climbing

[Eden]

I usually stand for very short climbs where I don't want to have to shift down or lose any momentum or near the top of a climb to get a little kick up over. Sometimes I'll stand for a little bit on a long climb just to stretch out the legs a bit or again to get a little kick up in speed. Really though it's personal preference. Some people climb best standing, but for most of us seated climbing is a bit easier on the cardiovascular system and leg muscles.

[Nanci]

I love standing on hills (well, what passes for hills in Florida, not mountains) because it feels good, changes the muscle groups around a bit, gives the undercarriage a break, and is like have a couple extra gears. But if the hill is long and steep, eventually it takes less energy to sit. I start sitting, move to standing when it feels right, (a bit before I run out of gears) then sit right when I feel lactic acid, if it's got much more to go. In a race, if I could, I would stand to climb as much as tolerable, because I go much faster.

Nanci

[Robbin_G]

I've got a rather slow cadence anyway but a REALLY slow cadence out of the saddle (especially standing sprints in spin class). Whats the key to increasing cadence?

[CR400]

Robbin, try to concentrate and make your legs go faster, by thinking to pedal faster. You almost have to isolate your lower body and make it move faster without moving your upper body to much. It is easier I think to start spinning faster while seated.

[JmcG]

Robbin, To help your strength and cadence out of the saddle, also try to think about using your hamstrings more (esp in the pull up portion of the pedal stroke). That was my key to getting a higher cadence and climbing hills better.

[RoadRaven]

Standing while climbing gives your muscles a break because you use different muscles.

My sons often stand when they climb hills with me because to sit at my speed up a hill is too slow and difficult for them.

I am learning to stand for longer and I stand near the top to give me a little oomph to get over hill more quickly. However, as soon as I sit my legs hurt... its just a matter of more standing and getting used to it I guess.

[DirtDiva]

On short climbs?
Sit.

Long climbs?
Sit.

Steep short?
Stand.

Long and steep?
Fall over.