How does aerobic conditioning impact climbing abilities for overweight cyclists, particularly when it comes to sustained, longer climbs versus shorter, punchier ones? Is the relationship between aerobic fitness and climbing ability linear, or are there diminishing returns once a certain level of fitness is reached?
Does the added weight of an overweight cyclist impact their power-to-weight ratio to such an extent that even significant gains in aerobic fitness are largely offset by the excess weight, making it more difficult to climb efficiently? Or can targeted aerobic conditioning, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and tempo rides, help mitigate the negative effects of excess weight on climbing performance?
Are there any specific training protocols or workouts that overweight cyclists can use to improve their aerobic fitness and, by extension, their climbing abilities? For example, would a focus on increasing lactate threshold be more beneficial than trying to boost VO2 max, or is it more about building overall cardiovascular endurance through longer, steady-state rides?
How do different types of climbs – such as steep, technical ascents versus longer, more gradual ones – affect the relationship between aerobic conditioning and climbing ability for overweight cyclists? Are there certain types of climbs that are more or less dependent on aerobic fitness, and how can overweight cyclists tailor their training to address these specific demands?
Does the added weight of an overweight cyclist impact their power-to-weight ratio to such an extent that even significant gains in aerobic fitness are largely offset by the excess weight, making it more difficult to climb efficiently? Or can targeted aerobic conditioning, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and tempo rides, help mitigate the negative effects of excess weight on climbing performance?
Are there any specific training protocols or workouts that overweight cyclists can use to improve their aerobic fitness and, by extension, their climbing abilities? For example, would a focus on increasing lactate threshold be more beneficial than trying to boost VO2 max, or is it more about building overall cardiovascular endurance through longer, steady-state rides?
How do different types of climbs – such as steep, technical ascents versus longer, more gradual ones – affect the relationship between aerobic conditioning and climbing ability for overweight cyclists? Are there certain types of climbs that are more or less dependent on aerobic fitness, and how can overweight cyclists tailor their training to address these specific demands?
Either way, it's a journey, right? 
