Overcoming short hills

[mimitabby]

My Dh has been bugging me about trying a cute method of blasting over short hills. I was riding behind him on our brisk paced 12 mile out and back today and decided to start aping him stroke for stroke (partially an effort to just keep up)

Suddenly a one block hill loomed in front of us; I was ready to shift down, but no, HE shifted up a couple clicks (I know how many because he's got shimano on his dreamcruiser bike) so I did too. Swung that thing over and stood up right behind him. It was hard work standing and going up the hill, but I did it! It was fun. It doesn't work on a long hill unless you're really really strong. But I didn't slow down as far, nor did I have to go into a granny gear.. so it worked great.
But I just thought I'd pass along new knowledge...

[Grog]

I call it:

ATTACK!!!!!

[bmccasland]

The slingshot method?

[Eden]

The slingshot method?

mmmmm - works beautifully for me. I'm not usually as fast down hill being small and light and all, but I maintain my momentum so much better on the uphill that if I stand I can shoot past other people - especially if they are not expecting it of course if it works better if the hill is a little longer so that they can't just all catch me again on the next downhill section....

[kelownagirl]

I've tried that on REALLY short hills and it works well but if I'm in the rolling ones and do it twice in a row, I am toast for the next 5 minutes...

[RoadRaven]

mmmmm - works beautifully for me. I'm not usually as fast down hill being small and light and all, but I maintain my momentum so much better on the uphill that if I stand I can shoot past other people - especially if they are not expecting it of course if it works better if the hill is a little longer so that they can't just all catch me again on the next downhill section....

Ah... so YOU'RE the one!!!

[7rider]

I was riding behind him on our brisk paced 12 mile out and back today and decided to start aping him stroke for stroke (partially an effort to just keep up)


Swung that thing over and stood up right behind him. It was hard work standing and going up the hill, but I did it! It was fun.

I do the same thing to my DH - mimic his cadence (partially in anticipation of someday getting a tandem) and gearing - although I'm always geared a bit lower with my compact crank.

There are a few short rollers on our routes where I'll do this same thing. I play a game with myself - "Let's see if I can get up this hill without going into the small chainring or losing momentum." I used to surprise DH with it...now he expects it...so <sigh> there's no backing off now!

[lauraelmore1033]

I'm wondering what you do if you decide mid-hill, that you've been a little too ambitious?

[mimitabby]

sit down, and drop a gear or two, and hope the chain doesn't come off?

[lauraelmore1033]

well, I only wondered because I've got the chain coming off part down pat...

[slinkedog]

There have been a few times when the above-mentioned maneuver has saved my a$$... like when I was riding the creek trail with a bunch of friends and no one told me a steep (very short) climb to the dam was right around the corner! Whoa, stand up and tried to change gears whilst standing... my baby's drivetrain didn't like that too much, but my baby came through and we made it!!

I, too, like standing up to get up those short hills, but I have to be in good shape or else I'm killed for a while.

[SadieKate]

Ah, yes, momentum is your friend. In short rollers, use it to your advantage, grasshopper.

[slinkedog]

Ah, yes, momentum is your friend. In short rollers, use it to your advantage, grasshopper.

Thank you, sensei.