Deej
Maximum Pace
- Oct 13, 2007
- 1,018
- 150
I've noticed that a friend of mine who races for Nalsima Friend often stands ("dances") while climbing. He tends to come out of the saddle and "attack" the steeper sections and spin on the gentler inclines (heck, he often stands up and drops the hammer on easier inclines, as well). I'm not saying this is the best way to climb, or course, just making an observation.
Being new to cycling, I try to emulate him as much as possible when he deigns to ride with me, treating it like a (painful) tutorial, hoping maybe some of his $killz (gear choice and timing, picking good lines around corners on a fast descent, etc.) will rub off on me. The guy has won the Tour de Okinawa twice (citizens' category -- 200k), so I figure he knows a thing or two about the sport. He claims, somewhat disingenuously, to be "nigate" at climbing, but I've seen him demolish Wada like it was a bump in the road.
Personally, I have found that on long, hard climbs, a combination of sitting and standing really helps keep me fresh(er) and spread the burden among different muscles. Sometimes, I just can't seem to generate the power I need when I'm seated, and I'll be trying to shift to an easier gear, only to find that I'm already maxed out on the rear cassette. It is times like these that I will shift up a gear or two, stand up and try to generate some good momentum. I've also found it easier/more effective to come out of the saddle when approaching a steep turn, then sit down after I've rounded the bend and have got a good rhythm going.
How about you guys? Do any of you have any views/tips about climbing "en danseuse"? :climb02:
Keep riding!
David
Being new to cycling, I try to emulate him as much as possible when he deigns to ride with me, treating it like a (painful) tutorial, hoping maybe some of his $killz (gear choice and timing, picking good lines around corners on a fast descent, etc.) will rub off on me. The guy has won the Tour de Okinawa twice (citizens' category -- 200k), so I figure he knows a thing or two about the sport. He claims, somewhat disingenuously, to be "nigate" at climbing, but I've seen him demolish Wada like it was a bump in the road.
Personally, I have found that on long, hard climbs, a combination of sitting and standing really helps keep me fresh(er) and spread the burden among different muscles. Sometimes, I just can't seem to generate the power I need when I'm seated, and I'll be trying to shift to an easier gear, only to find that I'm already maxed out on the rear cassette. It is times like these that I will shift up a gear or two, stand up and try to generate some good momentum. I've also found it easier/more effective to come out of the saddle when approaching a steep turn, then sit down after I've rounded the bend and have got a good rhythm going.
How about you guys? Do any of you have any views/tips about climbing "en danseuse"? :climb02:
Keep riding!
David