DC Triathlon TEAM

As requested, I am posting the basic hill climbing techniques we learned last week during our annual hill climbing clinic with Jody Bennett, owner of Conte’s in Arlington (and Bethesda).

Relax - Sit up straight and open your chest for easy airflow to the lungs.  Hands on the upper part of the bars and not in the drops or aeros.

Pedal Stroke - Don’t mash or push down through your stroke.  Instead sweep or pull back across the bottom of your pedal stroke.

Cadence -  Shift to an easier gear early and maintain the same cadence you have on the flats while you are a hill.

Stay Seated - Don’t stand unless you have to, it uses too much energy with too little payback.  Standing is okay on short steep hills and to accelerate over the crest of a hill.  Shift up to a harder gear just before you stand to take advantage of the extra power you gain from standing. When returning to the saddle, continue pedaling evenly.

Go to your Happy Place -  Jody did not mention this tip on Wed., but she has said it to me in the past.  When you start suffering up the hill - find your “happy place”  and go there in your mind.  The hill won’t last forever, and chances are a down hill will come up soon after!