How to become a faster climber

[Irulan]

1. how is your overall fitness? I improved my climbing significantly by working on cycle specific fitness in the winter: spin classes, trainer w/dvds, whatever
2. with #1 you will be able to push harder in at least gear #2 or #3. My goal is to never use my granny on long sustained climbs, but sometimes you just gotta go there.

Fireroad and sustained easy climbing is different from climbing on technical single track. Also, you can train for hills on hills. Go find a hill somewhere close to you, and ride it a lot. You can't help but improve. I have a 3.5 mile fireroad climb out my back door, and if I do it 2x a week, the gains are significant for me.

[katherine]

I try to avoid granny too, but sometimes it is necessary, as a last resort. I run a couple times a week and that seems to help with the climbs. As I get into better shape the faser I go up.

[Hound Dog]

I ride a Santa Cruz Juliana too.... love it.

Over the winter I ride my spinner. We bought a rowing machine, and I have to say that has played a huge part in being able to ride up hills faster.

I agree with Irulan - the more you ride up hill the better and stronger you get. No instant reward unfortunately, just have to put the time in... it will get better and better.