[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[Bold Seagull]

Have to admit I tend to start on the hardest gear I can and gradually work my way down as I go up a hill. I have pretty low gears through as I have a touring bike rather than a roady.

Well, I'll let others comment too, but you'll find most advice is typically get in the gear you think you'll use for the whole of the climb. At the start it will feel a lower gear than you think you need, however down shifting in the middle of a climb loses power, speed and momentum. Don't be worried if you're spinning at the start, you'll settle into a cadence and rhythm.

I'd say it's almost always better to be changing up a gear half way up a climb because you are going really well, than having to change down because you're struggling.

Anyway, I reckon [MENTION=435]Stat Brother[/MENTION] should be able to add some advice, as I see he had a cheeky climb up it last week!

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Well, I'll let others comment too, but you'll find most advice is typically get in the gear you think you'll use for the whole of the climb. At the start it will feel a lower gear than you think you need, however down shifting in the middle of a climb loses power, speed and momentum. Don't be worried if you're spinning at the start, you'll settle into a cadence and rhythm.

I'd say it's almost always better to be changing up a gear half way up a climb because you are going really well, than having to change down because you're struggling.

Anyway, I reckon [MENTION=435]Stat Brother[/MENTION] should be able to add some advice, as I see he had a cheeky climb up it last week!

I'd start in a comfortable gear then, depending whether your legs are going faster or slower than before, change gear when needed!

 

[Bold Seagull]

I'd start in a comfortable gear then, depending whether your legs are going faster or slower than before, change gear when needed!

You know I like to over complicate cycling!

 

[teaboy]

Starting off with a crit is hard going - full of max efforts. Have you been doing any of these on the commute? Is it a 4th cat race?

It's 3/4, with E/1/2 as well - it depends who turns up really. Tonight's the first in the series. I've done a few efforts, and can comfortably cruise at 35kph ish fixed. I'm more concerned about riding freewheel again! I *almost* did a 10 mile TT last night, jut as a warm-up/prologue, but saw sense. I'm unlikely to be contesting any sprints, and I'm on a provisional licence anyway so can't get points. I haven't ridden the circuit yet either, so I'm not entirely sure what I'm in for, except the hour of pain followed by some throwing up (probably!). My main thought will be 'at least I'm not in Hillingdon'...

 

[Stat Brother]

I'm thinking of giving the Beacon a whirl this evening, though I still don't feel that fit! Any tips?

Why [MENTION=16159]Bold Seagull[/MENTION] you must have some kind of mountain goat legend teaching you

Bold's pretty much spot on, [MENTION=1320]Notters[/MENTION], climbing (for us) is more about rhythm and tempo instead of 'attacking' the climb.
Set your cadence, breathing & gears to get you to the top and don't stray from that, until such time as you know you'll make it.

Have to admit I tend to start on the hardest gear I can and gradually work my way down as I go up a hill. I have pretty low gears through as I have a touring bike rather than a roady.

Do this, but in REVERSE!!.
On a road bike, on a 10% climb, ridden by 'some bloke' (or Lady) I'd say make sure you're in your biggest gear. (I don't know your gear ratio)
Sit comfortably and spin it out.
Don't make it hard for yourself, don't hold gears back.


Ditchling starts steep.
Then about a third of the way up it drops off a bit.
Resist the temptation to push on here, just sit tight and spin it out.
The climb steepens again.
Ride it through to the 'horse crossing' sign, then you're pretty much done.
So if you want to kick on, feel free.

Ditchling's tight bends do allow you to use them to your advantage.
If you can ride towards the middle of the road.
Just past the apex you can cut across the road, and momentarily ride down hill.

For me I have to make myself look up at the climb ahead.
I find if I've got my head down and then look up, I'm not as far up as I anticipate, which is very demoralising.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

It's 3/4, with E/1/2 as well - it depends who turns up really. Tonight's the first in the series. I've done a few efforts, and can comfortably cruise at 35kph ish fixed. I'm more concerned about riding freewheel again! I *almost* did a 10 mile TT last night, jut as a warm-up/prologue, but saw sense. I'm unlikely to be contesting any sprints, and I'm on a provisional licence anyway so can't get points. I haven't ridden the circuit yet either, so I'm not entirely sure what I'm in for, except the hour of pain followed by some throwing up (probably!). My main thought will be 'at least I'm not in Hillingdon'...

