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Quick Tip: Slide on Climbs
- By David Heatley
- Published 20-Nov-08
- Hill Climbing
-
Rating:
David Heatley
David Heatley is the director
of Cycling-Inform and co-creator of the RaceRight Cycling Camp. He has
medalled at national and regional events in
I received this quick hill climbing tip in a e-mail from the RBR Publishing Company. It's a great tip for riding longer climbs. Slide on Climbs.
On long, gradual climbs you can emphasize some muscles and relieve others by changing where you sit on the saddle. Move to the rear to accentuate the strong gluteus muscles in your butt, pushing the pedals forward as well as down. When you're feeling too much muscle tension and tightness, slide forward toward the nose. Now the quadriceps muscles in your thighs are emphasized, your cadence can increase and your glutes can recover. Sliding back and forth like this fights fatigue and makes the most of your energy. It also changes pressure points to improve saddle comfort.
On long, gradual climbs you can emphasize some muscles and relieve others by changing where you sit on the saddle. Move to the rear to accentuate the strong gluteus muscles in your butt, pushing the pedals forward as well as down. When you're feeling too much muscle tension and tightness, slide forward toward the nose. Now the quadriceps muscles in your thighs are emphasized, your cadence can increase and your glutes can recover. Sliding back and forth like this fights fatigue and makes the most of your energy. It also changes pressure points to improve saddle comfort.
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2 Responses to "Quick Tip: Slide on Climbs"
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said this on 03 Dec 2008 11:04:46 AM EST
I assume by "sliding", they mean simply sliding up and down along the seat and not actually standing off the seat and pedalling? I find that if I stand and pedal it helps me a lot more than sitting. Maybe that could be that the bike is not fitted right!? Hmmm
Great article! Thanks |
Author/Admin)|
said this on 03 Dec 2008 11:12:29 AM EST
Yes, "sliding" in this article refers to moving back and forward on the seat. And with regards to your comment on standing it does depend on your style. Lighter riders have a natural preference to stand to develop power (watch Cadel Evans in any TDF video to see what I mean). Seated is more efficient, standing develops more power. On positioning - may be something to look at. You should be able to develop good power when climbing seated.
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