General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Hills vs. Rollers Rss Feed  
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2006-05-10 12:27 PM

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Champion
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Subject: Hills vs. Rollers

You've seen the descriptions of race courses as "moderate with one hill and a few gentle rollers".

What I haven't seen is a definition of what makes something a hill vs. a gentle roller.

So what is it? What makes something a roller or a hill?



2006-05-10 12:30 PM
in reply to: #419963

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Hills vs. Rollers

To me, a hill is something you have to gear down or otherwise significantly slow your pace on or increase your effort to get over.

Rollers are a series of short hills whereyou can get enough momentum on the downhill portion to carry you over the uphill portion without losing much speed or increasing your effort too much.

2006-05-10 12:52 PM
in reply to: #419963

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Hills vs. Rollers
Harriman State Park, NY, see those big peaks those are hills everything else, just rollers



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2006-05-10 12:52 PM
in reply to: #419963

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Runner
Subject: RE: Hills vs. Rollers
In my experience, when a race coordinator describes the course as having "rollers", that means you've got hills that will wind you something fierce. They tend to be shorter (1/4 mi or less) and steep. When they say "hilly", that means you're going to be climbing the equivalent of the Himalyas during the route. Race coordinators around here have a sick sense of humor.
2006-05-10 12:53 PM
in reply to: #419966

Elite
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Subject: RE: Hills vs. Rollers
run4yrlif - 2006-05-10 9:30 AM

To me, a hill is something you have to gear down or otherwise significantly slow your pace on or increase your effort to get over.

Rollers are a series of short hills whereyou can get enough momentum on the downhill portion to carry you over the uphill portion without losing much speed or increasing your effort too much.



what he said

2006-05-10 2:28 PM
in reply to: #419963

Veteran
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Subject: RE: Hills vs. Rollers
I'm convinced there's no such thing as rolling hills. I really laughed at some of these posts. It's true, you know. They are all hard. And believe me when I tell you, getting this tub-o-lard up em' isn't pretty, rolling or otherwise.


2006-05-10 2:40 PM
in reply to: #419963

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Runner
Subject: RE: Hills vs. Rollers
marmadaddy - 2006-05-10 1:27 PM

What makes something a roller or a hill?



Roller implies what you're going to be doing on the downslope after the first few. Hill implies three is NO downslope at all.
2006-05-10 2:46 PM
in reply to: #419963

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Hills vs. Rollers

Race course descriptions fall into two catergories

completely flat.... or a....... complete lie

 

But, to answer your question....I agree with Jim that a roller allows you to use momentum to get over it where as a hill you have to gear down for an extended period

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