Fair enough. I spent many a Tuesday evening at Hillingdon - sucha wasted opportunity when you're designing a circuit from scratch. I actually did my first race on the Hayes bypass (the forerunner of the Hillingdon circuit!).

Good luck, hope it all goes well.

 

[Notters]

[MENTION=435]Stat Brother[/MENTION] I think my easiest gears are probably too easy. The amount of spinning seems to instantly knacker my legs out. I will try the easiest gear on the middle front cog I think.

having said all that, it's so windy I think I'll be knackered by the time I get to Ditchling.

 

[Stat Brother]

Yeah a granny ring shouldn't be needed.
Middle ring on the front big cog on the back.

Although you don't want to be bouncing around the front and back cassettes while on an 11% climb.

 

[Notters]

Although you don't want to be bouncing around the front and back cassettes while on an 11% climb.

My bike has a habit of doing that whether I want it to or not. I must get that service booked in.

 

[Stat Brother]

I've still managed a pb of 6:43 up the beacon not so long ago which I was fairly pleased with (given my 13.5st frame!).

Ah back to this.
I sagely nodded when I read it at work, but forgot to mention it earlier.

Chapeau, I'd hope you were more than fairly pleased with that time.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Ah back to this.
I sagely nodded when I read it at work, but forgot to mention it earlier.

Chapeau, I'd hope you were more than fairly pleased with that time.

It is frightening what people do it in though. Steve Kane at Brighton Excelsior does it in little over 5mins, our own Glanders 5:38, seems just ridiculous that over a 7min climb for me, someone could be waiting up at the top with an ice cream for 2mins. Hope some of the riders in the Tour of Britain have their Strava's on as it will be great to see their segment times.

 

[banjo]

It is frightening what people do it in though. Steve Kane at Brighton Excelsior does it in little over 5mins, our own Glanders 5:38, seems just ridiculous that over a 7min climb for me, someone could be waiting up at the top with an ice cream for 2mins. Hope some of the riders in the Tour of Britain have their Strava's on as it will be great to see their segment times.

Hi I know a few of you on geeks use Strava, how do I check out other peoples rides ?

 

[Stat Brother]

Hi I know a few of you on geeks use Strava, how do I check out other peoples rides ?

Click on the link in my signature, then take it from there.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Hi I know a few of you on geeks use Strava, how do I check out other peoples rides ?

Join the 'North Stand Geeks' on Strava - http://www.strava.com/clubs/north-stand-geeks

We're up to 23 members now I see [MENTION=11738]Spreadbetting Seagull[/MENTION] has joined

 

[armchairclubber]

Hi I know a few of you on geeks use Strava, how do I check out other peoples rides ?

I would also like to get on strava but am still in the dark ages, any help with affordable / value recommendations for phone and using the app appreciated

 

[banjo]

Click on the link in my signature, then take it from there.

Join the 'North Stand Geeks' on Strava - http://www.strava.com/clubs/north-stand-geeks

We're up to 23 members now I see [MENTION=11738]Spreadbetting Seagull[/MENTION] has joined

Thanks gives us a few moments and I'll see if I can work out how to join. I'm using runtastic for My rides not sure if I can load these on to Strava or for My ride tomorrow I need to start using Strava ?

 

[Stat Brother]

Join the 'North Stand Geeks' on Strava - http://www.strava.com/clubs/north-stand-geeks

We're up to 23 members now I see [MENTION=11738]Spreadbetting Seagull[/MENTION] has joined

Who's swiped my old Fat Lampre avatar?

 

[edna krabappel]

Did my first 50 mile plus ride today, have had a most pleasant jaunt up around Ashdown Forest, East Grinstead, Crawley (less nice), Handcross & down the back roads to Burgess Hill. Bit windy at times, but I've climbed up a fair few little hills (by my standards ) and didn't get run off the road this time, which is a large bonus.

Had one of those "oh shit" moments on a particularly steep downhill bend somewhere between Warninglid & Bolney, where it was a case of clinging on and praying, but somehow, the bike Gods were smiling on me and I stayed upright against all the odds.

Hooray!

 

[banjo]

Can someone tell Me if I've joined ? If so now have downloaded Strava to iphone so when I do a ride will they automatically load to the group ? God I'm shit with technology.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Can someone tell Me if I've joined ? If so now have downloaded Strava to iphone so when I do a ride will they automatically load to the group ? God I'm shit with technology.

If your initials are the same as a former England goalkeeper then yes you have just joined