RoboLuke Posted May 1, 2011 Share OK guys - this will take me a while to type with my 2 fingers so please dont give me a one finger reply. Background info and stats:My MTB bike is 14 kg, Im 87 kg, 41 years old (me, not bike), been riding every week-end about 14 weeks. I eat properly the evening before riding and have oatsbreakfast before the ride. During the ride I will eat a banana plus a protein bar. My resting HR is 64 The basic symptom is this - I can go quite well on the flats...I can do a 30 km trip across northern farms and average 15 km/h. On the flats Im having fun, getting fitter and faster, keeping my heart rate in zone 3 but boy the moment I hit a bit of an incline (> 7 degree) then my heart rate just goes to flatline super quick. Three hills (e.g Teak) and Im done for the day after only 10 km. After that even flat rides and downhills have my heart rate in zone 4, I just dont recover and I just dread the experience. So here is my question...why do I suck? Is it because?1. Leg strenght not there?2. Lactic threshold?3. Fuel?4. Heart strength?5. Other? I know the remediating factor is something like go out and ride hills but I really would like to try and be a bit for scientific about tackling thischeers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
javadude Posted May 1, 2011 Share 6. You're fat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted May 1, 2011 Share "everyone can race the flats and the downs so train for the hills" Dangerous Dan, circa 1995 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapunzel Posted May 1, 2011 Share ouch!!rather try 6: techniquefind somebody experienced to give you a few pointers such as choosing appropriate gearing. Strength to weight ratio is important but with the right technique you can still climb well without having to do some serious dieting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtrider Posted May 1, 2011 Share Big Ben is also a big dude (Not fat) and he climbs like a mountain goat ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT1 Posted May 1, 2011 Share You only ride "every weekend" and weigh 84Kg's... Train more and lose some weight. Training more will improve everything, and losing weight will increase your power to weight ratio. That's what you need to go up hill faster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT1 Posted May 1, 2011 Share ouch!!rather try 6: techniquefind somebody experienced to give you a few pointers such as choosing appropriate gearing. Strength to weight ratio is important but with the right technique you can still climb well without having to do some serious dieting. Don't be daft. Stop stroking egos and tell the truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoboLuke Posted May 1, 2011 Share Ive already lost 8 kg but its too easy to blame weight. It cant be the only limiting factors.My cycling buddy is 115 kg 7 foot something and climbs fast (ps- would really like to see someone calling him fat...no seriously Ill pay big bucks to be there). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT1 Posted May 1, 2011 Share Ive already lost 8 kg but its too easy to blame weight. It cant be the only limiting factors. Yes. Train more. You are a self confessed weekend only rider. You reach your limit pretty quick doing that. Ride more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT1 Posted May 1, 2011 Share My cycling buddy is 115 kg 7 foot something and climbs fast In your stats, you omit your weight. Power to weight ratio, remember it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoboLuke Posted May 1, 2011 Share I jog in the week but this a good point. How many hours of training is required to ride places like Teak with enjoyment and some reasonable speed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kosmonooit Posted May 1, 2011 Share The skinny runts are the fast climbers: down to power to weight ratio, lean & mean frame work, and of course conditioning and fitness. Bigger guys (&gals) don't have it so easy: but its just down to training. First find a long gradient that you can handle, increase the pace and gradient in time. You cant take a big bang approach, and expect to handle the hills without the right training. It's also about finding a pace that you can sustain, and even if you are not on the lean side you can get to a stage where you handle those long climbs without having to dismount or reach the top wasted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest agteros Posted May 1, 2011 Share I jog in the week but this a good point. How many hours of training is required to ride places like Teak with enjoyment and some reasonable speed? How often do you run during the week? For how long do you run? You should aim for runs of at least (around) an hour. Shorter runs do not carry the same benefits as 60min + Running will help with the cardio (heart rate recovery after the hills) Interval running should get the cardio side sorted pretty quickly, which will help with the cycling more side of things For power to go up the hills,only one thing will help: cycle more, and not only flat tracks, alhough... you should first work on quantity, and then start focussing on quality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KENDA Posted May 1, 2011 Share Riding on weekends is your problem. Put in more time on the bike. 6. You're fat? Not really constructive. 84kg does not make him fat. Not everyone is a midget with a skinny build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dsan Posted May 1, 2011 Share I'm 93, 6.1" and will still give the 10 year old boys (a.k.a men who just haven't gone past puberty yet, who the **** are you to call someone 84 kilos fat @velo???) a good run for their money up the hills. yes if you have a pubescent body, you will fly up hills but that automatically doesn't mean every skinny man is a climber. Start by training on hills as everyone here has mentioned. Don't grind the crap out of them, spin bitch spin. aim for as high a cadence as you can. the attitude on this forum sucks sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtrider Posted May 1, 2011 Share Chill, I think even Robo did not take it seriously . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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