Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Clydes climbing suggestions

Fairly new to cycling, I have allowed my legs to get extremely weak over last 10-15 years, I have lost 50 lbs, now at about 230. Question - I stuggle on hills as most people do, but as mentioned my motor isn't as big as my body:) If I am coming down a hill in highest gear, and I hit the rise on the next hill, how should I gear to keep speed and not smash pedals. Should I just drop each gear, as the pedaling gets harder and slower, or do I drop 2 or 3 gears at a time? I have been jumping down about every two till I get to end of my big front wheel gears, but then if you are burnt out i have to switch to lowest gear which is too easy and I lose momentum, should I have switched down earlier, like to a 4 or 5th gear. I have a Specialized Roubaix, double on front?

I try and maintain a consistent cadence. I've noticed that I climb faster overall when I can try and hold back at a reasonable speed throughout the entire climb. I'm far from an expert road cyclist, though.

If it helps, I usually just try to learn what I can do with each of my gears and shift based on what's ahead of me. It's much easier to already be in the gear you need than to try to smash while you get there.

I usually shift down about 2 clicks at a time. But once I know I'm on the climb, I just shift all the way down and go from there. If it's a short hill approaching, I can crank over it. But if it's going to take some time, I conserve energy by downshifting and making my way into a rythm .

One big mistake most riders make is cranking hard on the downhill. One should conserve on the dh and use the enrgy on the climb. You only gain a couple of seconds on a DH, not worth the energy burned. But if you use the energy on the climb, you can gain minutes.

I've seen too many riders on organized rides (I'm thinking newbies) that crank on the dowhill, gain about 10 yards on me then fade fast on the next climb before I even begin to pedal!:roflmao2:

If you are on a long descent, then you should soft pedal on the way down so that your legs don't freeze up. IF they do, it will be murder trying to get them started again for the next hill.

The idea Beanz it to crank on the descent and crank on the climb! Then you go faster! :D

Actually, it's generally better keep the cadence high and down shift as the grade/effort gets harder then settle into a good comfortable pace and accelerate as you near the top.

There is only one way to climb faster and that is to train on climbs. :)

There is only one way to climb faster and that is to train on climbs. :)

And remove the valve caps!:p

You said you are leaving it in the big ring until you run out of gears in the back. I think you need to drop to your small ring and get spinning before you get into the climb. Then go down one or two gears at a time. The steps between the gears will be smoother that way.

You said you are leaving it in the big ring until you run out of gears in the back. I think you need to drop to your small ring and get spinning before you get into the climb. Then go down one or two gears at a time. The steps between the gears will be smoother that way.

I agree with this: I always make sure I shift to the small chainring before I hit the meat of a climb. As I approach the bottom of a hill, I'll start to downshift 1-2 gears at a time to maintain my pedaling cadence. When I shift to the small chainring, I know that I need to immediately upshift two gears to end up with a similar gear ratio to the one I was previously using with the large chainring. I generally shift to the small chainring when I'm in the middle of the cassette, because I know I'll need it eventually and I want to avoid excessive cross chaining.

+1 on dropping the chain ring early. I have learned what hills I can pull in the big ring and what ones I can't. So if it's going to be something I can't I will drop down in front and up two in the back and then drop 1-2 at a time as I need to in the back. I have a tripple so if it's really going to be a ***** of a hill I'll drop all the way down in front at the base of the hill. I can pull 19 mph in the little ring so I just make sure I'm around that speed before dropping down.