Road Cycling - Is AGE excuse for getting dropped on hills

Is there any hope I can stay with the kids on the steep extended hills?

I have been riding seriously on the road for three years. I ride with a group that is split. Either you are 20ish or 40ish. The kids have this thing about hammering the hills and dropping the senior riders and new kids. For short hills i hang on but when it gets to be more than 2 minutes i blow up as well as the other mature wannabes. I don't have a problem in the paceline on the flats, and do my pulls as the average kid does.

QUESTION: Should i continue excusing myself because of age or should I do a specific training for hills? Weights? hill intervals?

I am 47. Slender. I ride 3-4 days/week averaging 200km/week over the year. I occasionally do intervals alone but mostly group rides of 80km/150km with occasion no shows.

Erik

uh, i don't know that's a tough one and i'm only 32 so i don't have enough "experience" to really answer...

but i do know there are a ton of guys in their early 40s that are super-fit and super strong - actually, other than major races, the only guy i've ridden with this year who destroyed me was a 40-year old (10 years ago he was the #2 triathlete in Germany and has done numerous Ironmans, so he's got some experience and the guy was a rocket!)...

my understanding is that you loose some max sprint power with age as you looose some muscle mass in general and your max VO2 drops some, but the main thing is that you have more injuries and recovery takes longer (i.e. a 22 year old can beat himself up and then go get drunk and then do it again the next day -- and an older guy probably can't) --- i.e. i don't really see why the climb in particular would worsen any more than the flats or paceline riding (other than the obvious that in the pack you can draft behind stronger riders)

or maybe it's an individual thing? i'm strong on climbs, a great sprinter, but the flats totally kill me -- with the really strong riders often i have trouble hanging on IN the paceline, although i can drop many of them on a long climb... and if i have to pull a LONG flat section... uh!

i guess i'd say - don't think of it necessarily as an age thing - if you wanna improve your climb power then do... now if you're already maxing your training and overtraining and getting injuries, then maybe age provides some reason not to push as hard...

i'll let you know in 20 years! hopefully some othe guys with some more "experience" can give you more advice.

Originally posted by Mzungu
Is there any hope I can stay with the kids on the steep extended hills?
I'm 47, too. And unless the kids are elite athletes, yes you can hang with them. Others can provide better training specifics... I'd suggest that you add more hill riding. It sounds like you aren't overweight... normally that's the first obstacle. (Losing 10 useless lbs. will help your climbing more than 3 years hard training, IMO.) I think the biggest factor that age plays, for someone in their 40s, is longer recovery time. Workout hard, recover completely.

I've recently passed the 40 mark myself, and I've noticed that the younger cyclists generally can't keep up with me on the hills! I may be a natural climber, though (6'2", and a bit of a masher, too). I regularly get dropped on the straights, though. Once by a club member who was 70, even!

For me, at 63 yo age is not an excuse, but it IS a reason. BUT, if I lost weight, it would sure make a difference.

okay, okay, okay. So I can't excuse myself becuase of age. I have almost 0 body fat and am trying to GAIN weight so losing 10 pounds would make me weak.

So any special tricks to build hill climbing ability?

My guess is I try intervals on hills.

erik

There are several good books on how to train for hills. Plus I think bicycle magazine had a thing about training to be a better hill climber. I might be able to summarize but I think it'd be better if you got it from the source instead of relying on my bad memory :)

I do remember some of the exercises and they were interesting. They included stuff like:

- Climbing a hill in a large gear (big chainwheel, small cog) and doing a very slow rpm. This is a muscle building exercise.

- Starting in a small gear (small chainwheel, large cog) and going at a high cadence to build cardio and endurance.

Then a mixture of sprints and intervals on hills. That part I don't remember. But I think if you look into those kinds of books you could build yourself a strong 12 week training program. Then come spring you'll be the one dropping those young bucks.

:)

Good luck

PBW

YES! Age is DEFINITELY an excuse! Otherwise I have to admit it is because I need to lose 30-40 pounds. :(


I have seen several training suggestions for improving on hills in places like Bicycling magazine. Check the training section at their website. You might also check the "Ask Coach Fred" section at roadbikerider.com as well as other training websites.

NO WAY, i'M 47 and climbing is my thing, real steep and real long, come on, hook on and lets go, I'll wait at the top.

