getting in shape for moab

climbing hills is the single most tiring thing you can do on a muni.
don't push yourself so hard you're worn out and sick of the muni when
you get to moab, but do keep at it, you'll be fine.

--
markf

stuck in iowa and unemployed.
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Hill climbing also involves technique. It's not all about fitness.

I need to get in shape too. I gained weight over the holidays and
haven't been doing any strenuous riding in the past couple of months.
I'll be sucking wind when I hit the hills for training. I'm going to
try to get myself to Moab this year. I was a sissy last year.

There is technique to being able to sustain a long climbing effort.
One way is to stand up on the pedals, take 1/2 pedal revolutions at a
time, and pause briefly while the pedals are horizontal. That give you
a brief rest each half revolution. Similar concept to the rest step
when climbing mountains on foot. When doing that you should try to
force your toes to point downward at the bottom of the pedal stroke so
you get a little bounce. At the same time you need to pull your foot
back like you're scraping mud off the bottom of your shoe. That keeps
you from losing your momentum from dwelling at the bottom of the pedal
stroke. I call that bounce technique "the dance". You need to dance
on the pedals and keep them turning and try to be as light as possible
on the pedals.

Also work on learning how to climb while seated, but for muni you'll
usually be standing for most of a climb. Mix it up where you can so
you can work different parts of your legs.

Two months is plenty of time to get in climbing shape, especially if
you're riding almost daily. The rest is learning where your limits
are, and staying within those limits, so you don't blow up during a
climb.

--
john_childs

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i know it is possible to mount going up hill, but i only come off my
MUni on really steep rokky bits, where i have trouble getting back on,
will this just take a bit of practice as well?
but also, instead of only going up hill, try a bit of a variation of
tracks and what u know, this will be more fun, and use more muscles

--
silverfridge

GOD SPEED!
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silverfridge said:

i know it is possible to mount going up hill, but i only come off my
MUni on really steep rokky bits, where i have trouble getting back on,
will this just take a bit of practice as well?
but also, instead of only going up hill, try a bit of a variation of
tracks and what u know, this will be more fun, and use more muscles

Mounting up a hill, there are several ways.

You can mount sideways, perpendicualr to the hill, or even downhill,
and hop around untill you face uphill (or just side hop up).

Another way is to run up the hill and rolling jump onto the pedals.
This is harder, because you have to fly uphill over the seat onto the
pedals.

--
forrestunifreak

I do not believe in computer programers.

-"There ARE no absolutes. Of this I am absolutely sure."-

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