Help, how do I train for a hill climb?

[Monica]

I'm considering (just considering) doing the Catford and Bec hill climbs next month. I've never raced, but have ridden many years and at least have done the big Tour cols in France and lived to tell about it.

How do I go about preparing for the hill climb? I've only got two weekends to practice the actual hills, as I'll be away on a cycling holiday (touring slowly in the Loire, then hiring a de Rosa for Lake Garda).

I live in Central London, and can practice on the likes of Swains Lane in Highgate, but is going up that twice a day enough?

I noticed that only five women out of 88 riders did the Catford hill climb last year, and none of the five were Addiscombe, so it would be nice to represent the Agreeables on the day.

All suggestions welcomed.

[Jon H]

The Catford & Bec hillclimbs are short, steep climbs in the order of 20% gradient on the steepest bits. Find something that steep and try sprinting up it out of the saddle to get used to the intensity of the race-day effort.

[Snoop Doug]

Monica

I was a first timer @ the Bec CC climb last year. The only specific training I did was to have three goes up the hill the day before. I'd recommend you get a look at it in advance - it is frightening . It's not long but boy, is it steep, and it just gets worse

I missed the lanterne rouge by one place - still not gotten over that

On the day I did nominal warming up on the local roads (I'll do a bit more this year probably take the turbo, yeah right....). Started the race moderately(ish) and once the crowd starts to grow that kind of helps you empty the tank, so to speak.

It's a buzz, it's definitely something to try. I'll bet you've covered waaaay more miles than me this year so you'll be fit for it. Just try to get a looksee before and on the day, don't go off too mad, you'll want to be giving it everything near the top when the crowd is cheering you on - not a good time to fade

Snoop

[Andrew G]

Go for it Monica. I haven't done the Catford one (might this year if feeling particularly silly) but the Bec one is superb. As a veteran of one I can agree with advice given . The year I did the Bec it was in a monsoon so warm up was pointless and I did very badly, but on a normal day then the warm up is really important.

The Bec is only 700 yards long but steep all the way, getting a bit steeper towards the top. I'd just practice as much as you can going as fast and hard as you can on the steepest short hills that are convenient. On the day when you get to halfway up you hit the crowds and a wall of sound and the lift you get will spur you on to really bury yourself. They are really hard and you should be giving everything so you cross the line and practically fall off your bike, but the recovery is quick and the memory of it lasts for ages.

See you there.

[Toks]

[quote="Monica_Lichtner"]

I live in Central London, and can practice on the likes of Swains Lane in Highgate, but is going up that twice a day enough?

[Monica]

[quote="Toks"]I'd try 3-4 efforts in a days training session with about around 10 mintes rest between each effort. Doing this every couple of days would be good training from the Hill Climb. You could also consider a Hilly loop. Swiss Cottage to Hampstead/Highgate roll down to Kentish town then back up via Swain's Lane roll down to Archway and come up Highgate Hill.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Isn't that going to be the Olympic RR circuit in 2012, with a trip past Liz's house for good measure?

Guru P