hill climbing question

[Jo-n-NY]

As I am sitting here a bit bored at work I was thinking of first organized ride I that I will be riding in May. A metric century in CT and the last 40miles are HILLS.

I am just wondering if anyone knows what the feeling is when going up a hill and the bike seems to feel like it is jerking ahead of me with each pedal stroke. I ride a Ruby Pro and was wondering if it is the way I am pedaling or the way carbon handles riding up a hill. If I remember correctly, this is on steeper type of hills which I do not ride very often living on Long Island.

~ JoAnn

[HoosierGiant]

I don't have an answer to your question, but I can tell you that I ride a carbon bike and have never experienced the 'jerking" you refer to. Bike fit issues, maybe? Or, perchance you possess those lusted-after, power-house, massive-muscle legs that generate extreme force in the pedal stroke. In which case, I hate you! ;)

[Thorn]

By "jerking ahead", does it feel like the front wheel is lifting up a little bit? If so, put more weight over the front of the bike. I know, hard to do when you're climbing steep grades and the natural response is leaning back to get leverage at the pedals.

I only ask because it is a problem I have with some bikes. If the bike is just a little bit too long, the steepness of the pitch seems to accentuate that you are properly weight-balanced over the wheels.

[Jo-n-NY]

hmmmm no, it doesn't feel like the front wheel is lifting. Although I am comfortable riding on the road, I am not as comfortable on the trainer and have been thinking of going with a smaller stem. You idea of positioning my body over the bike better sounds reasonable.

LOL...oh I really do not think I of all people have great power in my legs. However, that was a good thought.

Thank you both for your ideas.

~ JoAnn

[SadieKate]

I had exactly the same thoughts as Thorn. Not enough weight over the front wheel.

[rij73]

Hmmm.... I might be wrong, but could it be that you are only focusing your power on the down stroke? I learned that to pedal efficiently up a hill, you have to put strength into the whole pedal cycle. Don't just stomp down on the pedals... also pull up. Imagine scraping something off the bottom of your shoe as the pedal gets to the bottom of the stroke, and that should even it out. (Greg Lemond's trick, not mine!) :p

Let me know if that sounds like it could be it... Oh, and what's the ride? I'm looking for a metric century to do as my first organized ride too. I ride in CT often when visiting family.

[SadieKate]

Hard downstruck plus unweighted front wheel = wheelie. Or at least a lightened front end.

[smilingcat]

Practice on a trainer. (not really recommended for rollers). Set the resistance to maximum or something pretty hard. stand up and learn to pedal so that your spin becomes even. When your spin becomes even, then lighten the resistance and repeat this process.

another one is to sit down on the seat and do one legged spin. try to make your spin even and smooth. do this with each leg.

Both exercises will help you with your spin technique. It sounds like you are mashing your pedal from your description.

Oh and if the hill becomes really tough and you have to stand up, try to kep your upper body relaxed and don't grip the bars too hard. And pace yourself up the hill. Get into a rythm with your pedalling.

Smilingcat

[aicabsolut]

but be careful in leaning toooo far forward. on significant grades, you could feel some rear wheel skipping, particularly if there's less than optimal road surface (wet, sandy, whatever)....or at least that's happened to me.

[Jo-n-NY]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I am working from memory of a ride last year. You idea of improving my pedal stroke is good also. I do Carmichaels Climbing DVD and one legged pedaling. Needless to say, I don't feel this on the train or the average hills that I usually ride. I will have to wait for the ride in May to see if it happens again.

rij73, The Bloomin Metic 2008 is put on by the Sound Cyclist Bicycle Club and very well run. It is on May 18th this year. Here is the link...

http://www.soundcyclists.com/BloominMetric.htm

~ JoAnn

[lph]

hm, just thought of something - if I've been sitting too long and feel like my legs are stiffening up I sometimes do this on purpose, hit the next hill "jerkily". The opposite of spinning, I yank on the handlebars and throw my weight forward on the downstroke, yank the pedals on the upstroke. My knees tend to seize up a little if I sit for a long time spinning steadily, and a minute or so of this just helps to stretch my legs and loosen up.

No idea if this is at all what you're talking about :)