Road Cycling - A flatlander's questions about climbing

I live in Oklahoma. Although we only have one dirt clod big enough to be officially classified as a mountain (Mt. Scott) we do have some really big hills throughout the state. However, our hills and our one official mountain are dwarfed by the mountains I’ve driven through in Colorado and Utah.

Later this year when my wife and I take our vacation to that part of the country I also plan on taking my bike. Therefore I’d like to be prepared for the type of climbing I might encounter there. One of the places I think I’d like to ride is in the Colorado National Monument but I may choose a smaller challenge for my first adventure in real mountains.

I’ve been cycling for a little over two years now. Although I know I’ll never have the ability of Roberto Heras I have become a better climber than a lot of my friends in my local cycling club. By keeping a close eye on my heart rate monitor I’ve learned how to pace myself and stay within my abilities while on long climbs.

Last weekend I decided to climb our one and only mountain. The road to the top is about 2.8 miles long. I’ve been told that it gains 1,030 feet in elevation and has an average grade of 7%. After I climbed it and rode down I turned around and climbed it again.

With a close eye on my heart rate I kept a steady pace to the top but my cadence stayed between 50 and 60. My cadence is usually between 90 and 120 and my knees felt a little sore afterwards. This makes me think that I might need to do a few things differently in order to be ready for bigger mountains.

I’d like to get some of your opinions on what my best strategy would be. Here are the things I’m considering;

1) I have a double and the smallest gearing is 39/25. For about $300.00 in parts (front derailleur, long rear derailleur, bottom bracket, crank set, chain rings, rear cassette, chain) I could change to a triple.

2) For a little less money I could change to a smaller chain ring and a 27 in the rear.

3) Although it wouldn’t be very pretty on my Ti Litespeed the thought has even crossed my mind to borrow the XTR rear derailleur and the 12-34 cassette from my mountain bike.

4) Mount road slicks on my mountain bike and ride it instead.

5) Leave it all as is and maybe choose a less challenging route.

Your input and ideas are welcome,

Krispy

Heck, ya'll got more "hills" than we do down here
in Tejas!
Given you state your an ok climber, I'd opt for the smaller
chainring and larger rear cogs.
Hell of alot cheaper and looks good too!

Where in Ok are ya?
I've Got Family in Ada.

Marty

I'm in OKC.

I rode my bike through Ada two weeks ago while doing OK FreeWheel (a 7-day cross-state bicycle tour). The folks in Ada really went all-out to make us feel welcome!

1000 feet in less than 3 miles is a good climb. Colorado roads tend to be less steep than eastern hills, but much longer. Another factor is the altitude, which can be 12,ooo feet or more at some of the passes.

Most people find the best climbing strategy to be try to maintian a comfortable pace, then shift up 1 or 2 gears and stand for a few stokes, then downshift and sit. On longer steeper hills around here (Upstate NY), I generally need to stand in my lowest gear (39X26) the whole time. In Colorado, I would definitely need a triple or a 39X34, more because of the altitude than the length or steepness of the hills.

You sound like you are doing pretty well. The less expensive option of the 27 or 28 rear gear should be you through. I opt'd for the triple and really didn't find it to be a big advantage. Your biggest challenge will be getting used to the altitude. But being in reasonable shape it only takes a few days to adapt. BTW, I'm from Waukomis.

Thanks for the advice!

Yes the altitude is a big factor as well. I hiked from 9000 to 12500 once without giving myself a few days to get used to it beforehand. Man did I have a massive headache! OKC is about 1000 feet above sea level.

Waukomis near Enid! Sounds like an Indian name. I grew up in Chickasha, another small Oklahoma town with an Indian name.

Krispy

kRISPY............You'll do just fine with your current 39/25. No reason to go any lower than that.........seems like you're fit and able.......just acclimate yourself to elevation before tackling those climbs. Sounds like fun..

Krispy,

On the other hand your knees were sore after doing Mt. Scott twice, you were turning a pretty low cadence, and you'll be riding at higher elevations. I don't know how many miles you rode prior to your climb or how many miles your total ride was, but I'd listen to my knees more than I'd listen to posters on this board.

I'll second Marty's suggestion for a smaller chainring and larger cogs in the back.

Steve "Has been known to bailout using the triple" E