When climbing is it OK to get off and walk?
09-12-08, 08:50 AM
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I have yet to walk a hill but that is not to say I wouldn't. When I am on a long hard climb I make a few stops along the way to let me heart rate come down and then continue. If I were feeling any sort of discomfort or pain I would walk for sure. If you physically cannot make it to the top what other choice would you have?
09-12-08, 08:56 AM
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I have yet to walk a hill but that is not to say I wouldn't. When I am on a long hard climb I make a few stops along the way to let me heart rate come down and then continue. If I were feeling any sort of discomfort or pain I would walk for sure. If you physically cannot make it to the top what other choice would you have?
09-12-08, 09:39 AM
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This is an important point when talking about REALLY STEEP HILLS. It is almost better to just stay on. What I find is people panic and either spin up too quickly and their heart rate soars out of control or wait too long to shift down to their climbing cog and by then have lost too much momentem. The worst case scenario is they are not aware they are still in the big ring or thought they could make it in their big ring (oh I'll just grind it out) and then shift to the small ring and they drop their chain. This is so UNSAFE in a group of riders.
09-12-08, 09:41 AM
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They are Flahutes, if they did that they would impair the epic character of the race. Just don't ask...it's the way they've been brought up.
09-12-08, 09:43 AM
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If you can walk faster than you can spin uphill, it is a waste of energy NOT to walk. Also, occasionally, your legs just might need a different position and or function for a few minutes. Rest them while continuing and don't use it all up just getting back onto the bike.
09-12-08, 09:45 AM
#56
stole your bike
This is an important point when talking about REALLY STEEP HILLS. It is almost better to just stay on. What I find is people panic and either spin up too quickly and their heart rate soars out of control or wait too long to shift down to their climbing cog and by then have lost too much momentem. The worst case scenario is they are not aware they are still in the big ring or thought they could make it in their big ring (oh I'll just grind it out) and then shift to the small ring and they drop their chain. This is so UNSAFE in a group of riders.
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09-12-08, 09:47 AM
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The most "guts" ride I have ever seen has been twice in the same year by a friend of mine. He was in the Marines and we've been riding for a few years now. Last year, he really wasn't prepared for a 100 mile ride we did and it had 7k feet of climbing. The last and hardest climb was challenging even for me. He made it up without touching ground. Later in the same year, we were doing a 60+ mile ride with about 6.5k feet of climbing. He got sick but kept riding and kept climbing. He never touched ground.
I later talked to him about it and told him that those were the two examples of guts on a bike that I had ever seen.
His response.....I would rather die than touch ground.
When I got to the last climb at 3 State 3 Mountain and the grade got up to some ridiculous number...something like 1 million percent. I was watching just about everyone push up this climb. The voices were playing in my head. I remembered that I had climbed worse (brasstown) but my body still wanted to dismount. I thought of my friend. I thought of his effort. I remembered, "I would rather die than touch ground" and I freaking made it.
What is the moral of the story? You don't know what you can do until you push yourself to the limit and beyond. The mind does amazing things even if you body wants to quit.
I later talked to him about it and told him that those were the two examples of guts on a bike that I had ever seen.
His response.....I would rather die than touch ground.
When I got to the last climb at 3 State 3 Mountain and the grade got up to some ridiculous number...something like 1 million percent. I was watching just about everyone push up this climb. The voices were playing in my head. I remembered that I had climbed worse (brasstown) but my body still wanted to dismount. I thought of my friend. I thought of his effort. I remembered, "I would rather die than touch ground" and I freaking made it.
What is the moral of the story? You don't know what you can do until you push yourself to the limit and beyond. The mind does amazing things even if you body wants to quit.
09-12-08, 09:48 AM
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I had a hilarious thought of taping his hands and feet to my bike, pointing him at the same brutal killer climb I had just done recently and saying quietly; “let’s see if you’re the big shot now. Finish the climb or I don't remove the tape.” And I push him forward as he yells out nervously "but that's impossible to climb!!!! I'll never make it!!!"
I guess climbing the corporate ladder was a lot easier....
09-12-08, 10:02 AM
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OP- I know you have only been riding 2 months but sorry you will get no quarter from me.
The attached video is Fargo Street in Los Angeles. Few could argue that this is not one of the steepest hills around. It is 34% grade. The video is grainy and horrible so hold your comments. This was my 6th repeat without any recovery. My first 5 I took a straight line up and on this one I veered a little (so I was getting tired ok I'm human). In other words, I have never met a hill I had to dismount on.
