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How often do you climb steep gradients?
I moved to Hong Kong two years ago and was a shocking climber. Endless double digit gradients and lots of long drags (typically climb 1600m in a 75km ride) mean I'm pretty comfortable now. You'll only improve by riding more hills.
Weight will help obviously but I see lots of big lads climbing well.
%~}-
Thanks all, will see about getting a 32. Technically it doesn't work with 10spd 105 short cage but i think it may be able to bodge.
On hills, I do short climbs in Essex most Sundays, in winter we do Swains, Ally Pally etc but there is nothing really like a Cumbrian pass round here.
So do more hills is my next step.
ChasnotRobert
Attempted Hardnott and Wrynose yesterday. Slightly disappointed that i had to get off and rest several times, and walk a tiny bit, too.
I'd done 120k by the time I was at the start of Hardnott which probably accounts for getting leg cramps halfway up, but even if i was completely fresh, i don't think i could have ridden all the way. The severity of the gradient just totally defeated me.
I think i might possibly have got up Wrynose if i hadn't just done hardnott.
I want to go back with the aim of not having to get off. I'm not bothered about time, just want to make it up in one go.
What do i need to concentrate on? Is it about strength, cardio, something else?
I'm not into lots of fitness stats, just want an idea of what i am best working on.
I'm about 190cm / 87kg. Could get down to 85 fairly easily.
I was riding compact crank (34) with 28t cassette.