Finding climbing legs



bikerjoe

New Member
Oct 24, 2002
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Not seemed to have found much strength in my climbing in races/training over last few months.I was climbing well last year, as I probally focused more on hills and done me well, but I started putting some focus on my timetrialing ability over last 3/4 months and probally not done as much hill work as I had done previously

So, my strength on flat has improved but i've lost my climbing legs :(
Im fine with short power climbs, where I can just dig in had for a short period and get over them, but struggling on anything longer. Weight hasn't really changed from last year(about 1kg heavier, which is nothing)

Was wondering whether to add some big gear training on hills over next month to try and get some strength back?My weekly training tends to be fast group rides on Tue/Thurs(good hills)or solo work out, but mainly group ride as it a good workout and more enjoyable. Best to attack the hills realy hard when out with the group ride?
 
I know this sounds a little bit nuts, but try watching some Virenque footage of the stage he won yesterday. Imagine yourself having the same rhythm and movement as Virenque. If you visualize it long enough, it might help. I think that's a big part of climbing--getting the rhythm. I just tried that this afternoon and shaved off about 8 minutes on one climb I do. Of course, it was quite a bit cooler than it has been lately, but I still think part of the improvement was a result of better rhythm.
 
Sounds like you answered your own question - you get good at what you specialise in. The only solution is to devote equal time to your time trialing and climbing. Big gears on hills may be a bit tough on the knees I think.
Myself I practise climbing in various gears and divide my climbing into known regular hills. If I only did power climbs in my lowest gear, I'd be good at power climbs but I try to throw in some lesser hills as well or even slight gradients.


bikerjoe said:
Not seemed to have found much strength in my climbing in races/training over last few months.I was climbing well last year, as I probally focused more on hills and done me well, but I started putting some focus on my timetrialing ability over last 3/4 months and probally not done as much hill work as I had done previously

So, my strength on flat has improved but i've lost my climbing legs :(
Im fine with short power climbs, where I can just dig in had for a short period and get over them, but struggling on anything longer. Weight hasn't really changed from last year(about 1kg heavier, which is nothing)

Was wondering whether to add some big gear training on hills over next month to try and get some strength back?My weekly training tends to be fast group rides on Tue/Thurs(good hills)or solo work out, but mainly group ride as it a good workout and more enjoyable. Best to attack the hills realy hard when out with the group ride?