Climbing and your weight...a question for you...
07-21-08 | 07:45 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,944
Likes: 0
From: Ky. and FL.
Bikes: KHS steel SS
Oh yeah, 5'10" and 195 lbs.
But I do want to lose weight, get down to 180 ideally (last time I was that skinny I looked pretty ridiculous...I'm one of those big framed, farm kid types), and I'd probably be even quicker on the hills. Just need to cease and desist with the Chipotle every other day
07-21-08 | 08:04 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
going to 165 would require me losing like 30 lbs of muscle...pretty sure that won't help the wattage. (losing the additional 35 or so lbs of fat I have may tho )
+1 to those saying it takes a balance of losing fat but not power...and remeber you get to be good at climbing by sacrificing other things, which many consider more fun (flats and descents).
Also someone said something about "powering up" short climbs. This is very true, a heavyweight muscle bound guy with huge legs can make short work of a 2 km climb even if it is really steep, the weight loss is more and more clear as you do longer climbs.
)+1 to those saying it takes a balance of losing fat but not power...and remeber you get to be good at climbing by sacrificing other things, which many consider more fun (flats and descents).
Also someone said something about "powering up" short climbs. This is very true, a heavyweight muscle bound guy with huge legs can make short work of a 2 km climb even if it is really steep, the weight loss is more and more clear as you do longer climbs.
07-21-08 | 08:05 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Piedmont of NC
Bikes: 2007 Serotta Fierte Ti ; 2003 raleigh m-80 ; 1983 Motobecane Grand Touring (being transformed into Townie)
There's a nice synergy/karma to climbing and weight for me. I started at 225, 5'9", am down to 195. On the way to 170 I hope, and beyond?
Anyway, naturally strong legs to begin with. But the legs got stronger climbing with 225lb, so that when the weight came off, it was compounded by having trained harder because of the extra weight. If I hadn't weighed that much to begin with, I don't know if I'd developed that same strength.
I noticed this when I took some winter cycling classes (pretty tough ones). On a stationary bike, without actually carrying the weight, I was able to push hard compared with the class.
On the road, I'm still not the fastest up hills by any means. But the weight has been a blessing in helping me gain strength to carry it...even more noticeable as the weight comes off. Great synergy. There's a gift in everything.
Anyway, naturally strong legs to begin with. But the legs got stronger climbing with 225lb, so that when the weight came off, it was compounded by having trained harder because of the extra weight. If I hadn't weighed that much to begin with, I don't know if I'd developed that same strength.
I noticed this when I took some winter cycling classes (pretty tough ones). On a stationary bike, without actually carrying the weight, I was able to push hard compared with the class.
On the road, I'm still not the fastest up hills by any means. But the weight has been a blessing in helping me gain strength to carry it...even more noticeable as the weight comes off. Great synergy. There's a gift in everything.
07-21-08 | 08:08 PM
#29
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
Likes: 32
From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
Oh just give up. You're all fat fat fatties.
5 lbs makes a difference in your climbing. 10 lbs a major difference. Figure it out you idiots. Skinny guys get to the top of the hill first. Good grief what a frggin Duh that one is.
I can't take some of these threads. You know what, never mind, just stuff your face wtih pizzas, gain 15 lbs, and see if it helps your climbing. Then for the next topic we can try a 'will weight lifting help me lift heavier stuff?' thread, or 'Why can't I piss up a rope?' or 'Does Infinity ever end?'.
5 lbs makes a difference in your climbing. 10 lbs a major difference. Figure it out you idiots. Skinny guys get to the top of the hill first. Good grief what a frggin Duh that one is.
I can't take some of these threads. You know what, never mind, just stuff your face wtih pizzas, gain 15 lbs, and see if it helps your climbing. Then for the next topic we can try a 'will weight lifting help me lift heavier stuff?' thread, or 'Why can't I piss up a rope?' or 'Does Infinity ever end?'.
07-21-08 | 08:20 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Piedmont of NC
Bikes: 2007 Serotta Fierte Ti ; 2003 raleigh m-80 ; 1983 Motobecane Grand Touring (being transformed into Townie)
Oh just give up. You're all fat fat fatties.
