Getting stronger at climbing...need advice!

[mimitabby]

and for a while, just don't worry about how fast you're going, just try to climb long hard hills.

[Grog]

I find that a lot about climbing is technical, about handling your gears correctly to gain maximum momentum on the way down and maximum power on the way up. What combination is best really depends on the specific hill you're attempting to climb, so you need to practice, practice, practice. Sorry there's no other way.

[jobob]

Also, sometimes it's good to climb with people just a little stronger than you are, or are willing to adjust their pace so that they are going a bit faster than you would on your own, but don't leave you in the dust.

Climbs often seem go a bit easier - or at least seem get over with sooner - when you have someone to chat (or whine, or complain, or grunt) with.

[mimitabby]

yes, they are in front of you like a carrot on a stick. but it can (for me) be very discouraging, and i tend to overdo it trying to catch up to them. For me,
there's a fine line between riding my own ride and that initiative to push harder and do better.

all i can say is agree to do something you think is a bigger hill than you ever have done before; and DO IT.

[limewave]

I'm working on climbing too.

This tip has helped my climbing in mntn biking, esp steap hills: Get as far to the front of the saddle as you can and stay low. Keep on top of the gears and try to "spin" up the hill as opposed to mashing a harder gear. You need to keep you momentum going as long as possible.

[Andrea]

Assuming you don't live in the mountains, ask around your local shops for two things: the longest climb in your area and the steepest climb in your area. Go to one of the two once a week and do repeats until you're ready to scream. Once you've gotten better at those, other hills you encounter on your everyday rides will be a piece of cake (or at least not as hard as they used to be).
A lot of climbing is mental, too. I did a time trial earlier this season that was 2.5 miles long at an average of 10% grade. After that, none of the hills in my area seemed very hard. My hill climbing skills didn't improve because of that one-time effort, but it changed the way I perceived the hills themselves.

Losing weight helps, too, but that's no fun

[michelem]

I've heard mixed messages as to where to sit on the saddle - scoot back, scoot forward - scooting back seems to help me the most (from article 4 below, this seems to be related to height - short, scoot back; tall, scoot forward). The thing I'm working on now is keeping my heart rate steady (or at least not blasting it into the stratosphere) when climbing. Easier said than done, and I doubt it will ever stay completely steady, but the goal is to get better at keeping it within range.

Here are some links:

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6...1304-1,00.html

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6...-183-1,00.html

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6...8581-1,00.html

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6...4758-1,00.html

[Mr. Bloom]

I find that a lot about climbing is technical, about handling your gears correctly to gain maximum momentum on the way down and maximum power on the way up. .

I agree wtih Grog, this is my biggest challenge. But beyond this, I do hills well....I suspect it's because I:

• did extensive elliptical training prior to cycling
• am very comfortable standing (which relies on the muscles that grew with my elliptical training)
• learned to enter tougher gears when standing and loosen up 2 to 3 gears when sitting

Practice, Practice, Practice