beginner cycling question re: hills

What works for me might not work for you, due to differences in height, weight, bike and the hill in question, but I try to center just slightly in front of my seat. Again, that's dependent on the hill. If it's really steep, I'll be much more forward; and farther back if it isn't quite as steep. I suppose my range is from mid-seat to about 3-4 inches in front.

In the past couple of months, I've found that I don't need to leave my saddle for most of the hills I train on. I just work the gears more efficiently than, say, last year. However, if I was racing, I'd be up and out on most of these same hills. It's a mental thing to me, but if I can feel it burning in my thighs, seated, going uphill, I figure that's GOT to help build my quads for the real climbs to come...

I do not often get out of my seat on hills but when I do I stand over the pedals, not the seat.

It depends on how steep the hill is.

The steeper the hill, the further forward you will be.

Sheer laziness keeps me in my seat for most hills -but this is northern Illinois where we don't actually HAVE hills When I finally decide to haul my fat self out of the seat, I'm essentially standing on the pedals.

Andrea

This user's post has been ignored.