mihlbach

Way back when I ran cross country, my coach taught me to visualize my arms pulling a rope that ran to an object, such as a tree or telephone pole, at the top of the hill I was climbing. It made me a better (running) climber and also to hold a pace alittle longer even when I thought I had nothing left. To be honest, I've never really thought about cycling metal tricks, I just try to ride at my limit. Anybody got a trick to fool yourself into pushing harder.

bdcheung

Some will say "think about pedaling circles". Frankly when I really need to push, I focus on driving my knees into my handlebars.

55-11

I feel this on severe distance climbs at HC. I have disproportionately enormous calves and hams and similar to what bd has offered about his bars and knees, I put my grapes nearly on my headset and just scrape and lift. The thought of lifting to me somehow allows me to feel lighter thus moving less weight (I realize this is a trick) but I'll tell you it works for me every time.

botto 

i sing to myself.

waterrockets 

This one works for a lot of the people I coach.

Another big hit for me is to break a hill up into thirds. Go easy in the first third, moderate in the 2nd third, and hammer over the top. Women seem to really appreciate that one for some reason -- but I think I've coached a lot more women too...

botto 

does this work on hills that are 10km long and avg 10%?

blonduathlongrl

I trained for a marathon with this one friend who would never talk, we'd do 15 miles and there wouldnt be one word out of her, she also had this weird look on her face, it was something else, like her eyes were popping out and then one day it all added up when she told me she just pretends someone who wants to do her harm is chasing her to be a fast runner...

Ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DocRay

"Y-M-C-A!, it's fun to go to the..Y-M-C-A!.."

Try singing that out loud while wearing lycra in West Texas.

55-11

Is that b4 or after you "touched Greg" for the first time???

lvleph

I try not to look at the top of the hill. I focus on the road in front of me and pretend I am just riding along. I focus on what I am doing at that moment, pedaling.

Winter76

I put audio books on my MP3 player and that distracts me from the pain.

phoenity

I just block out the pain and focus on what I'm doing.

Unless my heart fails, lungs quit, or legs lock up completely, I'm not stopping.

curiouskid55

Ride faster not harder. To go faster lift em.

DocRay

Hey, what Greg and I had..that was special.

MIN 

My name is also Greg so I have to do a double take everytime I see your avatar comment. :shudder:

The Weak Link

When I need a mental boost, I imagine a field full of little white bunnies, who then go hippity-hopping down the Bunny Trail, only to scatter when an Apache gunship starts to strafe them.

I don't know why, it just works for me.