I can't ride standing
#51
pan y agua
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You don't have to be able to take a drink while riding;
You don't have to be able to eat while riding;
You don't have to be able to take off or put on clothing while riding;
You don't have to be able to ride one handed, or no handed;
You don't have to be able to stand while riding.
But the ability to do all these things will make you a better rider, help you ride longer, make your cycling faster, and more enjoyable.
and in the standing case help avoid erectile dysfunction.
You don't have to be able to eat while riding;
You don't have to be able to take off or put on clothing while riding;
You don't have to be able to ride one handed, or no handed;
You don't have to be able to stand while riding.
But the ability to do all these things will make you a better rider, help you ride longer, make your cycling faster, and more enjoyable.
and in the standing case help avoid erectile dysfunction.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#52
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#53
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as others have noted, hills take a lot more power than flat ground, especially if you are heavy.
the mistake most people make is going too fast. then they implode and suffer up the hill at a snail's pace, or stop and go back a different way. most people have problems with perceived exertion and also lack power meters, so they don't know that they are going way too hard until it's too late, and they pop.
it depends on what kind of hill we're talking about, mainly how steep and how long you will be climbing it. for a short hill that you spend less than 2 minutes climbing obviously you can dump a whole bunch more power into it than you can afford to do if you're climbing for 30 minutes.
if you don't have a power meter, you might get some use out of riding with a buddy who does have one. the power number itself won't help you, but you can watch them hold 150, 250, or whatever number of watts when transitioning from flat to climbing and watch the speed plummet.
the mistake most people make is going too fast. then they implode and suffer up the hill at a snail's pace, or stop and go back a different way. most people have problems with perceived exertion and also lack power meters, so they don't know that they are going way too hard until it's too late, and they pop.
it depends on what kind of hill we're talking about, mainly how steep and how long you will be climbing it. for a short hill that you spend less than 2 minutes climbing obviously you can dump a whole bunch more power into it than you can afford to do if you're climbing for 30 minutes.
if you don't have a power meter, you might get some use out of riding with a buddy who does have one. the power number itself won't help you, but you can watch them hold 150, 250, or whatever number of watts when transitioning from flat to climbing and watch the speed plummet.
#55
Senior Member
as brian pointed out, standing seems to be overall less efficient (and certainly uses different muscle groups) compared to sitting, but instantaneous power seems much higher than sitting...but again, ultimately depends on technique.
#56
Senior Member
Then there's BMX racers, who spin their cranks at over 170 rpms while standing. I can't do that no matter what my body position is, but it shows that standing should not be an impediment to pedalling speed.
Also, modern shifters work while you're standing. So you shouldn't be "screwed" if you're standing and at the wrong cadence- just shift. It takes practice too.
#57
Uber Goober
Generally, on "the steepest hills", I'm in my lowest gear and seated.
On a lot of moderate hills, I'll stand. That works a lot better now. When I started, I was fatter and my legs weren't built up as well, and I couldn't stand and pedal for more than just a few seconds. But now I can do it for a while.
It also makes a big difference how tired you already are. If I've been climbing all day, I can stand and suddenly don't have the energy to make anything happen and have to sit back down. When I'm fresh, things work a lot better.
On a lot of moderate hills, I'll stand. That works a lot better now. When I started, I was fatter and my legs weren't built up as well, and I couldn't stand and pedal for more than just a few seconds. But now I can do it for a while.
It also makes a big difference how tired you already are. If I've been climbing all day, I can stand and suddenly don't have the energy to make anything happen and have to sit back down. When I'm fresh, things work a lot better.
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#58
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Often it's good to mix up standing and sitting, but on long climbs, you'll probably sit more of the time. My guess is that you need to get used to using the different muscle groups you recruit when standing on a climb, and also don't wait until you're completely gassed to stand. Keep at it and it'll feel more natural.
Edit:no, it's not just for attacking. It can be really helpful to overcome a steeper portion of a hill, or just to change your muscle groups
Edit:no, it's not just for attacking. It can be really helpful to overcome a steeper portion of a hill, or just to change your muscle groups
#59
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I'm not sure if i should tell it or not after all the discussion but i'm not using clipless pedals. My bike has flat pedals and i ride it with running shoes. What about that? I think it changes a lot.
There are also some other things that i can't to while riding which i didn't mention yet. I can't look back, i can't reach to my water bottle, even if i can do that i can't put it back to its place, i can't point a danger to the group of people behind me (if there is any). But these are the things i can't do when i'm riding down the hill with a lot of speed (like 40 km/h which you can also do if you train hard). And you can ignore this paragraph, i know it'll get better by experience.
There are also some other things that i can't to while riding which i didn't mention yet. I can't look back, i can't reach to my water bottle, even if i can do that i can't put it back to its place, i can't point a danger to the group of people behind me (if there is any). But these are the things i can't do when i'm riding down the hill with a lot of speed (like 40 km/h which you can also do if you train hard). And you can ignore this paragraph, i know it'll get better by experience.
Last edited by hillcrawler; 06-12-12 at 06:25 AM.