If the hill in question is Torrey Pines it is really tame. It is only 5.5% for 1.3 miles 400 feet of gain to the flashing light . From the flashing light to the real traffic signal is a slight downhill. I have had many hill repeat sessions there where I do 20-25 repeats on it. As part of my hill training I do ILT's (pedal with one leg and the other is off the pedal). So the point is it is a popular hill for cyclists and some of us do it with one leg.
Also I notice you live in Orange County. If you can get over and do Newport Coast from PCH to Pelican ??. It is 1.5 miles and 450 feet of gain. The link I provide is on my website and it has maps and elevation charts for Newport Coast Dr. It is just a little tougher than Torrey Pines. It will be a really good way to "pre-ride" Torrey Pines here since you mentioned you didn't have a car.
Video on youtube
The attached video is Fargo Street in Los Angeles. Few could argue that this is not one of the steepest hills around. It is 34% grade. The video is grainy and horrible so hold your comments. This was my 6th repeat without any recovery. My first 5 I took a straight line up and on this one I veered a little (so I was getting tired ok I'm human). In other words, I have never met a hill I had to dismount on.
If the hill in question is Torrey Pines it is really tame. It is only 5.5% for 1.3 miles 400 feet of gain to the flashing light . From the flashing light to the real traffic signal is a slight downhill. I have had many hill repeat sessions there where I do 20-25 repeats on it. As part of my hill training I do ILT's (pedal with one leg and the other is off the pedal). So the point is it is a popular hill for cyclists and some of us do it with one leg.
Also I notice you live in Orange County. If you can get over and do Newport Coast from PCH to Pelican ??. It is 1.5 miles and 450 feet of gain. The link I provide is on my website and it has maps and elevation charts for Newport Coast Dr. It is just a little tougher than Torrey Pines. It will be a really good way to "pre-ride" Torrey Pines here since you mentioned you didn't have a car.
Video on youtube
If you get more free time, ride over to Signal Hill and you can get real down and dirty with some 20%+ hill repeats.
09-12-08, 10:11 AM
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I saw a super big shot VP guy at our work this morning. Wimpy little guy with a smirk always on his face. He walks around all pompous-like because he truly is a big shot and knows it.
I had a hilarious thought of taping his hands and feet to my bike, pointing him at the same brutal killer climb I had just done recently and saying quietly; “let’s see if you’re the big shot now. Finish the climb or I don't remove the tape.” And I push him forward as he yells out nervously "but that's impossible to climb!!!! I'll never make it!!!"
I guess climbing the corporate ladder was a lot easier....
I had a hilarious thought of taping his hands and feet to my bike, pointing him at the same brutal killer climb I had just done recently and saying quietly; “let’s see if you’re the big shot now. Finish the climb or I don't remove the tape.” And I push him forward as he yells out nervously "but that's impossible to climb!!!! I'll never make it!!!"
I guess climbing the corporate ladder was a lot easier....
09-12-08, 10:11 AM
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09-12-08, 10:13 AM
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Of course, the OP could try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgh5Y5RhdfM . It's a 7.5" gear that gets 2.2mph spinning at 100rpm. Personally, I'd rather just put on the skirt and get it over with than ride this thing.
09-12-08, 10:18 AM
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If you have to walk up a climb, then the terrorists have won.
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09-12-08, 10:35 AM
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There's a 20+ grade road near my house I have to walk all the time. I try not to but just dont really have the juice to make it up (and my back wheel spins cus I have to lean forward so much).
09-12-08, 10:36 AM
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Since you have been riding for only 2 months, it may signal that you're not really ready for long steady climbs. Listen to your body. You might need more training to tackle longer rides. Even though you signed up for this ride, you might not be ready.
If this is your first century ride, it may not be as pleasant as if you had more training base miles behind you. The more miles you ride, the more confident you become and the better conditioned you will be.
Is it ok to walk up Torrey Pines? Depends on your conditioning.
If this is your first century ride, it may not be as pleasant as if you had more training base miles behind you. The more miles you ride, the more confident you become and the better conditioned you will be.
Is it ok to walk up Torrey Pines? Depends on your conditioning.
09-12-08, 10:40 AM
#66
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I have passed mountain bikers riding up a hill while I was walking. So you do find people cranking up hills at 2 mph.
Just do whatever you feel like doing and don't worry about it. If the hill is too steep to climb in any gear, that's the time to get off and walk. And if you can go up but just get tired, that's the time to stop and rest and then ride some more.
