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Climbing & Descending

How Should I Shift for Hills?

Should you shift when starting a steep climb after a fast descent?  When you shift to an easier gear, does the chain grind?  Read on to learn how to anticipate gearing.

How do I Maintain Momentum in A Climb

I climb a lot better when I’m sitting. If I stand even for 30 seconds, my cadence slows, I lose momentum, and I get winded. Should I try to learn how to stand or just stay in the saddle?

Should I climb using the tops or drops?

I’ve always been told to hold the brake hoods during out-of-saddle climbing. They say this makes it easier to breathe.  I see many pros climbing with their hands on the handlebar drops as if they were sprinting. What made the old advice obsolete?

Should I Stand and Crank or Sit and Spin on Long Climbs?

On a long climb, is it better to sit and spin or stand and crank? I can spin faster seated, but it feels better to stand from time to time. Which is better?

Companion eBooks & eArticles

By Coach Arnie Baker, M.D.
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By Coach Fred Matheny
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By Michael Smith
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Should I climb using the tops or drops?

I’ve always been told to hold the brake hoods during out-of-saddle climbing. They say this makes it easier to breathe.  I see many pros climbing with their hands on the handlebar drops as if they were sprinting. What made the old advice obsolete?

Should I Stand and Crank or Sit and Spin on Long Climbs?

On a long climb, is it better to sit and spin or stand and crank? I can spin faster seated, but it feels better to stand from time to time. Which is better?

Why Do Route Profiles Look So Intimidating?


Sometimes the scale of the map can be confusing.  Hear what Coach Fred Matheny has to say about map scale shown on compact maps.

Did Improper Braking Cause My Blowout?


Did you ever wonder if hot rims can cause a blow-out?  On long descents, riding the breaks can cause the rim to get very hot.  Would disc disk brakes be the answer for overheating the rims during breaking?  Learn if there are techniques that you can implement to prevent the rim from overheating during descents.

How Can I Control Descents Without Overheating Rims?

How do you avoid hot rims when riding steep descents?  Do you brake to prevent blow-outs?  We've got some pointers.

How Can I Stop Fearing Curvy Descents?

Curvy descents can be intimidating.  If you find yourself squeezing the brakes for dear life until your hands ache, we have some tips that will help you overcomie this fear and letting  go a bit more.

How Can I Cure My Descentophobia?

Some riders are naturally more aggressive than others and have a very good kinesthetic sense, so they descend fast and look forward to it. Others have a highly developed sense of self-preservation, so they go more cautiously.  There's nothing intrinsically wrong with either approach. But if you want to descend faster without sacrificing safety, here are some tips.

Should I Spin on Climbs?

Early in my cycling career, I learned to keep my cadence at 90 rpm or above on the flats. The hills are another matter, though. Even with a triple crank and a low gear of 30x25 teeth, I can't stay above 70 rpm on climbs. So what is the optimum cadence for hills vs. flats?

How Can I Climb Stronger Standing?


When you stand, your legs have to support your weight as well as pedal the bike. But while seated, the saddle supports your weight, so all of your energy goes into pushing the pedals.  Which way is more effective during a climb?

How Should a Triathlete Tackle Steep Hills

When you're racing in a triathlon that has several steep hills about 500 yards long, should you attack the hills aggressively?  Coach Fred Matheny has the answer.