standing up

[s7ephanie]

see lots of cyclists standing whilst going up hills. I can't do this (stand up) is it just practice i need, or am i missing a trick here !!
i can manage about 2 turns of pedals before i collapse

 

[midlife]

Honking as we used to call it LOL. Not sure I'd be able to ride around without doing it.

Shaun

 

[Levo-Lon]

My mrs cant seem to master this either..
she can free wheel standing but cant pedal..
i think its physically more demanding and a bit more scary in the "might fall off stakes"
I also think my wifes bike being a lady geometry bike makes her more over the bars when standing? So that could be it...

i cant pedal for long standing but some seem to do it for ages..i have very strong legs too so ill give up now..lol

 

[screenman]

Practise.

 

[anothersam]

I practically live to honk. Top Tip: it isn't onomatopoeic.

 

[annedonnelly]

It uses different leg muscles I think. You don't need to do it if you don't want to but sometimes it is nice to use those other muscles.
You probably just need to practise.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Practise.

Practice

 

[midlife]

Just as an aside, every now and again on the flat I get up out if the saddle and do a few revs standing up. Sort of "a change is as good as a rest" thing. Not sure there is any scientific evidence but stretches a few muscles I guess.

Shaun

 

[Drago]

Its something I feel less comfortable doing as I get older. If it works for you then go for it, if it doesn't then don't so sweat it.

 

[Mo1959]

I find it easy enough but can't sustain it for very long. Usually just when I want to clear a short, sharp hill with a bit of momentum.

 

[Levo-Lon]

I tend to do it to relieve groin aches..oh for a comfy seat..lol

 

[coffeejo]

Usually just when I want to clear a short, sharp hill with a bit of momentum.

Ditto. Usually remain seated. Too much like exercise otherwise.

 

[Fab Foodie]

see lots of cyclists standing whilst going up hills. I can't do this (stand up) is it just practice i need, or am i missing a trick here !!
i can manage about 2 turns of pedals before i collapse

You need to be in a higher gear than if already sitting and pedaling uphill, you're using power rather than revs. It's not essential to be able to do this but it does give another body position and work some slightly different muscles. What helps is that if clipped-in to the pedals you can also pull on the upstroke too.
You are using your arms too however it's important that your arms are helping power the bike by keeping it stable against your leg work rather than wrestle it up the hill as I often see .... that just wastes energy.
Additionally also allows your backside to have a rest/get some air.
I'm not much of a spinner so tend to stand on hills more than most. You can also move with a very low cadence too this way, useful when you run out of gears.

 

[midlife]

"Move with a very low cadence" AKA you would fall off if you were sitting down .

Shaun

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I'm feeling proud of myself for climbing the hill out of the saddle in Greenwich Park today. I'm trying to get back into the habit of using those muscles - in normal riding I'm already too tired to stand up by the time it occurs to me to do it so I'm trying to remind myself to give my butt a rest. It's only about 45 metres climbing so nothing special to many but it's special for me to even attempt it on hills. It's easier to do when setting off at the lights, for example.