CyclingTips - Latest Comments in Why Do We Love Climbing?

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

modcon — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:50:30 -0000

i'd say if you have one, why not use it? unless you haven't trained on it that is ;). amy i think it's a bit of both- people who have the TT bikes probably also train on them and are half decent TTers. i borrowed some clincher zipps up there and pulled a time just out of top 10, probably could have benefited from further practice with TT bars, but that's life. the course isn't really hilly, not after the mornings stage at least. just a few power climbs/bumps. also depends on the wind, there was a tailwind on the return good for >50kph

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Amy — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:59:39 -0000

So you think it's worth carting the TT bike up there? I wasn't going to bother.. But maybe I will.. How is the course? Suited to a TT bike?

Maybe the fact the top times were recorded on TT rigs are just because those that are good at TTing own TT bikes? (or have some form of triathlon background and own one from that..)

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Tim M — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:07:58 -0000

I like the grades in the TT. It's certainly not flat. Well if people racing C grade can afford TT rigs good luck to them. The best I can do is maybe borrow some Durace 7850 clinchers to get some nice momentum.

Getting close!! :)

Be good to know who from here is going to be at the SKCC boot camp. Should organise a hello/beer.

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

modcon — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:24:57 -0000

yeah it was an interesting mix- some of the others in top 10 looked easily 80kg+ too. also, the second stage is made somewhat easier for those in posession of a time trial rig - i know some of top times were recorded on TT rigs. there are a lot of discrepancies bw riders in all the grades- we caught B grade riders for example, but the tail of C was quite far off the start.

anyway it's gonna be some wicked fun!

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Tim — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:13:50 -0000

I looked at the winner from last year, he won Stage 1 by 14 secs or so, and stage 2 by 2 mins. The finish is at the Bright-Harrietville Rd so I reckon it's a lot easier to maintain a gap on a breakaway than if you had to finish into Bright.

I'm down to 60kg now, so it's all useful.

Your comment about A graders really confirms something to me. ALL races raced under a CA race license MUST go to a central scoring / rating repository and at open races like this, you are forced into your rated category, of course taking into account people who have been sick etc.

Interesting re: 81kg and finished top 10. I'm 60kg/5'7" so we'll see I suppose.

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

modcon — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:52:17 -0000

you'll need quite a bit of punch to get away; last year C grade there were one or two away and we caught them and overtook. and as for B graders dropping down, last year's top three were all A graders :). the climbing is tough, but not that tough, i'm in at ~81kg 188cm and i finished top 10 after thinkin CRB hill was the top. oops

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Tim M — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:24:50 -0000

Good point. L'Etape suffers from very poor timing in terms of fitting in with TdF schedule.

We got screwed last year by transfers and ended up parking in Maulacene, riding into Nyons, backward along the course (I'll never forget everyone looking at us like "What le hell is going on" and gendarmes trying to whistle us to stop) then ride with L'Etape to the top, then descend down into Maulacene and drive to St Bourg Maurice for S16. Crazy times.

The Marmotte sounds AWESOME. Thanks for the heads up.

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Tim M — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:21:49 -0000

Update: I was sick all last week with this Nora virus. No eating for 4-5 days (I normally eat 6 times a day).

Result: down to 60kg. Bam.

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Tim M — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:20:31 -0000

CP: This is very interesting. This will be my first open race (this was my first season racing) and I am busy formulating strategy with my team mates -- some of you will be competitors on the day no doubt (I'm racing C grade).

We've been musing over where/how to attack. The false flat in the middle is interesting and a climber could lose time here IF there is a headwind. I think if you take off and take 2-3 with you and roll turns, you can win it in the first third easily.

I've taken off up the first 1/3 before, and been able to pace myself to the false flat and maintain a 30-35km/h speed through here to the entry gate.

It will be an interesting test of will and endurance to ignore heart race and race purely on will and body-feel, to keep up with those better, or dust off and sort out the lead group. I'll be honest and say I hope to be in that lead group, but I could be over-judging my ability. Who knows. Depends how many solid B graders drop down I guess.

Of course, all strategy counts for nought in that one moment when your instinct must rule your actions.

It's going to be fun, I'm getting nervous typing this!! :)

If you're up there, we should grab a beer after. Are you racing with SKCC?

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Tim M — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:14:47 -0000

I'm interested to know what broke you in the end. Was it just a point that you said, "that's enough" and got off the bike.

I've been to that point before, but never been able to quit.

In L'Etape last year up the Ventoux, I was in serious trouble as I'd done it twice in the previous two days, and we'd just done around 150km at race pace in 35 degree weather. Serious pain.

But it was a case of looking down and just pedalling. And pedalling.
The final couple of kays into the summit were horrible, and the only thing that kept me going was the horror at the thought of getting off, plus the fact I was still passing people.

The mind and your own will: are marvellous things.

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

AJS — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:06:01 -0000

A couple other European sportives to consider, Maratona dles Dolomites, Quebrantahuesos, La Marmotte. La Marmotte takes on Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and finishes at the top of Alpe d'Huez. The Maratona is broadcast live on RAI in Italy. One advantage of the Maratona over the others ... you start and finish in the same place.