I'm right in there with Dnvr and Raymond.
Even though I've already lost 25 pounds I'd like to lose 30-35 "additional" pounds. The extra baggage sure slows me down. :(
I'll be 58 in a few days so age is always a good excuse for me. :D

All other things being equal - age is a factor that will slow one down. However, we have experience and knowledge on our side.

Train smarter and ride smarter - you'll end up beating 95% of the kids up the hill - no question.

I would think you could also look into your riding technique. There are definitely better ways of riding that will allow you to get up the hill faster without wasting energy on bad form. Good technique is a must to be a good climber.

PBW

I'm no where near my 40's. Just turned 18 last month. But my coach is 45 almost 46 and he randomly will drop me on hills. Also there is an older gentleman (used to be pro and olympian) on our team. He has to be around the 70's. He drops our elite guys tons, and I can think of 5 times that he has crushed me.

Just a thought... age is just in the mind, it takes ur body when you let it.

as far as i'm concerned, ANYTHING is a good excuse for getting dropped on hills. me? i blame my heavy bike, the pavement, my breakfast, the weather, the situation in the middle east, gravity, prague (just cause i like that word), or anything else i can think of.

someone might have already said this, but on long hills, i'm a big fan of shifting positions on the seat frequently to allow muscles to rest. but, technique is not really a strength for me. i generally just stand up and hammer until my legs give out!

Are short legs an excuse for getting dropped on hills? :rolleyes:

I'm 38 and I recently (6 months ago) lost about 55 lbs. What a difference it made on climbs! Everybody would see me and say "wow you look great" and they would ask if I feel better. I would always laugh, because honestly I feel the same, EXCEPT that I can climb hills MUCH easier on my bike.

Yes, it definitely is and I sure wish my 52 Y.O. and 59 Y.O. riding buddies would recognize it and start to act their age, I tired of getting my ego checked by those two guys ... geeesh! ;)

speaking from the younger side (I'm 19) it may be that young guys are generally pretty light weight (145 lbs here) and it would be easier to climb? but then again I have ridden with guys in their 50's (that is old enough to be my father :lol: ) and they dropped me like a sack of bricks....

I bet if you train a bit for hills you will become better, and could stay with the young guys. :D

Age is an excuse, but you can train to make yourself better at climbing.

Okay, 57 years old here and been riding seriously for only a couple of years. I live in a very hilly and mountainous area. Initially, climbing was very difficult for me. I found that my skills really improved by practicing spinning in my triples as much as possible on the ascents. I improved gradually by sticking to that discipline. I can crush big gears, but I pay for it for several days after a ride. One local ride involves 13 miles of uphill with some challenging grades here and there, and I would never be able to survive that if I hadn't developed some uphill spinning skills. Spinning as much as possible and getting out of the only when necessary is the most efficient way. There are some much more experienced cyclists in my peer group in the local cycling club, but I can climb with the best riders in my age group.

Rich

Originally posted by A.troll
Are short legs an excuse for getting dropped on hills? :rolleyes:

Only if your feet don't reach the pedals and you have funny-looking hair.

What's a hill?

Originally posted by Mzungu
Is there any hope I can stay with the kids on the steep extended hills?


Erik I'm 47 and in pretty good shape. Even when in ultra good training condition...no, no way I can keep up with the equally trained youngsters.

Age may not be a good reason for getting dropped on hills but is a good EXCUSE. :)

I have been able to improve my hill climbing by losing weight, riding more (including more hills), increasing my core body strength, and getting a better bike.

Maybe I'm not as fast a rider as I was at 28 but I'm faster than I was at 50!

yes age is an excuse but so is "My pedal came lose, My handlebar
move the wrong way, My chain came off. my legs are to short??
(dont know about that one) any excuse will do!
I agree with rainman and walker and a few other who said that
practist (sp) will improve your climbing but if you need an excuse
and good one is My shoe lace came lose...

Is AGE excuse for getting dropped on hills


QUESTION: Should i continue excusing myself because of age or should I do a specific training for hills? Weights? hill intervals?

I have a 3 year old grand niece who states that her AGE is definitely a factor in her not being able to get up hills quickly.

Wait until she is 5!!

Originally posted by Mzungu
So any special tricks to build hill climbing ability
Well, since you can hang with 'em on the flats, and you're a lightweight, I'm guessing strength, rather than vo2max, is the limiter. If you have access to weights and/or some weight machines, look into weight training for climbing during the off-season. Seems like many cycling web-sites, magazines, and books have work-out recommendations.


