Counting!!

[I like Skol]

Depends where you breath out from.

Same place they are talking from.....

 

[MiK1138]

only time I count strokes is if i'm pulling away from a junction or have slowed down for a corner, then I get out of the saddle count 8 strokes then sit down again

 

[Julia9054]

Have counted strokes per minute a couple of times, just to get a rough idea of my typical pedalling cadence. Only done that 2 or 3 times at the most as it doesn't really interest me, but NEVER found myself counting pedal revolutions continuously

I use music. As someone who plays in bands, i know how many bpm a piece of music is so sing in my head and match pedal strokes.
An American concert march e.g. Liberty Bell (Monty Python theme) will keep you at 90 rpm!
I am rarely walking or cycling without being in time to some tune in my head!

 

[Sharky]

You are not alone. There are a couple of hills that take me close to beaking point. Lungs about to explode, legs about to break and arms and back giving way and I just tell myself, just keep going for another 10 pedal rotations and I'll make it to the top.

 

[Sharky]

There is another time I count the pedal strokes. In a TT and I'm usually riding fixed, instead of applying an even force on every downstroke, I will count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 etc and on the third count apply a forceful down stroke. Then on the next 3, do the same with the other leg.

It seems to keep my speed up and gives my legs a resting interval between the forceful down strokes.

 

[Smokin Joe]

On leg breaker climbs I count three pedal stroke on my right leg using maximum effort and soft pedalling my left, then swop for the next three and so on. A piece of advice I once read from Les West and it seems to work - or at least it passes the time till I reach the top.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Wish I could stop but I keep counting my pedal strokes! Particularly going uphill. Is it just me or is it common out there?
I think for me it's thinking, I will make it up there with just 20-50-100 or whatever strokes!

I use counting on hills too. It seems that three pedal revolutions per breath gives me a sustainable rhythm. I also do it on the turbo.

I'll even find myself counting when I've no idea why I'm counting. I remain convinced though that I cycle faster if I count in triplets - 6/8 rhythm in musical notation. 3/4 is slower but steadier - however, you'll waltz up every hill. . .

 

[ColinJ]

On steep things of the 20% type I sometimes count how many breaths it takes to get to a corner / wall / stationary sheep / whatever. Something along the lines of "Can I get to that rock in the next 33 breaths?" It amounts to a rather less predictable form of counting pedal revolutions.

If I know how many metres I have to climb (and I usually do) I watch the elevation reading and count down 10 metres at a time ... 290 metres of ascent left, 280, 270 ...

 

[Zipp2001]

Never though about counting my pedal strokes even when I'm doing my thigh burner climbs.

 

[Julia9054]

or at least it passes the time till I reach the top

It's whatever distracts your brain from the pain in your legs/lungs!

 

[furball]

I've always done this on big hills. It breaks up the hill into manageable bits that are less likely to defeat me.

 

[bladderhead]

Looks like Zipp2001 fell in the trap as well. This monstrous meme is spreading.

 

[bladderhead]

How many leaves have you sprayed?

 

[Ice2911]

On steep climbs, especially when touring, I count to 10 and keep repeating, it seems to help. If it gets really step then it’s “”f****, f***” and repeat that also seems to help. Failing that it’s my 24inch gear

 

[Smokin Joe]

Halfway up a step climb -

"Right, that's it. I'm never going to do this stupid hill again, it's feckin' madness".

At the top of the same climb -

"Boy, that was good. I really did well there, I'll have to see if I can do it quicker next time".