QUESTION: I can stick with the weekend group ride most of the time. But the route includes five short hills, and when we hit them the pack goes berserk. The mellow pace is replaced by mad sprints to the top. I’m usually 30 meters off the back and have trouble catching up before the next…
Question: I’m training for RAMROD, a one-day event in Washington state. It covers 155 miles with three major climbs totaling 10,000 feet of vertical gain. My weekend training ride includes a tough climb of 6,000 feet that I’ve done all-out for three weeks. Now the nerves in my lower back are inflamed and I’m in pain…
In a past newsletter, Coach Fred Matheny said that a winter spent on the leg-press machine won’t automatically produce greater climbing strength. Here’s another take on this issue. I read Fred’s comments with interest. As a long-time cycling coach and personal trainer here in Berkeley, the issue all comes down to specificity: We get precisely…
Question: I’m a 44-year-old recreational rider who also does a couple of citizens races each year. I can keep up on the flats and even long climbs, but I get dropped on short, steep hills. To me, this says that I need to work on my power at lactate threshold so I can hang on…
Question: I do a weekly workout on a 1.5-mile-long hill with a steep, 15% grade. I have good endurance but my speed is glacial. I also have a history of knee problems so use a triple crankset. A riding friend suggested that moderate hills are better training than this killer climb I’m using. Do you…
