Getting Better At Climbing When You Live Somewhere Flat

orbeaorca

Just got back to Suffolk after a week in North Wales where I tackled some climbs including Bwlch Y Groes, Bwlch Penbarras, Hirnant Pass and Horseshoe Pass, cant wait to get back but next time would like it to be less painfull
I had to stop a couple of times of Bwlch Y Groes, I found it really brutal which I guess isnt anything to be ashamed of.
So how do I improve my climbing legs when I live in a county without anything significant to climb??
Do I just do repeats on the climbs that we do have? Maybe some intervals to improve power? Or can I do anything specific on the turbo to help?

Anonymous

Just hard sustained efforts! Stick it in a big gear and ride hard for 20 mins, 5 mins recovery then repeat.

If on the turbo, raise the front wheel by buying either one of those expensive wheel raises or by plonking a couple of telephone directories under or such like. I use the case my drill came with but you don't have to buy a drill especially for it.

But any hard sustained efforts will do.

Check out the CTS Climbing DVD too if using the turbo...

http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p30840/DVD-CT ... -DVD-.aspx

Gav888

I agree with NapD mate, was going to suggest the same. Also ive got the CTS Climibing DVD and it is really good and a Spinervals one but that isnt as good.

Its all about sustaining a hard effort for a long time, but when climbing you are using a small gear and the grade of the hill is acting like a big gear when on the flat....

I know of people doing hill repeats on London Road at Copdock. Thats all you need to do mate, loads of hill repeats on the small hills we have in Suffolk or long sustained efforts on a flat road, which we have plent of

shockedsoshocked

Get on the old horizontal hills aka head winds

hopper1

+1 for the Carmichael Climbing DVD's...
Or, look for open roads and hammer into the head winds!

incog24

If you increase your power to weight ratio then you'll climb better! S'all there is to it...So lose some weight or gain some power!

Mettan

orbeaorca wrote:

Just got back to Suffolk after a week in North Wales where I tackled some climbs including Bwlch Y Groes, Bwlch Penbarras, Hirnant Pass and Horseshoe Pass, cant wait to get back but next time would like it to be less painfull
I had to stop a couple of times of Bwlch Y Groes, I found it really brutal which I guess isnt anything to be ashamed of.
So how do I improve my climbing legs when I live in a county without anything significant to climb??
Do I just do repeats on the climbs that we do have? Maybe some intervals to improve power? Or can I do anything specific on the turbo to help?

Just incorporate more uphill riding into your regular training loops. And keep an eye on your weight.

ut_och_cykla

All good advice here - but dont forget gearing! An easier gear may not improve macho points but it makes hard long hills or repeated hills (day after day) much kinder on your knees and means you can climb using your welltrained aeobic engine instead of using brute force

Rouge Penguin

I live near Windsor and its mostly flat. There are a few 'hills' around, and i've just started riding them twice in a ride to build up some stamina.

Ride it once, turn around and recover on the way down and up again. As said, build up to climbing quickly in a good gear, rather than brute force. You'll only find a hill you cant get up on BF alone.

Plus, i'd suggest always staying in the saddle, but thats personal choice.

maddog 2

small wheel on the rear

EPSHeaven

Si - watch the weight, doesn't help being 65kg and going vertical ;-)

hill repeats, bugger that, too much like hard work ... but, rides like we did sunday should help for next time

Matt the Tester

thanks for the advice i have trouble climbing too because of how tall i am so fingers crossed this will help a great deal!

i do hills every so often and every time i do them i know im getting better so it's only a matter of time,

Garry H

steady rider wrote:

thanks for the advice i have trouble climbing too because of how tall i am,

It's nothing to do with your height, just your weight

will3

Get a trailer and load it up. SHould be the equivalent of a steeper hill from an effort point of view.
At least you don't live in cambridgeshire.

Gav888

incog24 wrote:

If you increase your power to weight ratio then you'll climb better! S'all there is to it...So lose some weight or gain some power!

LOL there is no more weight on him to loose!!

boggyass

all good advice nothing beats building up some stamina any way you can. look at the rickshaw drivers in south east asia, turning singlegear tricycles with fat tourists in the back.they can pedal for ages up hills and turn the wheels whilst standing non-stop! plus they're on 20 fags a day!