5 lbs makes a difference in your climbing. 10 lbs a major difference. Figure it out you idiots. Skinny guys get to the top of the hill first. Good grief what a frggin Duh that one is.
I can't take some of these threads. You know what, never mind, just stuff your face wtih pizzas, gain 15 lbs, and see if it helps your climbing. Then for the next topic we can try a 'will weight lifting help me lift heavier stuff?' thread, or 'Why can't I piss up a rope?' or 'Does Infinity ever end?'.
5 lbs makes a difference in your climbing. 10 lbs a major difference. Figure it out you idiots. Skinny guys get to the top of the hill first. Good grief what a frggin Duh that one is.
I can't take some of these threads. You know what, never mind, just stuff your face wtih pizzas, gain 15 lbs, and see if it helps your climbing. Then for the next topic we can try a 'will weight lifting help me lift heavier stuff?' thread, or 'Why can't I piss up a rope?' or 'Does Infinity ever end?'.
Let's start another thread about the virtues of titanium.
07-21-08 | 08:21 PM
#31
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
Likes: 32
From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
07-21-08 | 08:27 PM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Piedmont of NC
Bikes: 2007 Serotta Fierte Ti ; 2003 raleigh m-80 ; 1983 Motobecane Grand Touring (being transformed into Townie)
07-21-08 | 08:31 PM
#33
Its Freakin HammerTime!!!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,378
Likes: 7
From: Off the back lol
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix and Giant AnthemX
Hip, most are all positive thats true. However, the one negative is that you said your body body wants to be 190. Your hardest work will be trying to keeping it under that number. Trust me, its freaking tough. You can do it if you want too though.
07-21-08 | 08:37 PM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: ATL
Bikes: 2000 Trek 5200, 2007 Bianchi Pista
As someone who's gone the opposite direction, a race weight of 165-168 in college (I'm 6'2"), to now in the 190's, I can say without a doubt I climb far worse now than I did then.
Just eat right and ride lots. The perfect combo for weight loss.
Just eat right and ride lots. The perfect combo for weight loss.
07-21-08 | 08:42 PM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,944
Likes: 0
From: Ky. and FL.
Bikes: KHS steel SS
The strongest cyclist I know is 155 pounds. Fat guys always think they are strong though. I did when I was your weight.
07-21-08 | 08:45 PM
#36
Banned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac S-Works '06
Even 10lbs makes a big difference. As long as you're not losing power to do it, the math is just too overwhelming.
8% grade 10 mile climb, rider producing 250 watts, 10lbs makes over 4 minutes difference.
Even on a 1 mile climb, its close to 30 seconds. And 30 seconds may not sound like a lot, but if it's the difference between staying in contact and getting dropped, it's the whole ball game.
8% grade 10 mile climb, rider producing 250 watts, 10lbs makes over 4 minutes difference.
Even on a 1 mile climb, its close to 30 seconds. And 30 seconds may not sound like a lot, but if it's the difference between staying in contact and getting dropped, it's the whole ball game.
07-21-08 | 08:47 PM
#37
CPM M4
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 0
From: The West Side (Of Rochester, NY).
Bikes: Light.
Light is right.
__________________
Ten tenths.
Ten tenths.
07-21-08 | 08:53 PM
#38
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
Likes: 32
From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
07-21-08 | 08:56 PM
#39
CPM M4
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 0
From: The West Side (Of Rochester, NY).
Bikes: Light.
Like when one of your bro's is presented with the opportunity to mack on some fine shorty's ass, the most appropriate response would include "werd".
"Oh, werd?"
"Werd, son"
etc.
__________________
Ten tenths.
Ten tenths.
07-21-08 | 09:03 PM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Piedmont of NC
Bikes: 2007 Serotta Fierte Ti ; 2003 raleigh m-80 ; 1983 Motobecane Grand Touring (being transformed into Townie)
I know we're playing here, but I also mourn the destruction of language exacerbated by the internet, and general lack of attention span/articulation/intellegence.
If we all could just be more thoughtful and careful, that would be...aweXXome!
