How they make a hillclimb look so easy ?
JimmyK
Posts: 712
I remember being out on a half century and riding up a real swine of a hill. I thought I was doing ok, but from out of nowhere this guy flashed past me , said hello, and whizzed right on up that hill. He made it look so ridiculously easy and wasnt struggling one bit. He did the entire climb out of the saddle and looked very impressive indeed.
I average around 18.0 to 18.5 mph on my rides, and for a 40 yr old hobbyist with MS , Im pleased with that, but this guy would be an at least 20mph average rider and probably a lot more.
I dont get disheartened watching a guy like that, it actually encourages me to do better. What Im curious about though is, he made a long, steep pig of a climb look like he was taking a stroll around the pond. How the heck do you do that ? Is it a physical make up, age, nutrition or quality of bike issue ?
I average around 18.0 to 18.5 mph on my rides, and for a 40 yr old hobbyist with MS , Im pleased with that, but this guy would be an at least 20mph average rider and probably a lot more.
I dont get disheartened watching a guy like that, it actually encourages me to do better. What Im curious about though is, he made a long, steep pig of a climb look like he was taking a stroll around the pond. How the heck do you do that ? Is it a physical make up, age, nutrition or quality of bike issue ?
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I can say that age will probabily have less to do with it than most think. After reading Mike Stroud's book survival of the fittest, I would say this is definately the lowest factor on your list.
You must have one of those Specialized bikes that Cancellara and Saxo Bank ride...........allegedly !!
I've seen some relic cyclists on some sportives blowing away guys over half their age where judging by looks you wouldn't believe it.
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Same as wondering why Usain runs quicker than Linford did. Or why Beckham is better than Vinny.
just out of interest what hill was it you were going up?
its a cumulative thing, i start out from ards and its 22 miles to the roundabout at downpatrick, when you turn right at the roundabout and head for saintfield , there are five hill sections and in total 23 miles back to ards. my all time best for those 45 miles and an extra 5 to make up the 50 was 19.3 av/mph . i have relapse and remitting multiple sclerosis and ill NEVER do that trip at 19 + av/mph ever again.......it hit me big time afterwards. I did the ards to carrickfergus castle loop which is another 50 miler in personal best of 19.4 av/mph and whaddya know, hit me like a ton of bricks with fatigue afterwards. i am a cycling loving hobbyist , 3 times a week rider and 18 -18.5 av/mph is easy for me to do and im not risking my health by pushing myself too hard for the 19+ av/mph times.
i would LOVE to watch a real hill specialist at work , somebody of king of the mountains standard,now that would be an education and then some to cherish forever.
I must confess in my youth I tuned onto a hill from a side road just behind some guys with jerseys from a club I hadn't heard of, so probably were well into a long ride. Gave it everything I had and went past them on the climb with a friendly hello. As soon as I was out of sight at the top of the hill, I went through an open gate into a field and hid behind the hedge unable to breath until they had gone past.
The Moser
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Me too
Next time someone overtakes me i will convince myself that this is what they are doing
They had stopped for a "brew" at a cafe in Hawes, and got talking to a few very keen
and "pro" looking 20 something lads...after a while they filed out of the cafe together, all parties girding up for the climb up Fleet Moss (a real beast-3 or 4 miles up onto the roof of the Dales)...the young bucks clipped in and bade my dad and Eric all the best for the climb, with a bit of advice to take it steady and how best to make it to the top. All taken in the best of spirits.
Dad and Eric left it for a few minutes before following ,riding strictly steel and rat trap kit,, and I'm not sure how the young stags felt half way up Fleet Moss as the 2 pensioners passed them (Eric in the saddle chatting away, before turning on the gas properly and vanishing over the summit)..
I suppose they should have known that this was Eric Wilson..several times winner of the Nat Hill Climb and who's record on the Nick of Pendle stood for 20 odd years before Boardman eventually took a few seconds off it.