Hill Climbing Q

[CorsairMac]

Wooohoo another clipless!! Holy Toledo do we have clipless stories! As for the rocking - watch pro racers. Some rock their bikes so far I wonder how it stays on the road!!! Some don't rock at all. It's what works best for each person. If you're not comfortable with that style, then work with your bike until you find what fits you. Like SadieKate said, try that hill at your own pace without being anaerobic and I'll bet it's a whole different climb.

[snapdragen]

A climbing guide:

http://www.imt.net/~yvcc/jeff_hill/index.htm

I try to stay seated and spin up hills, but I've got lousy knees. Hills do get easier with practice, hang in there!

[CorsairMac]

"As for your hands, they should be placed on the brake hoods (not like Marco Pantani, pictured at right). Don’t climb in the drops like this unless you’re Italian, and you’re great."

Loved that line!

[slinkedog]

One other thing you might consider is, do you have a double or triple chainring? Adding a third ring (if you only have two now) will give you a "granny" gear to help you up those hills. I'd die without my granny gear.

As for the rocking, my ex-cat 1 hubby totally rocks when he stands up. That doesn't mean it's right for everyone, but I know he thinks it helps!!

[Veronica]

"As for your hands, they should be placed on the brake hoods (not like Marco Pantani, pictured at right). Don’t climb in the drops like this unless you’re Italian, and you’re great."

I must be a great Italian because I do 99% of my standing climbing from the drops.

V.

[CorsairMac]

I must be a great Italian because I do 99% of my standing climbing from the drops.

V.

new ID?? VeroniMarcoPantanica

[Dogmama]

I started doing this when I watched L.A. in the last TdF. It is actually a little easier because you're really pushing with your glutteal muscles - a larger muscle than your quads. You have to keep your torso long, though, so that you can expand your lungs. If you're hunched over, you can't breathe as easily.

I will sit & spin up long hills, but if I need to pop over, or if I get tired of sitting, I'll stand, either in the drops or the hoods. I don't rock much because it seems like wasted energy to me. I concentrate on pushing forward (pedaling in a circle.) Just my $.02.