Training suggestions for Haleakala

[Eden]

+1 to Mimi. I've never ridden quite that high (I don't think so at least....), but I can tell you that I start feeling the elevation on my bike at around 5,000 feet or so - it feels harder to breather, harder to move - it slows you down. It's not as noticeable if you aren't going all out. In a race it makes me feel like I'm going to hyperventilate and/or puke... on a training ride or a fun ride it just slows me down. Definitely something to think about when planning how much time it will take.

I train for other long hill climbs, like Mt. Baker which is 24.5 miles by doing repeats on a shorter hill - it works fine.

[maillotpois]

That's definitely on my to do list.

I haven't done it, but I coached people for the Death Ride for years and have also done quite a bit of hiking between 10 - 14,000 feet. I would look at the training in 2 parts:

1. Training for the climb. This part is easy - what Eden said. Hill repeats, focusing on steady climbs. It doesn't seem like its a particularly hard ride once you take elevation out of the equation.

2. Preparing for the elevation. It seems that half the ride is going to be over 5,000 feet, which is where some people start to notice effects of altitude. This is a completely personal thing - whether and to what extent altitude affects you. It would be critical, I think, to have your client spend several days riding at elevation to start to understand how it affects her.

Some of our people noticed real breathing problems and dizziness above 7500 feet. Some got nausea. Others had no effects at all. I don't think you know til you get there how it will affect you.

In my climbing (on foot) over 12,000 feet or so, I observed it also didn't make a lot of different whether someone was "fit" or not (to a point). It really seems that elevations effects are more targeted than that. A less obviously fit person may be little affected by elevation.

So my recommendation would be an exploratory training camp of sorts where she can do some rides that get to 7000 feet or so. I'm not sure if you have roads that can get her that high. We certainly do in the Sierras if she could make a road trip - and by the way most all our roads are open because there's no snow!! I'd say spend 3 days riding and really feeling how it affects her.

And acclimatization is largely not attainable by normal (employed people). Altitude actually has deleterious effects for at least the first week or so, so you're gradually losing fitness (largely through dehydration) for that period of time. After a couple of weeks, you can start building extra red blood cells, etc. But it really takes a long time before you start getting beneficial effects.

Also preparation for the change in climate is going to be critical. Hawaii is balmy, but I suspect that will be a cold descent toward the top. She should prepare herself for always unpredictable mountain weather!!

[Wahine]

Thanks for all the suggestions. She is very familiar with Maui and the Volcano so I think she's aware of the cold descent issue but I'll be sure to remind her. Maillotpois, the altitude training tips are great. Thank you.

I'm going to see what kind of climbs I can find that get her up to 7000'. I may sense a road trip in the future.

This client doesn't work and finances are not really an issue. She is not into camping at all. Anyone have suggestions for a destination, riding trip that would include some elevation and a nice place to stay? The Sierras are a possibility but I wonder if there is something closer.

[Biciclista]

If finances aren't an issue, why try to find something close?

[Wahine]

If finances aren't an issue, why try to find something close?

So that I can go with her without having to take too much time off work.

[maillotpois]

Well, if you do end up heading to the Sierras, I can give you some suggestions. PM me if you like. Roads are dry now and even though some of the passes are closed to cars, I can't imagine they're not clear enough for a bike. I can do some inquiring of friends on the eastern side of the sierra as well.

[Veronica]

Wahine's training camp in the Eastern Sierras? That could be fun! Sign me up for those rides!

Veronica