climbing

[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.

[RoadRaven]

On short climbs?
Sit.

Long climbs?
Sit.

Steep short?
Stand.

Long and steep?
Fall over.

I always look for Kiwis posts... this is a great example of why!
Thanks TL, had me in stiches!!!

[Grog]

Wow Road Raven is also approaching her thousandth post!

A girlfriend suggested recently thinking about your core and hips, not your legs, when spinning. Especially useful to have a nice circling motion while pedalling. It works!

[MomOnBike]

I find my cadence increases by ~ 5rpms when I concentrate on the bottom scrape-the-junk-off-the-shoe part of the stroke.

[DirtDiva]

Alas, that summary of my approach to climbing is also woefully accurate.

[Tater]

I find my cadence increases by ~ 5rpms when I concentrate on the bottom scrape-the-junk-off-the-shoe part of the stroke.

I do the same thing!

[jobob]

On short climbs?
Sit.

Long climbs?
Sit.

Steep short?
Stand.

Long and steep?
Fall over.

I was nodding my head in agreement with everything you wrote, 'til I got to the last one, then I burst out laughing !

You're a hoot, kiwi !

(PS - sometimes I'll stand on not-so-steep short climbs too, for a little variety and to stretch my back and legs a bit)

[RoadRaven]

Hehe Grog... I hadn't realised I was sitting only 50 or so posts away...
At the rate I get in here, its gonna take me awhile!

And Mom, yeah, pushing and pulling the heel as the pedals go round, I find that gives me much more power on the hills too.

*heads off to package up some padding and arnica for Kiwi's next looong and steeep hill*
(I'll just be standing by cheering Kiwi on - I don't do looong and steeep ... yet... )

[DirtDiva]

Fortunately for me, there isn't a lot of long and steep in London. One of these days I'll take my bike further afield than Epping Forest though...

(P.S. Sometimes I stand for a bit on the hills, especially when I'm tired already- seems to get me moving mentally as much as physically.)