Defeated by a hill

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Candaules

Candaules

Well-Known Member
Location
England / France
Your original post suggests this isn't a case of "I used to be able to do it and now I can't" so have you moved recently from a relatively flat area given you've been cycling for ten years?
Also what bike are you riding ?
Suffer from asthma or hay fever ?

I think I'm out of condition after a few weeks of not cycling much. Nothing else has changed in my circumstances. There have always been a few hills that were too much for me.
 

Garz

Squat Member
Location
Down
I wouldn't be encouraging anybody at an older age bracket to push yourself too far especially up hills. However I do think that if you train for it over the long term you will reap the dividends in time. Keep at it mate.
 

aberal

Guru
Location
Midlothian
I think I'm out of condition after a few weeks of not cycling much. Nothing else has changed in my circumstances. There have always been a few hills that were too much for me.

Think of hills on the way up as the precursor for a great free-wheel downhill. People who cycle regularly live, on average, 2 years longer than those other types, so I don't think it matters that you are a late comer or that you are nearly 60. I will guarantee you that with the right regime you can do 10x more than you think you can and can make any hill you want to make. I'm 51 by the way - not that much younger than you and just back from a 45 mile ride, including a hill that had me in my lowest granny gear.

Just as a matter or interest - do you cycle on your own or with other people? I ask, because cycling with others is a good way of learning stuff, picking up tips and tricks and also getting you out when you'd rather not go out and generally upping your all round enthusiasm.
 

guitarpete247

Just about surviving
Location
Leicestershire
I've moved from very flat South Yorkshire to slightly hillly NW Leicestershire. I've not had a hill defeat me yet, but I have chosen my routes carefully and when I feel off I avoid some hills. I am going to try to commute into work 1 day this half term (got some marking to do) and try the 1 mile climb up to school when there are no kids about. I want to see I can do the hill without having to get off and walk :becool: .
By the way I'm 54, BMI 31.62 and riding an early 80's steel 12 speed.
 

ThePainInSpain

Active Member
Location
Malaga, Spain
Slightly off post, but today I was defeated by the wind.

I was planning to do my first 30 mile (or 50km) following my first 40km last Sunday.

The first long grind is 1.5 km and rises 63m or 211 ft. Normally a steady climb in middle bottom gear, takes about 9 mins. Today I had a 30+ kmph head wind, it was cruel.

Further along this track is another climb very similar, I just couldn't face the thought of grinding up that against the headwind.

I decided to not attempt the 50km but turned off onto another track and head back for home.

I still managed 42.5 km, but it was the hardest ride I think I've undertaken so far.

A couple of times I was hit by a cross wind and got knocked sideways.

I have 3 reasons for cycling, keeping fit, hopefully losing weight, but most important for fun and enjoyment. This was not a day for the latter, so what's the point.

There will be another day to do the 50, hopefully next Sunday.
 

Garz

Squat Member
Location
Down
I too thought today was tough going on my flat route. In good conditions I do it faster but today on the exposed sections and a long return straight I remember battling for a while. It was not a mean headwind but enough to sap the already tired legs from two consecutive outings on the previous days.

Anyway hopefully I will see an improvement once the weather picks up!
 

Rouge Penguin

New Member
Location
East Berkshire
Like any good mentalist, i love hills. So much, that sometimes ill go up, come down and do it again. Its not for any other reason, but to get better to have to keep doing it. If its your weak point, work it till it isnt.

For technique, and with 27 gears you sound like youre on a triple, is as you approach the hill, slip from big ring to the middle one, to keep your cadence up, as you climb, each time you feel the effort increase, flick up a gear, then as you approach the biggest 2 or 3, drop to the small ring. what youre trying to do is keep it progressive, without a big jump either way in cadence. Also, not going from middle/big to small big will mean you have a few extra cogs to use if its a real biggie.

What gradient was the hill too? if your talking 10%+, then that might be your answer there. Without practice, that would defeat most.
 

fungus

Veteran
Location
Tamworth
Hi Candaules, can I firstly ask you what bike you ride & what gears you currently have on it? Also where abouts are you cycling?

I personally love hills and find that if you can maintain a steady cadence & keep your heart rate in order you will get over anything & the only way to do that is to have suitable gears for the terrain or your ability. It obviously also helps to be carrying as little weight as possible either on the bike or around your midriff
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Edit: What Paulus said makes a lot of sense
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OP
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Candaules

Candaules

Well-Known Member
Location
England / France
Thanks to everyone who has contributed. I feel heartened by all the advice and comments. With the weather (hopefully) improving, I'm going to get out there ans tackle the hills in a spirit of optimism, hoping that all the hills have a rejuvenating effect.

By next winter I hope to be several kg lighter and several km/h faster.
 

Garz

Squat Member
Location
Down
What, er, do you think I should give up doing my hilly forum rides then? :sad:


Tell that to the chap in his 70s who left me for dead up Spirthill - on a fixie :blush:

Haha well I meant this advice to people who have just started or coming back from a long hiatus. All new sporting activities over a certain age or weight category will recommend you see a doctor beforehand.

As big C is a seasoned cyclist over many Calderdale contours over the years he would chiefly be exempt from such statements.

Mr snail if a vet cyclist scalped you maybe it's genetic or he just looks after himself. You should have stopped him and asked for some advice!
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the snail

Guru
Location
Chippenham
Mr snail if a vet cyclist scalped you maybe it's genetic or he just looks after himself. You should have stopped him and asked for some advice!
wink.gif

He's a member of my club, by all accounts was a pretty handy racer in his day, and he did wait at the top!!
 
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