Tips on making it up steep section of hill?

[Skippyak]

I cannot see you tipping backwards at 15% unless you have shifted your weight by standing and shifting back. I know it is not a ton of help to keep hearing the same thing LOL,but stay seated, keep that relaxed feel on your handbars (use the flat part) do not pull on the bars but focus on using your power to turn the pedals. You are coordinated enough to get out unclipped, do you think you really could have managed that on one wheel? Try less steep longer inclines to get some practice if your basic problem is that you need more hill riding. I think you must be panicking and letting your head take over the ride. Can you find longer inclines for hill work? 15% is less daunting when it is just part of a long climb, when it is without build up I am sure it can appear scarier.

[fallstoclimb]

So wait, aren't you supposed to pull up on the hoods a little bit as you're doing a standing climb? I wouldn't say I have a death grip on the hoods or anything, I feel relaxed, but I think pulling up a little is just part of my natural standing climb. I guess maybe I should practice a standing climb without pulling up?

I don't think I can shift up on this hill as I stand. I know that typically people do that but this hill is so steep (this little bit may be more than 15%, who knows) that I'm out of gears even as I'm standing -- if I weren't, then I'd be making it up it!!

I am sure my head is getting in my own way, especially now that I've tried it and failed to make it up a good half-dozen times.

[SheFly]

Yes - your head is getting in the way . Definitely try to NOT pull up on the hoods or bars as you stand. You also want to be sure that you have your weight forward - this will help to prevent the front wheel from lifting (in MTB, we call this "boobs to the tube" ). You CAN do this! You WILL conquer that darned hill!

Last week, I was climbing gravel/dirt road with a 13+% grade. I stayed seated the entire time, hands on the TOPS of my bars (the flat spot between the hoods and your stem) with a very relaxed grip. I was pedaling literally at about 2 mph. I didn't fall over, and I made it to the top! Focus on turning your pedals in a circle and staying loosed on the bike. You'll be amazed at what you can do.

SheFly

[Artista]

What SheFly said. "Boobs to the tube" not only helps keep your front wheel down, it generates extra power in your legs to help you get up the hill. I am primarily a mountain biker and the steeper the hill gets, the lower I get my chest. I can vouch for the fact that it's possible to stay upright at even less than 2 mph.

[OakLeaf]

+1 on weight forward. You can do it!

[fallstoclimb]

Boobs to the tube, I love it!

[Boudicca]

Sunday is the ride with my never-made-it hill. I remember it as about 4 miles, although it may be less than that. It starts deceptively in that it looks almost flat and just gets steeper as it goes. The last couple of hundred feet are the killer -- it hits 15 percent at the top.

After reading everything here, I am seriously thinking of switching bikes to the one with the lowest gear and leaving the road bike at home. I will be slower on the rest of the ride, but I might just make the hill.