fatigue when climbing hills
07-02-15, 11:48 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 7,085
Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 478 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 87 Times
in
67 Posts
You have a California bike and a Seattle bike. One thing you might do is to change the gearing on the Seattle bike to accommodate the hills there. A 32 tooth ring in the rear cluster would make it easier as long as you spin a higher cadence.
Here's an article on Alberto Contador's bike setup. In one stage, he uses a 32 tooth.
Contador rides SRAM's new WiFLi Red at Vuelta - BikeRadar USA
Here's an article on Alberto Contador's bike setup. In one stage, he uses a 32 tooth.
Contador rides SRAM's new WiFLi Red at Vuelta - BikeRadar USA
07-02-15, 11:50 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1,200
Bikes: Pinarello Montello, Merckx MX Leader, Merckx Corsa Extra, Pinarello Prologo, Tredici Magia Nera, Tredici Cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Your physical health should regularly be assessed by your doctor, first. 2nd, hills are never easy. The only way to get better on hills is to ride more hills. Finding something you love about them will help. I really like exploring neighborhoods & their design/architecture. Those in hills are apart always beautiful. There are some great neighborhoods up & around the Portland Zoo. Seattle has a lot of the same geography. I spent a lot of time in the hills around los Angeles, as well. Group rides can involve some chatting. That also removes your mind from the task of climbing.
07-02-15, 11:56 AM
#28
Banned
Put your bike on the Bus and get off the Bus, on top of the hills and then enjoy the descents .
A friend of Mine , back in the 80's toured Switzerland with that technique.
A friend of Mine , back in the 80's toured Switzerland with that technique.
07-02-15, 12:57 PM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Zinj
Posts: 1,826
Bikes: '93 911 Turbo 3.6
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What you are feeling is pleasure, but you don't recognize it as such. There's a sweetness, a hazy warmth that can only come through extreme exertion and suffering. Embibe it and be swallowed up in its tender, awful embrace.
There. Do you feel better?
After you complete a most agonizing hill, turn around and roll to the bottom. Do it again.
There. Do you feel better?
After you complete a most agonizing hill, turn around and roll to the bottom. Do it again.
07-02-15, 02:06 PM
#30
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What you are feeling is pleasure, but you don't recognize it as such. There's a sweetness, a hazy warmth that can only come through extreme exertion and suffering. Embibe it and be swallowed up in its tender, awful embrace.
There. Do you feel better?
After you complete a most agonizing hill, turn around and roll to the bottom. Do it again.
There. Do you feel better?
After you complete a most agonizing hill, turn around and roll to the bottom. Do it again.
07-02-15, 03:00 PM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,806
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1944 Post(s)
Liked 2,164 Times
in
1,323 Posts
If you have a double, change to a triple. If you need to, install a 22t granny chainring. Change the cassette with a 32t or 34t, as has been suggested.
Get yourself checked out with a doc if you are in doubt.
But, if you are going to ride flats most of the year because that is what you have to ride, you really can't build yourself up to ride hills comfortably. You may actually be doing better than most based on your situation.
John
07-02-15, 08:28 PM
#32
Senior Member
07-02-15, 08:50 PM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18378 Post(s)
Liked 4,512 Times
in
3,354 Posts
Say you have an ordinary small hill, and ride over that hill every day... it may not be enough to force one to adapt strengthwise. Although, perhaps after a few months it will see more ordinary.
However, ride over a mountain that is 10x as tall, and that first hill may start seeming just short.
In fact, I think I may adapt quickly on the days that follow my hard days... century-plus rides. Or rides dragging around a particularly heavy cargo trailer. Dragging that heavy (400+ lb) cargo trailer over my routine hills, etc. At least those days following riding the cargo bike, my road bike seems lighter than a feather.
Hmmm... perhaps a rapid response isn't as much physical as changing one's set point. Kind of like carrying a heavy pack on a hard hike, then feeling like one is floating when one takes it off.
07-02-15, 10:07 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North West Arknasas
Posts: 575
Bikes: Allez/Motobecane 427HT & Ti/Soma Custom Build
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
2 Posts
Maybe CliffordK has the answer. While at home in Cali, pull a heavy load around once a week on you rides.
QT
QT
07-02-15, 10:23 PM
#35
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
I've been cycling for years, but I live in a flat region of California.
Occasionally I'm in Portland and Seattle, where I keep a bike, and ride up moderate to medium hills daily.
I find these hills very taxing. My breathing gets very heavy, I feel like crap, and my legs get very tight and feel like they are reaching their limits (not sure if they are cramping). It's not bad that I have to get off my bike and rest or walk, I'm able to push through it, but I just hate the experience and I feel awful. All the other bike commuters pass me and they don't seem very effected by these same hills. Even after 2-3 weeks or so of riding these hills, I don't feel like I'm making any progress. They don't get any easier. I should mention that I don't have any lingering soreness or pain after my rides. On flat and small inclines, my riding is perfectly fine, where I easily ride 5-20 miles per day, at home and when I'm away. I try to drink plenty of water before and have some fruit before my rides, and sometime ride these hills after lunch. The gearing on my bike seems sufficient. I'm considering taking electrolyte pills before my rides, considering weight training on my legs, not sure if either will help.
