Attacking Climbs on the Drops

[bpsmith]

Been tweaking my setup recently and am now using the right muscles when seated.

Having got that right, I am now trying out attacking short steep undulations, as now have the scope to use the different muscles without burning out.

Tonight, I did a short 23 mile local regular route and managed to get my first 20mph average, despite the wind. Previously, my best was 18.5mph on same route.

Anyway, I know that you should ideally attack from the hoods when climbing, but I was messing about with doing this from the drops and found it so much better. Does anyone else do this or do you stick to the hoods?

It's the first time I have tried this, so no guarantee that I won't be the same or faster from the hoods, but just wanted to check other people's experience.

Chuffed to get progress, after finally eliminating my knee problem, and just in time for the Velothon!

For the record, I won't be attacking the Tumble from the drops btw!

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I always use the drops, so I'm accustomed to that cycling position. It's also a useful position to use when cycling up the steeper climbs, where using the hoods might just make the front wheel leave the road.

 

[bpsmith]

Now my setup feels right, I will try the drops up steeper climbs too. Cheers.

 

[Citius]

Ride in whatever position gives you the most power for longest..

 

[Cuchilo]

I find climbing better on the tops . I guess it opens up my breathing . I get a good pull on my torso while doing it so I assume its a core thing but I wouldn't know about that stuff .

 

[T4tomo]

Climbing on the drops out of the saddle - true Pantani style. I do it every now and again on a short steep climb.

 

[gavroche]

20mph average! I can only admire you for that. You certainly have a good engine.

 

[Sittingduck]

Depends on a bunch of stuff. How short and steep it is. Speed and current level of fatigue. Sometimes I use the drops but only if it's short lumps that can be punched over without totally running out of gas.

 

[bpsmith]

Cheers guys. This route is 23 miles with only 1,000ft of climbing, so nothing major, but there are a few very short steep areas which used to slow me down overall.

Going to try some longer ones with the same tactic and see what happens. Will probably burn out half way up. Lol.

 

[jarlrmai]

On longer climbs you'll adjust your position to use various different leg muscles as they fatigue, I tend to go upright and try to keep 100+ cadence but I ride a high cadence pretty much all the time.

 

[bpsmith]

I usually sit upright on longer climbs in order to get the air in properly. Need to get a cadence sensor for bike number 1, as always find that useful on bike number 2.

 

[cashy293]

19.7

 

[bpsmith]

19.7

Was only a matter of time.

Shows as 20.1mph on the Garmin.

 

[jarlrmai]

Unwritten rule of cycling highest number is most accurate.

 

[bpsmith]

Unwritten rule of cycling highest number is most accurate.

True enough!

I was watching it drop from 22mph all the way back into the wind. Was coasting ready to turn into my street and car was taking ages as I was dropping quick.

A bit gutted to see its 19.7mph on Strava though. Need to blow that out of the water next time.