CrimsonKarter21

I've been riding for three years, but in the past month or so I've been starting to ride in the Rocky River Valley Metroparks. This the probably the best cycling area around,and has tons of hills. Since I'm not used to hills (NE Ohio is notoriousely flat like a Herman Tilke track). Since this is a Valley, the hills to get in and out are HUGE. Some of them are short and steep, but most are long and consistent, but not SUPER steep. On the afformentioned hills I'm only getting up at about 7mph. Some is probably the bike, which is a top-line bike, but from 1986, and it's completely stock. Heavy rear casette and Wolber wheels, but with some new Continental 700x20's. My thighs hurt for about a minute after I get over the peak, and I lose a lot of energy.
Here is how I tackle the hills:
Before I reach the base, I pick up as much speed as possible, which is around 27mph. I go for about 400m sitting, downshifting on the low tooth gradually from 7th to 2nd, then I finally shift down into 1st, and try sprinting until my legs start to kill (500m more). By the time I get to the peak, I barely have enough energy to pedal, and can only ride at ~17mph for a mile before I can regenerate enough energy.


Is this correct? My '86 Cannondale is pretty light, but no new parts. It's quite stiff, good for sprinting, and I weigh 170mph. I train 30miles one day per week on my fixed gear to build up my muscle. What should I work on? Pedal stroke, stamina? Should I change what I drink from water to some kind of energy drink (I need more sodium, since I sweat out white streaks), or is it just a practice to get the hang of it type-deal?

Thanks a lot.

KevinF

Ummmm. Why exactly are you trying to do a 500m sprint over the top of all these hills? How often are you trying to do this? I'd think that would kill just about anybody's legs to try to keep that up for very long.

There is some usefullness behind starting a hill-climb a little slowly, and then slowly building speed as you go over the top. But I sure wouldn't call that "sprinting".

Louis_Qc

I think you should try switching standing up and sitting down when you climb, it uses differents muscles so it will give you better longevity

platypus

On "short" hills (short here being a highly individual measure) you can usually power up and over the hill, as it sounds like you're trying to do.

If you're blowing up before the top of the hill, as it appears from your description, then you're attacking the bottom of the hill too hard. Ease off on the speed on the lower part of the hill and shift a little earlier. You should then be able to sustain a better average speed over the hill, and certainly be faster at the crest (which leads to more speed for the descent).

Granny

Man - you weight pretty darn fast!

> and I weigh 170mph

CrimsonKarter21

I mean lbs. It took me a minute to get what you were saying, "So? 170mph isn't too hard to push around!"

Thanks for the tips guys, and I'll try and see what happens yesterday*.



*I meant that.

nocondorfx

what hills are you talking about?

I ride there atleast 2-3 times a week.
I just started riding this spring, but don't think im too bad a climber, considering those are usually the biggest hills i ride 75% of the time. All I know is if you want to practice hills, climb in and out of the cuyahoga valley.

nocondorfx

what hills are you talking about?

I ride there atleast 2-3 times a week.
I just started riding this spring, but don't think im too bad a climber, considering those are usually the biggest hills i ride 75% of the time. All I know is if you want to practice hills, climb in and out of the cuyahoga valley.

curiouskid55

Too much too soon. In a race the group would let you go, watch you blow up then drop you in the last quarter of the climb. How long are your "hills". If they are not at least a mile or more like 5 miles I wouldnt call them hills.