Old 10-31-22, 05:23 AM
  #23  
PeteHski
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Originally Posted by jonathanf2
Just to reply to everyone, I do strength train at the gym, try to eat healthy, I'm fairly flexible (palm the floor while standing) and I feel I do ride faster uphills than the average weekend rider. I usually have limited time during the week to ride, but I can ride almost daily if I want (though I mix that time with strength training). I ride hills because it's best way for me to get a max workout within the 1-2 hours I can ride. I've also built my disc road bike to be reasonably light within my budget (about 16.2 lbs.) and I ride with guys who own Aethos frames and they're not riding any faster. For at least B level group rides, I can keep pace with the lead riders. I'm now trying to crack into that A level group and I've seen the difference. They can hold their fast hill climb pace much longer. Though I know it's not a strength issue for me, because when it comes to short punchy climbs, I can out power them to the top. I definitely feel it's my cardio and trying to keep my heart from redlining on steady long climbs that needs to improve.

Here's a climb we did yesterday. While I was able to reach the top with the top 5 of the group out of about 20 cyclists, the leaders were just that much faster. Basically I'm getting to that point where I'm between the A level and B level riders, so when the group splits I'm in that solo limbo climb before the next checkpoint!

https://www.strava.com/segments/611739

Also this is my weekly climb that I do on a regular basis:
https://www.strava.com/segments/3579826
You still haven't said how your weight compares to the guys you are aiming to match? I'm just trying to work out if your issue really is a lack of cardio endurance or simply that you are being beaten by lighter climbing goats. The fact that you can out power them on short punchy climbs might be a good clue as to your natural rider profile. Long climbs ultimately come down to Watts/kg and strongly favour super lightweight riders. That's why GC riders at pro level are rarely north of 70 kg and climbing specialists even lighter.
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