My 20 minute Cragg Vale hill climb challenge
- Thread starter ColinJ
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
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.
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.
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
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.
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
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.
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
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 .
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
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.
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I had another go at the climb this evening, with the same result as last time - 29 minutes exactly!
I really struggled to get going for the first couple of km of the climb. I was gasping for breath at a heart rate of 145-150 bpm, wondering how the heck I managed to average 150-151 bpm for the whole climb on previous attempts.
After the climb was over it eventually dawned on me that I am not warming up effectively enough. I had thought that the ride from Todmorden to the start of the climb would be enough but I just checked the data - 28 minutes at an average of only 119 bpm, with a maximum of 139 bpm. It's expecting a lot to set off on the climb and trying to hit 150+ bpm in a few seconds and hold that for nearly half an hour!
Once I had finally settled into the climbing my breathing recovered to comfortable deep breaths for the rest of the climb. I once again averaged 150 bpm for the whole climb with the second half at over 150 bpm, and a maximum of 157 bpm.
What I will do next time is set out as I did today but turn round at the bus stop before the mid-climb ramp and quickly ride back down to the start, u-turn, and only then start the timer. I will still be doing my warm-up gasping on the first part of the climb but not during my actual timed effort! It will be interesting to see what difference that makes.
I really struggled to get going for the first couple of km of the climb. I was gasping for breath at a heart rate of 145-150 bpm, wondering how the heck I managed to average 150-151 bpm for the whole climb on previous attempts.
After the climb was over it eventually dawned on me that I am not warming up effectively enough. I had thought that the ride from Todmorden to the start of the climb would be enough but I just checked the data - 28 minutes at an average of only 119 bpm, with a maximum of 139 bpm. It's expecting a lot to set off on the climb and trying to hit 150+ bpm in a few seconds and hold that for nearly half an hour!
Once I had finally settled into the climbing my breathing recovered to comfortable deep breaths for the rest of the climb. I once again averaged 150 bpm for the whole climb with the second half at over 150 bpm, and a maximum of 157 bpm.
What I will do next time is set out as I did today but turn round at the bus stop before the mid-climb ramp and quickly ride back down to the start, u-turn, and only then start the timer. I will still be doing my warm-up gasping on the first part of the climb but not during my actual timed effort! It will be interesting to see what difference that makes.