I don't stretch before or after my rides, perhaps this could be the cause of my issues. Not sure which specific stretches would be beneficial.
I would appreciate some advice.
Occasionally I'm in Portland and Seattle, where I keep a bike, and ride up moderate to medium hills daily.
I find these hills very taxing. My breathing gets very heavy, I feel like crap, and my legs get very tight and feel like they are reaching their limits (not sure if they are cramping). It's not bad that I have to get off my bike and rest or walk, I'm able to push through it, but I just hate the experience and I feel awful. All the other bike commuters pass me and they don't seem very effected by these same hills. Even after 2-3 weeks or so of riding these hills, I don't feel like I'm making any progress. They don't get any easier. I should mention that I don't have any lingering soreness or pain after my rides. On flat and small inclines, my riding is perfectly fine, where I easily ride 5-20 miles per day, at home and when I'm away. I try to drink plenty of water before and have some fruit before my rides, and sometime ride these hills after lunch. The gearing on my bike seems sufficient. I'm considering taking electrolyte pills before my rides, considering weight training on my legs, not sure if either will help.
I don't stretch before or after my rides, perhaps this could be the cause of my issues. Not sure which specific stretches would be beneficial.
I would appreciate some advice.
I feel exactly the same way about the Tasmanian hills (which BTW, run 10% and steeper).
1) 2-3 weeks is nothing. If you're still feeling like that after 2-3 months, then ask some questions.
2) 5-20 miles per day is OK, but it isn't a whole lot of cycling. You might pick 1 day a week and start riding longer distances to help build up leg strength and endurance.
3) Yeah a bit of weight training (legs, upper body, and core) can help.
4) Are you overweight? I lost 15 kg and found that the hills became somewhat easier.
5) Have you been to the Dr to get a lung test? Maybe it's EIA?
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Last edited by Machka; 07-02-15 at 10:27 PM.
07-02-15, 11:43 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18378 Post(s)
Liked 4,512 Times
in
3,354 Posts
A heavy cargo load does seem to give me more of the effect of continuous resistance I feel on the hills. And it can make short hills just a little bit longer and harder.
So, yes, pulling cargo might help one prepare for hills.
Perhaps also joining a group ride where the group is constantly challenging itself further and faster.. and not allowing one to drop back to plodding pace.
07-03-15, 06:37 AM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Morris County, NJ
Posts: 1,102
Bikes: 90's Bianchi Premio, Raleigh-framed fixed gear, Trek 3500, Centurion hybrid, Dunelt 3-spd, Trek 800
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2167 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
If you haven't had a recent physical exam and heart evaluation, then get checked, as so many others have suggested. That said, consider getting a fixed gear bike as a training aid. It won't let you coast, ever. You develop the good habit of spinning consistently. I commute on a fixie over a few moderate hills, and it has definitely improved my performance on my geared bike. The fixie also forces me to stand frequently on upgrades, and I can now stand for longer, steeper stretches than previously. However, I avoid over-taxing my body and particularly my knees. I'll be 67 soon and I feel great. My fixie has a moderate 64 gear-inches.
07-03-15, 09:06 AM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Seattle
Posts: 3,248
Bikes: Kuota Ksano. Litespeed T5 gravel - brilliant!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
If you do this you'll miss me standing at the top of the hill handing out free water bottles to anyone who can climb the south side of Queen Anne hill on a fixie.
07-03-15, 09:10 AM
#41
Banned
No problem , I'm south of the Columbia River , in that Other State. I have plenty of water bottles already.
07-03-15, 09:28 AM
#43
Banned
We have 3 microbreweries with in a half mile of each other, and a Bar with $1.50 PBR pint cans During [3~6] Happy hours ..
the 4 mile bridge across the river is an aide, not an impediment to commerce .
the 4 mile bridge across the river is an aide, not an impediment to commerce .
07-03-15, 10:12 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Posts: 2,318
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Well, yeah, if you never ride hills, you're gonna feel like crap climbing real hills.
The solution to this is ride hills more often. They get easier the more you ride them.
The solution to this is ride hills more often. They get easier the more you ride them.
07-03-15, 02:31 PM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Seattle
Posts: 122
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Didn't have a fixie, though. I was riding the Marin 21-speed. It has a decent lowest gear for getting up most of Seattle's hills.
07-03-15, 02:36 PM
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Washington DC Metro Area
Posts: 1,218
Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, Jamis Renegade Expert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
This might have been the 6th, 7th, or 8th time I climbed the hill to my house. This is the first time I got off the saddle a bit and mashed on gear 2, instead of sitting and pedaling at higher cadence at gear 1. I wasn't as fatigued as before. My thighs were still on fire and I was still breathing hard, but not as bad as the previous times. The problem with higher cadence pedaling is that it, too, consumes stamina - just in a different way than mashing.
The semi-stand and mash made the climb up the pedestrian bridge to the grocery store easier too. I was sitting and pedaling fast at gear 2 or 3 before - today I mashed on gear 5 and it was an easier climb.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
peterb12
General Cycling Discussion
10
07-18-10 04:55 PM
