Originally Posted by
rm -rf
I think that good equipment can at best boost climbing by a few percent. Of course, a few percent will win races, if the riders are otherwise equal. But it's only finishing tens of seconds faster in an hour of climbing.
Correct - it isn't the car, it's the engine. You can only blame the bike if it's a real boat anchor. In my case I have no excuses - the steed is one mean machine:
2007 Tarmac Expert Triple with upgraded wheels to Easton Orion IIs - fast, efficient and oh so light.
Well today I did the 3 mile 1200' climb, it went well but the big issue was the 15 mile ride out to it - directly into a 20mph wind. By the time I got there I was already pretty well worked. I got up it OK - focused on less mashing and more circling, seemed to work. I only stood up for a few spots. Took most of it in the lowest gear. Suggests are worked pretty well, thanks. I need the encouragement this year.
Last year when I did this hill late in the summer I was able to do it in a few higher gears. But it is still early. Next week it's repeats on Lake desolation - 1000' and mostly 8% and then week after I'll do the hardest of the five climbs near my home - it's the same ridge, same verticle but the grade is worse. All this to get ready for Whiteface.