3 Tips to Climb Faster and Easier on Your Bike

Some cyclists dread climbing hills because they know it’s going to be a grueling and ego-deflating experience. Others love the challenge and strive to push themselves so that they complete climbs faster each time.

Regardless of which camp you fit into, these tips are guaranteed to help make your next climbing experience a positive one by improving your speed and making it easier to get up the hill. It’s a win-win!

Stay on your butt. Many people have the urge to stand when going up hills because they believe that this will make the climb easier due the extra force behind their legs, but unless you’re a featherweight – and a climbing expert – this is not the case. Why? Because pedaling while standing increases the energy you’re expending by 5 percent, causing you to get tired faster. And if you accidentally lean too far forward, you can even lose traction on the back tire and overweight the front one, leading to skids and falls.

Take deep breaths. As we work harder, we tend to breathe faster, but also more shallowly and jaggedly. As you might imagine, this is not the most efficient way to get fresh oxygen to those hard-working muscles when they really need it. Instead, practice filling your lungs completely and filling your belly with air. Your muscles will appreciate it, and it will also help in keeping you calm during the climb.

Use the easiest gear. Everyone always wants to use the big gears for climbs so that they really push themselves, but this shouldn’t be the goal. What you really want to do is try to keep your cadence above 70 rpm. This will make the climb more comfortable and allow you to make it in a faster time.

Ultimately, what it really boils down to on climbs is pacing yourself so that you don’t expend too much energy too soon and go above your threshold. Do that and the climb is sure to be difficult – and possibly even dangerous if you continue to push yourself too hard.

There is one more thing you can do, though – if you haven’t already had yourself fitted to your bike, going through a custom fit can make every aspect of your ride more comfortable and help you to avoid unnecessary stress and injury while increasing speed and efficiency.

Since 1988, Ross Hart has owned and operated Hart’s Cyclery in Pennington, NJ. The bike store sells and services the finest brands in the world, including Giant and Cannondale. We provide personalized customer service, taking the time to understand your needs, lifestyle, and athletic style. The focus is ensuring you discover the right bike and the right fit – for the best cycling experience possible.

The next time you visit, check out our newest addition: the GURU Dynamic Fit. The computerized robotic assisted system has revolutionized road bike fitting, and we’re the only shop in the area that offers the service.

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