Overcoming short hills

[7rider]

I was riding behind him on our brisk paced 12 mile out and back today and decided to start aping him stroke for stroke (partially an effort to just keep up)


Swung that thing over and stood up right behind him. It was hard work standing and going up the hill, but I did it! It was fun.

I do the same thing to my DH - mimic his cadence (partially in anticipation of someday getting a tandem) and gearing - although I'm always geared a bit lower with my compact crank.

There are a few short rollers on our routes where I'll do this same thing. I play a game with myself - "Let's see if I can get up this hill without going into the small chainring or losing momentum." I used to surprise DH with it...now he expects it...so <sigh> there's no backing off now!

[lauraelmore1033]

I'm wondering what you do if you decide mid-hill, that you've been a little too ambitious?

[mimitabby]

sit down, and drop a gear or two, and hope the chain doesn't come off?

[lauraelmore1033]

well, I only wondered because I've got the chain coming off part down pat...

[slinkedog]

There have been a few times when the above-mentioned maneuver has saved my a$$... like when I was riding the creek trail with a bunch of friends and no one told me a steep (very short) climb to the dam was right around the corner! Whoa, stand up and tried to change gears whilst standing... my baby's drivetrain didn't like that too much, but my baby came through and we made it!!

I, too, like standing up to get up those short hills, but I have to be in good shape or else I'm killed for a while.

[SadieKate]

Ah, yes, momentum is your friend. In short rollers, use it to your advantage, grasshopper.

[slinkedog]

Ah, yes, momentum is your friend. In short rollers, use it to your advantage, grasshopper.

Thank you, sensei.