How to conquer the rocky mountain climbs???

[Pikey]

I have seen guys actually ride the whole route .If you can do that ,you don,t need any climbing advice from anybody

 

were they wearing a cape with a big red S on it ????????????

[Pikey]

 

 

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

ditto me to ????

[Grey Hubs]

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 .

Yip, I managed to knock 10 odd min off my time from the last race. This race is hard, but for me I really thought I would smack the climbs with all my training...was not to be walked two climbs.

Actually I think you don't loose huge time if you walk a short way up a climb.

Thought I was doing ok until a 51 year old lady passed me up the long climb before the tech bits...that hurt my ego! Damn she was strong!

 

Riding the climbs for me is about conquering the climb, not being fast...

[Grey Hubs]

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 .

Really keen on Thaba! Will be cool if you can show me the ropes!

[RiverInTheRoad]

Don't tackle the climb with too low a gear. The higher gear forces you to go slightly faster and you have more balance through the pedals. 

[Pappa Roach]

If you ride a dual sus, will it make it easier to climb rocky uphill terrain if u lock out the rear shock?

[arendoog]

If you ride a dual sus, will it make it easier to climb rocky uphill terrain if u lock out the rear shock?

You retain traction better if the shock is stiffer ,but not locked .Most of the Fox shocks have the CTD option .Put the lever on C for climb .

[Robbie Stewart]

Turn the keg into a wash-board, or at least a six-pack...   (at least that's my excuse)

But in general, the more you ride technical climbs, the easier it gets. It did for me at least. I have also started training FPD's (fast pedal drills) where you pedal at a cadence of 100+ for say 20 - 30 seconds at a time, and repeat every 5 minutes for a set of around 5 efforts.

This helps when I get to the short, sharp technical climbs, and I crest without pushing my HR too far in the red.
 

[Pikey]

Really keen on Thaba! Will be cool if you can show me the ropes!

yea for sure anytime, week or wkd.

[jcza]

Pick your line

Stay calm

Grinding is better than spinning as the extra resistance will help your balance

Make sure you look ahead and pick up cadence when needed to get over obstacles

Can be tough to keep weight on rear wheel for traction and nose on stem to keep front down

On long climbs make sure you keep heart rate under control and recover where you can while climbing

Practice

[Grey Hubs]

A very interesting article on what we are discussing:

 

http://www.treadmtb.co.za/how-to-make-climbing-easier-and-faster/