Thursday, September 2, 2010

Hill Climbing –Where do you stand?

A featured article in Cycling Weekly recently discussed how to be a better climber. What caught our attention were the tips of when to stand during a climb.

When do you Stand on the Climb?
Staying in the Saddle
  • More efficient since all the oxygen can go to your legs
  • Leg strength will improve
  • Increased coordination in transferring the drive from one leg to another

Standing in the Saddle

  • Produce higher power outputs for steed gradients
  • Standing from time to time will keep you in better shape
  • Can be used to attack and accelerate up hill

Weighty Issues

  • Most of the best climbers weight (in pounds) no more than twice their height in inches. So a 6ft rider would weight approximately 144pds.

Tips for Climbing

  • Look ahead
  • Ride at your own pace
  • Move towards the front of the group at the beginning of climbs to give yourself slipping room
  • Time when to change into an easier gear so you don’t lose momentum.

More cycling tips are available in the SIRC Collection.

1 comment:

climbingamerica said...

Climbing simply put is the sport of manual ascent and has now taken the form of a fully fledged sport. But, climbing should not be taken lightly. It is an advanced skill and training is a must to practice and participate in this sport.

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