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Is There Any Benefit To Setting Pain Cave Up Like a Gap Incline?

morpheusmorpheus
in General Training Discussions

My big events this year have more climbing than I have ever done. 

Mt. Mitchell (12k, mid May) and 6 Gap (11k, in Sept)

Watts are watts.  Building the watts with our intervals.  I know, drop the kgs.  Steady now but not too far off of goal.

Getting enough outside riding to be ready to add spring volume when the time comes.

I've considered adding a 'climbing specific' wko.  I was thinking about tilting the bike up a little bit more than the tallest riser on my block.  Not CRAZY like 45 degrees or anything, but somewhere in between.  Then, throw in a series of lower cadence (60ish) intervals at about 70% FTP, maybe  4x 30' to start, 4x 45' soon after.

This isn't to build climbing watts.  No such thing.  That's what pounding out our 2x 20's are for.  This would be more of an exercise in tempo/feel/patience/tolerance.

Or...waste of time?  Better off just building the watts with our plan and get outside enough to handle wet/cold/wind?

 

Comments

  • Dave TalloDave Tallo
    Number 2. Brings to mind Lionel Saunder's Mt Lemmon record last year.
  • morpheusmorpheus
    Not familiar with that story, Dave. But, I'm guessing it goes something like "....no hill training at all. Just Beast w/kg. Sets record on one of the longest and toughest climbs in the country." Pretty close?
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    Having done LOTS of hill climbing, and LOTS of trainer time in my Power Penthouse, IMO there's no way pedaling in one spot @ whatever angle, cadence, or posture *feels* like going up hill for 60 minutes or more. Just build the engine, and control yourself (steady, steady) out on the road.
  • morpheusmorpheus
    got it. it's a watts per kilo game. No gimmicks will make it easier.

    the Gap ride doesn't worry me b/c I'll have all summer to get up there and ride.

    the may ride, Mt. Mitchell, is the one that I was trying to figure out if this would help. Since most of the local climbs (the Gaps in N Ga) will be sketchy due to Jan/Feb/early March winter roads
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