Hill training

Tristero

Hello.

I posted a couple of weeks back about turbo training. I've been doing this 25-minute session every other night:

http://www.tredzblog.co.uk/2007/02/turbo_session_1.html

My aim is to get to a stage where the hills around where I live (Peak district) don't kill me. The problem is this:

Out of my gate, to the right the road goes up a 12% hill, and it's half a mile or so before it eases up.

To the left, a 200m downhill section followed by another 10%+ hill for another half-mile.

There's no hiding from it (unless I walk the bike to the top and start from there - but I wouldn't want to do that).

I'm finding it pretty hard. I'm a beginner. Each time I go out, I am knackered within a short distance. It's demoralising.

I worry that the turbo sessions I'm doing aren't tailored towards hills and that I'm not going to feel any real benefit from doing them (given the instant hills at the beginning of any route I take from my house).

Can anyone recommend a decent turbo programme to help? One that isn't going to kill a beginner.

robmanic1

My penny's worth, just keep trying to ride them, doesn't matter how fast you go, just keep the wheels turning. You're very lucky in a way to have instant access to hills like that, a lot of folk on here (who live in Lincolnshire for example), have to ride for miles to find a hill to train on.

Turbo sessions will help but there's nothing like the real thing (baby).

Just one more thing (Columbo stylee), are you using a triple?

GavH

I'd second the suggestion to just get out and ride them. Worry not about how long it takes, just stick it striaght into your lowest gear and spin up it. Try to stay relaxed, perhaps play with your cycle computer (if you have one) to take your mind off it. I've found over the months that some hills that had me out of the saddle using the lowest gear on the rear when I first began riding can now be done with a couple to spare whilst seated the whole way. It's just about getting used to it as you get fiiter I suppose?

Alternately, have you tried sticking a couple of phone books under your front wheel to mimic the climbing angle of the bike on the road whilst on the turbo? Select a harder gear than you would on the road, one that makes it feel a bit like when you climb that hill to the right. If it takes you say 3 mins to get up the hill normally, try doing some intervals on the turbo based around building up your tolerance of that kind of intensity?

Another possibility might just be the need to warm up better. Perhaps try 10-15 mins on the turbo before heading out onto the road and up the hill?

I'm no coach as you can probably tell but I'm sure someone will be along soon to give you some expert words of advice!

liversedge

Dude - you are a lucky sod. Many on here would kill for that kind of training playground. I have a 20% climb on my doorstep. It killed me when I started - now it is my best friend.

softlad

likewise, there is no such thing as a flat road round here - I struggled when I first moved here, but now I wouldn't want to ride anywhere else. Hills are your friend....

chrisw12

Yes, you are very lucky. I've got it the other way round. I live on top of a hill. Every time I come home I have to ride up it.

I admit i've walked up it. Most memorably after a club weekend away and too much alchol the night before. :twisted:

jellikins

Lincolnshire flat! You must be kidding!

I live near Louth in the wolds and the hills are great. Loads of 12% + hills and very very lumpy.

robmanic1

jellikins wrote:

Lincolnshire flat! You must be kidding!

I live near Louth in the wolds and the hills are great. Loads of 12% + hills and very very lumpy.

My riding is mainly around the Wolds too, what I meant was some of us have to actively seek out hills to ride rather than having them on our doorstep as OP.
What's your favourite hill round your way jellikins? The one from the A16 through North Elkington is pretty good.

jellikins

Hi, live in Louth so love the A16 North Elkington one as a good climb and fast descent.

Also, Woodys Top and Redhill good.

Been out this evening and got 23 in and did Woodys Top, very steep.

Tealby hill is also a fav route.

Look out for me in my red and white Thurlby Motors gear as below and shout me!

Rich158

You are indeed very lucky, I'd kill to have some decent hills near me. The only way to get good at them is to get out and ride them. I'm not a great fan of the turbo trainer, just get out and ride and you'll get fitter. It'll hurt along the way but it will be worth it in the end.

Just remember hills never stop hurting, you just go up them faster

robmanic1

jellikins wrote:

Hi, live in Louth so love the A16 North Elkington one as a good climb and fast descent.

Also, Woodys Top and Redhill good.

Been out this evening and got 23 in and did Woodys Top, very steep.

Tealby hill is also a fav route.

Look out for me in my red and white Thurlby Motors gear as below and shout me!

I surely will, don't see too many bikes on my circuit so you should be easy enough to spot.

itboffin

I guess i'm lucky all four roads leading away from my village lead up pretty quickly plus i'm only a few miles away from Walbury Hill which is always fun but I would really like a couple of flat sections, sprinting up hills is all well and good until you remember just how many more hills there are before you get back home.

That said I didn't have any problems with the hills in this years HOTA and hopefully my training will pay off at the Dragon Ride.

Tristero

Yup, hills-a-plenty here.

Thanks for the advice, all.