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

peter — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:50:20 -0000

personally, the mere fact that 110 kg takes a lot of effort to get out of bed, is little wonder that it takes even more to go up a hill...it is sensible and logical that Beach Road is the choice as it is nice and comfortable. But after 2 runs on Diamond Creek 2 (i think) and then back to Beach Road....even easier. So with that in mind and that my strength with hills and the smug overweight feeling when free wheeling and passing the littlies riding flat down the other side more than makes up for the up hill grind. Back to the hills.....with the French Alps in mind, and off I grind....39x25

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

CP — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:46:12 -0000

Very true! I'm 88kg and 6'2" I climb ok but I doubt I'd get classed as a climber in my bio. ToB the gap is a tough climb but if you conserve yourself in the cross winds (if possible) your tempo should keep you in a reasonable placing. I found with the ascent to Hotham the first third was whee people won and lost that stage. Many riders over committed and didn't capitalise on the mid section. In the third when it starts to resemble sharks teeth, most riders are locked into the same speed. There are few accelerations at this point of the race.

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

CP — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:39:10 -0000

I am one of those broken souls.
Many races I do have climbs that leave me stinging but no other race has everscared me as much as my failure to survive the last 6km of Baw Baw. Hotham was tough but Baw Baw has lefrt a scare that one day I'll have to mend!

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Tim M — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:11:22 -0000

Only thing missing from that are Croix de Fer, Iseran, Izoard and Bonnet Restafond. Maybe Telegraphe too.

Fark, get me back there.
My buddy has bailed on me for next year, I need a travel partner.

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Tim M — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:10:21 -0000

Check out ze links above to some video of L'Etape 09 and some climbing of Galibier and Alpe D'Huez

I think Alpe D'Huez is tricky, but not hard. You can't really get tempo.
I think I timed around 41mins or something. We had it on a picture perfect day (like I said, check video above). Deux noisettes + croissant avec confiture, then ramping up the hill.

word
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Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

D-Man — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:32:12 -0000

For an awesome cycling/climbing experience try and get over to France for L'Etape. They take the queen stage of each TdF (usually one or more bucket list climb) and let the public race on closed roads on the tour's rest day. Did the 07 version (5 passes in 197km) and it was the hardest/greatest day on the bike I've ever done. Though seeing the pros do it a few days later at warp speed was pretty humbling...

Would have to say that Alpe D'Huez is a fantastic climb. Whilst not overly difficult it's no walk in the park either. The best part is that you can feel the history seeping off the road - a real cycling mecca. Just thinking of the cycling royalty who've ridden that climb before you seems to give you an extra pair of legs. Plus the more you get into it, the faster you seem to get.

Mt Ventoux is just intimidating - a massive object in the middle of nowhere that just threatens from miles out. It starts off hard, eases off for quite a while, then progressively getts more difficult the higher up you get. It really turns the screw re: pain threshold; and just keeps on going. I've forgotten how hard it was - the sense of achievement of making it to the top takes care of that. The worst part is that once you hit the moonscape near the top you can still see how far you've got to go. When you've finished, is so cold and windy, and you're so high up, it's scary. Awesome descent though (beware of wind gusts and of freezing your balls off).

The best thing about climbing is that it's a real good judge of character: you're suffering on a climb, time has slowed to a standstill, sweat poring off you, one pedal stroke at a time only to realise you're going nowhere fast, all you can see is just more hill in front you, welcome to Painsville, population: you! Then comes the moment of truth: Do you give up? Are you a quitter? Or do you just tap it out, keep on tapping it out, dig deep to get your focus back on the job at hand and work to get some of that rhythm back. Nothing compares to hitting those depths then coming back out the other side.

I wish I were climbing right now... love the pain!!!!

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Dave C — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:18:20 -0000

Did a 3 month trip to Europe this year and knocked the following notable climbs off:

Passo del Bracco (2009 Giro TT)
Passo dello Stelvio
Passo Mortirolo
Passo Gavia
Passo Foscagno
Passo Eira
Passo Bernina
Passo Maloja
Madonna del Ghisallo
Sustenpass
Col du Pillon
Col de la Madeleine
Col du Glandon
Col du Lauteret
Col du Galibier
Alpe d'Huez
Mont Ventoux

Yes, I'm bragging! I could rate them but it is so dependent on how the legs are, what bike was used, weather and so on.

Favourite: Stelvio. Iconic, perfect day, amazing scenery. Still tough.
Hardest: Probably Ventoux but it was so busy (day before Tour) and we stopped so many times it was hard to tell.
Scariest: Gavia, with Mortirolo in the legs already, running late, weather turned to freezing and no lights in tunnels!
Beautiful: Descent off Glandon down to Boug d'Oisans - amazing.

I used to be a track rider and have not a climbers build but I absolutely love it. I think it's actually easier mentally than riding hard on the flats.. there's a very obvious reason why it hurts therefore you can get on with testing and challenging yourself - literally conquering that mountain. It can be very meditative. The goal is tangible and the rewards are endless.

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Tim M — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:56:27 -0000

Nein I am not.
It's a good balance.
(Remember, I used to be 88kg, so anyone can do it)

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Tim M — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:48:46 -0000

Gawd there are sooo many silly rules to riding the Audax it's hardly worth it.

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

David Rafferton — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:46:23 -0000

That sounds good.
If SKCC crits get rained out, I might do the same.

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Eddie — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:34:26 -0000

Your complaining about 62-64??? Jesus!

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Mike Hayward — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:09:54 -0000

Nice one Tim

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Nathan Merckx — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:09:21 -0000

Best Sydney-s climbs?

Re: Why Do We Love Climbing?

Travis — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:01:49 -0000

Couldn't agree with you more Domestique, I generally chide the little people (under 90kg) that i ride with who sit on my wheel when there is any wind because they are afraid of getting blown off their bike and then not doing anything to help the work horse over the top of a hill.
In saying that going down hill on light bike with a great set of wheels at my weight is pure joy for the amount of acceleration you get.

Gotta go up to come down fast