On Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 8:33:16 PM UTC+2, wrote:
I live in the flatlands and not a great climber but pretty solid rider. I have done some climbs according to various categories that are 3 and 4 rated. I got them ok on a 34-28 but not just easy. So I see the Alpe D'Huez and the rating plus going up 8 % for over 8 miles seems a bit much for me to comprehend.
Do most mortals who do the Alpe D"Huez go up without stopping during the climb? One climb I do is overall about 6% and it goes on for 1.2 miles. The very last section gets to 9% or about maybe 1/4 mile. I tell you I can get up no problem but I just cannot see keep that up for another 7 miles. I am pretty spent the last 200 feet.
So I assume those climbing these on tours and such are pretty decent cyclist but what gearing. Would a 34-32 really make it that much easier to manage than say a 34-28 that I use now. They say sitting is the best way to climb but I guess I just do not do enough of it to really tell. I do know that when I am around more hilly terrain after a few days I get better at climbing.
Does the average cyclist planning to climb something like the Alpe D Huez factor in a break of a few minutes at some point or points. Any climbing experts in this group.
mark
As someone from a dead flat country who likes the mountains and just back from my annual tour through the alps I can say:
- Alpe d'Huez is not the hardest climb,
- we don't plan a stop during a climb. Stopping during a climb is not an option, it is a defeat ;-) We take pictures in the descent,
- the length and the steepest sections is what is killing you and determines what gearing you need. I used 34-32 for 10% plus grades,
- climbing is about watts/kg,
- you don't need to live in a hilly/mountain country to perform well in the mountains.
Highlights from last trip:
https://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Rombo_Timmelsjoch
https://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Kuhtai
https://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Umbrail
https://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Stelvio_Stilfserjoch
https://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Gavia
https://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Foscagno
https://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Pillerhohe (easy side)
Lou