Gradual climb -- any tips?

[Rakekay]

I don't know what my problem is. I can do hills without too much trouble, but there's one two-mile long VERY gradual climb on my regular ride that kills me every time. I think if you were walking you wouldn't even notice that you were walking uphill, but for some reason it always kicks my butt whenever I try to ride it. Doesn't matter if I do it when I'm fresh, when I'm already warmed up or at the end of my ride, it's still practically the hardest two miles I do.

Any advice? I usually do it using the middle gear in the front and my second or third easiest gear in the back. I supposed I could make the gears even easier, but then I just feel like I'm spinning, spinning, spinning and not getting anywhere -- and, heck, if I wanted that I could just take a spinning class at the gym.

Am I working too hard? Not hard enough?

[Grog]

Spin nonetheless. Even if it feels like you're immobile, you're moving and will eventually get up there. Break the hill in smaller hills: up to that sign, up to that tree, up to that big rock... Next thing you know, you're on top!

[runnergirl]

There's a Lance quote out there somewhere that's something to the effect of "What hill? I only see the ground in front of me"

I find that really helpful-to just repeat it's just the ground in front of me, so what if it's sloping up? I zone in 3 ft ahead of the wheel and spin-or on a group ride I just zone on the wheel in front of me. Hills are all in my head I think-esp since we don't have real hills here!

[MomOnBike]

You're letting the INCLINE win the mind game. Don't do that.

Use that area to work on technique. Focus on pedaling in circles, keeping the cadence high, all that. Tell yourself that you are training and traning is supposed to tire you out. (True.)

Or you could concentrate on the scenery on the side of the trail.

Or you could find another route...

[maryellen]

i tried something new for hills on the august empire state aids ride: recite something you know by heart. Sounds wacky but before I knew it, I was at the top of the hill. Admittedly, sometimes at a very slow pace, but it didn't seem as agonizing.

[annie]

Its true that its all a mind game......... I've got hills like that around here, too. They LOOK like they should hardly be a hill so your mind decides that it won't FEEL like a hill. Well, lo and behold, it always feels like a hill. No matter how many times you ride the da** thing, it's the same! What do I do? I spin like a maniac on one ride, and then on the next ride, I use a harder gear. One time I'll ride staying seated the entire time, another time I'll alternate seated and standing. And it's not to see what works the best. More to vary the pace to I don't get either bored or frustrated. You have to decide you won't let the hill get to you........ you'll ride it and do your best and get to the top.
Somedays it might actually seem easier. You can only hope...........

annie

[Trek420]

maryellen sez "recite something you know by heart. Sounds wacky but before I knew it, I was at the top of the hill."

singing helps!

On a recent club ride coach Lorri Lee Lown of the Velo Girls told me she has songs for all occaisions; sprint songs, long hill songs, steep hill songs, downhill songs...I'm not that organised but singing while climbing works for me.

Just warning if you ride with me, it's usually disco.

[latelatebloomer]

Just warning if you ride with me, it's usually disco.

Okay, anything but "It's Raining Men!"

[Trek420]

BOOGIE SHOES
i want to put on my my my my my
boogie shoes
just to boogie with you, yeah
i want to put on my my my my my
boogie shoes just to boogie with you,uh huh

[snapdragen]

Okay, anything but "It's Raining Men!"

But I love It's Raining Men - sung by a guy of course......

I like the gradual inclines too, I just hunker down into some kind of rhythm and motor up the hill.

[Hill Slug]

Just warning if you ride with me, it's usually disco.

I'll provide the disco ball and light!!!!

[Trek420]

Is that your ALC costume? I think we're on to something here, or at least on the tent so you can find it at night.

[ChainsOflove]

I use the lord's prayer, even tho I'm not very religious!!
I guess its nicer than going "f**K!"

[AllezGirl]

"Ain't no mountain high enough..."

[Madizell]

Ahh! Thanks for all of this. I've tried cursing, and that really doesn't work well for the long haul, though 'tis very satisfying in the immediate. I had a runner run past me on a long (not gradual) hill two weeks ago. There wasn't enough soap in the world for my mouth that day. I'll trying singing next time!