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Everyone who’s dissing hill reps as a way to train for the Alps is right. Nothing prepares you for the sustained efforts – not even TT training, as at least then the speed gives a purpose to all the effort. Climbs like Col du Galibier will sap your will…
Highgate’s good for practicing technique and breathing though and if you can be @rsed to go back day after day for a couple of hours each time you’ll be gagging to get into the mountains for real.
Climbing fixed gives you supernatural ability for whatever ratio you choose. Direct drive and no momentum lost in springs and things. Love it.
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I used the Holly Lodge Estate when training for La Marmotte - which finishes at the top of L'Alpe D'Huez. The road runs between Highgate West Hill and Swains Lane and is similar in length and gradient to both but is much quieter and doesn't have as many speed bumps.
As for riding L'Alpe fixed - I think it's a great idea going up if you get the ratio right. I couldn't recommend the cogs as I was f@*ked by the time I climbed it. Coming down however, I would recommend a freewheel because even if you can spin it you have to corner very sharply on the hairpins. Maybe use a flip flop with 76" freewheel for the flat bits around Bourg.
Try the Bwlch near Cardiff if you can. It's a good climb and it's got a nice long descent.
Yep - have my eye on ebay. I just got a complete set of pedals from my local charity shop :-) It's the plastic shoe cleats I'm after. I know they work without but I fancy trying the full setup (will be putting them on my 80's lo pro TT bike)