get told off for picking a target too far away, but it's a good way to stop thinking about the whole hill.

 

[Cannondale Lady]

Lots of great advice from you guys - fingers crossed for Tuesday evening

 

[RichardB]

The rule I was told a long time ago was: if your legs start to burn before you get out of breath, your gear is too high; if you get out of breath before your legs hurt, your gear is too low. It seems to work for me. If you're zipping along and you come to a short, steep hill, it's sometimes easier to go UP a gear and charge it, using the momentum to power you up. Doesn't work for long hills, though. I don't know the hill you mean (and I did try looking on Google Maps) but if it's a bank like Rosedale Chimney Bank, then kudos to you for even trying . I'd agree with other people. I pick a spot about 100m ahead and tell myself I won't change down until then. I get a little further each time. It's amazing how much easier hills get when your legs get stronger.

 

[GuyBoden]

The rule I was told a long time ago was: if your legs start to burn before you get out of breath, your gear is too high; if you get out of breath before your legs hurt, your gear is too low. It seems to work for me. If you're zipping along and you come to a short, steep hill, it's sometimes easier to go UP a gear and charge it, using the momentum to power you up. Doesn't work for long hills, though. I don't know the hill you mean (and I did try looking on Google Maps) but if it's a bank like Rosedale Chimney Bank, then kudos to you for even trying . I'd agree with other people. I pick a spot about 100m ahead and tell myself I won't change down until then. I get a little further each time. It's amazing how much easier hills get when your legs get stronger.

Thanks for posting, that's very helpful info.

 

[Cannondale Lady]

The rule I was told a long time ago was: if your legs start to burn before you get out of breath, your gear is too high; if you get out of breath before your legs hurt, your gear is too low. It seems to work for me. If you're zipping along and you come to a short, steep hill, it's sometimes easier to go UP a gear and charge it, using the momentum to power you up. Doesn't work for long hills, though. I don't know the hill you mean (and I did try looking on Google Maps) but if it's a bank like Rosedale Chimney Bank, then kudos to you for even trying . I'd agree with other people. I pick a spot about 100m ahead and tell myself I won't change down until then. I get a little further each time. It's amazing how much easier hills get when your legs get stronger.

Haha had u found Cox Green on google maps or google earth you would have thought WTF?? Thats not a hill its a slight incline!

 

[Cannondale Lady]

Just looked, it looks like nowt (nothing in Mackem speak) like a steep hill but it gets me every time!!!!!! And I dunno why it says Houghton, no way is it Houghton. Bloody google!

If you go up to the REALLY STEEP BIT (for me remember...) where it turns the corner, that there black lamp post is how far I can get...Its not far round the corner, just a few more cadences (is that a word?) and I get back on just round that corner, where the gate is but before that horse!

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.8...cTQb-Y0tneEkTxpdyBYw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

 

[MikeW-71]

It is said climbing hills in the dark is easier because you cannot get disheartened by what's in front of you.

In daylight, try not to look too far ahead.

True. I like to see where the end of the hill is, to plan my approach, but sometimes it just demoralises me. On the Carlisle - Newcastle night ride I did last year, we had to climb Greenhead bank, which I know from driving down it is very steep and long.

We got to it at about 2am. Wow, it was hard, but since I couldn't see what was coming next, I just did whatever was needed to keep the pedals turning (lowest gear was selected at the bottom). We did have the mobile cake stop parked just over the top of the hill, so that was a good incentive