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2012-12-03 8:49 PM

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Subject: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
I heard from a few people that weight loss will only help your climbing. I'm a big guy and for most of last year for the race season I was 266 and now I'm down to 244 and hope to be at 235 by bike racing season in march. I was hoping I would get faster all around. Just looking for some input


2012-12-03 9:23 PM
in reply to: #4520338

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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
Part of my pre-season training is dumping about 15-25 lbs of off-season bloat.  After being in this game for a couple of years I have come to believe that there is no part of your game that is not upped with a leaner you.
2012-12-03 9:28 PM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )

Weight loss will definitely help your climbing.  It's all about power to weight ratio, so even if you keep your same power, you will improve. 

Say your threshold power up a climb is 300 watts.  

You were at 266 lbs so you would be at 2.48 w/kg.

If you were to get down to 235, then you would be at 2.81 w/kg, so a good improvement just by losing some weight!  

2012-12-04 6:01 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )

It will help your climbing, but not JUST your climbing.

For riding on the flat, you need to be able to put down power, but if you can maintain your power, being leaner helps, especially when you need to accelerate your mass.... and especially when you have to do that over-and-over-again like you do during bike races.  You'll likely notice that your stamina and repeatability over races is better after you lose weight. 

Depending upon how you carry your weight, losing a few pounds might allow you to improve your aerodynamics if you can get in a more aggressive position when you are lean and flexible.

2012-12-04 6:16 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
Weight loss will have a huge impact on your climbing on the bike. If you lose 10%, you'll gain roughly 10% in speed uphill. That's a pretty good return on investment in cycling terms.
2012-12-04 10:04 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )

Losing weight has significantly improved my run times.

Even more so than my hill climbing times.



2012-12-04 10:35 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
The more you ride the fast you will get.  Not necessarily due to weight loss although that helps, but just because you will be more in tune with your gearing, your legs will be in better shape.  But yeah dropping those lbs. will definately help you most during the climb.
2012-12-04 11:36 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )

Weight makes a big difference in climbing.

I ride with four friends every Sunday in the Summer.  Two of us weigh around 150 pounds while the other two are 170+ pounds.  We all are around the same speed on the flats but once we start climbing the two heavier riders cannot hang with the two lighter riders, but they do catch us on the downhill.

2012-12-04 12:44 PM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
Yes, it will help for bike racing. At 235 though, you're going to be one of the bigger guys in a race though.

Even the standard four corner crit, you're going to have to accelerate that mass all race coming into / out of corner / covering attacks etc etc.

I would continue to focus on getting smaller, good diet and T.I.T.S will take care of that...
2012-12-04 1:11 PM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )

I did a HIM at 260 and 300.  300 I suffered and even walked a few bike hills.  When I was 260 I had no problems. 

Weight affects everything even swimming.

2012-12-05 2:19 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )

Losing weight helps with hill climbing big time as long as you are not sacrificing power to do it. If you can maintain the same capacity to generate power but lower your weight, your watts/kg goes up and climbing is all about the watts/kg. Now if you get to the point where you have to sacrifice power to lose weight, that's when if becomes questionable as to whether it is worth it or not. Losing weight will also, as was mentioned, help at any time you need to accelerate quickly on the bike, which is very important in pure road cycling races and draft legal triathlon, and less so in ITT's and Non-draft legal Triathlon.

Losing weight will also help you run much faster, swim faster, and generally feel better as well!



2012-12-05 4:54 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )

cmyres72--I read a quote somewhere that helped motivate me to eat less and loose weight.

"Nothing tastes better than skinny"

2012-12-05 6:24 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
MikeK_PA - 2012-12-05 2:19 AM

Losing weight helps with hill climbing big time as long as you are not sacrificing power to do it. If you can maintain the same capacity to generate power but lower your weight, your watts/kg goes up and climbing is all about the watts/kg. Now if you get to the point where you have to sacrifice power to lose weight, that's when if becomes questionable as to whether it is worth it or not. Losing weight will also, as was mentioned, help at any time you need to accelerate quickly on the bike, which is very important in pure road cycling races and draft legal triathlon, and less so in ITT's and Non-draft legal Triathlon.