#60
Peripheral Visionary
I had no clips at all when I started out and I don't remember not being able to stand up. Not an excuse. Practice and learn.
#61
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#62
Peripheral Visionary
They do help a lot to keep your feet in place and for pulling up, however, it's not a requirement when it comes to pedaling on your feet. One should have enough balance in the pedal stroke to pull it off without any toe clips or clip-less clips .
#63
pan y agua
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I'm not sure if i should tell it or not after all the discussion but i'm not using clipless pedals. My bike has flat pedals and i ride it with running shoes. What about that? I think it changes a lot.
There are also some other things that i can't to while riding which i didn't mention yet. I can't look back, i can't reach to my water bottle, even if i can do that i can't put it back to its place, i can't point a danger to the group of people behind me (if there is any). But these are the things i can't do when i'm riding down the hill with a lot of speed (like 40 km/h which you can also do if you train hard). And you can ignore this paragraph, i know it'll get better by experience.
There are also some other things that i can't to while riding which i didn't mention yet. I can't look back, i can't reach to my water bottle, even if i can do that i can't put it back to its place, i can't point a danger to the group of people behind me (if there is any). But these are the things i can't do when i'm riding down the hill with a lot of speed (like 40 km/h which you can also do if you train hard). And you can ignore this paragraph, i know it'll get better by experience.
1) Stay with it, and accumulate more miles;
2) Get clipless pedals, and cycling shoes; ( a decent setup is not terribly expensive)
3) Practice the various skills you struggle with, standing, drinking, looking back, etc.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#64
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I guess there aren't any long climbs around here. Steep, but not necessarily long, or what's long isn't so steep. Or maybe I've found I'm significant;y more efficient in the saddle than out. Don't know.
One of these day's I'll make it to Black Mountain Rd and try that.
One of these day's I'll make it to Black Mountain Rd and try that.
#65
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As another poster said, the fact that standing uses a different muscle group means that, for those who can do it, standing a bit on a long climb gives the primary muscles used in seated climbs a bit of a break. Anyone who's ever taken a spinning class or used their bike on a trainer and included routines where they do sit/stand intervals or long periods of seated and standing climbs can identify with this situation. There are times when you actually feel better standing. One key trick is to shift into a slightly higher gear before standing so you'll generate the maximum power.
#66
Recusant Iconoclast
You don't have to be able to take a drink while riding;
You don't have to be able to eat while riding;
You don't have to be able to take off or put on clothing while riding;
You don't have to be able to ride one handed, or no handed;
You don't have to be able to stand while riding.
But the ability to do all these things will make you a better rider, help you ride longer, make your cycling faster, and more enjoyable.
and in the standing case help avoid erectile dysfunction.
You don't have to be able to eat while riding;
You don't have to be able to take off or put on clothing while riding;
You don't have to be able to ride one handed, or no handed;
You don't have to be able to stand while riding.
But the ability to do all these things will make you a better rider, help you ride longer, make your cycling faster, and more enjoyable.
and in the standing case help avoid erectile dysfunction.
#67
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I had the idea that when you are pooping your ass off while climbing the steepest hills it's a good idea to stand up and give yourself a boost. I tried that today and failed. My tighs hurt and sat back. Is it only useful when you're attacking to someone for a short period? On continous long hills should you stick to your saddle?
I like to be out of the saddle more then in it, flats are boring unless there's a stiff headwind, and hills are wonderful, the longer the better, I avoid humid days
First things first, without clips (pedals) you lose half the stroke, no up, really.
So after you get some, with nice orthotics underfoot, standing is more balanced, you're always connected, feeding yourself is safer, drinking is something you really need, try a camelback till you're comfortable with a bottle, but, let me point out, people that suffer Parkinson's are not bicycle riders, it's a balance thing,just sayin'
#68
Senior Member
For most people, this isn't a problem. The trick is being sanitary about it.
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Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#69
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#70
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#72
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I'm not sure if i should tell it or not after all the discussion but i'm not using clipless pedals. My bike has flat pedals and i ride it with running shoes. What about that? I think it changes a lot.
There are also some other things that i can't to while riding which i didn't mention yet. I can't look back, i can't reach to my water bottle, even if i can do that i can't put it back to its place, i can't point a danger to the group of people behind me (if there is any). But these are the things i can't do when i'm riding down the hill with a lot of speed (like 40 km/h which you can also do if you train hard). And you can ignore this paragraph, i know it'll get better by experience.
There are also some other things that i can't to while riding which i didn't mention yet. I can't look back, i can't reach to my water bottle, even if i can do that i can't put it back to its place, i can't point a danger to the group of people behind me (if there is any). But these are the things i can't do when i'm riding down the hill with a lot of speed (like 40 km/h which you can also do if you train hard). And you can ignore this paragraph, i know it'll get better by experience.
As for the standing thing, most of us do it at some point but it comes easier for some.
I've seen a friend climb for miles while standing the whole way. I rode 10 miles with a guy who stood the whole time, chatting. He even stood while looking back to check traffic.
#73
Descends like a rock
#74
pan y agua
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See. e.g., Tom Simpson.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.