Thoughts on Hill Climbs

Some more thoughts on hill climbs and photos from some of the classic hills of UK.

Any Tips for Riding Hill Climbs?

Well, don’t think about why you are doing this, you may not have a good answer.  Especially important not to think about why you’re doing it in the middle of a climb. When riding a hill climb you need to be:

• Very motivated to go as fast as you can
• Don’t be intimidated by climb, focus only on your technique and breathing and maintain good momentum
• Keep mind clear, don’t start judging your performance until it’s all over
• Don’t think about how other people may be doing. You have to do your own race and ride according to your limits and capacities.
• It is worth practising starts. When you start on a gradient it can be hard to get that initial momentum.

You will pick up experience for the speed that you can tolerate during a hill climb. A two minute hill climb is nearly an all-out sprint. You can really go for it and enter a state of real oxygen debt. In this two minute sprint you can feel light-headed by half way stage, and then you just try to hold onto your momentum and speed.

For longer climbs, e.g. 1 mile (4-5 minutes) you need to pace your ride more carefully. Avoid the temptation to sprint off from start. Start very hard, but try to leave just a little to be able pick up the pace a little in last half.

Any rules for Hill Climbs?

You’re not allowed to get off and walk. At the start you are just held (no pushing allowed). But, apart from that it’s pure sport. You, the hill and the bike – how quick can you get to top?

How Do You Train for Hill Climbs?

You need to start with that basis of being reasonably fit. i.e have a basic endurance level, you can try what is commonly referred to as intervals.

Intervals can mean different things to different people. If you’re really keen you can ride up and down hills for as long as your body can take it. Others may like to take an interval of about 6 months between their hill training.

Malcolm Elliot

I don’t have a particularly scientific approach to training, I tend to ride out to various hills and see how fast I can ride up them.

• This gives something to measure your progress
• It is something to aim for in training.
• The training is at least specific to hill climb training.

Some hills may take 2 minutes to climb. On these hills you can get close to your limit and really train at a high intensity. After the first hill interval, you will find your second attempt takes around 15-20% longer.

Seated vs on Pedals.

This is a short hill climb, course record about 3 and half minutes. The start is quite steep, but this section is a little shallower, here I am in saddle, but around corner I will get back on pedals as the climb becomes steep again.
Seated gives more power for longer climbs. Standing on the pedals give a temporary boost to power but can be more exhausting.

Generally, for shallow gradients you want to try and remain seated. For short bursts up very steep sections, you will inevitably want to get out of saddle.

Steep Hill
Personally, I spend much more time in saddle than many other riders. I find getting out saddle breaks rhythm and it can be difficult to maintain speed.

Psychology of Hill Climbs.

Like any intense effort a key issue is getting the most out of your potential. You have to be in a really good space to go beyond your body’s comfort zone. It’s a strange experience because your body naturally resists pushing yourself to the limit where you have absolutely nothing left. As you get close to your limit, the body sends out warning signals to try and get you to slow down. To go beyond this requires strong determination.

Winnats Pass
What’s it like Riding a Hill climb?

I never really get nervous racing a bike. But, maybe in a hill climb there is an opportunity for nerves. It’s just a short intense effort. If you look up the hill it can be somewhat intimidating.

(best not to look up, just concentrate on your pedals)

1. The start is usually OK, you can pick up a reasonable speed and for first 30seconds it doesn’t feel too bad. But, from 30 seconds your legs will start to feel painful and you will get to that state of being out of breathe.
2. About midway you’re well out of your comfort zone and you have to be pretty committed to keeping yourself there. If possible, this is when you try and go to next level of effort which is really hard.
3. As you get towards the line, your legs and chest will be burning. On short hills, you may even have blurred vision.
4. By finish you should ideally collapse on floor. (don’t try this at home)
5. If you can really sprint for the line, you probably haven’t tried hard enough.

Bank road Matlock – when riding, it looks steeper than it looks.! 2 minutes of real pain

A climb of varying gradients

The local tifiosi run along a climber, in tour de france style
Related

• How To Ride a Hill Climb
• Hill Climb page
• 100 Greatest hill climb book

Black and white photos – Bernard Thompson