Quote Originally Posted by bikeless in WI

I also wonder another thing (see quote above). Last fall I couldn't stand more than a stroke or two in spin class. Now I can stand however long and hard the instructor says, but I still can't stand on a real bike on a real hill out on the road. I _used_ to do it all the time back when I was a kid with a 1-speed Schwinn. I've tried up-shifting to have more resistance and thereby more controll. But I still can't seem to do it. Any tips for that, besides just keep trying?

I was just coaching a woman with the same issue. She wasn't really aware of it, but she was basically bottoming out at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Be sure you are pedalling a circle when you stand. Be sure you are supporting your upper body very steadily and even pulling up a bit with the arms. (Augh - It is so hard to describe these things in words and not showing.)

Practice on the flats first - not just hills. Get the technique down on the flat roads and get comfortable with it then try it on hills.