VeloDüd

So, I've lost 25 lbs. over the last few months from cycling and proper diet. I'm now down to 205 lbs. I'm having some problems I've never been accustomed to. I've been doing more hill climbing and I'm definitely getting faster, but here's the problem- when I'm climbing my muscles feel strong, very capable, but my lungs aren't keeping up. My muscles are saying 'you're fine, keep going' but my lungs act like I'm climbing at altitude. I have this sensation of needing to yawn to get more air. I didn't have that problem a few months ago on the climbs, I more or less just bonked. Is this associated to VO2 Max? Is my problem that my strength essentially increased because of my decreased weight, but my aerobic capacity hasn't caught up? What's the deal? What should I do?

recursive

I don't know for sure, but it sounds like your aerobically limited.

My general plan for improving my riding is to identify some circumstance that exposes a weakness. Then keep repeating it.

So keep climbing hills.

GuitarWizard

You'll find as you train more, that your legs will sometimes "surpass" your cardio fitness....and then your cardio fitness may surpass your legs....it's kind of a balance that you'll find yourself going back and forth on.

tmdesou

Depending on the intensity of your climbs it may be more of an anaerobic limitation, as you suspect, rather than an aerobic one. I'd agree with what recursive said about exposing a weakness and then tailoring elements of your training to strengthen it.

Awhile back when I was looking to improve my VO2 max I stumbled across the Tabata interval. Although it can be used for any specific movement it works best in conjunction with compound, multi-joint exercises (such as climbs and sprints - both running and cycling - and squats). Mix it up to keep yourself entertained. If you have the fortitude to stick with it it'll give you what you're looking for.

Here's a link to one of many summaries of the science.