New to cycling - hills

[albion]

Most bikes are not quite designed for the British terrain.Getting fitter I made fast 7mph progress on a long steep one home yet still needed my 24/34 granny gear in order to rest towards the top.I now also have a 22/32/42 chainwheel which will go stright on if I get back to touring.

I'm not sure whether it is just me but walking up hills was always far more tiring.

 

[Cal]

Hi again, thanks for all those replies, plenty of food for thought there.

I suppose part of the problem is not really knowing terms such as cadence/spinning and not being used to gears yet (did I mention it being years since I've ridden and then not regularly!) I've found I can keep going in 2nd on shallower parts not a hope so far in 3rd and at steeper parts it's a matter of time before I need to stop even when in 1st. I think I just needed reassurance about not looking a complete berk when I'm pushing the bike, mind you I'm not sure I care at the time..

Done some of that shouting as I'm struggling to get further - good job it's a fairly quiet route as there may be a touch of swearing there as well. I think I will take the longer route for a while, try the hill once a week and make a note of where I'm having to stop and get a bit further each time.




One thing I have noticed - even when it's been really painful, I get home, 10 minutes later I want to go out again - what's all that about?! (I'd no idea it'd be so addictive)

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Just get off and walk .
In 12 months you will be cycling up and thinking how far you have come.

 

[jdtate101]

As others have said, keep spinning. One nice side effect of cycling is that you will not only get fitter and stronger, but also lighter which make climbing hills much much easier.

Keep it going.......

 

[Peteaud]

Again as others have said.

I am getting up a hill now that even 2 months ago i had to walk up.

I just keep saying "1-2-3-4" in my head whilst going and have ot further and further. that hill is now done, so at the weekend found a slightly longer steeper one.managed it just.

Keep at it.

I am sure its 50/50 with mental attitude and fitness, so be positive.

 

[Dave 123]

Cal,

I'm going to contradict a few earlier posters.... Keep your head up and look to where you WANT to be. I'm a kayaking coach, we teach beginners to look to "future water", if you look as far as you can your boat will be going where you look. Look at the end of your boat and it will spin and turn more.
We also tell them about rhythm and chanting a mantra in your head "fish & chips, fish & chips, fi...." as they paddle, or B&Q if you like.
I hope that this will transfer to a bike.Give it a go, see if it works.

Dave.

 

[albion]

My first gear has a maximum of speed about 4mph.My legs spin too much going any faster.

 

[MattHB]

Well done Cal spinning is just selecting the easiest gear and making your legs go mad fast! It's such a good way, but it depends on what bike and it's gearing, an old shopping bike will have harder gears than a mountain bike.
Everyone's right tho, keep at it and it'll come together, it's amazing how fast itll happen too, the body is an amazing thing!
Oh, the feeling at the end of wanting more, is the endorphins released into your brain because of the exercise, it's extremely addictive!!! Use it to keep you going
Good luck and welcome to CC.

 

[Rob500]

<BR>Hi again, thanks for all those replies, plenty of food for thought there.<BR><BR>I suppose part of the problem is not really knowing terms such as cadence/spinning and not being used to gears yet

<BR><BR>Cal<BR>Cadence is the rate you turn the pedals. ie revolutions per minute.<BR>Spinning is when you are in an "easy"* gear and can turn the pedals quickly<BR>Grinding is when you are in a "harder"* gear and turning the pedals is more difficult.<BR><BR>*These gears are relative to the persons fitness/situation <BR><BR><BR>Edit: MattHB. Got in there before me.

 

[soulful dog]

From a slightly younger female who was seriously unfit when I started cycling a few years ago, good luck with your hill!

I'm still rubbish at hills, but the big thing I've learned from what people have posted on this forum is to make sure you are dropping down to a fairly low gear nice and early. Don't start climbing the hill and then find yourself having to drop down a gear, then another etc because it's too difficult. Try a fairly low gear (perhaps not the lowest as you may find yourself pedalling furiously and tiring yourself out!) right from the start, try to relax your grip on the handlebars and just spin away.

 

[2wd]

Hi Cal

I'm pretty new to all this cycling

Nearly 49 and not ridden for 30 years

I hate hills, but I cant get back home unless I go up a few ....

I find if I relax,breathe properly and dont put all my weight down on the bars it's easier for me

Not sure if not putting weight on the bars is correct, but for me it seems to make the challenge easier

Have faith in yourself

 

[Tigerbiten]

My first gear has a maximum of speed about 4mph.My legs spin too much going any faster.

I beat you there.
My first gear is ~2 mph.
I'm in my 4th gear at ~4 mph.

As other have said.
Just try and stick in your natural cadence and slowly work your way to the top of the hill.
Once you can do it, then you start to look for longer/steeper ones.

Ps, I'm on a recunbent trike, hence the silly low 1st gear.

 

[loops]

hey!

Don't stress about the hills

I live at the top of a hill and have been riding up it for nearly a year now, sometimes once a week, sometimes 3x sometimes 4x....it's still a tough hill...I just know I can get up it.

Intially I rode as far as I could then stopped for a minute, recovered and continued, I did this until I got to the top, I would sometimes need to stop 4 or 5 times and just go a little further each time..I 'm not one for pushing it feels like such hard work.

Gradually everytime I thought I was going to stop I made myself just turn the pedals round 10 more times, or identified a lamppost or car a little further ahead and thought ok ..just keep going till there then I can stop..recover..start again.

Now I don't stop at all...but I still approach it in different ways..largely dependent on my mood

or how much shopping I have in my panniers!! So I may go up in a measured way..counting, breathing, singing as others have mentioned..or I may try and power up it with much breathing,grunting,cursing and a bright red face

!!

I have realised that becoming really tense and hunched over can cause undue mental distress!!

Try to look ahead not necessarily to the top of the hill but in order to make sure you are opening your chest and allowing oxygen in for your muscles to work effectively

When I drive my car home up the hill and have to change gears down for it to get up the hill...I give myself a little self admiration for the fact that my car struggles but I can ride up the bugger if I want

 

[danger mouse]

Hello Cal

All of the above with my ten penneth..


You will be amazed at your progress if you just keep on cycling as much as you can.

Not bad form to get off and push, but I would say that as I do it quite a bit!!

Just to stop you getting bored I would mix up the routes.

Equally its good to have a rest day and maybe alternate your exercise, maybe walking.

Keep going in the knowledge that you are doing your health a massive favour as well as the money you will save.

Its all good

 

[Globalti]

First time I rode up my local challenge, the Nick of Pendle, I conked out half way and got off for a rest. A bunch of roadies came along so I pretended I was picking blackberries and gave them a cheery wave.

Two years later I can waltz up it without too much stress, because the muscles in my legs have developed. It makes me feel good.