Hills..Hill repeats to be specific

[crazycanuck]

Since I have no clue, I hope some loverly knowledgeable person can help me out.I don't ride up BEEEG hills like they do in Califonyaaay but we do have some nice ones here in Perth that are calling me.

Can someone please tell me how one does hill repeats? How much time do I spend out there? Please don't tell me about jumping out of my saddle quite yet as i'm still workin on that k..

There is a certain mountain bike place in Perth called The Goat Farm that would be ideal. The only problem is the Goat Farm doesn't have many flat sections. Does it matter?

There's another hill close to my house that could be ideal but I can't just turn around at the end of the hill due to the location on the bike path. It's not near cars either.

What about doing a Spinervals DVD for hills?

? Ideas?

[NJBikeGal]

I hate to start with this...but, it depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

If you are trying to better your climbing skills so that you can go up long inclines at a steady, tempo pace, then you should practice as such. Find a nice long, moderate climb(s) and go up a few times to establish an average speed and intensity. Once or twice should let you know the pace at which your comfortable. Then, up the pace a little. Do as many as you can until you can no longer hold that pace. This may be as many as 4 or 5, or as few as 2!

If you are trying to better your climbing skills so that you can RACE up a hill regardless of incline or length, you have a different problem on your hands. In this case, I would recommend finding a location with multiple types of hills - long inclines and short steep ascents. Follow the same idea as above, only up the intensity so that you are at the top of your threshold when you are doing these.

I was not a great climber last year. This year, one of my goals was to better my climbing skills. I did workouts like this throughout the start of the season - I won an uphill Time Trial last weekend!

[crazycanuck]

Hey NJBG.

Congrats on the win! Cool!

I think I just want to get faster up any hill(on & off road) really. The hills round here aren't the same and want to be able to get up them faster like everyone else! The problem is the hills I ride on with other folks are different each time but still want to be able to attack them like they do.

I'll have to sit down & think about what you've said..

Thanks!!!

[NJBikeGal]

Best of luck with your hill work!

I must say that the more you work on hills, the more you can actually enjoy the climb (and the descent!). Just remember that you should always work within yourself on them - if you try to pick up someone else's rhythm (when you're riding in a group) and it's way different from your own rhythm, it will make the climb MUCH harder!

I can't wait to hear about your first uphill TT win!

[uk elephant]

I am by no means and expert and don't know that what I do is what you are after, but I started doing repeats on the only big hill around here with the aim to get stronger and faster at climbing any hill anywhere. I just go up and down the same hill, trying to keep the same pace, or slightly faster each time. So far I am only up to doing the hill three times (but I may try for 4 today if I feel up for it) and I do it once a week. That hill still feels tough, but I've noticed that other smaller hills now feel a lot easier than they used to so the repeats seem to be doing what I'm looking for.

[crazycanuck]

Thanks ladies,

I just have to decide what hill I want to use

Now I just have to wait for the weather forecast to improve & my flu to run away..