Hill repeats are worth doing

Peanutt

Hi,

I've recently started doing hill repeats and they're making a huge difference, I went out cycling last night, thought I'd do a loop around town but it was quite windy and I didn't have much time so I thought I'd tackle a large hill and see how I would do. I knew it was going to be tough,that hill's very steep and goes on forever but I made it three quarters of the way up before it really started hurting, legs were burning, chest was screaming for oxygen, sweating buckets but I was determined to get to the top. When I got to the top I reached down for my water bottle and it was then that I noticed that although I'd changed the rear gears I was still in my top chainring on the front and had in fact ridden the whole hill in 8th!!!!

2 months ago I would never have been able to climb that hill in first, heck I wouldn't have even attempted it in the first place.It is true the more hills you climb the flatter they become.

MountainMonster

It is very true.

First ride out ever I did a very small hill that wasn't very long, and was absolutely dead. A few months later once i'd trained a bit, I went back, and was pissed off with myself for ever finding it hard. The entire way up was thinking why did I have a problem with it.

Secteur

And when you go out for a flat club run, you'll be leading the pack with those hill-toned thighs!

I train in hilly terrain (my "quick 9 miler" is +1000ft ascent, and that's the least ascent I can find locally), but when I get out on the flats I reap the rewards.

sparkins1972

I started with hill repeats a while back and I think it has made the single biggest difference to my cycling including the move to carbon bike over alloy. I try to mix the hill repeats up with seated in high gear, seated in low gear and spin up at high cadence and standing 'sprint' climb if that is the right term.

I decided to start doing them after struggling like I have never struggled before going over Winnats Pass in the Peaks in March. Plan is to go back at the end of the summer to measure my progress - can't see me doing any repeats up that bugger though!

MattC59

sparkins1972 wrote:

...... after struggling like I have never struggled before going over Winnats Pass in the Peaks

I'm not fooking suprised !!!! People struggle to walk up there !!!
I've ridden it once, on my mtb. My thoughts about doing it again ? F*ck that for a game of soldiers !!!

Anonymous

sparkins1972 wrote:

I started with hill repeats a while back and I think it has made the single biggest difference to my cycling including the move to carbon bike over alloy.

Last year I did the hilly Little Mountain Time Trial on a carbon cervelo S2 with carbon finishing kit. This year I did it on an alloy bike, the handlebars weighed the same as last years bar, stem and saddle combined. I was 10 minutes quicker this year. Bike doesn't make you faster, training does.

Thebigbee

NapoleonD wrote:

sparkins1972 wrote:

Last year I did the hilly Little Mountain Time Trial on a carbon cervelo S2 with carbon finishing kit. This year I did it on an alloy bike, the handlebars weighed the same as last years bar, stem and saddle combined. I was 10 minutes quicker this year. Bike doesn't make you faster, training does.

Never a truer word has been said. That is why I don't get newbies to cycling in general come on here and want to spend £2000 on their first bike as if it is going to make them into a Tour De France pack leader.

There is just no need.

I started off doing 10 miles which then increased to a 45 mile round trip.

Did a 65 mile yesterday and will probably do the same again today. Absolutely nothing to do with the bike but more about my fitness.

bulluke23

What sort of incline and hill length is best for doing repeats?

I do a few hills on my rides and have thought a few maybe possible

sparkins1972

NapoleonD wrote:

sparkins1972 wrote:

I started with hill repeats a while back and I think it has made the single biggest difference to my cycling including the move to carbon bike over alloy.

Last year I did the hilly Little Mountain Time Trial on a carbon cervelo S2 with carbon finishing kit. This year I did it on an alloy bike, the handlebars weighed the same as last years bar, stem and saddle combined. I was 10 minutes quicker this year. Bike doesn't make you faster, training does.

I don't disagree with you Nap D whcih was kind of the point of my post - I probably worded it badly. The carbon bike was a move from a flat barred alloy road bike and definitely had an impact on my riding - lighter, more comfortable and more aero, but I woudl probably have had the same benefits of moving to an alloy road bike with drops - overall though the hill repeats have improved my riding significantly, as much mentally as physically I would say.

sparkins1972

bulluke23 wrote:

What sort of incline and hill length is best for doing repeats?

I do a few hills on my rides and have thought a few maybe possible

The hill I use for repeats takes me approx 2 mins to climb - I haven't specifically measured it for distance, but gradient wise it is around 8 - 10% average - I do between 5 and 10 repeats depending on time pressure.

I am not really very scientific about it, I just know when I started 2 reps was enough for me as mentally I saw it as a disruption to my regular route whereas now I specifically aim at least one session a week where the hill repeats are the main aim for the ride - getting to the hill and getting back home are used as a warm up and a warm down. Like I say not very scientific but I can now do my 10 repeats if I have time so it seems to be working.

Keith1983

can anyone recommend me a reasonable hill to start doing some hill trianing on in Lincoln. I'm a complete newbie (not one that has spent £2k on a bike I might add!) but I have done a bit of running in my time so know the basics of aerobic training etc. I'm thinking the one with the sachool and speed camera on just as you come into lincoln via the A15 and Bracebridge Heath?

Billy Dunlop

Keith1983 wrote:

can anyone recommend me a reasonable hill to start doing some hill trianing on in Lincoln. I'm a complete newbie (not one that has spent £2k on a bike I might add!) but I have done a bit of running in my time so know the basics of aerobic training etc. I'm thinking the one with the sachool and speed camera on just as you come into lincoln via the A15 and Bracebridge Heath?

If there aren't many hills in your area you can replicate hill reps by running up and down some stairs while carrying your bike on your shoulders.

Worked for me when I was on National Service in the Fens.

sparkins1972

Keith - you are a bit limited for choice in Lincoln as it is mostly either dead flat or very steep - when I go from Nottingham to Louth I always make sure I head up Lindum Hill but that is hard going for a complete newbie I would say, plus it is a busy road.

I don't know the area to the South of the City but certainly heading East or West you have to go a fair distance to get out into the hills - one alternative is to occasionally stick your bike in your car and head for the Wolds where you will find plenty of bumps.

Keith1983

Yeah I know Lindum hill, but like you say a bit hardcore for me as a newbie. I guess ideally I could find something steep but short and one that's not very steep but long. There are a few out on the A15 between Lincoln and Sleaford but people drive like lunatics out there and not really worth the risk trying to do repeats there!