Losing weight will also help you run much faster, swim faster, and generally feel better as well!

What Mike said is very true about power. If you lose weight to quickly or by starving yourself you will lose power. Power is needed for hill climing and all aspects of triathlon. Basically be start about losing weight so you keep or even increase your power output once the weight is off.

2012-12-05 7:42 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
MikeK_PA - 2012-12-05 3:19 AM

Losing weight helps with hill climbing big time as long as you are not sacrificing power to do it.

I'm willing to bet, scientifically of course, that this problem would possibly present itself to about .01% of the people reading this website.  This would definitely not apply to the OP unless they are 8'6".  That being said, drop the weight, climb better, get smaller kits and crush dreams.

 

 



Edited by Goosedog 2012-12-05 7:43 AM
2012-12-05 8:55 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
Goosedog - 2012-12-05 7:42 AM
MikeK_PA - 2012-12-05 3:19 AM

Losing weight helps with hill climbing big time as long as you are not sacrificing power to do it.

I'm willing to bet, scientifically of course, that this problem would possibly present itself to about .01% of the people reading this website.  This would definitely not apply to the OP unless they are 8'6".  That being said, drop the weight, climb better, get smaller kits and crush dreams.

Even Peter Reid would try to be uber super skinny before ironman Kona.  Weight does play such a huge factor but that said do not go into a race starving either because that will shut you down.

2012-12-05 9:24 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
I don't think I can get much lower then 235. I won't have much fat on me then. I would like to get just a little faster on the bike. My run is ok ( 22.40) 5k and an (50) 10k. But have really ran for time on 10k yet My swim is middle of pack. My mile is 32 in open and 38 in the pool. I would like to go from average 18mph on the bike to 20. Is that asking to much? I plan on hitting the trainer a lot more over the winter. I hope it helps


2012-12-05 9:27 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )

cmyers72 - 2012-12-05 10:24 AM I would like to go from average 18mph on the bike to 20. Is that asking to much? I plan on hitting the trainer a lot more over the winter. I hope it helps

No, it's not.  Ride a bunch.  Ride hard.

ETA: And lose more weight.

 

 

 



Edited by Goosedog 2012-12-05 9:37 AM
2014-10-14 7:01 AM
in reply to: cmyers72

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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
Originally posted by cmyers72

I don't think I can get much lower then 235. I won't have much fat on me then. I would like to get just a little faster on the bike. My run is ok ( 22.40) 5k and an (50) 10k. But have really ran for time on 10k yet My swim is middle of pack. My mile is 32 in open and 38 in the pool. I would like to go from average 18mph on the bike to 20. Is that asking to much? I plan on hitting the trainer a lot more over the winter. I hope it helps


Why would you say you can't get lower than 235lbs? Are you over 7' tall?

2014-10-14 7:40 AM
in reply to: cmyers72


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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
Originally posted by cmyers72

I don't think I can get much lower then 235. I won't have much fat on me then. I would like to get just a little faster on the bike. My run is ok ( 22.40) 5k and an (50) 10k. But have really ran for time on 10k yet My swim is middle of pack. My mile is 32 in open and 38 in the pool. I would like to go from average 18mph on the bike to 20. Is that asking to much? I plan on hitting the trainer a lot more over the winter. I hope it helps


As you can do 22:40 for 5k run I think you should easily be able to go significantly faster on the bike . . . for sure over 20. In my first race of last year I avg 18.5mph on bike, hilly course, 5K run was 29min. I think if I could run a 22 something 5K, I'd be able to bike at 21-22+. I plan to get over 20 mph myself next year and I'm 60 yrs needing 2 new knees, back issues, lost lung capacity to PE etc. Sounds like you just need bike time, maybe work on your position, pedal stroke etc. I think you really have a great chance to improve your bike speed . . .
2014-10-14 9:04 AM
in reply to: cmyers72

