How To Train For Mountains If You Don't Live Near Any
If you're planning on riding a mountainous sportive or gran fondo but don't live near any mountains how can you train for climbing? Follow GCN on YouTube: gcn.eu/gcnsubs Some of the world's best climbers come from one of the world's flattest countries, Holland. But how can you make sure you're training to climb even if you're not near any epic Alpine climbs? Key is being able to output a sustained amount of power for a long time without going into the red. Keeping yourself at the so-called "sweet spot" of about 10% under your functional threshold power. Gradually building up your riding in that sweet spot until you're able to ride for a longer period of time at the sweet spot will make sure you're able to ride for a long time at a high effort level. If you can't measure effort through a powermeter or heart rate monitor, then it should feel pretty uncomfortable, but not completely on the limit. Be specific at want you want to do. In a mountain situation your cadence will be lower and you'll be more upright on the bike, so going for an aero position at 100 rpm isn't going to marry up with the reality of a long climb up a big mountain. Go for around 75 - 90 rpm and sit up on the bike. Be sure to take advantage of your surroundings by riding into a headwind to simulate climbing, and if there are shorter hills nearby try to hit them at the end of an interval. Music: John Foxx and Louis Gorndon - The Noise: gcn.eu/1cZmTHM About GCN: The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic summit of the Stelvio to the epic trails of Fort William, Scotland, everywhere there is pavé or dirt, world-class racing, and pro riders, we will be there bringing you all the action, essential analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling Youtube Channel - gcn.eu/gcnYT Facebook - gcn.eu/gcnFb Google+ - gcn.eu/gcnGPlus Twitter - gcn.eu/gcnTW Leave us a comment below!
