Best way to climb a hill ..sitting down or standing up ?

[zoom-zoom]

I do a lot of sustained climbing and long rides. I try to sit a lot but then make a point of standing periodically, even if I don't have to to take a butt break and to change my posture. But if I'm struggling up a climb I will often count pedal strokes and I'll stand as much as 1 third of the time. Often I'll go up 2 or even 3 gears, stand for 50 pedal strokes then sit down again. It breaks up the climb in my head and allows me to change tempo and deal with fatigue.

I don't do a lot of sustained climbs, but I will even do this on relatively short ones for a change of pace and to work different muscles. I thought I was the only one who did the counting thing.

[Wahine]

I don't do a lot of sustained climbs, but I will even do this on relatively short ones for a change of pace and to work different muscles. I thought I was the only one who did the counting thing.

If I am struggling, I walways revert to counting strokes. I do it running and swimming too. I think it helps me not think about how much farther I have to go and to only focus on the next 10 pedal strokes, arm strokes, strides...

[zoom-zoom]

Exactly!