Mountains from mole hills

If your gearing is sufficiently low, then riding up mountains can be done with an effort similar to riding briskly on the flats. The difference being that there is little opportunity for coasting or rest while riding uphill, so it's important to pace yourself and ride within your capabilities.

'Hilly' routes can have much steeper climbs than typical mountain roads because mountain roads tend to be graded at a more moderate 4-6% slope. You just grind away at a steady pace and eventually you're at the top. It's similar to riding into a stiff headwind.

As frenchy said, the biggest initial problem with long, steady grade climbs is that there is no resting. When I first got my PM and looked at some of my training files, I was amazed to see how often I was resting (zero to low watts) on flat or rolling routes. On a long climb, if you rest, the bike stops, so there's no resting. Initially, this is incredibly fatiguing. I think the key to long climbs is tempo and rhythm. I like to settle into a gear and cadence and then just tap out the strokes much like a dance step to music. If the grade changes, I try to keep the same gear and cadence, which means that my power varies as a function of the grade. I think it also helps to develop a smooth, rhythmic off-the-saddle technique relying primarily on body weight for the downstroke and a very relaxed upper body. On long climbs, I throw in a minute off the saddle every five minutes or so to use different muscles and to relax my back. I'll be putting these suggestions to good use in the next month as I prepare for a 17.5 mile hill climb TT.

You know, there really is something to finding your rhythm when climbing. Last year, it was all about hammering up hill. Invariably, I'd die a thousand deaths a quarter of a mile into whatever the climb is. This year, after working diligently on my cadence, what I try to do is find a comfortable cadence and just stay there.

The kicker is this: say I'm going up something 6% or more, I spin in order to stay at 10 mph (or whatever speed/cadence you can live with) in the lowest gear; even if the hill levels off a bit in sections, I keep the same cadence and don't try to get into my red zone (some point where your heart rate pegs and you are completely drained). I find this works quite well. Being consistent, you can finish the hill faster than starting strong and dying part way up.

This works even better on a climb that you know. You can pace yourself. On shorter climbs, I can get out of the saddle and pull all the way up, all the while trying to keep the cadence relatively constant. So, yes, consistency is the key.

And climb more hills .. the only way to get better.

RapDaddyo said:

As frenchy said, the biggest initial problem with long, steady grade climbs is that there is no resting. When I first got my PM and looked at some of my training files, I was amazed to see how often I was resting (zero to low watts) on flat or rolling routes. On a long climb, if you rest, the bike stops, so there's no resting. Initially, this is incredibly fatiguing. I think the key to long climbs is tempo and rhythm. I like to settle into a gear and cadence and then just tap out the strokes much like a dance step to music. If the grade changes, I try to keep the same gear and cadence, which means that my power varies as a function of the grade. I think it also helps to develop a smooth, rhythmic off-the-saddle technique relying primarily on body weight for the downstroke and a very relaxed upper body. On long climbs, I throw in a minute off the saddle every five minutes or so to use different muscles and to relax my back. I'll be putting these suggestions to good use in the next month as I prepare for a 17.5 mile hill climb TT.

Thanks, this sounds like sound advice. I think the big challenge for me is the lack of rest and the build up of lactic acid. I'll be in the 26 front 28 rear all the way, but its still intimidating. I think I'll put the bike in the car next weekend and try the first part of the climb, I don't expect to complete it, just gauge the difficulty.

Nun:

Turn off the computer - forget preferred cadence and the science of it all - get in your preferred gear and just ride it - forget any extraneous activity going on around you. Go up with no expectations and just study what's happening as you progress up the hill (varying grade, road quality, blind spots for cars, perceived effort, etc.)

Inevitably, you'll be going crazy on the science and numbers soon enough ...