I've got a few

Quoted message said:

I've got a few good bike tracks near home. Some have hills I can
push up while remaining seated, some I end up standing ont the
pedals most of the way up. If my aim is to get some strength for
triathlons that are always held on the flat should I stick to
training in the seated position and just ride the hills where
that is possible most of the time? Or is there value in riding
the steeper hills where I have to get up?

I have no real knowledge but I do enjoy speaking with the strength of
Ignorance, so....

Climbing hills will build strength which will be is an important part of
any athlettes training program.

I'd remain setted for as long as you can, and if you ride the hills
regularly you will find that your time seated should increase gradually
as your strenth increases.

Cheers

Joel

Quoted message said:

I've got a few good bike tracks near home. Some have hills I can
push up while remaining seated, some I end up standing ont the
pedals most of the way up. If my aim is to get some strength for
triathlons that are always held on the flat should I stick to
training in the seated position and just ride the hills where
that is possible most of the time? Or is there value in riding
the steeper hills where I have to get up?

I'd suggest training in the aero positon, so as to strengthen the
muscles in your lower back. If you're riding on the flat it's more
important to stay aero. Having said that, it probably doesn't hurt to do
hills occasionally.

Marty

Quoted message said:

I've got a few good bike tracks near home. Some have hills I can
push up while remaining seated, some I end up standing ont the
pedals most of the way up. If my aim is to get some strength for
triathlons that are always held on the flat should I stick to
training in the seated position and just ride the hills where
that is possible most of the time? Or is there value in riding
the steeper hills where I have to get up?

The hill riding will help you build strength, whether you are seated or
standing on the pedals. But as a general rule, if you are going to ride in
hills, train in the hills; if you are riding the flat, train on the flat.

Racing on the flat is rather different to hill climbing. You need less focus
on power and more sustained stamina, espacially in triathlons. Ride the flat
to get used to pushing into headwinds and maintaining a sustained flat out
speed. Chase cars, trucks, kangaroos or anything that passes you to keep
yourself fast. Ride the flat for hours at a time to get used to the saddle
you ride and the race position.

I'm no expert mind, just my 2c

Cheers
Peter

Quoted message said:

I've got a few good bike tracks near home. Some have hills I can
push up while remaining seated, some I end up standing ont the
pedals most of the way up. If my aim is to get some strength for
triathlons that are always held on the flat should I stick to
training in the seated position and just ride the hills where
that is possible most of the time? Or is there value in riding
the steeper hills where I have to get up?

In general, train the terrain you race on. Hill training
won't be of any great benefit to ITTs on flat courses (if
you're doing decent ITT training anyway .. the "anything is better
than nothing" caveat applies)

Cycling (except sprinting) is not a strength sport.

[email hidden said:

"]I've got a few good bike tracks near home. Some have hills I can
push up while remaining seated, some I end up standing ont the
pedals most of the way up. If my aim is to get some strength for
triathlons that are always held on the flat should I stick to
training in the seated position and just ride the hills where
that is possible most of the time? Or is there value in riding
the steeper hills where I have to get up?

being more triathlon focused myself, I regularly throw in hill work, it is a great way to build strength and it is also a very good means of interval or threshold training, learn to love/hate the hills it is a 2 way relationship.

And dont forget, some triathlon courses do have hills you know! I have been told the Canberra Half Ironman has some hills for me to enjoy later this year.

As to riding the hills, you will be more efficient if you can stay seated, less energy wasted in sustaning a standing position on the bike and the other jazz, keep your ass on the seat as long as possible! 🙂