How to tackle Hills

[cervelo chic]

I find that turbo training is the best tool for improving hill climbing. I have found that a couple of hard sessions for 45mins a week has helped improve my hill times by 30+seconds and they feel easier now too

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I find that turbo training is the best tool for improving hill climbing. I have found that a couple of hard sessions for 45mins a week has helped improve my hill times by 30+seconds and they feel easier now too

Same can be said about just going out and climbing the hills, the harder you work the easier they become.

 

[cervelo chic]

depends how fast you want to improve though

 

[Nigelnaturist]

depends how fast you want to improve though

Just do more hills, or the same hill over and over, or ride into this wind we've been having of late.

 

[ianwoodi]

At the moment i am managing 12mph up a 10% hill is this a good average speed or is there room for improvement

 

[Nigelnaturist]

At the moment i am managing 12mph up a 10% hill is this a good average speed or is there room for improvement

Better than me, depends how long it is.

 

[Rob3rt]

The OP rides 10-15 miles a week, sometimes not even that. If anyone thinks he needs specific hill training they are loosing their marbles!

 

[Sittingduck]

At the moment i am managing 12mph up a 10% hill is this a good average speed or is there room for improvement

Sounds like you need to get Strava, which is the ultimate in comparison tools, imho. Also great for tracking improvements and motivating yourself.

 

[GrasB]

At the moment i am managing 12mph up a 10% hill is this a good average speed or is there room for improvement

10% at 12mph = 500w which is good, eg. you will have to be doing some effective training, assuming:

1. It's a steady gradient rather than 10% peek
2. This climb is a reasonable length, eg. more than 60s of climbing at a steady pace
3. You're at speed equilibrium rather than maintain as much momentum as possible
4. You're 11st & 5ft 10' riding on the hoods
5. You had no wind or draft assistance
6. You're on a non-aero bike that weights 10kg all up

 

[HLaB]

Heavy bikes and especially additional weight on the wheels and tyres will make a big difference but the key is fitness. When you become cycling fit (or fitter) you will see a great benefit from changing to lighter kit but it could be argued that training and learning on heavier equipment is no bad thing.

Untill my shunt last week I liked to train/ commute on my heavy fixie for that reason.

 

[Sara_H]

The only advice is to climb the hills as often as possible.

I cycle commuted for years, but only worked two days a week and the hills defeated me. When I increased my hours and started cycling four days a week I was suddenly better at the hills within weeks! All those years struggling and all I needed to do was increase the amount of time spent hill climbing!

 

[ianwoodi]

I found that out the more hill you climb the better you get I go out most days weather permitting warm up for two miles and do a good short steep hill and then i head for longhill which is 3% but long and push as hard as i can

 

[GrasB]

Heavy bikes and especially additional weight on the wheels and tyres will make a big difference

No, no, no & again NO!

A 11.3kg all up weight bike with deep section aero wheels & Durano+ 25-622 tyres will climb steep & slow just as well as a 11.3kg bike with light weight rims & tyres once Crr & CdA has been taken into consideration. I have tested this several times, with the same result, the all up weight is important, where that weight is on the bike isn't important. Now the thing is to get the same weight I simply added water to my water bottle.

 

[Sittingduck]

Ok - no need to get shouty...

Are you sure that's a no?

 

[BigonaBianchi]

there is a secret to getting up the hills....

at the top there is always a fit blonde with big cakes...keep telling yourself that and everest will seem small