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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
Originally posted by cmyers72

I heard from a few people that weight loss will only help your climbing. I'm a big guy and for most of last year for the race season I was 266 and now I'm down to 244 and hope to be at 235 by bike racing season in march. I was hoping I would get faster all around. Just looking for some input


Weight loss is good until you start to lose the ability to produce power.
2014-10-14 9:13 AM
in reply to: bcagle25

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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )

Originally posted by bcagle25
Originally posted by cmyers72 I heard from a few people that weight loss will only help your climbing. I'm a big guy and for most of last year for the race season I was 266 and now I'm down to 244 and hope to be at 235 by bike racing season in march. I was hoping I would get faster all around. Just looking for some input
Weight loss is good until you start to lose the ability to produce power.

unless he is insanely tall he has a long ways to go before getting to that point.  I'm 5'10" and at 155 i could loose a little without sacrificing power, but as i'm sure will get stated.. everyone is different.  



2014-10-14 10:13 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )

Originally posted by mike761
Originally posted by cmyers72 I don't think I can get much lower then 235. I won't have much fat on me then. I would like to get just a little faster on the bike. My run is ok ( 22.40) 5k and an (50) 10k. But have really ran for time on 10k yet My swim is middle of pack. My mile is 32 in open and 38 in the pool. I would like to go from average 18mph on the bike to 20. Is that asking to much? I plan on hitting the trainer a lot more over the winter. I hope it helps
Why would you say you can't get lower than 235lbs? Are you over 7' tall?

Why are we suddenly churning up old threads that have gone and died? 

2014-10-14 10:57 AM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
Originally posted by JohnnyKay

Originally posted by mike761
Originally posted by cmyers72 I don't think I can get much lower then 235. I won't have much fat on me then. I would like to get just a little faster on the bike. My run is ok ( 22.40) 5k and an (50) 10k. But have really ran for time on 10k yet My swim is middle of pack. My mile is 32 in open and 38 in the pool. I would like to go from average 18mph on the bike to 20. Is that asking to much? I plan on hitting the trainer a lot more over the winter. I hope it helps
Why would you say you can't get lower than 235lbs? Are you over 7' tall?

Why are we suddenly churning up old threads that have gone and died? 




No idea!! I was on my browser as a resent thread, and I never looked at the date

Carry on, the dude is probably 170lbs by now!
2014-10-14 8:55 PM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
Originally posted by JohnnyKay

Originally posted by mike761
Originally posted by cmyers72 I don't think I can get much lower then 235. I won't have much fat on me then. I would like to get just a little faster on the bike. My run is ok ( 22.40) 5k and an (50) 10k. But have really ran for time on 10k yet My swim is middle of pack. My mile is 32 in open and 38 in the pool. I would like to go from average 18mph on the bike to 20. Is that asking to much? I plan on hitting the trainer a lot more over the winter. I hope it helps
Why would you say you can't get lower than 235lbs? Are you over 7' tall?

Why are we suddenly churning up old threads that have gone and died? 

I like zombie threads! It makes it seem as if some of the old, long-lost great posters are back at it on BT.

2014-10-14 9:23 PM
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Subject: RE: weight loss and hill climbing ( cycling )
Having lost 60# I can tell you I am a lot faster on hills that I was at my heavier weight. But you can also be too thin. I rode with a guy last week who was 5'8" and 115#. On real short climbs he was good but on any long climbs he lacked the strength to take the hill with any authority. At 5'11" and 195# I took him on most every hill and I am still 15# to heavy for my liking.

And I know you have heard this a thousand times before, if you want to get better at riding hill, ride hills. I ride a few hills every day and have one route that's up and down hills for 75% of the ride. I hate it but I do it. Gets just a little bit easier every time.



Edited by Stuartap 2014-10-14 9:24 PM
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