Regular training route - which way for best results?

[Pointy boy]

I have a route that I regularly run & cycle (most days). It's an approximately 4 mile circuit from my house, and is convenient when I don't have the time to get out on a 'proper' route.

The entire route has some kind of gradient - but here's the question: in one direction the route involves approx 3.2 miles of gradual descent, and 0.8 miles of very steep ascent, and in the opposite direction, it's obviously the reverse ;-)

As I'm really training for general fitness and endurance, does one direction give significantly more benefit than the other?

cheers.

 

[Sittingduck]

If you're going straight out of your house and onto it, I would be doing the downhill first then climb option to avoid pulling anything.

 

[ColinJ]

Do the long drag as a warm up ride, then plunge down the steep descent, u-turn and attack the climb! Ride the gradual descent home as a warm down?

PS Oops, it sounds like the hills go in the opposite direction! How about ... warm up down the gentle slope, turn and ride back up it briskly, turn again and ride down as quickly as you can and then attack the steep climb hard?

 

[Pointy boy]

Thanks guys. Yes, to make it clearer, my house is at the top of the hill, and I have the option of either a long, gradual descent from it and a sharp climb back, or a short sharp descent and a long gradual climb back.
ColinJ - that does sound like a sensible option. For years I'd been going almost exclusively in one direction (long descent, short climb), but a few weeks back I switched it around. I actually feel as though my fitness has improved as a result.... but not sure if that's just subjective!

 

[vickster]

Do it both ways with your house as midpoint. I'm not sure a 4 mile circuit will help you train for endurance?

 

[Pointy boy]

I do more than one circuit Vickster

 

[vickster]

Why not ride further afield then and find more varied terrain