One other thing... if you're concerned about age and cycling, you may want to check out Cycling Past 50, by Joe Friel. I haven't read the book, but am familiar with the authors other work... and will probably be getting it soon. :( ;)

Originally posted by Mzungu
I am 47. Slender. Erik

What are you wearing?

I love it when the younger croud proclaims age is in the mind.

Some people are predisposed to climbing hills.

Technique and savy will make up for a bit of predisposition though.

Remember, you don't have to be fast up the hills just faster than them.;)

I am 53 and can keep up with guys half my age, and can go with them for up to 100 k but after that I become the lantern Rouge of the group, then I go home or do some more quality ride on my own because the group has left me already.. and when I am all alone then I do quality ride meaning I do spinning and having my heart pump to the max....

I am 53 and can keep up with guys half my age.....
From what I've noticed, most guys around the age of 26.5 years are in a very bad state of condition. It seems that in our culture, you let yourself get fat after high school, and don't usually do anything about it until middle age (if at all!).
In my local club, there is no shortage of riders in their 40's, 50's, 60's, and even their 70's that can (and often do..) outpace and outlast they "younger" crowd.

I was recently approaching a long steep bridge(Riveria Bch to Palm Bch Shores for those familiar with the area)on a loaded 12 sp(with only 6 gears usable)having already done 50-60 miles and still a distance away (from the bridge)when a young couple on racing bikes having come down the opposite side crossed over and started up this side well ahead of me. Sensing a challenge I started speeding up and while the male was well ahead I was riding the females tail by halfway up the bridge and crossed the top in front of her.Of course being a gentleman I let her ride down the other side in front of me.The point is if the scenery is attractive enough age is no excuse as I am 48 last I counted.As others have said some people are natural climbers with optimal musculature and fitness developed for/by it.

Originally posted by RWTD
I was recently approaching a long steep bridge(Riveria Bch to Palm Bch Shores for those familiar with the area)on a loaded 12 sp(with only 6 gears usable)having already done 50-60 miles and still a distance away (from the bridge)when a young couple on racing bikes having come down the opposite side crossed over and started up this side well ahead of me.

Got to hand it to all three of you for taking on what must be one of the few hills in the area.

I'm 37 and have been getting into serious cycling only the last 18 months or so and my hill climbing ability has improved 200%, just from practice. I go by the motto "What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger". I may be hurting today from climbing that steep, long hill but next week when I do it again it will be easier (seems to work for me). Hills that I used to struggle up in the lowest gear on my 27 spd MTB I can now do faster and with less effort on my roadie with "only" 18 spds. Could have something to do with the lighter weight as well but I like to think it's the rider!:D I'm around 5'10" and weigh about 75kg.

Thanks I noticed from your profile you are exactly two weeks older than me.And yes a few large bridges over the intercoastal waterway are the only uphills in this area.

I envy your weather, but I'd miss the hills around here, uphill for fitness and downhill for fun.

Originally posted by D*Alex
From what I've noticed, most guys around the age of 26.5 years are in a very bad state of condition.
Cool, I'm exactly 26.5 years old. :D

I found that improving MY pedaling I improved all around
(hill climbing, speed, and endrance (sp)). never stop pedaling.
think about improving your pedaling that will help you climb better
its the only trick I know..

This may seem like it's overly simplified, but how much riding do you do on your own (outside of group rides)? My experience is that group rides do a lot for my cadence and bike handling but very little for areas like hill climbing, strength, and overall endurance. Of course, the people in your group can help you focus on some things that will help improve your climbing.

It sounds like you have a great group of people to ride with. I'm jealous!

Originally posted by Tree Trunk

It sounds like you have a great group of people to ride with. I'm jealous!

Don't be jealous. Join a bike club. There should be several in your area.Mike's Mega Links (http://mikebentley.com/bike/ilclubs.htm) has a list of Illinois bike clubs. There is another, similar list on the League of Illinois Bicyclists' (http://www.bikelib.org/data/clubs.html) website.

In response to RegularGuy, yeah I ride weekly group rides through one of the local bike shops (Spokes in Wheaton, Illinois) but those rides are mostly people closer to my 41 year age with a few younger riders mixed in. I am looking for a better group to ride with, mainly because I haven't done a lot of business with the bike shop that sponsors the rides - the shop is overpriced (they charged me $32.00 for Carnac adaptors for my Speedplays recently), but I haven't found a better group to ride with yet.

Sorry for interrupting this thread....I know it's not cool to change the subject like this.:o