What is a "pure climber"

[Jiffer]

I have read the term "pure climber" on the internet a couple of times lately and I'm wondering what exactly it means. Here's an example below of a race report I was reading.

We would climb gradually by 1,780 feet on these twisty, but smooth, roads, which seemed pretty easy and wouldn't favor the pure climbers.

At first I assumed a pure climber is someone who is really good at climbing. Duh! But use of it in this context confuses me. Why would 1,780 feet of climbing NOT favor pure climbers? So then I'm left to think they mean if the climbing was MORE difficult, it would benefit a pure climber because they'd have more of an advantage over less skilled climbers. Did I guess right?!

[maillotpois]

It's the word "gradually" - is it 1780 feet in 10 miles or in 50 miles? Big difference, but "gradually" leads me to believe it is a long distance, shallower climb, which wouldn't favor a pure climber who would excel at the steeper climbs.

Marco Pantani was a pure climber - tiny and wiry and strong. Mario Cipolliini not so much, but Mario could hang with Pantani on the shallower climbs I am sure because the power to weight ratio is not such a factor.

[SadieKate]

Note that "pure" doesn't necessarily mean drug-free.

[maillotpois]

Snort!

[ny biker]

Whatever a pure climber is, I am the opposite.

[pinkbikes]

Whatever a pure climber is, I am the opposite.

I'm with you! I'm a pure couch sitter! Pure chocolate eater!?

[ny biker]

Pure slowly-wheezing-my-way-to-the-top-but-at-least-I'm-not-falling-over.

[marni]

Pure slowly-wheezing-my-way-to-the-top-but-at-least-I'm-not-falling-over.

that describes me perfectly Today's climb over the Eagles Nest near Medina was 12% but it was only 3/10 of a mile of narrow hairpin turns, hit the granny gear and try to keep going fast enough to not fall over. I made it and found the downhil 12% over 1/2 mile of narrow hairpins harder and scarier.

marni

[Catrin]

Pure slowly-wheezing-my-way-to-the-top-but-at-least-I'm-not-falling-over.

This was me last Friday on a short but steep hill in a park. I actually didn't know it was POSSIBLE to be going 3.5 mph and not fall over

[ny biker]

I actually didn't know it was POSSIBLE to be going 3.5 mph and not fall over

I do it all the time. And it still makes me laugh. Especially when a jogger passes me.

[Jiffer]

It's the word "gradually" - is it 1780 feet in 10 miles or in 50 miles? Big difference, but "gradually" leads me to believe it is a long distance, shallower climb, which wouldn't favor a pure climber who would excel at the steeper climbs.

Marco Pantani was a pure climber - tiny and wiry and strong. Mario Cipolliini not so much, but Mario could hang with Pantani on the shallower climbs I am sure because the power to weight ratio is not such a factor.

So, basically I was right. Harder climb would benefit the pure climber. The ride they're talking about is a 40 mile out and back, but the climbing part is during the first 20.

[Jiffer]

This was me last Friday on a short but steep hill in a park. I actually didn't know it was POSSIBLE to be going 3.5 mph and not fall over

LOL!!! You guys are all cracking me up!!! I can totally relate, though. Not a strong climber, but am happy to say I am seeing improvement. My hubby, however, would be classified as a "pure climber". It sickens me I tell ya.

When we're out driving somewhere and see some road going up a big hill, I'll say, "I'd hate to climb that", while he says, "I'd LOVE to climb that!"

[Eden]

This was me last Friday on a short but steep hill in a park. I actually didn't know it was POSSIBLE to be going 3.5 mph and not fall over

We had a "slow race" up a hill on the team ride the other week. Two of us actually managed to make our speedometers read 0.... (though I may have an advantage because mine only reads out in increments of .5). It's actually not a bad skill to practice - improves your bike handling a lot to go very slowly and try hard to not wobble.

[Catrin]

We had a "slow race" up a hill on the team ride the other week. Two of us actually managed to make our speedometers read 0.... (though I may have an advantage because mine only reads out in increments of .5). It's actually not a bad skill to practice - improves your bike handling a lot to go very slowly and try hard to not wobble.

See - I was just practicing my bike skills I wasn't able to ride in a line at that speed either - the bike was weaving back and forth in my lane...but it was very early on a weekday morning and there were NO cars - or I would have walked it

[smilingcat]

found another fun training route in Palos Verdes Estate area. Out 3.2 miles with only 900 feet of climb. It's a nice distance to do the hill repeats. 3.2 miles out and 3.2 miles back down. Very low car traffic and scenery is OMG gorgeous. Look down to Pacific Ocean and see the waves breaking in Redondo Beach. Parts hit only 8% grade. So not insane. Rode it today and I love it.