How can I increase my speed going up hills?

[kajero]

My speed drastically declines when I go up hills. At least I get up them without walking (well, except one and I think it is because I am so scared of falling on it. It's super steep and very, very short).

It seems I am working as hard as I can, but I still hate seeing the speedometer going to 4 mph or lower. I don't use clips or clip less.

Thanks

Kathy

[Veronica]

Magic Pills :D

Spin faster is the big blue pill
Pedal in a higher gear is the small red pill.

If you're not using clips or clipless stepping off on that super steep hill should be doable. I'm always amazed at how quickly I can get a foot down on a steep slope and I'm in clipped in.

Music also helps me go faster. I know a lot of people don't like to have music when they ride, but I like it. My husband rides with his phone on his handlebars and he'll queue up something that motivates me on a tough climb. Yesterday I sprinted so hard to the top of a hill that I really detest to "You're Going to Go far Kid." I thought I'd hurl when I got to the top. We're usually all alone when we ride so we're not bugging anybody with our loud rock music. :rolleyes:

Veronica

[khg]

Hills have been a special project of mine the last couple years--I've gone from being scared of them to disliking it when a ride doesn't have enough hills. In the process, I've gotten faster on them too. The main thing for me was making myself seek out hills and ride up them at every opportunity. Just keep riding hills, and then repeat. And again. I've also found it motivating to log my rides on Strava, so that I can look at hill segments I do regularly and see that I'm making progress over the course of months, even if incremental. YMMV.

Then there are also things like sitting and spinning vs standing and mashing, and figuring out how you are most comfortable riding up, but all that is in addition to practice, not a shortcut.

Though Trek did just come out with the Emonda--the $15,000 model of which only weighs 10.25 pounds. That would help with the hills too, both bike and wallet lighter...

You can do it--just keep at it!!!

[Charlieggo]

I just read some tips on this. http://www.active.com/cycling/articles/9-cycling-tips-for-better-hill-climbing Also, they say to work on keeping your upper body relaxed. Good luck.

[Trek420]

Yes, magic pills. Also lower gears :D

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=3944

[Catrin]

I was always more comfortable on steep hills NOT clipped in. I think I had a fear of falling if I couldn't clip out fast enough. There were a few hills that I rode quite a few times with my ZuZu BMX pedals that I never did quite get the nerve up to ride clipped in.

Concur that it makes a big difference to keep the upper body relaxed and, yes, magic pills + deeper gears ;)

[Crankin]

It was funny to read that old thread, which is just about the time I joined TE. At that time, I had a triple with a 12-25. I now have a triple with a 12-28 and a compact double with a 34-34 mountain derailleur.
No sense in making it harder for myself as I age. Although, I've been trying to use the triple a bit more for harder hills (it has a couple less lower gear ratios) because I suspect the Madone I'll have on my trip to Portugal will have a 25.