Tips on making it up steep section of hill?

[fallstoclimb]

Also -- the steep section comes after ~1 mile gradual climb, and then enough yards of a steeper climb that there's no momentum left to help me out Doesn't it seem like that is always the case!

[indysteel]

Out of curiosity, are you using clipless pedals? I know that when I'm struggling up a steep climb, being attached to my pedals really helps me turn the pedals over.

[fallstoclimb]

I am using clipless. I think that both helps (with turning) and hurts (mentally I feel like I can't catch myself if the bike starts tipping -- although realistically I know I can tear out of those pedals pretty quickly when I need to).

[Crankin]

I think my response was a little flip and unclear at the beginning of this thread.
I just want to emphasize that having low gears helps tremendously and at my age I don't really care what people think of that. I always use the lowest gear I can, to feel comfortable. For example, on the ride I was leading Saturday, I had the chance to observe, as the sweep, what others do. What I saw was a lot of standing, painful looking mashing, zig zagging, sitting down in defeat and barely making it up the hill, which was not even that bad, in my opinion. I, on the other hand, had my triple in the granny and in the seond lowest gear on the back. I passed both of these riders with ease, and I was going at a nice pace for a hill. These riders were young and fit, so I ascribe it to technique. From what I see, people think it means thy're a wimp if they shift down. Sometimes I hear, "but I hate to shift."
As SheFly stated, I have seen 2.5 or 3.0 (in the Berkshires and in Spain) and I never felt like I was going to tip over. Just felt like the damn hill was never going to end.

[mariacycle]

Out of curiosity why the loose grip on handlebars while seated up the hills? I have a death grip on my handlebars when I'm going up hills

[indysteel]

Out of curiosity why the loose grip on handlebars while seated up the hills? I have a death grip on my handlebars when I'm going up hills

It helps (some) to stay loose and relaxed when they're climbing, especially during a long and/or steep climb when the best way up is to remain patient. A death grip often means your that whole upper body is tense.

[mariacycle]

Ah that makes sense, thanks! I once read someone describing going up hills by "pulling" the handlebars towards herself (I think it was on TE?) and have found that to work for me psychologically, but not on massive hills. I think your reasoning perfectly explains why.

[fallstoclimb]

Update on this:

We tried to put a 28 on my bike, only to find out my derailleur couldn't handle it. Settled for a 26 instead. I headed out yesterday to try the hill again, although I wasn't super confident because it was about the hottest day of the year. Started up it fine in my easiest gear, until I hit the part where I always have trouble. I was doing a sharp little zig zag with every pedal stroke, and then I briefly stood. Now I'm not sure if this hpapened when I was sitting or standing -- DH says I must've been standing -- but the front wheel started leaving the ground, which is when I freaked out and unclipped.

Gahhh this GD hill. The section I can't handle is only like, 20 feet long, and its not like this hill is even part of my daily route but its so close to my house and it is killing me! Anyway, does the fact that my tire was hopping off the ground change anything technique-wise that might help me?

[Sky King]

Like SheFly mentioned earlier, sounds like you are pulling up on you handlebars, thus lifting you front tire off the ground. What if you find a not quite as steep of a hill and practice - shifting and standing. Typically when you stand to climb you will want to be in a harder gear than if you are sitting. If you have ever watched a video of something like the Tour De France you will see the riders change gears prior to standing up. Also as they stand you will see them position their weight more to the front of the bike. Do an experiment and as you are beginning to climbing and wanting to shift gears try standing up there, just to get used to the motion of standing without being on the steep part of the hill. You will get this hill conquered so don't give up!

[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.

[featuretile]

Update on this:

We tried to put a 28 on my bike, only to find out my derailleur couldn't handle it. Settled for a 26 instead. I headed out yesterday to try the hill again, although I wasn't super confident because it was about the hottest day of the year. Started up it fine in my easiest gear, until I hit the part where I always have trouble. I was doing a sharp little zig zag with every pedal stroke, and then I briefly stood. Now I'm not sure if this hpapened when I was sitting or standing -- DH says I must've been standing -- but the front wheel started leaving the ground, which is when I freaked out and unclipped.

Gahhh this GD hill. The section I can't handle is only like, 20 feet long, and its not like this hill is even part of my daily route but its so close to my house and it is killing me! Anyway, does the fact that my tire was hopping off the ground change anything technique-wise that might help me?

Well, I don't think it is you. 15% grade is very steep. You might be able to train up to it, but if all it does is give you frustration, why don't you fix your bike? I live in an area with many mountains and sometimes they reach that grade. I finally put an 11-36 rear cassette and a mountain bike derailleur (you need one of those for the big cassette) on my Specialized Ruby (50-34 compact on the front). The bike shops don't recommend this, but it works fine. I almost never use the 36 except on a steep grade like you describe. Then I am glad I have it. I am 61. It felt great to be able to get up the hills that I used to have to walk (or stop and rest). I just sit and go up. I am so much happier with my bike now.

[DocZan89]

I have 2 of those "I'm gonna beat this hill if I have to die trying" hills that I have been avoiding because I have had to walk them every time. Just like Jessie, I get to a certain point and just can't go on any longer. Think I'll incorporate the advice I've been reading into my ride tomorrow and include those hills.

Just to add something to the topic, no one has mentioned breathing. I know it sounds obvious and maybe you are already doing this, but I find that incorporating "belly breathing" really has helped me with my hill climbing. It keeps me focused and gives me more power.

Rosanna

[fallstoclimb]

You guys, I DID IT!!! I'm not even sure what I changed -- except the weather was on the cool side, for once -- I just kept my head down, I think I slid my butt back (quickly aborted my effort to stand, as I waited until it was too steep to get up), and just kept cranking -- and then looked up and I had somehow passed the impossible spot! I'm not sure if I'll be able to replicate the success every time, but at least now I know I CAN do it. Thanks for all the support!!

[tealtreak]

You guys, I DID IT!!! I'm not even sure what I changed -- except the weather was on the cool side, for once -- I just kept my head down, I think I slid my butt back (quickly aborted my effort to stand, as I waited until it was too steep to get up), and just kept cranking -- and then looked up and I had somehow passed the impossible spot! I'm not sure if I'll be able to replicate the success every time, but at least now I know I CAN do it. Thanks for all the support!!

Congratulations! Super feeling! and you will be able to keep doing it now that you have (: