Road Cycling - Strategy suggestions for attacking 8 mile climb

Any suggestions on strategy for attacking/conquering 8 mile climb on a road bike? Beginning of 100 mile ride begins at 6300 ft. The 8 mile climb begins about mile 75 (?). Don't know the grade %, but the first 4 miles appears to be a gradual climb with the greater grade % being in the later part of the ride. The elevation change is approximately 1250 ft. We'll be at approximately 7600 ft at the top. Any suggestions? THANKS!

1250 is about 380m right?

I climb a 450~500m @ 8.3km, 2-3times a week...

First, you should try to spin and save your strength for the really tough climbs...

Maintain 90~92rpm... When you run out of gears and your cadence drops to about 70rpm. shift to a harder gear and do a quick off the saddle(you will start at about 65rpm) pedalling.. about, 10 - 15 strokes.. This will increase your speed a litlle bit, then quickly switch to an easier gear and spin it... you will be amazed that you will be able to spin again..

I usually just let my cadence drop gradually when I'm out of gears and do the above.

please remember, if you feel really tired, its OK to stop.. and remember to breath, always breath.. When your that high up, you must always pay attention on what your body is telling you..

Find someone to ride double with and talk with while you are climbing. The miles will fly by. Truly.

8 mile climb that goes up 1250 feet doesn't sound too bad if you ask me just sit back and spin up it. Most likely you will have company going up it. Just find someone your speed and converse as you go up.

Find someone to ride double with and talk with while you are climbing. The miles will fly by. Truly.
This works for me, too. It's important to pace yourself so you don't blow up early on - don't try to attack too hard from the start. If you're with another rider and you can talk on the way up, you should be doing ok. dexmax's advice to spin as much as you can, and stand only to recover cadence works well too.

One tip- When you get out of the saddle, shift up at least one gear. Not only does this help you maintain a faster cadence as already pointed out, but it makes sure that you have a lower gear to get into once you're back in the saddle. Trust me, it can hurt to get out of the saddle and back in without moving to a higher gear between.

One tip- When you get out of the saddle, shift up at least one gear. Not only does this help you maintain a faster cadence as already pointed out, but it makes sure that you have a lower gear to get into once you're back in the saddle. Trust me, it can hurt to get out of the saddle and back in without moving to a higher gear between.
You mean shift to a harder gear? It does'nt sound like a steep climb. I would shift up twice before standing real quick and then once back to sit down and then probably once more to where I started. For me it is better to spin harder gears out of the saddle then have a faster cadence.

Um, yes, shift 'up' one gear clearly states moving up to a higher gear, which is exactly what you describe. The idea behind this, as you probably know since you do it, is to not end up out of low gears in a steep section of a climb. If the end of the climb does pitch up, some out of the saddle work will be needed.

And the faster cadence comment comes on the heels of another poster's suggestion to push a bigger gear out of the saddle, the idea being that you can keep your speed higher and keep a high cadence in the saddle as well.

Here's what works for me...

To attack and conquer, after 75 miles of riding, mind your pace. It's sounds long, and fairly steady, so approach it that way. As you go, increase your speed until you reach a level of oxygen deficit that you can live with. Adjust accordingly for the terrain. An overly aggressive start often mean a weak finish. Better to go a little easy at the start and build toward the finish. (There's a certain amount of satisfaction that you get when you steadily pass all those people who charged past you near the bottom.) Talking to pass the time is good, but it sounds like you're trying to be fairly aggressive... talking may not work. Still, working with another rider can be a huge help, but you've got to find someone riding a similar pace. Take turns at the front. Even though the draft isn't a factor, it makes a big difference (psychological, I guess).

Here's what works for me...

To attack and conquer, after 75 miles of riding, mind your pace. It's sounds long, and fairly steady, so approach it that way. As you go, increase your speed until you reach a level of oxygen deficit that you can live with. Adjust accordingly for the terrain. An overly aggressive start often mean a weak finish. Better to go a little easy at the start and build toward the finish. (There's a certain amount of satisfaction that you get when you steadily pass all those people who charged past you near the bottom.) Talking to pass the time is good, but it sounds like you're trying to be fairly aggressive... talking may not work. Still, working with another rider can be a huge help, but you've got to find someone riding a similar pace. Take turns at the front. Even though the draft isn't a factor, it makes a big difference (psychological, I guess).


Plus, those people that shot by you at the start of the climb will be good carrots for you to chase after the climb goes on for a while.

I would really analyize the climb itself, if you haven't done that already.
With the climb being so mild in steepness, its probably best if you learn where YOUR body is going to take the punishment. Practice that climb, and use your selected gears to help judge how you are feeling. So when it comes time for the ride, you can help judge how much effort to use by how hard it is to ride in a particular gear. This may help you judge how much easier you would have to take it, after the 70 mile ride.

And don't be afraid to change your gearing if the climb warrants it. I have a 13-29 cassette for my road bike for the forays into the mountains, and run a 12-25 for the hills around here. If you can push a 11-23, that's great. But go lower if it suits your pedalling style.

Don't look down. Keep your head up (don't do the turtle). Look up the road. Relax - keep a loose grip on the bars. Smile (this is your playtime after all). Breath. Relsh the challenge…

AND follow all of the excellent and generous technical advice offered by others on this thread.

Um, yes, shift 'up' one gear clearly states moving up to a higher gear, which is exactly what you describe. .

yea I am truly dyslexic it never is clear to me ;) I was thinking up as the way the chain moves. Harder gears that I understand. I'm sure this makes a lot of people kringe LOL

Don't kill yourself on the first 75 miles so you have something left for the climb. Consider one of those high energy gels before you hit the mountain along with plenty of fluid.

heart rate monitor (HRM)!!

Know your aerobic zone from your anarobic zone. This can keep you from bonking as long as you remain hydrated and fed. Furthermore, this will you help you concentrate less on your speed and more on your body's capacity to complete the climb. Finally, monitoring your heart rate for the 75 miles leading up to the climb will help you keep energy in reserve for the climb.

It's all about the HRM and knowing your max and aerobic threshold.

-mark