Question about hill climbing technique

Michael Warner wrote:
It takes some practice to stand and feel relaxed without wobbling around,
and your legs won't take much of it until they toughen up a bit. Make
a point of standing rather than changing down when you take off quickly
from lights and go up short slopes around town, even if it means changing
up instead, and soon you'll feel comfortable doing it on real hills. Lean
on the brake hoods and wrap your fingers around them lightly, but don't
pull on them - find the gear that offers the best resistance to your body
weight, and let the bike rock a little from side to side.

I'd never have thought of practicing to stand when moving off from lights
etc. Excellent - I'll use this practice technique on future rides. I was
watching my tape of the live stage SBS broadcast of the Tour for the first
time tonight, and after reading the responses to my question to this group
and it's clear to see that once the proper technique is learned it looks
really fluid and natural, albeit still needing strength and fitness. It
looks to me that when the pros stand they stand pretty well straight up and
move the bike from side to side to balance out their pedalling action. I'm
looking forward to tomorrow mornings ride already! - and the forecast is
fine and dry :0)

Pete

"Tamyka Bell" wrote

Everyone has something different to say on the hill climbing. Here's my
contribution.

Attach an occy strap to the faster cyclist in front. Gradually ease off
your workload until you're just coasting up the hill behind them and see
how long before they notice.

Tamyka

I like this idea a lot Tamyka. I cycled this morning before work and went
out in search of a few slopes to tackle. I think a rider to tow me up to the
top would have been a damn sight easier than my poor legs learning to cope
with techniques they're not used to.

All I need now is to find some poor bugger that I can clip on to!

Pete

Peter S wrote:
"Tamyka Bell" wrote


Everyone has something different to say on the hill climbing. Here's my
contribution.

Attach an occy strap to the faster cyclist in front. Gradually ease off
your workload until you're just coasting up the hill behind them and see
how long before they notice.

Tamyka


I like this idea a lot Tamyka. I cycled this morning before work and went
out in search of a few slopes to tackle. I think a rider to tow me up to the
top would have been a damn sight easier than my poor legs learning to cope
with techniques they're not used to.

All I need now is to find some poor bugger that I can clip on to!

Pete




In my mis-spent youth I would hang onto the sides of trucks to get a tow
along Pyrmont Rd if I was running late... one morning my glove got
caught and I had to hang on for much longer (and faster) than I intended!

Mark

Munk3y wrote:

Peter S wrote:
"Tamyka Bell" wrote


Everyone has something different to say on the hill climbing. Here's my
contribution.

Attach an occy strap to the faster cyclist in front. Gradually ease off
your workload until you're just coasting up the hill behind them and see
how long before they notice.

Tamyka


I like this idea a lot Tamyka. I cycled this morning before work and went
out in search of a few slopes to tackle. I think a rider to tow me up to the
top would have been a damn sight easier than my poor legs learning to cope
with techniques they're not used to.

All I need now is to find some poor bugger that I can clip on to!

Pete




In my mis-spent youth I would hang onto the sides of trucks to get a tow
along Pyrmont Rd if I was running late... one morning my glove got
caught and I had to hang on for much longer (and faster) than I intended!

Mark

That'll learn ya!

I take it you came out okay? How was the glove?

T

Tamyka Bell wrote:
*snip*
In my mis-spent youth I would hang onto the sides of trucks to get a tow
along Pyrmont Rd if I was running late... one morning my glove got
caught and I had to hang on for much longer (and faster) than I intended!

Mark


That'll learn ya!

I take it you came out okay? How was the glove?

T

I came out okay. I eneded up having to sacrifice the glove. Somewhere
there is a brick truck with a cyclcing glove stuck on it!

M