After finishing what I thought was a punishing race for my legs this past weekend (about 8 miles uphill), I feel I need to train for hills (climbs), really bad. Any recommendations? What do you use to train for hills specifically?
I have two more races this season (one of them is the same course again in August), that have hills and I'd like to do all possible to destroy my time on the bike with hills next time.
Being from east TN we are either going uphill or downhill. Nothing is flat here. I would always use my front small sprocket and large rear sprocket and keep my cadence high for tough hills until another rider told me he has gone to his front large sprocket and relaxed his upper body. I have tried this several times since and it works. He said to watch other riders and they always tense up going into the hill. He said you will travel farther we each cadence. The biggest help is to just keep training.
I was considering using my trianer and leave the tension up all the way in sets (kinda like swimming sets). I do need to ride more often but figured someone might have some schedule they do or video like Spinnervals they would reocmmend.
Here in the concrete jungle (NYC), if you want hills you drive to the hills and practice there but the time is the missing and crucial element.
Another reason not to live in NY, just kidding , I live in Middle TN, but am visiting relatives in the chattanooga area for a few days. Today I did a 2 hour 33 mile ride that featured one climb of 3.2 mile and an elevation gain of 1335 ft during span of road according to my Polar S625. I am not a great climber but will take any chance to ride in the mountains. Great scenery, great workout, great day.