Actually no big gears here! I am a major spinner. When we ride the trail a lot of riders are shocked that I am in my 39 chain ring while everybody else is in their big ring. I have a cadence of about 95 most times. I have to get up to about 22 mph before I need the 53.
I used to mash when I first started cycling but one season on a trainer changed all that. Really improved my performance on century rides.
Actually no big gears here! I am a major spinner. When we ride the trail a lot of riders are shocked that I am in my 39 chain ring while everybody else is in their big ring. I have a cadence of about 95 most times. I have to get up to about 22 mph before I need the 53.
I used to mash when I first started cycling but one season on a trainer changed all that. Really improved my performance on century rides.
I have always been a big gear pusher, but lately since I've been doing a lot of hilly rides, I've had to ride the 39. Riding the small ring will sure save your legs for the long distance rides, but there are some riders that are so fast, that I just cannot spin fast enough to stay with them so must go into the 53. Lately, I use every gear on the bike if it will help me go faster.
When you do Mt. Baldy, what type of rear cassette are you using, 12-27 or higher maybe? Where I live, you can get by with a 12-21 or 12-23. My Lemond has a 9 speed rear cassette.