Cycling seated v standing

[Lefty]

I'd be interested to know the forumites opinions on the toughest climbs around. For me some of the best climbs are in the Dales, Park Rash, Fleet Moss, Garsdale Head, Buttertubs, etc etc, not necessarily the toughest but for sheer enjoyment and wonderful surrounding they take some beating for me. Most of those climbs I would get up with my compact 11/32 without having to get out of the saddle. Hardknott ( From the Rskdale side ) and the bottom bit of Honister before the cattle grid I would never get up without getting out of the saddle and Harknott in the Whitton after 90+ miles is a push for me ( and lots of others ) near to me Church Lane in Hebden Bridge takes some beating and it's a stand up for me. For sheer drama try the cobbled Shibden Wall in Halifax, it's a gem

[that_fjell_guy]

I'd be interested to know the forumites opinions on the toughest climbs around. For me some of the best climbs are in the Dales, Park Rash, Fleet Moss, Garsdale Head, Buttertubs, etc etc, not necessarily the toughest but for sheer enjoyment and wonderful surrounding they take some beating for me. Most of those climbs I would get up with my compact 11/32 without having to get out of the saddle. Hardknott ( From the Rskdale side ) and the bottom bit of Honister before the cattle grid I would never get up without getting out of the saddle and Harknott in the Whitton after 90+ miles is a push for me ( and lots of others ) near to me Church Lane in Hebden Bridge takes some beating and it's a stand up for me. For sheer drama try the cobbled Shibden Wall in Halifax, it's a gem

Rosedale Chimney's interesting.

[mr brightside]

I'd be interested to know the forumites opinions on the toughest climbs around.

The best ones i've done are on and around the B6265...

Peat Lane out of Bewerley- daft really
B6265 out of Pateley Bridge
B6265 Dibble's Bridge to Fancarl Crag
New Road Skyreholme to Fancarl Crag

[Lefty]

Whilst waiting for team Sky on their recce ride of Holme Moss this summer to keep warm lots of riders went up and down the climb several times. ( only 5 times for me whilst several I spoke to did more than double that ) I noticed that most managed the climb seated, it's never steep just goes on a bit. Froome came through at the front, 50m or so in front of the rest of the group, standing for most of the top part of climb, dancing on the pedals ala Contador which surprised me, Richie Porte and the others were all seated and in a group, they made it look easy which I suppose it is given the stuff they are used to.

[XRunner]

Should I uncleat before starting a steep hill climb?

Getting into the wrong gear at the start of a hill climb and then having to change down later has resulted in one fall so far!

[Daletownrunner]

Should I uncleat before starting a steep hill climb?

Getting into the wrong gear at the start of a hill climb and then having to change down later has resulted in one fall so far!


You'd probably fall harder if you pull your foot off the pedal :-( I think the old run out of steam keel over is something everyone has done, my opinion is that Standing v Sitting is an instinct thing, I tend to do what feels right at the time :-)

[Graham Breeze]

My teenage son was never much of a biker but I followed him in the Breeze Team Car up the long and steep Tormalet on a low geared MTB and I was so astonished and proud that I burst into tears when he got to the top. He just kept twiddling . We are different: some riders are just stronger at pushingbig gears in the saddle: Ulrich, and some riders are happier spinning a lowergear and standing: Armstrong.
The secret of getting up a long steep climb is finding a lowenough gear that you can sustain in the saddle because that is more energy efficientthan standing.
Standing gives you much more power to the pedal (subject toadhesion problems) and you should be able to accelerate or change up butit is bodily inefficient and even Contador flops back on the saddle eventually.
And impatience has a lot do with it. If you just want to getto the top then spinning a low gear will get you there in the saddle. Theproblem is when you think you should be going faster and start standing,rushing, and lactic builds up and you get breathless … and then tortoise and the hareas we have seen with Froome and Contador (although they are of course still bothstonking along).
But it’s a long time since I went up Alpe d’Huez etc so I may be talking rubbish!

[Graham Breeze]

Actually it is Tourmalet!

[Flopsy]

The best ones i've done are on and around the B6265...

Peat Lane out of Bewerley- daft really
B6265 out of Pateley Bridge
B6265 Dibble's Bridge to Fancarl Crag
New Road Skyreholme to Fancarl Crag

Yep people rave about Greenhow Hill but I think Peat Lane, Church road and Nought Bank are worse. Trouble is I have a choice of doing any one of them to leave home.....with cold legs!

[Corniceman]

I'd be interested to know the forumites opinions on the toughest climbs around. For me some of the best climbs are in the Dales, Park Rash, Fleet Moss, Garsdale Head, Buttertubs, etc etc, not necessarily the toughest but for sheer enjoyment and wonderful surrounding they take some beating for me. Most of those climbs I would get up with my compact 11/32 without having to get out of the saddle. Hardknott ( From the Rskdale side ) and the bottom bit of Honister before the cattle grid I would never get up without getting out of the saddle and Harknott in the Whitton after 90+ miles is a push for me ( and lots of others ) near to me Church Lane in Hebden Bridge takes some beating and it's a stand up for me. For sheer drama try the cobbled Shibden Wall in Halifax, it's a gem

Only just seen this but my pennies worth.
Firstly I always sit down! My favourite area for climbing is Calderdale. Love the cobbles and Trooper Lane is my favourite of all. I have not yet succeeded on church lane in Ludenden. It’s crazy and must be 40 percent at the top. Love Shibden Wall which is not too steep but keeps coming at you. Thwaites Brow too for more cobbled heaven.
In the Peak there are some brilliant little climbs near Matlock with Riber Road being a personal favourite. In the Lakes Hardknott stands out. West approach a little harder than the east with that 30 percent hairpin near the top. But I think the first 40 feet of Hardknott east is harder!,Wrynose east is a devilish slog and amongst the hardest climbs as it saves the steepest section to near the summit.
I have to say that if I stand up I tend to spin. Also I prefer to climb in stirrups and find I can push harder and longer knowing I’ll not end up on the road if I grind to a halt!