GSAstuto
Maximum Pace
- Oct 11, 2009
- 974
- 253
I've been observing some interesting phenomenon lately. And I'd like to get some feedback / comments / advise / experiences.
Here's how it goes ---
1) Oftentimes I'm riding with others that have strong performance on the flats and seem to be similar size / power, etc. Even as much as I'm personally pushing quite hard to keep up.
2) Then, when the incline starts, the other riders will suddenly drop pace - almost as if they've reached a magical 'barrier'.
So - what happened?? Is it pain aversion? High Cardio optimization? Low LAT ?
This doesn't seem to really be 'body specific' . Some larger riders I know have no issues at all in the hills, while some smaller riders I know really struggle.
I do notice (empirically) that the riders 'struggling' or really 'down pacing' seem to be hitting the small gears very quick and trying to keep a 90+ cadence. Personally I climb best at about 70-75rpm. More than that stresses my cardio system. I can drop to about 45-60rpm and still develop good torque without going into Oxygen debt or LAT shutdown.
Just tossing this out to garner opinion and discourse.
Here's how it goes ---
1) Oftentimes I'm riding with others that have strong performance on the flats and seem to be similar size / power, etc. Even as much as I'm personally pushing quite hard to keep up.
2) Then, when the incline starts, the other riders will suddenly drop pace - almost as if they've reached a magical 'barrier'.
So - what happened?? Is it pain aversion? High Cardio optimization? Low LAT ?
This doesn't seem to really be 'body specific' . Some larger riders I know have no issues at all in the hills, while some smaller riders I know really struggle.
I do notice (empirically) that the riders 'struggling' or really 'down pacing' seem to be hitting the small gears very quick and trying to keep a 90+ cadence. Personally I climb best at about 70-75rpm. More than that stresses my cardio system. I can drop to about 45-60rpm and still develop good torque without going into Oxygen debt or LAT shutdown.
Just tossing this out to garner opinion and discourse.