new strategy & mantra for the hills

[Trek420]

Thanks Jobob for my new one. Strangely enough going down Mt. Diablo is not all downhill, there's this bit which I should know and expect where you go downhill, there's a flat section, turn and then WTF it's uphill again.

Shifted down, missunderestimated but dayuhm I was NOT gonna shift down again because
1) stuborn
2) determined
3) don't like to throw the chain
so I stand and right then jobob comes up behind and says those 2 little words "dig deep".

Not the fastest thing on 2 wheels but I got up and over. Thanks jobob I think I'll keep the mantra.

It replaces what I think Eddie said which goes something like "you're faster going than not going".

Later she blew past me and I say again man, that Riv's a puhrty bike.

[Grog]

Just two words on going "en danseuse" (dancing on the pedals):

1) watch out not to overdo it and end up sliding on the side if you loose proper contact with the road (road tires have a very narrow surface of contact with the pavement)

2) rocking the bike from side to side can make you spend more energy than it will give you.

so rock gently and make sure you strenghten your grip with the hand opposite to the side you're rocking to.

take care ladies!

[Melodylynn]

Well I tried the leg power and did a standing hill. Not so bad! I had to really catch my breath at the top but not like the other day. So it is working! Now we will see on Thursday....

Melody

[ACG]

What great tips on this thread! Thought about you all this a.m. as I rode up my 'weekday' hills, about 3/4 of a mile each hill, don't know the grade, but they are split by a stop sign. It seems I loose a little momentum when I have to stop, but I don't dare ride thru, too many cars and I don't want to die. As I go up the hills I find myself counting 1-2-3-4, breath. I used to be really winded when I reached the top, sometimes even dizzy. No more. The second hill also seems easier to achieve than the first. I noticed that if I concentrate on spinning more, I climb at a faster rate. I use the middle ring the whole way. Good luck to you all! (P.S. I hate going downhill too, but love the rest period)

[bikerchick68]

this is a great thread! just wanted to add my own mantra... taken from "It's Not About the Bike"... Lance said "Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever"... that has helped me get up hills that 3 years ago I would have refused to WALK up!

[anaphase]

There was a really steep hill on my tri course this weekend, and to be honest, I had a really, really hard time getting up it. I'm not sure if I'm doing this right, so maybe that's part of the problem.

It started with a slight downhill, so I had shifted up into a bigger gear (in back), to keep spinning and ride that momentum. As I started the climb, I stayed seated and downshifted in the rear as it got steeper, until I had no gears left. It was at this point that I didn't know whether to shift into my granny gear, or stand up. Tried standing up (after upshifting one gear). Felt WAY wobbly and like I was in too easy a gear to stand up. So I sat back down, and then shifted into the granny gear, which left me only one gear to go down in the back. Then I lost all momentum. Ugh.

I made it to the top, but barely.

Here is the hill profile (at the bottom of the course).
http://www.firm-racing.com/races/maps/danskin.jpg

Any advice for me? I've read a lot of the linked articles from these boards, but I still feel like I'm doing it all wrong on hills that are steeper, like this one. There aren't a ton of hills like that I have found on my regular routes, so while I am able to stand up and power over smaller hills, when there is a long climb, I'm kinda at a loss.

Thanks.

[oldbikah]

Great day today--super weather and uplifting riding!!

I have also had lung problems, but sometimes it was hard to decide which was worse--the lungs or the legs! After reading this thread a few days ago, I decided to push the legs harder. Today I had a great ride, not long (13 miles on my mt bike) on a smooth trail with a steady grade--a super local ride along the Carrabassett River. I rode it better and faster than ever. Now I must say it was a combination of things 1)lost 18 lbs thus summer on weight watchers, 2) riding short rides 3-4 days a week (but I did a 40 miles road bike ride on Weds), and walking the other days, weather permitting, and 3)really trying to improve my pedaling technique.

I thought I had someone else's legs and lungs with me!! Was really psyched. Not bad for a 62 year old !

[Pax]

Great day today--super weather and uplifting riding!!

I have also had lung problems, but sometimes it was hard to decide which was worse--the lungs or the legs! After reading this thread a few days ago, I decided to push the legs harder. Today I had a great ride, not long (13 miles on my mt bike) on a smooth trail with a steady grade--a super local ride along the Carrabassett River. I rode it better and faster than ever. Now I must say it was a combination of things 1)lost 18 lbs thus summer on weight watchers, 2) riding short rides 3-4 days a week (but I did a 40 miles road bike ride on Weds), and walking the other days, weather permitting, and 3)really trying to improve my pedaling technique.

I thought I had someone else's legs and lungs with me!! Was really psyched. Not bad for a 62 year old !

*Queen bowing to oldbikah* Woman I am in awe!!!

[latelatebloomer]

Bikah, you are the goddess, goddess, GODDESS!!

[SandyLS]

Bikah, I thought I might be the most senior member of this group at 58 years young. I did my first 40 mile ride last Monday. I might try for 50 miles tomorrow. Way to go Bikah. You are my new hero!

[SandyLS]

I find myself silently singing "Climb any Mountian" from the Sound of Music or "I Am Woman", I believe it is a Helen Reddy tune? Believe me no one wants to hear me sing out loud! I don't know if it really helps. No mountians in this part of the state, but so far I haven't had to walk up the hills this year.