My 20 minute Cragg Vale hill climb challenge

[Norry1]

I've just checked strava...just over 27 mins is my quickest time over ten years ago. I don't think I've ever done the climb with favourable conditions.....almost every time has been with the belly full of tea and cake or a pie after stopping in Hebden irrespective of wind....I should give it a go soon when I've got some baggage off the tum.
PS what's the CC strava club?

https://www.strava.com/clubs/3889?oq=cyclechat

 

[PaulSB]

We have a number of local hill climb segments I like to have a go at. My best results always come when I'm out on a ride, find myself a mile or so from a climb that's on the route and think to myself "feeling good today, I'll give it a go." Sometimes it works, others it doesn't. The times when it doesn't work I find I get half way or so and decide "Nah, not today."

At my level, and I suggest for most, planning, weather conditions, markers etc. make no difference. Obviously pouring rain and a stiff headwind do make a difference but then those aren't days when i think "feeling good today." 🤣

The single biggest demotivator is information. I used to have my Wahoo set to show a comparison between my best time and today. The moment the Wahoo started to show I was 5, 10, 15 seconds off my best pace my head would go.

The best way to tackle a PB is turn up on a day when you're feeling good. Simple.

 

[ColinJ]

Get some markers on the hill, thst mean you are on target. For example reach point A after 1 min, point B after 5 mins, point C after 10 mins etc…

Assuming that the wind on the top half of the climb isn't going to be a major factor (and I have paced myself sensibly), I know that I reach the bus stop at the foot of the mid-climb ramp in close to half the total time. If that is close to half my PB it is worth getting stuck in for the rest of the climb.

I think that I will make a mental note of where I have got to after 20 minutes and try to push that closer and closer to the end of the climb on subsequent attempts.

 

[ColinJ]

I think I could have saved 3-4 kg by riding my CAAD5 without water and carrying just minimal kit.

Next time I will ride lighter and just go by HR. (The trouble with HR though is the lag. I have my Elemnt Bolt set to display the 3 second average power so I never need to spend more than a few seconds at the wrong level of effort).

I had another go this evening. The wind had dropped in the valley so I was hoping for a clear run at a PB.

I was doing well in the first half, getting to the bus turning layby in just under 13 minutes. In theory that could mean an overall time of around 26 minutes but as soon as I got up onto the open moor I could feel the drag of a breeze in my face. It wasn't a strong wind but it was enough to slow me down.

I kept making a decent effort for another few minutes but the chance of a PB had slipped away so I eventually slowed down and got to the top in 29 minutes, 2 minutes slower than my (current era) PB.

I had new GP5000s on the bike. I had chosen tyre pressures for comfort rather than lowest rolling resistance. Next time I will opt for performance rather than comfort! I could probably claw back another few watts that way.

 

[ColinJ]

I had new GP5000s on the bike. I had chosen tyre pressures for comfort rather than lowest rolling resistance. Next time I will opt for performance rather than comfort! I could probably claw back another few watts that way.

Tyre pressures are a compromise between comfort, rolling resistance, and protection against snakebite punctures. Lower pressure is better for comfort; higher is better for protection, and generally for lower rolling resistance.

When I fitted the tyres I put 6.5 bar in the rear tyre and 6.0 bar in the front. They rolled very well and I was confident that I would avoid snakebites unless I hit a major bump at speed. The problem was that they felt very uncomfortable on my rough local road surfaces.

I reduced the pressures front and rear to 5.0 bar. The tyres then felt pretty comfortable, but I was worried when hitting bumps at speed, and they felt a bit stodgy.

I increased the pressure to 5.5 bar front and rear this evening. Assessment? Comfort was acceptable; I felt more protected on rough surfaces; the tyres rolled much better.

I called back home, increased the pressure to 5.75 bar front and rear, then went out again to ride some of the same roads that I had just done. I think that pressure is probably the best compromise for me at 79 kg, on a 9 kg bike, and toting another 3 kg or so of clothing, spares, tools and drink. 'Acceptably uncomfortable', good protection against snakebites, and lowish rolling resistance.

I will go back up the climb some time soon when weather conditions are good and see if I can my PB closer to 26 minutes .

 

[ColinJ]

I called back home, increased the pressure to 5.75 bar front and rear, then went out again to ride some of the same roads that I had just done. I think that pressure is probably the best compromise for me at 79 kg, on a 9 kg bike, and toting another 3 kg or so of clothing, spares, tools and drink. 'Acceptably uncomfortable', good protection against snakebites, and lowish rolling resistance.

A 51 km ride later... Nope - they are going to be lowered back down to 5.5 bar!

What may be 'acceptably uncomfortable' after 5.1 km definitely is not after ten times the distance!

Not only did I feel battered, but my bottle abandoned the bike in disgust on a bumpy descent.

 

[Jameshow]

I'm 75 kg and I put in 80 psi or 5.5bar in 25mm tires. It's always a compromise esp on rough or chip and seal surfaces.