Hill Training

WisePranker

I'm new to road riding and seem to really struggle on any hills.

When I'm on my MTB I seem to manage reasonably well, just drop into a low gear and spin my way up.
I'm of average fitness but seem to struggle with hills on the roadbike. The picture below is a hill that's pretty near to me and most of my rides go up it. It's about 6 miles into the ride and it nearly kills me by the time I get to the top!
The bike is a Boardman Road Comp and has 50x34 chainset and a 11-32 cassette and I end up in top gear every time going up here.

Is it just a case of keep at it and it'll get easier or is there any technique I should try?





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Anonymous

Just keep at it mate, you'll get better and better over time. You certainly have the gears. Just choose the gear that feels right at the time, that may change from day to day or even during the climb...

evisu70

Out of interest, what hill is that?

unixnerd

Pace yourself. Find a comfortable cadence and gear then stick with it, don't overdo it. You will improve with time. Some of the hills up here used to kill me, I barely notice them now.

meanredspider

unixnerd wrote:

You will improve with time. Some of the hills up here used to kill me, I barely notice them now.

+1 - Friday I went up a hill I used to hate last year - got to the top and wondered what I was worried about.

WisePranker

evisu70 wrote:

Out of interest, what hill is that?

It's Tite Hill in Egham

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&sourc ... ngdom&z=15

Just south of Runnymede Park

mattshrops

if you really want to improve on the hills why not ride up it turn round go back down, ride up it again, and maybe another couple of times more just for luck :shock:
seriously tho, 1 day a week hill repeats , thats the way to get better at it

WisePranker

mattshrops wrote:

why not ride up it turn round go back down, ride up it again, and maybe another couple of times more just for luck :shock:

'Cos it'll probably kill me!!

I think that may be the only option, there's a nice length loop round there of about 4.7 miles, up the hill then back down the other side. I'll have to give it a go and see if I improve any.

Rule74Please

On a 34 front ring there is no reason to need lower than 21 on this hill. It is not that steep at 6% average.

Use rule 5 for advice

EightOhEight

Rule 5

kfinlay

EightOhEight wrote:

Rule 5

checkout the link in his sig

unixnerd

Just back from a climb to the top car park on Cairngorm. I hereby claim Rule 5 bragging rights! Seriously though, if I do that 2-3 times a week I'll be unstoppable (which is the current plan). Normally I don't go all the way to the top but do a longer circuit instead.

bigpikle

just ride it as much as possible and you'll quickly see improvements - you'll be surprised! Time yourself on it and regularly do a re-test.

brabus

unixnerd wrote:

Just back from a climb to the top car park on Cairngorm. I hereby claim Rule 5 bragging rights! Seriously though, if I do that 2-3 times a week I'll be unstoppable (which is the current plan). Normally I don't go all the way to the top but do a longer circuit instead.

hey did that hill myself a few weeks back....it nearly killed me! started at the little cafe at glenmore up and back down with a stop at the top for a lasagne and chips for lunch in the ski centre...not my best idea! he he! but at least i was only descending with that weight in my stomach! :oops:

tried it a week later from aviemore town centre and back! it was torture! it was so steep in places and the headwind so strong i was hardly moving! i was going so slow it was getting to the stage I was struggling to keep my balance and stay upright! maybe i should stick to the flat bits he he!

god knows what it will be like trying to do it at the end of the cairngorm 50!! :?