Bike Training - hills vs flats

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike Training - hills vs flats Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2007-06-20 11:39 AM

User image

Expert
833
50010010010025
Adrian, MI
Subject: Bike Training - hills vs flats

This spring I've spent the majority of bike training seeking out hilly routes thinking I needed to develop muscle power to have the energy to climb hills and not get tired.  Then I thought the other day, do I also need to seek out flat courses so I can train muscles to be able to take the punishment of constantly spinning and also train them to go faster on flats?  Or does my muscle endurance from doing lots of climbing make this issue null and void? 

 

 

2007-06-20 11:51 AM
in reply to: #852358

Pro
3903
20001000500100100100100
Andover
Subject: RE: Bike Training - hills vs flats
Train in the hills, race on the flats.

However, it's a good idea to keep your legs used to spinning so, unless you're climbing at 90-100 rpm, it might not be a bad idea to spin out some flats/rollers once and a while.

2007-06-20 12:14 PM
in reply to: #852358

User image

Master
3019
20001000
West Jordan, UT
Subject: RE: Bike Training - hills vs flats
Honeslty, you should to both.   Hills are good for shredding your legs and longer flat rides are good for building pure endurance.    One must acheive balance, grasshopper. 
2007-06-20 12:28 PM
in reply to: #852358

User image

Not a Coach
11473
5000500010001001001001002525
Media, PA
Subject: RE: Bike Training - hills vs flats
You can build endurance on either.  Riding a variety of terrain is probably helpful to develop comfort at slightly different cadences and riding positions.  But if you just ride lots, everything else should take care of itself regardless.
2007-06-20 1:29 PM
in reply to: #852358

User image

Expert
1023
1000
Malvern, England
Subject: RE: Bike Training - hills vs flats
I reckon variety is the key (apart from ride lots)
I usually do hilly (not massive but rolling) cos that's what it's like where I live. I went out yesterday with a friend from her house so different terrain - mostly flat - and I found it really hard. Constant pedalling pressure all the time
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike Training - hills vs flats Rss Feed