How To Train For Long Climbs

In association with Scott.
Riding fast up long climbs is all about your functional threshold power. Here are three training sessions to help you to improve yours.

Long climbs, like the Alpe d'Huez will push you physically, but they're also one of the most satisfying parts of riding your bike. Improving your times on these climbs takes work, and we're here to help out.

These climbs are all about your FTP (Functional Threshold Power) and your ability to ride at it for long periods of time. The good news is that you can build your functional threshold power without a power meter and without hills.

Check out the video and comment below with your FTP.

Music:
Waajeed - Blow Your Whistle:

About GCN:

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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Music - licensed by Cue Songs

[adrian_veidt]

I love watching older GCN videos. There's a lovely charm on it.

I miss matt.

[BombedNevada]

I have found that sobbing uncontrollably helps with climbing.

[gerardvanommenkloeke]

I think you guys have probably the best job in the world. Hard work but what a way to earn!!

[ItsNotJustinMarcelo]

I always ride with the sweetspot on climbs and put on heaviest gear when im on flats. This may hurt my knees or muscles but this is the fastest way to improve my leg capacity IMO. Also try to put additional 2 heavy gears on your sweetspot while climbing and get out of the saddle. Climbing out of the saddle also helps

[XtrAMassivE]

I first do rides on mostly flat roads and then I progress to higher climbs. I have a luxury of plenty of short and long climbs so it's nice for training.

[richardm]

South of France has it all for training! Great part of the world!

[ThomasNordic]

Really enjoy this channel. Looks like these guys have fun doing these vids as well.

[dickvisser]

This footage was shot in the hills of the Côte d'Azur.
The part that starts at 2:38 is the M2564 between Nice and Éze. You can see St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat sticking out in the Mediterranean:

[mfiola]

Another of your best videos.  Thanks. 

[Alex.McCormack]

I like the new bikes you've Scott

[sharkdom]

Where I grew up, FTP meant something completely different!!

[jamesferrentino]

I have my first race this Sunday! Wish me luck, I'm nervous!

[Schwingi]

Love your channel, keep up the good works! Thanks for the outtakes as well. 😀

[waynemaman]

Petty Mat Stevens left, was a fun guy! Good job GCN guys!

[tomparsons]

Hey guys. Great video as usual. I'd love to see a some stuff on time trialling...how to train for them and things like that.

[dee-jay-gee-bee]

Nice cuts to the kickdrum.
Nice to see you passed on the editing knowledge to the Global Mountain Bike Network boys too, with them making full use of the slow-mo ghost biker creeping past the real-time guy talking you through the technique being displayed.

[glyrin.e]

It’s amazing the amount of helpful videos you have on the channel, really appreciated for that, helped a lot in my trainings.
 
I am getting a bit more involved and dedicated to cycling and decided to get a cadence meter since everybody talks about how important it is to get to a cadence between 80-100 rpm and trying to be able to keep comfortable around 90 rpm, but I discovered that I can only get around 75 rpm.
It really burns me out when I try to sustain higher cadences for more than 5 min.
I would like to ask if you could do make a video with some tips on how to improve your cadence, for a smoother pedal stroke and to get a better performance in general.

[WhyKnot]

I like to hill repeat the steepest hill I can find.

[wytwolfen]

Has anyone made a ringtone out of Matt's laugh and if so, where can I get it?  Thank you, Robert

[wanmaker]

Plz can you do a how to taper off befor an event.