Hill training?

TJ1004

Hi All

I am new to bike riding and I m trying to improve my endurance amongst other things.

The real problem is that I suck at Hills, I am a big guy (fat) so I know that losing weight will help.

What I wanted was some help from the other regular riders to recommend some hills to try out?

I know about Shipbourne Hill near Tonbridge and the long drag up from Hever castle having done them both in triathlons.

What about Toys Hill, Ide Hill, Shooters Hill? I just don't feel confident to get up these yet.

So I was looking at some sort of grading with someone suggesting when you done this one, try this other etc.

I hope that this makes sense? Thanks

mrjerome10

I am not trying to offend you but the only advise I can tell you is to "GET OFF YOUR LAZY FAT ASS AND CLIMB THOSE HILLS!" You need to commit yourself and remeber no pain no gain, start of slowly then and little then crank it up.

samoht

Well, I went for my first road ride on Saturday, headed south from Croydon, got as far as Uckfield. There are some varied climbs north of Titsey on some really quiet little roads. Then there was one lovely/tough hill on the B2026 going south from Hartfield through Chuck Hatch, a long ascent with great views (I guess you know this one already?).

As far as not feeling confident goes, just give them a go, if you make it then great, if not then you have a challenge to work towards I guess.

I'm afraid I don't have the experience to provide rankings of regional hills - but there are certainly plenty of them around !

oldtrackie

I wouldn't get too hung up about grading. My advice is to just go out and ride and enjoy yourself. You will get fitter and hills will slowly become easier.

Andywyre

When i started a year ago i thought my driveway should be included in the tour de france now i can get up it non stop.

The hills do lots
I ride on a Monday night for 1 hour just 3 hills i do it every week
Last week was the first time i managed to ride all 3 hills

We have a 17% 2 mile hill by us i did that last week and i overtook someone.

You'll still burn fat pushing your bike up

Andywyre

I was out with a friend riding MTB (big lad) riding up a hill he stopped and started pushing, i rode up and waited after a while i went back down to see if he was ok.

He was slowly walking along talking on his mobile as he looked up and saw me he said "sorry Dave i've got to go i'm out taking the bike for a walk"

Dam clipless pedals i laughed so much i fell off

He has lost 65Kg

Keep pushing man

JohnBoyUK

Just keep putting the miles in and the hills become slopes.

Since Jan 1st this year, I've just done 2,000 miles on my Allez. Was 16st 11lbs, now 14st 12lbs. I live 250 yards from the bottom of Shooters Hill (Welling side) so I tend to climb it a lot but to be honest, my HR is only touching 150 on the way up now, in Jan is was more like 170 and I was blowing a gasket.

There are loads of Cat 5 hills out your way.

Westerham, Toys Hill, Ide Hill (as you've said), Brasted Hill is particularly steep (18% gradient - but there's a cracking cafe stop called 96 Degrees in the Village which employs some particularly attractive waitresses), Rushmore Hill at Knockholt (a draggy Cat 5 similar to Shooters Hill), Knockmill Lane and Exedown Road near Wrotham/Knatts Valley, Tinkerpot Lane at Knatts Valley has got a sting in the tail, Row Dow Lane between Otford and Kemsing, you've got loads to choose from.

I try and avoid flat rides now, I plan rides to take in at least 2 Cat 5 climbs. Try doing some hill intervals too. The more you ride the hills, the better you get.

Alibran

Just go for a ride. If you find a hill, ride up it if you can. If you can't make it all the way, stop for a bit, or just get off and push the bike. The more often you do it, the better you'll get at it.

bobtbuilder

TJ1004 wrote:

What about Toys Hill, Ide Hill, Shooters Hill? I just don't feel confident to get up these yet.

Ide Hill (South - North) is just a long drag. You should be able to spin your way to the top without a lot of difficulty.

Ide Hill (North - South) is easier and never gets above 10%.

Toys Hill is harder and poorly surfaced. I think the last stretch is about 15%

Titsey Hill is another good one.

You just need to get out and have a go. If you are on a compact chainset you should be able to get up all of the above climbs.

TJ1004

thanks for the great suggestions.

I supose it is a case of just getting as far up a hill that I can manage and just before I think I am going to fall off whilst clipped in, decide to get off and walk!

Garz

A lot of that is mental, it wont take you long to start scaling them tough looking hills. Try focusing on a couple of yards in front of your wheel and not glancing at the summit. Half the battle will be lost if you think of walking.

colsoop

If your going out training on hills how about when you think you are about to get off and walk. Turn round and go back down.
While going down you recover. Then have a go at the hill again and try and increase the last point you got to.

Ollieda

Or find something to take your mind off the problem. For me, i'm crap at maths - a quick glance at passing numberplates will give you a few numbers, then just start mutiplying away. Something like 73 X 94 might sound easy to some but trying to work it out whilst climbing you soon find you've run out of hill.

MichaelW

If you want to experience a little Alp d'Hues switchback action, the closest one is probably Eastbourne. Take the seafront road out of town Westwards up to Beachy Head. If its all too much for you there is a very quick way down.
Another bumpy road is Fairlight hill into Hastings.
Butts Lane is seriously steep, leading up from Willingdon.