I just don't &@#%ing understand
Moderator: Moderator Team
Just came back from a gravel event up in vermont
very steep
people quite significantly heavier than myself, with gearing noticeably more manly than mine
with bicycles just as heavy as mine
ride by me like i'm going backwards
i'm in quite good condition for this time of year, having ridden throughout the winter, and due to the early New England spring
but i feel like i could do nothing but climb 17% grades and never get any faster
i think if i got easier gearing (currently 34-50 / 12-36) i would just pedal faster, and go slower up hill
very steep
people quite significantly heavier than myself, with gearing noticeably more manly than mine
with bicycles just as heavy as mine
ride by me like i'm going backwards
i'm in quite good condition for this time of year, having ridden throughout the winter, and due to the early New England spring
but i feel like i could do nothing but climb 17% grades and never get any faster
i think if i got easier gearing (currently 34-50 / 12-36) i would just pedal faster, and go slower up hill
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Did you ever race? I did that for 7 years in my twenties (so 25 years ago now) and I learned that I'm middle of road good and then get better and better very slowly. I also learned that I was a pretty good sprinter and had above average pack skills but those skills don't get you up climbs.
Some would guys start racing and then in six months they would be dropping me. I'm in a bike club now with a bunch of fast old geezers. They were probably the same guys that ran a 5 minute mile in high school on little training. Some people win the genetic lottery and some don't.
That said, most amateurs aren't anywhere near their genetic limits so with proper training you can improve. The question is whether you want to do that hard work or simply go out and enjoy riding your bike. I ask myself that all the time.
I've been having great success after 8 weeks on a polarized training plan. We recently discussed polarized training a lot here:
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=155915
Some would guys start racing and then in six months they would be dropping me. I'm in a bike club now with a bunch of fast old geezers. They were probably the same guys that ran a 5 minute mile in high school on little training. Some people win the genetic lottery and some don't.
That said, most amateurs aren't anywhere near their genetic limits so with proper training you can improve. The question is whether you want to do that hard work or simply go out and enjoy riding your bike. I ask myself that all the time.
I've been having great success after 8 weeks on a polarized training plan. We recently discussed polarized training a lot here:
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=155915
w/kg?
training's not about putting yourself in a hole and destroying yourself 24/7
Your answer I believe is here........
Although on steep hills the trend of spin to win rules
It still comes down to the one spinning the biggest gear is moving the fastest
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When I ride gravel, I select a larger gear than I normally would on asphalt. I sit farther back on my saddle or sit more upright or both. I hunt for the best lines with the hardest, most tractable surface and will dart laterally several meters for it. I almost never get out of the saddle.
both?
i don't think i could have gone faster even with easier gearing
i just would have turned the cranks over more quickly
maybe its just a matter of not consistently riding 17+ % grades, like other people at the event?
I don't recall ever going up a 17% grade so I can't comment but I do know that all climbs weigh next to nothing.
For sure it makes a big difference (for me anyway)
I spend 2-3 months a year somewhere that does have 16-22% climbs
My usual ride area the rest of the year is more like 8-12% climbs with just a very few ramps
that hit 17
When I first arrive at the steeper place each year it just wrecks me the first week or two
I mean really a shock to my system
After that it of course is not easy but it is not such a shock to the system
for me anyway
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