How often should I do hill reps?

vernthemerciless

I'm just starting to do hill reps and want to know how often is advisable to do them.

I'm still quite new to cycling and have been getting put about 3 times a week averaging 15-14mph over between 15 and 35 miles.

I did my first lot last night on a hill which I think is about 200m climb at an average of 7%, took nearly ten minutes to get to the top. However, I only did it twice as it was getting dark. I had aimed to do it 3 times, thinking about going back and doing it this evening.

How often do I need to do these to see an improvement in my climbing?

Bronzie

A couple of times a week should be enough with other training in between. If you do them hard enough, I doubt you'll be up to doing them on consecutive nights.

As to whether you'll improve............it'll depend on what other training you are doing as well.

sheffsimon

vernthemerciless wrote:

I'm just starting to do hill reps and want to know how often is advisable to do them.

I'm still quite new to cycling and have been getting put about 3 times a week averaging 15-14mph over between 15 and 35 miles.

I did my first lot last night on a hill which I think is about 200m climb at an average of 7%, took nearly ten minutes to get to the top. However, I only did it twice as it was getting dark. I had aimed to do it 3 times, thinking about going back and doing it this evening.

How often do I need to do these to see an improvement in my climbing?

I think I would do them just the once, realise what a miserable experience it provides, and then go back to enjoying riding my bike.

If as you say you are quite new to cycling, then to start this kind of focussed training seems a bit unnecessary IMO. Up to you of course, but riding hard over your 35 mile run will lead to improvements in your overall fitness/power/weight loss which naturally will improve hill climbing.

El Fredster

vernthemerciless wrote:

I'm just starting to do hill reps and want to know how often is advisable to do them.

I'm still quite new to cycling and have been getting put about 3 times a week averaging 15-14mph over between 15 and 35 miles.

I did my first lot last night on a hill which I think is about 200m climb at an average of 7%, took nearly ten minutes to get to the top. However, I only did it twice as it was getting dark. I had aimed to do it 3 times, thinking about going back and doing it this evening.

How often do I need to do these to see an improvement in my climbing?

Since i remember you saying you're from Petersfield, have you tried this one?
http://maps.google.co.uk/ 50.973526,-0.992936

not sure what the elevation is, but it's an absolute killer...for me anyway. I had planned to do it more than once in a ride, but haven't mustered the courage yet.

vernthemerciless

Fredster - Not been up that way. I usually go off towards Ramsdean but i shall have an explore up that hill. If you look at it on mapmyride.com it gives you some idea of elevation. It's about a 150 m climb, that's pretty big in my book.

I've been going up Stoner Hill (51.034193,-0.961736) which is about the same i think but you get a little breather hlaf way up which is nice.

Did go out in the end yesterday and went up it three times, but only really because i failed to do it the night before.

I have to admit it wasn't the most fun on the bike i've had but i did feel a sense of achievement at the end. Don't think i'll be doing that any more than once a week to be honest.

Haven't tackled South Harting hill (50.95638,-0.876682) yet perhaps i'll get a chance sometime next week.

Toks

vernthemerciless wrote:

I'm just starting to do hill reps and want to know how often is advisable to do them.

I'm still quite new to cycling and have been getting put about 3 times a week averaging 15-14mph over between 15 and 35 miles.

I did my first lot last night on a hill which I think is about 200m climb at an average of 7%, took nearly ten minutes to get to the top. However, I only did it twice as it was getting dark. I had aimed to do it 3 times, thinking about going back and doing it this evening.

How often do I need to do these to see an improvement in my climbing?

Why not work on upping your 'cruising pace' rather than doing hill reps. I'd look to try and increase that average speed (assuming its not in hilly terrain). I'd only do the hill reps once a week

Rouge Penguin

Why not try doing it as part of a regular route and time yourself over fixed points. Sounds like your going to run out of enthusiasm very quickly if thats all youre doing.

Thick Tester

vernthemerciless wrote:

How often do I need to do these to see an improvement in my climbing?

Daily... Show no mercy for the tarmac...... make it weep..