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How to attack the hills race day...
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 2005-09-17 11:24 AM |
Extreme Veteran  465  |  Subject: How to attack the hills race day...Sitting or standing. I know this may be a simple question, but now that I have a new bike where I can confidently attack hills without the gears shifting on me (ALL THE TIME!). I need to have a crash course in hills. I have a duathlon tomorrow on a hilly course. I've only had the bike a week, did a very hilly group ride in which I noticed that most of the people (roadies - does it even make a difference?) sat while going up the hills - whereas in the past I always stood up, partially I guess because I had to with my gear configuration. Any suggestions or tips! Thanks! |
| 2005-09-17 3:12 PM in reply to: #248399 |
Coach 9167   Stairway to Seven | Subject: RE: How to attack the hills race day... For race day, do whatever you're comfortable with. Over the winter, though, work on sitting to spin up hills with a high cadence, because it is a skill that takes practice. If you're not used to doing it, you'll probably notice some good thigh burn. In general, you can maintain a more aerobic workload and lower heart rate by climbing hills seated with a higher cadence. There have been a number of threads here on this same subejct, try searchign the forums for "cadence" or something like that. |
| 2005-09-17 3:30 PM in reply to: #248399 |
Elite 2468 Racine, WI | Subject: RE: How to attack the hills race day... I think AdventureBear is right on target...for race day you don't want to throw anything new into the mix. However, I would ABSOLUTELY practice your hill climbing technique over the winter. For me the whole sitting/standing/spinning/mashing the gears thing is entirely situational. I don't do any ONE thing all the time  But being able to spin up a hill without just absolutely losing momentum does take a little practice. |
| 2005-09-17 4:38 PM in reply to: #248399 |
Lethbridge, Alberta Bronze member | Subject: RE: How to attack the hills race day... In the last few days, I just read a formula that recommended whether to sit, stand, or both, depending on your weight and height. I've looked but I can't find it now. I think it had you divide your weight by your height (pounds and inches?). You would always sit if you were over 2.5 like me. I don't remember exactly, but it may have recommended you start standing sometimes if you were below 2 or 2.2, or it may have been lower than that. I'll keep looking for the article if someone else doesn't post it here first. |
| 2005-09-17 7:47 PM in reply to: #248494 |
| Veteran 102 NoVa | Subject: RE: How to attack the hills race day... It's in Going Long. Less than 2 pounds per inch usually climbs better standing, Over 2.5 per inch best off only seated climbing, in between can mix it up. At 6'6", 245 (3.14 lbs per inch and shrinking) , I always do better sitting unless I absolutely have to stand. That is, unless it's so steep I'm about to stall and fall over. |
| 2005-09-17 8:17 PM in reply to: #248399 |
Expert 1213 Los Gatos, CA | Subject: RE: How to attack the hills race day... I mostly climb seated (I am right at the 2.5 lbs. per inch cut off). For sustained climbing it's the only way to go for me....the key is to settle into a sustainable gear and regulate yoru breathing to the point where you are not anaerobic and getting winded, then just keep pedalling, you will soon be flying down the other side....hills are mostly mental challenges, it's the same as riding flats really hard ;-) |
| 2005-09-17 9:07 PM in reply to: #248563 |
Elite 2468 Racine, WI | Subject: RE: How to attack the hills race day... Big Ron - 2005-09-17 7:47 PM It's in Going Long. Less than 2 pounds per inch usually climbs better standing, Over 2.5 per inch best off only seated climbing, in between can mix it up. LOL...I am at 2.16 lbs/inch, so I guess that holds true with my "whatever works best at the moment" philosophy |
| 2005-09-17 10:51 PM in reply to: #248563 |
Coach 9167 Stairway to Seven | Subject: RE: How to attack the hills race day... Big Ron - 2005-09-17 7:47 PM It's in Going Long. Less than 2 pounds per inch usually climbs better standing, Over 2.5 per inch best off only seated climbing, in between can mix it up. At 6'6", 245 (3.14 lbs per inch and shrinking) , I always do better sitting unless I absolutely have to stand. That is, unless it's so steep I'm about to stall and fall over. Regardless, you need to practice both. It takes a bit of practice to go from spinning seated up a hill to standing for a minute to seated again without losing momentum or falling over. Reasons to stand (besides getting yourself up the hill) include a little extra blood flow to the perineal area, even if it is just for a few seconds every few minutes...makes a big difference for comfort in those regions. |
| 2005-09-18 9:42 AM in reply to: #248563 |
| Regular 138 | Subject: RE: How to attack the hills race day... Interesting calculation I'm 2.48 what should I do? I really hate to get out the saddle. I try to save standing for accelerating only and stay seated up the hills. Edited by John_0026 2005-09-18 9:43 AM |
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