STANDING UP...Whats the secret??

[VeloVT]

I agree with what everyone is saying about gearing. One other thing... if you have come from a background of lots of spin classes... I have only taken a few spin classes, so I don't know if this is universal, but the way the instructor suggested we should stand and pedal was completely unlike how you ACTUALLY stand and pedal on a real bike -- she instructed everyone to stand over the saddle, keeping their butts as far back over the saddle as possible. This seemed really strange to me, because it's completely different than what you do on a bike... and if you tried this on a bike I think the balance would feel pretty strange. When you stand to pedal on a real bike, you do want to shift your weight forward -- which means shifting your pelvis up over the bottom bracket -- not "hovering" your hips over your saddle. I'm sure this spinning technique is helpful for building quad strength/endurance, it burns, but it doesn't really approximate how it feels to stand and pedal on a real bike. (If you "hover" on a real bike, you might as well just sit, because you're not really getting the extra leverage that you are looking for from standing in the first place, but it's more fatiguing than just sitting...).

Hope this helps.

Good luck!!!

[Andrea]

Also, don't be afraid to move the bike around under your body. If you feel like you want to rock the bike back and fourth with your hands as you pedal, then go with it.
I know when I first got started, I somehow figured that it would be better for the bike to stay perfectly vertical when I was standing. I feel much more comfortable now that I'm used to "working" my bike.

[alpinerabbit]

Shifting the front ring is a bit much. 1-2 gears in the back will suffice.

There's a bunch of other hill climbing threads hereabouts that will help you.

[imdeanna]

Thanks everyone!

The (obvious) point of shifting does make a lot of sense! Not sure why that thought didn't come to mind so clearly at the time! because now that I think about it...the awkwardness WAS the feeling of being in a way too low gear! (when you can't get a nice full 'circle' spin going)

I will have to get on the trainer tonight and give it a shot!

I'm going to be doing quite a hilly ride this Saturday....and need all the help I can get!!

[indigoiis]

Practice first while coasting on a low downhill or a flat. Stand with feet at nine and three o'clock.

[Eden]

There's lots of very good advice above and I'll chime in and say if your bike is too long for you - you are reaching too far, you will find it nearly impossible to stand and pedal without at very least feeling like you are falling forward.