07-21-08 | 10:08 PM
#42
Aluminium Crusader :-)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,050
Likes: 11
From: Melbourne, Australia
I read somewhere last week (I think it was on the Zipp site), that the % of weight dropped off the bike+rider combination results in roughly the same % drop in time on a climb.................??/
*God, I love the thumb* 
*God, I love the thumb*
damned kids and their jive talk
07-21-08 | 10:49 PM
#44
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,387
Likes: 3
From: Santa Barbara, CA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
Edit: in case that wasn't clear, a % reduction in weight would result in an equivalent % increase in W/kg, and therefore speed.
Last edited by umd; 07-21-08 at 10:57 PM.
07-21-08 | 10:53 PM
#46
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,123
Likes: 4
From: Near Portland, OR
Bikes: Three road bikes. Two track bikes.
Hell yes!!! I lost 20 lbs last fall and I went from our 19 mph club group ride (19 mph on the flats) to being one of the better climbers on our race team (right behind the real climbers).
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
07-21-08 | 11:31 PM
#47
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 719
Likes: 1
From: costa mesa, ca
My problem is that the only decent climb near my area is an 8% that is 1.8 m. I'm dialed in now and actually enjoy it. In reality, this is weak sauce - I should be doing an 8% that is 18 miles and, then I can tell myself I'm actually doing some 'climbing'.
Can't get excited about repeats or interval work on climbs. Would rather do some longer climbs to enjoy the rhythm of the work itself.
07-22-08 | 12:11 AM
#48
Shoebomber
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
Bikes: 2008 Canyon CF Pro w/ Chorus, 2005 Moots Vamoots w/ Ultegra, 1988 Cannondale commuter
I'm getting to the age where my metabolism is slowing down, and unlike most of the posters on here, I went from a RyanF physique (6'1 and 150 lbs) to about 170 in the summer, 175 in the winters. It definitely makes a difference when climbing, although I think I have more power on the flats.
It sucks, because I too love eating.
It sucks, because I too love eating.
07-22-08 | 06:47 AM
#49
I eat carbide.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,678
Likes: 1,417
From: Elgin, IL
Bikes: Lots. Chapter2, Van Dessel, Giant, Trek, etc Dealers for BMC, Chapter2
It's not just weight, but what kind of weight. If I dropped 10 lbs from my "guads" and my "cottage of wattage" I would be a lot slower going up climbs. While I would be lighter, my power would be decreased as well.
Now we have to define what is a climb. Psimet talks about Blue Mounds. I rode up that a couple of weeks ago from the town of Blue Mounds. I would describe it as a big hill with a bit of a steep gradient at the end. Overall it might have been about 600 feet of elevation gain. Such things can be "powered" up by a bigger guy, like me. It wouldn't phase a TdF sprinter type rider. It is NOTHING compared to a Cat 1 or HC climb in the tour.
I have also gone up climbs with over 3000 ft of elevation gain with stretches of 15% gradient for over a mile in north Georgia and western North Carolina. Now we are talking about real climbs. These make a guy like me (lots of power, but 200 lbs) hurt like hell. On these climbs every ounce you can lose is appreciated.
Now we have to define what is a climb. Psimet talks about Blue Mounds. I rode up that a couple of weeks ago from the town of Blue Mounds. I would describe it as a big hill with a bit of a steep gradient at the end. Overall it might have been about 600 feet of elevation gain. Such things can be "powered" up by a bigger guy, like me. It wouldn't phase a TdF sprinter type rider. It is NOTHING compared to a Cat 1 or HC climb in the tour.
I have also gone up climbs with over 3000 ft of elevation gain with stretches of 15% gradient for over a mile in north Georgia and western North Carolina. Now we are talking about real climbs. These make a guy like me (lots of power, but 200 lbs) hurt like hell. On these climbs every ounce you can lose is appreciated.
True-not amazing, but just about the bext we have anywhere near here.
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
07-22-08 | 07:01 AM
#50
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3
From: Pennsylvania
Bikes: Too many to list!
Weight is the primary issue in terms of climbing. By means of comparison, a great climber will run under 2 pounds of weight per inch of body weight. For you, that would equate to under 146 pounds.
I've noticed HUGE differences when get close to that number.
... Brad
I've noticed HUGE differences when get close to that number.
... Brad