Hills: Mash or Spin?
I'm 67; I am a non-racer, have been a tourer, commuter, and now exclusively recreational rider. I've got 50% or so lung capacity due to 40+ years of Bad Life Choices(TM). I gave up electronics when the power meter wouldn't stop lauging.
But I still ride 20+ miles 3-5 times a week.
Lately, I've been riding my version of hills, +- 1500 ft in 20 miles. It's not easy, because I go into COPD hypoxia if I push too hard, hard being spin too much or mash too hard. Either way, I'm climbing at 5 or 6 mph up not too steep (5-10% [?]) grades.
It seems to me that mashing (39/30+ at really low cadence) is easier than spinning (30/30+ at a less-low cadence). High-cadence being maybe 70+ rpm, which I can do pretty easily (53/20+) on the flats at 12-14 mph. I am now no longer afraid of these 20 mile 1500 ft rides.
I would like to go on longer rides (30+ miles).
What do you think? Is mash or spin the better "training" strategy?