How Do Tour de France Cyclists Climb So Fast?

Have you ever wondered how the professional cyclists at the Tour de France climb so fast? Well there are a few reasons why they can ride uphill faster than us mere mortals...

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Sometimes sadly it is all about genetics....

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Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Currents - Mhern
Phogue - Felix Johansson Carne
Ticking - Alec Slayne
Without Denial - Typekast

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[gcn]

What's the best climb you've ever ridden?

[conan_der_barbar]

I always wonder why I'm so slow but then I remember that I only watch all the GCN videos instead of getting outside and riding my bike

[muhkurniawan]

GCN, please make a video how UCI controls doping nowadays.

[jen]

just riding and practising makes me feel like a pro, and i am not bragging at all when i say i, and surely many others are mistaken as such by the average person on the street.... it's just an image.still, it's a nice feeling to slide into the kit and bike and feel a complete flow and connection to the road, man ! it's like being an angel, or a bird. i adore my bicycles. they are my church and my refuge. long live the velo

[facehookedup]

GCN: Aerodynamics matters even if you're going as slow as 20kph
Me: looks at my 20.1kph average on Strava...

...Oh so I need some aero wheels

[m.amonroy]

1-They train much more than you
2-They have been training much longer than you
3-The Weight less than you
4-They have better bike and better genetics than you
5-They dope

[themobleys]

I'm pretty sure eating cookies is what makes you go fast uphill. Learned that from a retired pro cyclist.

[thesoultwins]

Many years ago, I used to live in Chambery [France] and my favourite climb was Mont Revard. Although it is not that well-known [but did feature in the TDF a number of years ago] it is over 21kms in length and rises to an altitude of 1537m. It averages approx 6% to a maximum of 8.3% - so it's a fairly demanding climb.
But the thing I loved best about it were the stunning views! It is located near Aix-Les-Bain and close by possibly one of the most beautiful cities in the whole of France - Annecy. I used to love riding around that region and it has such fond memories for me.

[andrewparker]

Video idea, kind of related to doping: Why not compare bikes from 1995, 2000, 2005, 2015, and now (at UCI weight limit. Ride at same power of the same course and see what the time differences are. You've kind of done this before, but the theme could be related to how doping effected times and why riders now seem to be going as fast as juiced-riders in the past.

[abedfo]

just spin up 5% grades at 90rpm that makes me feel like a pro even though i'll only be doing 15kph

[Beinhartwiechopper]

I ate a snickers bar back in 1982
Is there still hope for me?

[johnnyboy]

"Whats your best climb?" My climb out of bed is my bravest

[sheilastallard]

I have something that beats drugs, training, etc. It's a phone and it as International Rescue at the end of it. Thunder Bird 6 comes out and picks me up no matter how steep or hard the hill they are there for me!!. Keep em coming GCN!

[kentao]

Lol

Title: “How to climb like a Tour de France Pro.”

Them: “you can’t.”

Me: *jumps off trainer in defeat*

[markmtbrider]

Most of them are skeletons with big leg muscles, hearts and lungs and they know the best doctors.

[trugearreviewmtb]

Ten years ago I became very ill and ended up on dialysis for a year. Once every two weeks I was given EPO so as to help my mutilated blood carry more oxygen to my body. I make no apologies when I say, that stuff is freaking Superman juice. On the days when I got my EPO shot I felt like I could run through walls. Consider, being as sick and frail as you have ever felt in your life, imagine having the worst flu mixed with diarrhea and migraines, and then someone flipping a switch and you all of a sudden feel like you could stop the rotation of the earth. I to this day am blown away by how incredible it was. And, I won’t lie. . . I’ve been curious to know what it would be like to ride with some EPO.

[JoeBleasdaleReal]

I swear if I see G crushing it on Zwift one more time I will break something.

[Simte]

Due to the geography of my country it's impossible not not end up climbing... Heck, even commuting requires it. 😅

[joeytagle]

I'm always amaze in the GCN rider because they can talk while riding in an uphill and explain every detail 😍

[fatyowls]

I'll never forget those words by David Millar, after he came clean in an interview. You can't turn a donkey into a racehorse, but doping sure helps..