Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - High intensity climbing technique?

So I'm curious if I'm just a freakshow or if others do this too.

I was on a hill climbing ride this morning (if any of my photos came out, I'll post a few) and I noticed yet again that when I'm tired or when the grade is really steep (say 20% or so), I don't just stand out of the saddle or get really far forward. I will actually get my ass way up in the air, project way out over the front wheel, lean way down with my face maybe 4 or 5 inches off the tire, and mash along at 5 mph.

My suspicion is that this is another way to get those larger and more numerous muscle groups on the back of the thighs and butt to do the work.

Anyone else do this?

Yes, you are a freakshow, but for reasons other than your climbing technique :)

But seriously, I climb in a similar way but my head doesn't get that far forward. It's probably good for the psychological effect of not seeing that much of the hill in front of you, aside from any power benefits.

Assume Zee Position!

You may be on to something with the mental angle. I know when I'm doing that, I find myself doing things like counting off crank strokes to see how many times it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop...err...top of the hill, or watching the sweat drip off my face, or staring at my straps to see if they're going to snap--anything to lose myself in the moment and not focus on how much of the hill remains.

Pics from this morning: http://www.zweknu.org/blog/index.rhtml?s=p@711&c=T&ft=T#p711

Nothing great, but pleasant enough.

Massbike peeps?

Funny to see that you were in my neighborhood, the Arboretum rides are pretty fun. I especially like the glares from young mothers pushing baby carriages and paranoid dog owners so as to say "you don't belong here"

Just a group. It's part of a series of monthly rides leading up to the Boston Bike Festival.

It's funny, as a group we probably never broke 15 mph except on the downhills and still people are like clutching at their kids or their dogs even though we were being the model of respectful cyclists. Oh well. :)

I really just want to see BostonTrevor riding that way, it's extremely funny looking in my head, I'm pretty sure it's just because you exaggerated though.

No, I suspect it really is that funny. One day I'll do a face plant. I've touched my nose to my tire doing it just to prove to myself that I could.

Did a 40 miler today with a friend of mine with some serious head wind and lots of climbing. I was pushing around 72". From trial and error I have found that standing works the best for me unless its gravel or dirt then traction comes into play.

I wish I went on that ride. I kinda forgot that 9:30 AM the morning after your birthday isn't the best time to try and get on your bike....

Yeaaaah... I was thinking maybe that's what happened. :D

It was cool. It was no substitute for a properly long training ride, but there was some good intervals in there if I was gonna try to fit it into training terms.

Is that you with the panniers trev? ;)

There is this hill in Seattle called "DontRideYourTrendyFixedGearedBikeOnMe"...or maybe Interlaken. Whatever...I rode that hill and thought I was going to die a few times, but realized at the top that I rode the whole thing sitting down. I rarely de-saddle in climbs - I slide forward a bit and pull with my arms. Seems to work for me.

So I'm curious if I'm just a freakshow or if others do this too.

I was on a hill climbing ride this morning (if any of my photos came out, I'll post a few) and I noticed yet again that when I'm tired or when the grade is really steep (say 20% or so), I don't just stand out of the saddle or get really far forward. I will actually get my ass way up in the air, project way out over the front wheel, lean way down with my face maybe 4 or 5 inches off the tire, and mash along at 5 mph.

My suspicion is that this is another way to get those larger and more numerous muscle groups on the back of the thighs and butt to do the work.

Anyone else do this?

Not a freak show if you can research the old Milk race in England you will see that a little bit. it is not common but i have seen riders go up hill like that on steep climbs. I ride with my butt way back on the saddle and seated. i will come out of the saddle when needed.

S/F
CEYA!

Yeah that's sounds kind of weird, but makes sense. It sounds to me like you're getting your
hips in the air so you can get a longer pedal stroke. I thing I accomplish the same thing by
throwing my bike side to side like crazy. One thing that'll happen to me is you'll be climbing
with your weight so far forward that your rear wheel will lose traction which sucks.

I just went up to kettle moraine, wi this weekend and that's one of my tricks I use.
Another is to swerve like a drunken seamen (or women). sounds like fun.

jeff


I don't just stand out of the saddle or get really far forward. I will actually get my ass way up in the air, project way out over the front wheel, lean way down with my face maybe 4 or 5 inches off the tire, and mash along at 5 mph.
Anyone else do this?

Sounds like you are getting your weight way over the front since there is so much on the rear when climbing it makes sense. I would like to see it though, I keep picturing Wile E Coyote running with a fork and knife in his hands. My climbing technique on 20% grades is on two feet walking.

']Is that you with the panniers trev? ;)

There is this hill in Seattle called "DontRideYourTrendyFixedGearedBikeOnMe"...or maybe Interlaken. Whatever...I rode that hill and thought I was going to die a few times, but realized at the top that I rode the whole thing sitting down. I rarely de-saddle in climbs - I slide forward a bit and pull with my arms. Seems to work for me.

damn, 165, i haven't ridden that hill since I moved from seattle in 2K, but it was tough on a geared bike. Ouch. Also must be a trip going down, especially at night.

Browsing the Bridgestone Catalog that someone linked to in the Q-Factor thread, I found this page (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1991/pages/bridgestone-1991-18.htm) that shows a climbing technique that somewhat resembles what you're describing. From the sound of it, you're probably a little more aggressive than pictured there.

Actually Ceya is right, check out this dude from the Milk Race.

http://www.hartlepool-cycleclub.org/images/rosedale-web.jpg

Now imagine a more defeated or dying posture and you've got me.