Climbing Made Easy | GCN's Cycling Tips

Climbing doesn't have to be an uphill struggle when you've got Matt and Dan here to help you with Climbing Made Easy

Ex-Professional Cyclists Dan Lloyd and Matt Stephens provide expert tips and advice to help you climb hills and even mountains easier and with more structure than riding until you blow up!

Let us know how you make climbing easier for yourself in the comments below👇

Dan and Matt discussing pacing yourself on climbs and the benefits of it.
Climbing in and out of the saddle. Whilst we would all love to be able to climb out of the saddle like Alberto Contador or Richard Virenque, it isn't necessarily the most efficient option. The guys give some advice on how to do this best.

Gearing selection is vital, but the most important thing here is to have something that is natural, like around 80revolutions per minute. Faster cadence will take some practice and is a special technique.

Finally, PRACTICE! You use your muscle groups differently when climbing, so it's a good idea to bring them into life as much as you can when possible as it will make them stronger in the long run.

Watch more on GCN...

Music:
Crush On You - Marcello De Angelis

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The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!

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Leave us a comment below!

[gcn]

Let us know your tips for making climbing easier 👇

[geryon]

If Simon had presented this video he would have also given the advice to clean your bike. The dirt on your bike is extra weight that makes climbing harder.

[bradleynakata]

That look of astonishment on Dan's face when Matt says "Your ass will follow". Priceless

[TheWaxChainFanClub]

I am honestly absolutely sickened by how easy you make climbing look.

[del]

As "it never gets easier, you just go faster", shouldn't this the video be called "Climbing Made Marginally Less Slow"?

[leon]

4:02 Matt: 'Free your mind, and your ass will follow.'
Dan with his facial expression: 'What the hell is this guy talking about.'

[Hilla]

Did Matt really reference Funkadelic? What a legend!

[FiqFake]

Tips:

1. Dont stop
2. Cycle slowly
3. Try to accelerate when you're going further

[Nearly-at-the-top]

Riding as many hills as possible is key, and on big climbs I use my HR monitor to stop myself over cooking my effort. Where possible I try not to go over 85% of my maximum HR, I find I can lower my HR by backing off slightly and concentrating on breathing deeply and steadily. Obviously there are always steeper sections where you have to put in a bigger effort, but that makes it even more vital to recover when you can. It's served me well, I've done Ventoux in 1 hour 58, Sa Calobra in 47 minutes and the Fred Whitton route in 7 hours 30.

[atakanorgan]

I prefer sitting on the saddle actually. Also, pacing yourself really is a good point. I usually start climbing slower and speed up by time. I can watch your videos whole day but I need to go for a ridee 😁 Good day everyone

[eechaze]

My 2 cents particularly for short steep climbs. Lean forward to move your center of gravity forwards when climbing. This redistributes weight from rear wheel. Don't pedal fast (raises heart rate) but carefully select lower resistance gear . Emphasis on strength and low cadence when climbing. If you are descending before climbing or on fairly level road speedup up before climbing. This generates momentum that will propel you uphill for some time. So bigger guys will generate a greater momentum given similar speeds with other riders. While going up the short climb with the momentum generated continue pedaling but gradually adjust gears to lower resistance. These techniques have worked for me and would help folks that feel they are they are big.

[jarnedeprins]

You can push your limits way harder than you think. I can hold an average heartrate of 195bpm for 20min on a climb(whilst I'm building up lactate from 175bpm), but I need to get their slowly, if you go slowly to around your max heartrate, you can stay they a very long time. If however you sprint to around your max heartrate, you can hold it for 1min if you are lucky...

So if you want to climb faster, don't think that you need to have a lower heartrate, you can perfectly do it at a high heartrate, just get their slowly, and give your body time to adapt to the climb, and you'll see you can do way more then you think

[ds]

Did a small climb of 130 mtrs to try out your tips ( never climbed this before), made it with moderate effort with a cheap cycle ( btwin riverside 120).Thanks 😁👍

[woozertoo]

0:38 to 0:53--viewer note: No slow motion used, that's Dan in real time.

[NicholasWoodley]

Brilliant. Thank you. I am on the wrong side of 40 years old and the wrong side of 80kg so hills are my nemesis. I will put some of this advice into practice sessions before the London 100. Leith Hill is a killer.

[joschaheber]

Cap de Formentor - i love this route a lot

[SeverinDrums]

Ou I know where you filmed that episode: It was the road to the cap de formentor on mallorca :) I love that tour, especially because of the nice climbs and downhills :D

[ryubatsoy]

GCN videos from years ago are much better and informative than what they have nowadays

[RonBonXD]

Im mainly a sprinter but this video helps cause i have a race with a 15 km climb this video really helps and great video

[SwedishHouseFifa]

Turn the pedals and you will reach the top :)