Just do whatever you feel like doing and don't worry about it. If the hill is too steep to climb in any gear, that's the time to get off and walk. And if you can go up but just get tired, that's the time to stop and rest and then ride some more.
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09-12-08, 12:09 PM
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walking is ok - if you're on a fixed gear faced with a 20% hill..
(seriously though folks, for beginners i don't see an issue with walking a hill the first few times you do it, we all had to start somewhere!!)
(seriously though folks, for beginners i don't see an issue with walking a hill the first few times you do it, we all had to start somewhere!!)
09-12-08, 12:18 PM
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When I did my mountain bike race I had to run up a few hills after falling off, usually because the person in front of me stalled. I couldn't get back on while on the hill so I had to run up to the top, and I would pass people still riding but but stopping to gt back on I would usually get repassed.
09-12-08, 12:40 PM
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[QUOTE]I've been on many large organized rides where riders just give up right in the middle of the road on tough climbs. Walk or take a rest if you need to, but please pull over to the right first.
/QUOTE]
good point. In that video of the Koppenberg it looked like a lot of riders in the peloton who got off and walked were in effect forced off of their bikes by riders directly in front of them who came to a dead stop. On those narrow cobbles there was just no where else to go.
/QUOTE]
good point. In that video of the Koppenberg it looked like a lot of riders in the peloton who got off and walked were in effect forced off of their bikes by riders directly in front of them who came to a dead stop. On those narrow cobbles there was just no where else to go.
09-12-08, 01:06 PM
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If I get to a hill that I can't spin up, I just pick a bit higher gear, stand and slowly mash up it with a cadence of 25rpm or something. It feels just like climbing a set of stairs and I can do that almost all day.
I don't like to walk.
I don't like to walk.
09-12-08, 01:10 PM
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Stand and mash can work on short hills (for me) but it gets tiring quickly.
Also FWIW I walk the lest section of hill going to class just so I'm not sweating like a beast once I get there. I consider that acceptable.
Also FWIW I walk the lest section of hill going to class just so I'm not sweating like a beast once I get there. I consider that acceptable.
09-12-08, 01:17 PM
#72
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I'm training for an MS Century Irvine to San Diego. I've only been riding about 2 months and the ride is next month. I was talking to a guy that rode it last year. I don't know how long he'd been riding for at that time but he said that the La Jolla hill was too steep to ride so he walked up it. Is this OK? I mean it seems so unnatural to be walking in my cycling shoes clippity clappity up the hill. At what point does it make sense to walk? When you're spinning like a top but going nowhere? I've been playing out different scenarios. Should I take some slides to wear when I'm walking. Use regular pedals and where regular shoes. Just Curious...
If you're in not-so-great overall physical condition and have a triple, you'll make it up fine. If you're in decent condition, a double with a 25 rear cog you'll get up fine, albeit you'll suffer for a while.
You'll be going up it in the afternoon, and the hill blocks the breeze, so it might feel quite warm. Just pack some ice cubes in one of your water bottles in the morning and dump water on your head if you overheat. The breeze picks up again at the top so you'll dry off soon enough.
09-12-08, 02:45 PM
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09-12-08, 03:16 PM
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i know you've gotten your question answered already, but a few more tips for that hill.
If you're in not-so-great overall physical condition and have a triple, you'll make it up fine. If you're in decent condition, a double with a 25 rear cog you'll get up fine, albeit you'll suffer for a while.
You'll be going up it in the afternoon, and the hill blocks the breeze, so it might feel quite warm. just pack some ice cubes in one of your water bottles in the morning and dump water on your head if you overheat. The breeze picks up again at the top so you'll dry off soon enough.
If you're in not-so-great overall physical condition and have a triple, you'll make it up fine. If you're in decent condition, a double with a 25 rear cog you'll get up fine, albeit you'll suffer for a while.
You'll be going up it in the afternoon, and the hill blocks the breeze, so it might feel quite warm. just pack some ice cubes in one of your water bottles in the morning and dump water on your head if you overheat. The breeze picks up again at the top so you'll dry off soon enough.
09-12-08, 03:21 PM
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Even for those of us who have been cycling all our lives, it's still OK to walk a hill. Like I said before, there's absolutely nothing wrong with walking. I've lost count of the number of hills I've opted to walk. I'll even walk hills I know I could ride up just for a change of pace and change of muscle use. It's a good time to get off and stretch and take pictures, etc..
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