Inclines, Hills and shifting

Yes, if you practice spinning (using a higher cadence as you described the person you saw) on flats, it will be easier to climb doing this. It works for me and while I can often drop people on climbs, I think it's time to work on a little endurance... today a group of 3 pretty fast riders passed me at the bottom of a small hill I am very familiar with. I decided to catch them, which was not that hard, as they slowed more than I imagined they would. I hung with them until the top, but they shot away from me when they got to the flat. Since I was riding with people, I didn't try, but I am basically lazy when I get on the flats.
Spinning really does save your knees.

If you're riding on trails, you might find this helpful.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=38316

Last spring I was 263 pounds and couldn't get up hills very well at all. I ended up walking a lot of them. I'm down to about 247 and, with practice, I'm flying up hills.

Well, I'm flying up some hills. I did have to walk up one this weekend.

But practice is the key. Downshifting is good, but it won't make up for endurance. What I did was make sure there was at least one big hill in every ride I took. I'd get the bike in a hard to pedal gear and get up speed before I hit the hill, then I'd slowly downshift until I either hit the top or got off and walked.

I certainly got a LOT of practice on the club GT ride Saturday - the one that I got separated from and was lost for a time. (Grand Touring rides aren't marked). In that part of Indiana there is no flat ground, it is either up or down :D

One of the hills I found on my "detour" was a bit*h, it seemed like I was climbing forever - though I am sure it wasn't longer than 7 or 8 minutes - and then it got steeper for the last couple of hundred feet. At that point my speed was down between 2.9-3 mph and I could no longer hold anything remotely like a line.

The only way I could keep going was to weave back and forth in the lane and I was in the lowest gear I have. I got to thinking about a truck barreling up behind me on that narrow twisty road and chose to walk the remaining 100 feet or so. I am pleased that was the only time I had to walk in 3+ hours of riding - I don't care how slow I was going uphill most of that time.

My assumption is that this was a strength issue - the entire purpose for my going south to ride is to find my hill-climbing legs.

In this kind of situation, is this where standing would be helpful? I am NOT doing that yet... but we get stronger by staying in our saddle, yes?

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Originally Posted by Catrin

My assumption is that this was a strength issue - the entire purpose for my going south to ride is to find my hill-climbing legs.

In this kind of situation, is this where standing would be helpful? I am NOT doing that yet... but we get stronger by staying in our saddle, yes?

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Staying in the saddle does not necessarily make you stronger. It does keep your heart rate down.

Veronica

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Originally Posted by Veronica

Staying in the saddle does not necessarily make you stronger. It does keep your heart rate down.

Veronica

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I literally can't stand on the bike yet - though I am getting to where I can brace myself and raise my butt a little. I tried to stand on the trainer :eek: it did not work well, it felt awfully unstable and it was on the trainer! Of course I know it can't feel the same as on the spinning bike, but didn't expect it to feel quite that unstable.

[QUOTE=Catrin;521924]Today I rode on "real" hills in southern Indiana - I was in the granny gear more than the entire time that I've been riding! Ok, so that has only been 7 months but work with me here :)QUOTE]

Any suggestions on routes with good hills? I've never ridden southern Indiana before but I'm doing the Hilly Hundred this year and need some practice.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

I literally can't stand on the bike yet - though I am getting to where I can brace myself and raise my butt a little. I tried to stand on the trainer :eek: it did not work well, it felt awfully unstable and it was on the trainer! Of course I know it can't feel the same as on the spinning bike, but didn't expect it to feel quite that unstable.

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What do you mean "brace yourself"? Are you trying to use your arms to help you stand?

Veronica

I also could not stand until I had been riding 3-4 years. And I still can't get myself up on a very steep climb, which is why I spin up. I lose so much power if I stand, I am not sure it's worth it. I do stand sometimes on shorter, easier climbs, to change position and rest my back. I guess I am just weak, despite all of the stuff I do!
Catrin, I know what you mean about the trainer. I find it feels very weird and almost unsafe. I have to put it in such a hard gear to avoid that feeling that my cadence plummets.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Veronica

What do you mean "brace yourself"? Are you trying to use your arms to help you stand?

Veronica

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I am unsure - I think that I am more "bracing" my legs - and am only trying to raise my butt a little. Will pay closer attention the next time I do this. I WANT to ride tonight, but am tired and my legs are telling me it is time to rest them...

