How to conquer the rocky mountain climbs???

[Grey Hubs]

Points I need to improve so far:

 

 - line choice : yes think i just let it happen and suffer till I stop.

 - look ahead: I tend to focus on my front wheel when I hit a big climb...hence on line choice

 - fitness: intervals and more intervals

 - cadence and balance: I think my cadence is good, need to work on balance

 - Core strength: definitely need to work on this area!

 - practice: Thaba is on the hit list!

 - more dynamic on the climbs: I'm way to static

 - I use an oval chain ring: my need to step down to a 32T instead of the 34T

 - HTFU!!!

 

 - one point I good fellow rider told me: try not to over analyse everything. Go ride!!!

 

Great ideas now. Thanks for the help so far. Keep them coming!

[nox1111]

Only Rocky Mountain bikes can climb rocky mountain climbs, this is why they have their name...

Sadly - this is exactly what I wanted to chirp...

[Grey Hubs]

Sadly - this is exactly what I wanted to chirp...

RM willing and ready...just lacking the tech ability

[nonky]

Momentum and Line...

 

 

Also, self-belief helps a LOT.  I've been riding mtb with a mate of mine who is a v. strong rider on the road but new to mtb.  

He psyches himself out of the technical stuff and simply dismounts and walks ("I can't ride this").

However, if he follows my line, he rides the technical stuff with ease.

He can actually ride the technical climb; he's just telling himself he can't.

[Jurgens Smit]

Momentum and Line...

 

 

Also, self-belief helps a LOT.  I've been riding mtb with a mate of mine who is a v. strong rider on the road but new to mtb.  

He psyches himself out of the technical stuff and simply dismounts and walks ("I can't ride this").

However, if he follows my line, he rides the technical stuff with ease.

He can actually ride the technical climb; he's just telling himself he can't.

 

This helps alot, my mate is way better on the technical stuff than I am, on the bike and bicycle and what I found worked for me the best was that he just didn't wait for me.

 

If I couldn't keep up because I wanted to dismount he would leave me behind.

[Shaun Green]

I know, I know:

 

 

[Dan Dob]

Don't think I've seen anyone mention working on a smooth power delivery. This is super important on the steep stuff, especially so when it's loose too! Try not to 'mash' on the pedals, instead keep spinning smooth circles which can be hard to do when you're needing to put a lot of power down.

[Hackster]

Plum Pudding hill above Rhodes Memorial is perhaps a good example. While the road surface is reasonably smooth in profile, the surface is often loose, often when the gradient is at its worst. So like Daniel says above, keeping the power delivery smooth is sometimes the biggest challenge.

 

I hear what people say about choosing a line. If I can add to this, don't give up or stop pedallng if you should lose that line.

 

I've often surprised myself by being able to get through when I've been bumped off my original line onto something awful. Of course, I also often fall over at this point too.

[arendoog]

Magalies monster is coming up on the 3d June  .Some very good climbing training on that route if you do the Marathon

[CogitoErgoSum]

Don't think I've seen anyone mention working on a smooth power delivery. This is super important on the steep stuff, especially so when it's loose too! Try not to 'mash' on the pedals, instead keep spinning smooth circles which can be hard to do when you're needing to put a lot of power down.

Post #28 ????

 

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[Kalahari Vegmot]

For hills, I like to take the Jeremy Clark approach to problems.

 

SPEED AND POWERRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!

[cadenceblur]

Plum Pudding hill above Rhodes Memorial is perhaps a good example. While the road surface is reasonably smooth in profile, the surface is often loose, often when the gradient is at its worst. So like Daniel says above, keeping the power delivery smooth is sometimes the biggest challenge.

 

I hear what people say about choosing a line. If I can add to this, don't give up or stop pedallng if you should lose that line.

 

I've often surprised myself by being able to get through when I've been bumped off my original line onto something awful. Of course, I also often fall over at this point too.

Ou wapad must be up there as well! Also the climb up to the mast at Contermanskloof

[Pikey]

Self believe is one of key elements to climbing in the rocks. If you think you can't you slow down & then it's tickets & tax. Momentum is your friend,as scary as that may seem.

 

Line choice is critical ,hit a rock when you unsure and indecisive and you stop abruptly. Look up pick your line,same as cornering and looking round the bend.

 

I seldom stand up road or mnt. But when I am in the rocks, you just have to some times.

Then you need balance . Practice on sections that intimidate you.

 

Thaba is a fantastic place to learn...do the new twin towers on repeat . Then you'll be sorted ????

 

I saw your nigel race time,how the hell did you still have time to walk ????

Let me know we can Ride some short steep lung busters and some real steep drags at thaba ????

 

I wish I had your speed and endurance .

[nonky]

Magalies monster is coming up on the 3d June  .Some very good climbing training on that route if you do the Marathon

 

Yeah, that's like telling a learner swimmer that the Channel Crossing has some "very good swimming".

 

Nice one!

 

 

PS: I have some personal issues (unresolved) with that race...maybe, it's time to enter again

[Dicky DQ]

and it all goes hand in glove - there are times when I'm right at the limit of strength and heart rate that I have absolutely no control over where the front wheel is going - the bike is choosing the line and not making good decisions. This is usually seconds before I stop. It's a whole body activity this - arms, core, pectoral muscles and of course legs.

This is normally due to too high a cadence. you are applying too much torque and usually the front wheel keeps wanting to lift. Slower cadence gives a more controlled delivery of torque. BUT and I know this due to my lack if fitness. It is only possible if you have the power AND are able to deal with the intervals. Till then nothing is going to ease your pain bar walking.

[arendoog]

Yeah, that's like telling a learner swimmer that the Channel Crossing has some "very good swimming".

 

Nice one!

 

 

PS: I have some personal issues (unresolved) with that race...maybe, it's time to enter again

This will be my sixth one .Last  race i had bad luck with a sidewall cut on the very first descent .I managed to make top of breeds with my front Tyre at 1 bar ,before i could pump it again .Still one of the best events in Gauteng .I have seen guys actually ride the whole route .If you can do that ,you don,t need any climbing advice from anybody