Different types of hills

[Dec66]

I don't know enough about it. I've never been in a proper race and just go on what I see on group rides. The people who are quicker than me uphills are the ones who don't look like they should be able to climb at all while I pass all the whippet like riders comfortably.

I have a lovely pic from the London 100 in 2015 of me pulling away from "the Peloton" on Box Hill. It's fair to say that most of the riders I'm pulling away from are not of the build that one would associate with rapid ascent.

However, on the same ride, I do recall hauling up Leith Hill and passing some sticks on bikes, whom I thought would leave me floundering (especially at my age).

I think, due to the interminable number of variables, we can only generalise and say that, just as in boxing "a good big 'un will always beat a good little 'un", a skinny fella is more than likely to beat a more meaty sort when the road points up sharply.

 

[rugby bloke]

I have a lovely pic from the London 100 in 2015 of me pulling away from "the Peloton" on Box Hill. It's fair to say that most of the riders I'm pulling away from are not of the build that one would associate with rapid ascent.
.

Case in point - here I am riding pretty comfortably up Box Hill, if only I could ascend some of my local hills as easily. I'm starting to think its as much in my head.

At the risk of merging threads, I apologize for the woeful lack of hardware strapped to my handle bars ...

 

[Citius]

Not looking much like a typical 'rugby bloke' there, if I'm honest. The guys on the right in both pics are though...

 

[Dec66]

Case in point - here I am riding pretty comfortably up Box Hill, if only I could ascend some of my local hills as easily. I'm starting to think its as much in my head.

At the risk of merging threads, I apologize for the woeful lack of hardware strapped to my handle bars ...

View attachment 116722


View attachment 116719

You show me yours, I'll show you mine...

 

[rugby bloke]

Not looking much like a typical 'rugby bloke' there, if I'm honest. The guys on the right in both pics are though...

I'm more of a piano player than a piano shifter on the pitch. Have always left the pushing and showing to the fat boys !

 

[martint235]

Not sure if it's mentioned elsewhere. Always do hills at your own pace. A lot of people feel guilty or think it's showing off to pass people but I'm a grinder and I just can't drop my speed /cadence to match some of the spinners.

 

[Dec66]

Not sure if it's mentioned elsewhere. Always do hills at your own pace. A lot of people feel guilty or think it's showing off to pass people but I'm a grinder and I just can't drop my speed /cadence to match some of the spinners.

Amen to that.

Not long ago I spun up Star Hill on my middle ring (39x25), easily passing someone grinding up on the way, about halfway up the climb as it bends to the right.

Just by the very top, where it levels out, he flew past me.

In fairness, I'd slackened off a bit because my matey was struggling up... And there's another conundrum, which perhaps I'll stick in a separate thread.

 

[blazed]

Here I am climbing Winnats Pass, toughest climb in the peak district. That section is 10%+ just before it ramped up, which is when I put the power down and left that car for dead.
Did it numerous times that weekend and easily fastest rider of the day on strava both days.
Past many twiglets, most of them weighed less than my upper body but all struggling. Sheer power wins on short climbs, even on winnats which has a long section of 20%, if you can push the watts, you take the daily KOM.

 

[Bollo]

Here I am climbing Winnats Pass, toughest climb in the peak district. That section is 10%+ just before it ramped up, which is when I put the power down and left that car for dead.
Did it numerous times that weekend and easily fastest rider of the day on strava both days.
Past many twiglets, most of them weighed less than my upper body but all struggling. Sheer power wins on short climbs, even on winnats which has a long section of 20%, if you can push the watts, you take the daily KOM.

Wow, that's really impressive, b man! I can't wait for you to link your strava segments so we can try to learn from the best.

 

[blazed]

Wow, that's really impressive, b man! I can't wait for you to link your strava segments so we can try to learn from the best.

I'm looking into starting an online coaching program like Carmichael's.

 

[Dec66]

It wouldn't be a show without Punch...

 

[Bollo]

I'm looking into starting an online coaching program like Carmichael's.

I'm looking into marrying Mila Kunis. Let me know how you get on.

 

[Citius]

Here I am climbing Winnats Pass, toughest climb in the peak district. That section is 10%+ just before it ramped up, which is when I put the power down and left that car for dead.
Did it numerous times that weekend and easily fastest rider of the day on strava both days.
Past many twiglets, most of them weighed less than my upper body but all struggling. Sheer power wins on short climbs, even on winnats which has a long section of 20%, if you can push the watts, you take the daily KOM.

 

[blazed]

For those wondering best how to fuel. I've tried and tested everything, and have created the absolute optimal balance of in ride nutrition.

I've got a hilly 100-120 mile ride in the chilterns tomorrow, this is what I'll consume.

 

[Dec66]

For those wondering best how to fuel. I've tried and tested everything, and have created the absolute optimal balance of in ride nutrition.

I've got a hilly 100-120 mile ride in the chilterns tomorrow, this is what I'll consume.

Well, your dentist will be busy, if nothing else.