Originally Posted by
DaveLeeNC
That is an encouraging comment if only for the fact that it implies that (at least in your more informed than my) opinion, that kind of mileage can be enough (over enough time, anyway).
FWIW, I did a fair amount of 'hard work' but only for a few months. My 'favorite' was 10x2min of 'simulated hard climbing' with 1 min rest as that was/is very similar to how this route rides. But like I said only a few months.
dave
Longer efforts, too. If you have the available vertical, 2 X 20' LT climbing intervals are a good start. If you don't, do 3 X 15' at LT on the flat. If you don't have the room, trainer or rollers with resistance work very well for this. Once you are going good on the LT stuff, then do harder, shorter efforts. And yes, everything gets better with time and
consistent training. Yes, going hard at the start is recoverable, but it does put a dent in your resources. I've done rides where a 15' LT climb starts after the first mile. My definition of being in form is having the ability to recover.