Post by Motion Cycling Club on Sept 21, 2011 21:19:26 GMT 2
Hill climbing -
The secret to successful climbing is the gear selection and body position. Oh, and thighs like sides of beef. Choose the right gear to get you up the hill before you hit the toughest spot-trying to downshift when the pedals are fully loaded risks the chain coming off or the gear slipping. Maintain a steady rhythm and don’t stop pedalling If it’s a long steady climb, stay seated in the saddle for most of the hill and keep your hands on the hoods - a nice wide grip will allow you to keep your chest open so you can get as much oxygen in as possible. Look ahead to brow of the hill.
Standing occasionally, even on long climbs, you can power up by getting out of the saddle. Remember to change to a higher gear before you do this, as you will be applying more body weight through the pedals once you’re standing. Holding the hoods you can pull the bike from side to side, which increases the power you can push down on each downward stroke of the pedal. This is known as the honking. Remember it’s the bike shifting weight and not you –and you don’t want to swing it too vigorously. It’s common to see cyclists rocking from side to side as they struggle up a steep slope. Don’t copy them. The other common mistake is to shift body weight to the front. This puts too much weight on the front wheel and slows you down, so stay back.Following all these tips youll wing it up the hill
Happy cycling!
Terri-Lynn Penney
Events Manager
The Motion Cycling Club
Non-Profitable Business Component of
Yellow Jersey Sports CC
(2010/065398/23) t/a
The Motion Shop
P.O. Box 983
Shuttleworth Street
Industrial Area
Grahamstown
6140
Mobile: 0835047940
Fax: 0865285211
The secret to successful climbing is the gear selection and body position. Oh, and thighs like sides of beef. Choose the right gear to get you up the hill before you hit the toughest spot-trying to downshift when the pedals are fully loaded risks the chain coming off or the gear slipping. Maintain a steady rhythm and don’t stop pedalling If it’s a long steady climb, stay seated in the saddle for most of the hill and keep your hands on the hoods - a nice wide grip will allow you to keep your chest open so you can get as much oxygen in as possible. Look ahead to brow of the hill.
Standing occasionally, even on long climbs, you can power up by getting out of the saddle. Remember to change to a higher gear before you do this, as you will be applying more body weight through the pedals once you’re standing. Holding the hoods you can pull the bike from side to side, which increases the power you can push down on each downward stroke of the pedal. This is known as the honking. Remember it’s the bike shifting weight and not you –and you don’t want to swing it too vigorously. It’s common to see cyclists rocking from side to side as they struggle up a steep slope. Don’t copy them. The other common mistake is to shift body weight to the front. This puts too much weight on the front wheel and slows you down, so stay back.Following all these tips youll wing it up the hill
Happy cycling!
Terri-Lynn Penney
Events Manager
The Motion Cycling Club
Non-Profitable Business Component of
Yellow Jersey Sports CC
(2010/065398/23) t/a
The Motion Shop
P.O. Box 983
Shuttleworth Street
Industrial Area
Grahamstown
6140
Mobile: 0835047940
Fax: 0865285211
