Hill training question

Caroline_ie

Hi people,

A quick question :

What benefit will I get from training on short ( +/- 100 metres ) but very steep 15/18/20%?

Lumen

Massive thighs.

Quigs Snr

Mostly it will just make you better at riding short steep hills ! Apart from that, Strength, particularly if you sit down. (Although strength is better developer on longer hills circa 5mins with smaller gradients 4-6% in larger gears).

Apart from that just drill it up the hill, redline yourself and when you get to the crest of the hill and you can hardly breathe get up and sprint over the top as hard as you can for 10-20 seconds until the road is flat again. You will probably want to die, but it will help you for racing, by first off all conditioning you to be able to stomp those pedals over the top of a hill where attacks tend to be very effective, but also pushing yourself and then kicking back to spin it out will help you to improve your recovery after short efforts in races.

Caroline_ie

Lumen wrote: »

Massive thighs.

already have that ... meh

Morgan

Use the equation:

[gradient(%) x height(m)] / RPE + (age - 17) = benefit (in watts)

DirkVoodoo

Actually that was something that interested me too.

I'm heading off to do the tour of Flanders with a friend, just the 140km route, but it still has the 16 or so climbs, all really short but all very steep.

Do you recommend that approach Quigs or maybe take it really handy going up the first half and then blast up the second half?

There is a 30km "roll-out" before the first one, but after that they are spaced close enough together (5-15km) so I was thinking of just blasting up each one and then recovering on the way to the next one.

Lumen

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I'm heading off to do the tour of Flanders with a friend, just the 140km route, but it still has the 16 or so climbs, all really short but all very steep...I was thinking of just blasting up each one and then recovering on the way to the next one.

You need a big matchbook.

DirkVoodoo

Lumen wrote: »

You need a big matchbook.

This is my problem in most sports, I am just very lazy and rarely push myself very hard. Hopefully after the weekend that will have changed.

Caroline_ie

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

This is my problem in most sports, I am just very lazy and rarely push myself very hard.

i am the same - i find that the HRM helps a lot to push myself tho !

thebouldwhacker

You could try XCMTB, Great for short/medium climbs, always demanding & rewarding... that'll add a match:cool:

Caroline_ie

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

You could try XCMTB, Great for short/medium climbs, always demanding & rewarding... that'll add a match:cool:

I'd love a XC MTB ...

thebouldwhacker

http://www.spoke.ie/

http://www.trailriders.ie/

http://www.irishxcmtb.com/


There are a few handy sites for you depending what part of the country your in... Plenty of places to rent a MTB for the day, Trust me its well worth it.

Just do it!!

Quigs Snr

I'll second the MTB'ing. I bought one last year and rode it in Ballyhoura. Most fun I've had in a pair of spandex pants. Well except for that one time in college..

sy

Quigs Snr wrote: »

... Most fun I've had in a pair of spandex pants. Well except for that one time in college..

So that was you :eek:

thebouldwhacker

Ahhh Ballyhoura, I grew up 15 mins away from it. My folks are delighted that its opened cos I seem to be around a bit more since it has...:D

Seriously though if any of ye are looking for a weekend away youd be mad not to try it http://www.ballyhouramtb.com/

Now why not check out the wild and whacky goings on....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSd_JpDgykQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC7Mrbvo0Gs&NR=1

just remember, keep pedalling...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilH3C446O6w&feature=related


Bike hire here....
http://www.xct1.com/

Well worth it:D