Well no wonder I couldn't make it up that hill...

I was just posting in a diff thread about how I think clipless pedals help my hill climbing:).

Just when my legs feel spent... I say in my head, "PULL UP!". I have new found strength to go more as those muscles are fresher.

I think the steepest I've been on to date was 11%. Personally, spinning in the granny gear the whole hill just kills me:o. I have asthma and even with my meds I think I'm a bit disadvantaged trying to burn my lungs that long.

I try to use my muscle power (pulling up) in a harder gear, and stand in 8 count intervals--alternating. Climb the thing as quick as possible and don't delay the inevitable is my theory.

Plus, on hills I really thought I was going to die if I didn't stop... I didn't think I could unclip without falling over:o. Thus, the head conversation goes something like... "cartwheeling backwards hurts WORSE (done that one on my mtb before)... you can do it! almost there... KEEP GOING!". Then, thx the lord, I'm at the top.:cool:

But I have been told, and totally agree... there is no shame in walking any hill... because you tried!:)

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Originally Posted by Miranda

I have asthma and even with my meds I think I'm a bit disadvantaged trying to burn my lungs that long.

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Word. I sometimes can't get enough air going up even little piddly hills! I know that is a BIG part of my problem.. my lungs give up before my legs really do.. so I have to slow down to breathe and spinning in a granny gear just kills me.. I think if I were able to get enough air and muscle up I'd be doing a big better. I am starting to wonder if a change in meds is in order :rolleyes: I do have a doctor's appointment later this month so I'll ask about it... I haven't had many serious issues with asthma for a few years now since I eliminated the biggest sources of allergens in my house, but in the past few months I've had some trouble,

I did reply on the other thread you posted to.. I think I am too new to clipless to really be giving my pedal technique too much thought (I'm just trying to avoid any skinned knees or stupid falls at this point) but I can already tell that some different muscles are getting a workout.. certain hills/climbs seem to be a bit easier :)

and your gaining confidence!

And don't forget that if the road is fairly quiet and empty, you can always traverse you way up it. Wind this way and that. I was reminded of that yesterday when we had three or four loooong climbs over 15%. I did not feel bad for stopping and resting in the least! ;)

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Originally Posted by sarahspins

Word. I sometimes can't get enough air going up even little piddly hills! I know that is a BIG part of my problem.. my lungs give up before my legs really do.. so I have to slow down to breathe and spinning in a granny gear just kills me.. I think if I were able to get enough air and muscle up I'd be doing a big better. I am starting to wonder if a change in meds is in order :rolleyes: I do have a doctor's appointment later this month so I'll ask about it... I haven't had many serious issues with asthma for a few years now since I eliminated the biggest sources of allergens in my house, but in the past few months I've had some trouble,

I did reply on the other thread you posted to.. I think I am too new to clipless to really be giving my pedal technique too much thought (I'm just trying to avoid any skinned knees or stupid falls at this point) but I can already tell that some different muscles are getting a workout.. certain hills/climbs seem to be a bit easier :)

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Oh yea... the meds are huge. It's like a puzzle sometimes to figure out what's the right combo when, what, etc. I *love* my allergy/asthma doc. Hope you get some resolve with that. Sometimes it takes a few tries. Which can sux. Just don't give up. Of course you never want to stress your knee joints, etc... but my quads finally did beef up to help out. On falling over clipped in... everyone has been there (me too). And why does it always seem to happen when someone is watching--or when you are dressed nicer:confused::rolleyes:? Good Luck.:)

Wow! You are certainly not lacking in ambition in tackling a 15% grade!

Getting up hills is purely a matter of how many watts you generate in relation to how much you weigh. If you happen to be on the petite/slim side (and fit), then you might find hills are fast friends. If you aren't, then maybe things won't be quite as friendly :)

Personally I try to avoid any sustained (as in long stretches) climbing at over 6-7% or so. Unless you generate mass power, and I definitely do not, then your cadence is going to drop way, way down once you get into those really steep grades and that means the force of each pedal stroke goes up correspondingly.

Maybe if your knees are A-ok then no problem but mine are far from it so self-preservation is my motto :)

Getting up hills is purely a matter of how many watts you generate in relation to how much you weigh. If you happen to be on the petite/slim side (and fit), then you might find hills are fast friends. If you aren't, then maybe things won't be quite as friendly :)

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Ah ha! This must relate to me! That means that next year I too will be able to ride up these hills. Not sure of the grade, but on a recent 64 miler, I too had to get off and walk a couple of them(cross training)! I bet it is the extra weight, even though I am pretty darn fit. Thanks for the inspiration! More pounds are going to be shed!

BahaRoja wrote: Getting up hills is purely a matter of how many watts you generate in relation to how much you weigh. If you happen to be on the petite/slim side (and fit), then you might find hills are fast friends. If you aren't, then maybe things won't be quite as friendly :)


Ah ha! This must relate to me! That means that next year I too will be able to ride up these hills. Not sure of the grade, but on a recent 64 miler, I too had to get off and walk a couple of them(cross training)! I bet it is the extra weight, even though I am pretty darn fit. Thanks for the inspiration! More pounds are going to be shed!

Well, I am petite, slim, and I think I am fit....
It seems as if my issue is power. I do climb up many tough grades, I always spin, and I still feel weak on some of them. I've gotta get my quads in shape, because my lungs rarely give out, once I regulate my breathing (I have asthma too, but mostly it's not a problem). I see myself falling back on a hill when others stand and sprint for a bit. I seem to lose all the strength in my legs right about then and have to spin slowly to get up.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

I seem to lose all the strength in my legs right about then and have to spin slowly to get up.

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So often that's a nutrition issue for me. When I'm out of glycogen I don't feel hungry at all, I just can't make power. (Although I wouldn't exactly describe what I'm doing up a 10%+ grade, when I have to take it slowly, as spinning. :rolleyes:) Just as you describe, when I call on my legs, there's nothing there.

I've started to put HEED in my bottles for every ride, and it makes an enormous difference. The "real food" alternative for me was to eat a big bowl of brown rice about three hours before the ride, which would keep me going for a hard 35 mile evening ride. On a morning ride, I just can't get up early enough to eat carbs that are complex enough to be in my system in time for the ride and keep me going throughout it.

You know, Oakleaf, I think it could be a nutrition issue. I have recently found that I need to eat a Luna bar before even one of my short "after work/out of time" 15-18 mile rides, or I really feel like crap. Since all of my rides from home involve a mile climb at the end, I am spent after that. And yes, I rarely feel hungry on a ride, but if I don't eat a lot, I feel worse. My friends seem to exist on 1-2 bars and a pbj sandwich, with some type of sports drink on our 30-50 mile hilly rides, but I think I need to do more. I am wary of eating too many calories, but it's becoming more and more of a problem.
I still want to work on my strength, though. I can barely get myself to stand on my pedals, which is why I had to walk part of the 20% grade in Connecticut a couple of weeks ago. When the others stood for the last hard part, I gave up. And that's something I don't often do...