climbing

[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.)