[QUOTE=Cait;522650]

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Originally Posted by Catrin

Today I rode on "real" hills in southern Indiana - I was in the granny gear more than the entire time that I've been riding! Ok, so that has only been 7 months but work with me here :)QUOTE]

Any suggestions on routes with good hills? I've never ridden southern Indiana before but I'm doing the Hilly Hundred this year and need some practice.

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I only just made my first trip to Brown/Batholomew Counties on Saturday with the CIBA ride. There are CIBA group rides that head south (next one is July 31) that you might want to check out - I am looking forward to this ride :)

I am told the hills in Bartholomew County are better for training than Brown County - but I am a pretty new cyclist. I bet that the Bloomington Bicycle Club has maps on their site - I just haven't had a chance to check.

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Originally Posted by Cait

I only just made my first trip to Brown/Batholomew Counties on Saturday with the CIBA ride. There are CIBA group rides that head south (next one is July 31) that you might want to check out - I am looking forward to this ride :)

I am told the hills in Bartholomew County are better for training than Brown County - but I am a pretty new cyclist. I bet that the Bloomington Bicycle Club has maps on their site - I just haven't had a chance to check.

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Catrin, just a head's up that the route on July 31st isn't hilly. It's more scenic than anything, with just a small hill or two.

To answer Cait's question, check out CIBA's weekend ride calendar. Almost any ride that starts in, or travels to, southern Johnson County, Bartholomew, Morgan or Brown County will have hills. A few upcoming rides that comes to mind are the Mann Road Meander, the Bear, and Max's Mystique Menagerie. Earlier in the year, look for JAWS, Crankin' around Cordy, and the Wall.

The Bloomington Bicycle Club offers rides almost every weekend. Most, if not all, are hilly. Bloomington Parks Deparment is also offering a ride called the Brown County Hills Challenge the first weekend in October.

From my own experience, Brown County's hills are the toughest. Some are downright cruel. Do not be surprised if you have to walk some of them; they have grades in excess of 15%. Bartholomew County's hills are slightly kinder and gentler, but there are exceptions to that. I've climbed a few nasty ones there as well. There are a few hills in Indianapolis, mostly on the northwest side, in and near Eagle Creek Park. CIBA rides that start off of Lafayette Road (usually from the Fishback Academy) typically travel over some of them. There are a few hills near Fort Ben, too.

Remember that what goes up, has to come down. You will have some fast and steep descents with speeds that, if left unchecked, can exceed 40 mph.

You might find some routes on mapmyride.com. Just type in Martinsville, Columbus, Bloomington and the like and see what comes up. Check this out, too: http://www.rsdesign.info/gt_maps.html

The Dogwood and Summertime Hill rides are very nice (and hilly).

Thanks for all the info, it is very helpful. I've been wanting to do more CIBA rides, just have to make the time. As for the 31st, I already planned on doing the Great Greenway Tour. Its my first time and I'm super excited, hope it goes well :)

Wow so much good information! Thanks everyone!

Congrats on the cycling and weightloss kcmpls :D I've been reading your thread about commuting to work. I'm excited to see how things go for you on Tuesday!

Muirenn, that is a fantastic article. Thanks :D

I have to get out and practice so I can bug you guys with more questions. heh heh

Catrin, I wouldn't necessarily try standing until you've mastered clipless.

It can be done (you see little kids doing it all the time), but there's always the chance your foot will slip.

JMO, and others may disagree.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Catrin, I wouldn't necessarily try standing until you've mastered clipless.

It can be done (you see little kids doing it all the time), but there's always the chance your foot will slip.

JMO, and others may disagree.

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Good point - I hadn't considered this.

I am still not quite ready to try clipless again yet. I do like Knotted's advice to someone in another thread about getting a nice long pedal wrench and learning how to use it. When I am finally ready to try it again I think it help in the confidence department to know that I have the ability to change pedals without paying/asking someone else to do it for me.

On a positive note, I visited my favorite local park last night for intervals and to practice on the major hill it has. Apparently my body learned something from all of the hills in southern Indiana Saturday. It was easier to climb the steepest parts of the hill, and went faster down hill than I have in the past. Not saying that the fast boys and gals weren't still passing me going up the hill - sure they were - but my body felt much better and my speed was a little higher. All good!