ridiculously high gear while climbing question
#1
this one's optimistic...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: central new jersey
Posts: 723
Bikes: cannondale r400 2006 kona smoke 2005 scott cr1 team
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
ridiculously high gear while climbing question
lately ive been training for power by doing high gear climbs. today was the first day i went into a gear for the whole climb that was almost my max gear. aside from power increase will this give me any other benefit? and also what kind of damage might this cause? i havent noticed any pain or lingering soreness following these workouts. but id rather prevent something than have to deal with it while i get it.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,941
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
High gear climbs will mostly train for strength rather than power, though it *is* true that you can generate more power at a given heartrate if you can climb at slower cadences.
The risks you run are pulling muscles and damaging tendons and ligaments. This may be acute - from a single attempt - or due to overuse, where it sneaks up on you.
Having said that, you can do this safely if you don't overdo it, make sure that you warm up thoroughly and don't do them all the time. And avoid the ridiculously high gear part.
You can find more info if you search for "muscle tension"
The risks you run are pulling muscles and damaging tendons and ligaments. This may be acute - from a single attempt - or due to overuse, where it sneaks up on you.
Having said that, you can do this safely if you don't overdo it, make sure that you warm up thoroughly and don't do them all the time. And avoid the ridiculously high gear part.
You can find more info if you search for "muscle tension"
__________________
Eric
2005 Trek 5.2 Madone, Red with Yellow Flames (Beauty)
199x Lemond Tourmalet, Yellow with fenders (Beast)
Read my cycling blog at https://riderx.info/blogs/riderx
Like climbing? Goto https://www.bicycleclimbs.com
Eric
2005 Trek 5.2 Madone, Red with Yellow Flames (Beauty)
199x Lemond Tourmalet, Yellow with fenders (Beast)
Read my cycling blog at https://riderx.info/blogs/riderx
Like climbing? Goto https://www.bicycleclimbs.com
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Socal
Posts: 4,318
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you're talking about training sessions with a gear 2-3 higher than your normal cadence, then yes, I think there can be a strength benefit there. And I have some anecdotal experience that would support that (though far from conclusive, as the gains that I experienced were during a period when my overall fitness was still on an upward curve).
However, I would urge extreme caution in this area. When you say things like "ridiculously high gear" and "max gear", I think you are not only on a dangerous path, but on a path to certain injury. The only thing that really scares me (other than an accident) is an injury that will prevent me from cycling... most especially anything related to the knees. And as eric mentions, the tendons and ligaments are especially vulnerable, especially if you do not already have years of base miles built up. Mashing just is not worth it, in my opinion. The strength will come, there's no need to risk injury trying to hasten the process.
However, I would urge extreme caution in this area. When you say things like "ridiculously high gear" and "max gear", I think you are not only on a dangerous path, but on a path to certain injury. The only thing that really scares me (other than an accident) is an injury that will prevent me from cycling... most especially anything related to the knees. And as eric mentions, the tendons and ligaments are especially vulnerable, especially if you do not already have years of base miles built up. Mashing just is not worth it, in my opinion. The strength will come, there's no need to risk injury trying to hasten the process.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 654
Bikes: vintage Raleigh
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by feethanddooth
lately ive been training for power by doing high gear climbs. today was the first day i went into a gear for the whole climb that was almost my max gear. aside from power increase will this give me any other benefit? and also what kind of damage might this cause? i havent noticed any pain or lingering soreness following these workouts. but id rather prevent something than have to deal with it while i get it.
#5
Certifiable Bike "Expert"
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 5,647
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#6
Videre non videri
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 3,208
Bikes: 1 road bike (simple, light), 1 TT bike (could be more aero, could be lighter), 1 all-weather commuter and winter bike, 1 Monark 828E ergometer indoor bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
I do this almost every ride, and I don't have a problem. My legs and knees have never felt better, in fact.
#7
this one's optimistic...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: central new jersey
Posts: 723
Bikes: cannondale r400 2006 kona smoke 2005 scott cr1 team
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
me knees are already destined to fold one day due to being an ice hockey goalie for years. not that it means i will throw caution to the wind but sometimes im not worried about those things.
as far as how often i do this, probably one time every week or so.
as far as how often i do this, probably one time every week or so.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
me knees are already destined to fold one day due to being an ice hockey goalie for years. not that it means i will throw caution to the wind but sometimes im not worried about those things.
#11
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,528
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
I find a lot of benefit in two different low cadence exercises:
1) Up to an hour at a steady cadence near 70 and HR in high zone 3. This should be done without breaks if possible on the trainer, rollers, or on flat or gently rolling terrain. Once or twice a week for 3 weeks. Do this before attempting Muscle Tension Intervals.
2) Muscle Tension Intervals - sets with 10 - 15 minutes at 50 cadence, with half the interval time as rest period. These must be done in the saddle with no upper body movement. Do a set of 3 twice a week for no more than 3 weeks. Try to find a long hill with an even grade. Choose gears that will trash your thighs by the end of each interval. HR will be in high zone 3/ low zone 4. This is an early season workout.
1) Up to an hour at a steady cadence near 70 and HR in high zone 3. This should be done without breaks if possible on the trainer, rollers, or on flat or gently rolling terrain. Once or twice a week for 3 weeks. Do this before attempting Muscle Tension Intervals.
2) Muscle Tension Intervals - sets with 10 - 15 minutes at 50 cadence, with half the interval time as rest period. These must be done in the saddle with no upper body movement. Do a set of 3 twice a week for no more than 3 weeks. Try to find a long hill with an even grade. Choose gears that will trash your thighs by the end of each interval. HR will be in high zone 3/ low zone 4. This is an early season workout.