Free Climbing Tips For Stompy et al

Thought I'd pass on some advice, seeing as I went from being shit at climbing to quite good, mostly by training on a fixed :)

SEATED

• slide back in the saddle.
  
• slowish cadence (60ish) is fine.
  
• grip tops of bars lightly, with elbows relaxed.
  
• 'stretch the crank' ie. pedal right through push part of stroke, dropping heel a bit at full extension.
  
• if you get the urge to accelerate, slide forward on the saddle, and concentrate on lifting knees up towards chest.
  
  

STANDING

• use hoods if you've got them, otherwise nearest equivalent.
  
• stand tall, trying to bring hips forward a bit, and shoulders back - you're trying to get as much bodyweight as possible over the cranks.
  
• try switching position a bit to rest muscle groups ie. sometimes move body side-to-side, sometimes do the same with the bike.
  
  

BOTH

• try counting strokes, alternating 5 or 10 on each side.
  
• pick short term landmarks as goals eg. gates, road markings, other riders; rather than viewing climb as one long obstacle.
  
• don't look too far up the road; focus about 20m ahead cos it makes the gradient look shallower.
  
• concentrate on breathing OUT in a strong and controlled manner; breathing in takes care of itself.
  
• carry some controlled speed into the base of the climb rather than panicking and giving up before you've started.
  
• synchronize your hands & feet; as you come over the deadspot (top) of your pedal stroke, apply a little bit of pressure that you should feel simultaneously in the right foot/right hand or left foot/left hand.
  
• think of each climb as a fun challenge; it's basically a chance to get a bit high.
  
• (don't take any notice of flash fucks that zoom off whenever the road goes up - they have masochistic issues).