Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.TriDevil
10-24-03, 09:01 PM
Ok, Ive finally started doing some hills and climbing a 'mountain', south mountain for any phoenix area people. Its a good 7 mile climb, first 6 miles are fairly steady gradient, no idea what, and the last mile it kicks up at the top and does some dips and sharp climbs before the summit. My first ascent I stopped three times, got off the bike and took a breather. Last week I was feeling frisky still from the group ride that goes right by the entrance to the mountain so I went ahead and started heading up. This time I didnt stop at all, even passed a guy! always good for morale. That time I slid back on my saddle and was using my hamstrings to keep a decent cadence up. I still had problems at the top though, out of the saddle and just barely moving forward. Ive noticed Ive started to use my hamstrings more in general and I feel more powerful and faster, spending more time in the big ring etc. I guess I was pedaling a circle like I thought I was. Anyway, I do hills on thursdays and then on the sunday group ride I head up the mountain after the ride winds down. How can I improve my climbing besides climbing more? Different types of climbing? Repeats on a short hill, seated, out of the saddle alternating? I would like more power so when I do get out of the saddle I dont slow down. In other words, what are your tips to get up a mountain? Thanks