omg hills

[LimeBurn]

I hate looking at the top of the hill especially if its not one I've been up before. It is weird how eventually you start looking forward to a bit of a climb though - maybe we all have some sort of sadistic self harming nature in all of us

 

[Cupra]

The challenge of a hill just sucks me in. I know the pain, I know the strain, I know my heart is 3 bike lengths in front of me and my lungs are at the bottom of the hill and my tongue is flapping on the floor but I will conquer the hill.

 

[nicholas]

Hi all returned to the hill that started this thread last week for another try I managed about the same distance up it as last week was unhappy with this two thirds up and stopping but on the way home last week was knackered but this week went on to do another 4 mile and was so happy with it I thought I would let you all know

 

[wiggydiggy]

Hi all been biking for about four weeks now slowly building speed and distance loosing weight and getting fitter todats ride I decided to attack the steepest hill around me only made three quarter s of the way up and wanted to die reminded me of cross country runs at school 25 years ago but although I feel like crap now absolutely loved it think I may be a masochist are there any strategies for hills ie gearing and stood up or sat down peddling your thoughts would be appreciated

I moved house a few months ago to a hilly area and have been puffing and swearing my way around since, but I was on a ride today in my old area and some of the hills I used to have make an effort for I found myself enjoying as much as the flats where I am now.

Just keep at it as it will get easier, I tend to stand up on shorter hills or on longer ones I stand until defeated then sit down in granny gear lol

 

[RhysB]

One thing I tend to do coming up to a familiar decent hill, is in the say mile or so before prepare. I'll go down a gear or two maybe and keep the same speed, increasing my cadence to a feeling odd (I could push a bigger gear level) rather than laying it down, to prepare the legs a bit so they can take more of a mashing on the hill doing the stand up/sit down approach. Depends on the hill though.

I'll sometimes also split the hill into segments in my head if it's got parts where it shallows out or steepens. I'll think right I'm staying seated til that point, if I'm going to stand I'm aiming to get there, and so on, and always push over the top, can rest on the other side. Usually ride on my own so need to keep the motivation there. But wearing a Wallace and gromit "keep up lad" jersey usually does that.

 

[sutts]

Well, there aren't many hills where I live, just the odd slight incline here and there, so it was with a great deal of satisfaction that I cycled from Puerto Pollensa to the lighthouse 13 miles away on two consecutive days last week (with a 5 minute stop). I struggled big time on some of the climbs, after all, the first one alone is for more than 3 miles...but the looks that I got from the more serious riders at the lighthouse, with their expensive bikes and me on my heavy rented bike with a shopping basket on the front, made it all worthwhile. I ache all over now, it has to be said (mind you, I did 240 miles over 4 days, I'm just addicted, lol).

So my advice to the original poster is go to Majorca!!...and well done on giving up the cigs!!

Here's a picture, hope it works!

 

[nicholas]

Thanks stutts would love to ride with the Sun on my back so when I visit is it free lodgings

 

[nicholas]

Ryhs b love that top bro

 

[sutts]

Thanks stutts would love to ride with the Sun on my back so when I visit is it free lodgings

Ha...I don't live there, I just went on holiday! Some holiday, I can hardly move right now...lol.

 

[slowmotion]

I'm pretty dreadful on hills, but I'm getting slightly better. My only advice is to get some gearing that helps you get up them to start with. It's good for morale to get up the hill that used to be impossible. You don't have to use that bottom gear later. Ignore anybody who tells you to MFSU and get fitter. You will get fitter by enjoying being on the bike anyway. There is no need to torture yourself if you are not that way inclined.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Hills get easier as you improve but never become really easy because they are hard work.
Fact is, like most things as you improve, you like to go as fast as is sensible/possible.
The real clue as to improvng is the gear range you can really use to go up the hill.

rgds, sreten.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I'm pretty dreadful on hills, but I'm getting slightly better. My only advice is to get some gearing that helps you get up them to start with. It's good for morale to get up the hill that used to be impossible. You don't have to use that bottom gear later. Ignore anybody who tells you to MFSU and get fitter. You will get fitter by enjoying being on the bike anyway. There is no need to torture yourself if you are not that way inclined.

I went as low as a 24" gear when I started, 26x28 these days generally go no lower than 34" 30x23 (on a compact 34x26) though a couple have had me down to 28"

 

[nicholas]

Thanks stern what gearing do you suggest know nothing about it other than i have 27

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Hi,

Hills get easier as you improve but never become really easy because they are hard work.
Fact is, like most things as you improve, you like to go as fast as is sensible/possible.
The real clue as to improvng is the gear range you can use to go up the hill.

rgds, sreten.

Depends on the climb, I have a few on a Friday morning, I used to hate, these days they are no problem and I am faster and it's easier.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Thanks stern what gearing do you suggest know nothing about it other than i have 27

Hes not referring to how many but to gear " the lower the gear inch the easier.
If you have 27 gear I presume its a triple 9 sp, So 30-39-50 on the front though it may be different.
The rear probably 12 to 26 it the 30x26 which is the lowest gear at 30.35", depending on your rear mech you maybe able to take this up to at least 28 or 30 giving 28.18" and 26.3".
You can go lower if you change the rear mech I use a M.T.B. one which allows me to go to a 34 rear on my set up at the mo this would give me 30x34 or 23.21" but this is very low gearing.