The fastest way to the top?
#26
Newbie racer
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 3,406
Bikes: Propel, red is faster
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1575 Post(s)
Liked 1,569 Times
in
974 Posts
Ever heard of an "under-over" workout done at threshold or over? That's your ticket.
"Under" during the easier grades (the flatter part of a switchback) and "over" during the tougher grades (the steeper part of a switchback).
A set might be 9 minutes with 1u2o repeated 3x until hitting 9 minutes. Under might be done at 95 to 100% and the over from 100 to 110% or something.
Watch Gaimon go after a KOM. It might steady out for constant grades, but you'll notice him give more in sections and less in others.
"Under" during the easier grades (the flatter part of a switchback) and "over" during the tougher grades (the steeper part of a switchback).
A set might be 9 minutes with 1u2o repeated 3x until hitting 9 minutes. Under might be done at 95 to 100% and the over from 100 to 110% or something.
Watch Gaimon go after a KOM. It might steady out for constant grades, but you'll notice him give more in sections and less in others.
#28
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 2,668
Bikes: 2023 Canyon Aeoroad CF SL, 2015 Trek Emonda SLR, 2002 Litespeed Classic, 2005 Bianchi Pista, Some BikesDirect MTB I never ride.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 647 Post(s)
Liked 136 Times
in
89 Posts
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
if it's a 30 minute climb does approaching it as fast as you can really help? sadly, for me, hills are about surviving. especially when it's hot
#30
Serious Cyclist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308
Bikes: Emonda SL6
Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times
in
99 Posts
You can't now, but if you train yourself to get used to them you can. Ironically, I'm in better cycling shape than I was when I raced regularly 4-5 years ago, but I do far fewer fast group rides and very infrequent races these days due to schedule and life so I'm in worse race shape than I was then, precisely because I'm not used to the super-intense anerobic efforts followed by active recovery over and over and over again. No matter how many intervals you do, nothing pushes you quite as hard as trying to close a widening gap to another rider in a race or fast ride.
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 6,016
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1814 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 923 Times
in
569 Posts
Its a net loss attacking at a speed higher than the expected ascent speed, - unless of course the initial speed is "free", form descending the previous hill or because its your normal cruise speed on flat road.
- Reason being overcomeing wind resistance is Very labour intensive and even a very fast approach will only gain a few metres before you are back down to normal ascent speed.
- Reason being overcomeing wind resistance is Very labour intensive and even a very fast approach will only gain a few metres before you are back down to normal ascent speed.
Yeah, this is generally speeding up on the descent before a hill, but even then I sometimes get passed later by riders taking a more steady approach.
Maybe I'll try it the other way for a while....
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 728
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 365 Post(s)
Liked 419 Times
in
248 Posts
Hell, I don't know. Most days, maintaining momentum by down-shifting to maintain a good balance between high cadence and an effort level somewhere close to LT seems to work best.
Other days, it seems no gear is low enough. Or, I get blown, hit a short flatter section, get a second wind and storm up to the top. Or, I feel sluggish and slow, but when I reach the top I find I've done it in record time.
If you're a pro, maybe(??) you spend a lot of time optimizing various factors (can't say from personal knowledge). For us mere mortals, it's all about feel on the day.
Other days, it seems no gear is low enough. Or, I get blown, hit a short flatter section, get a second wind and storm up to the top. Or, I feel sluggish and slow, but when I reach the top I find I've done it in record time.
If you're a pro, maybe(??) you spend a lot of time optimizing various factors (can't say from personal knowledge). For us mere mortals, it's all about feel on the day.