Today was my first big ride with some dudes (44 miles) and I’m a fixed gear beginner. I’m definitely so exhausted my kneecaps are damn killing and got 2 cramps on the ride but we kept it pushing im grateful for the dudes for having me ride with them
(PS can you guys give me tips on how to get better on uphills I really struggled so bad on them, I tried mashing but it got me so tired very quickly and tried doing it at a rhythm but nothing work)
(Another PS the 20 other miles don’t show because my dumbass forgot to put Strava)
by Only_Tie_1752
6 Comments
Damn it was freezing today too nicely done
Good shit man. Assuming you live in brooklyn, how’d you get back from jersey?
honestly the best advice on bettering uphills is repeatedly going up them. yeah it sucks in the beginning when you’re first starting (but a lot of things do). I liked to give myself markers by saying, one more push and muscling up, actually driving my legs fully down so there’s more power transfer.
it’s all mental too, because when you’re going downhill, you think, wow, look how far I’ve come and you forget the battle it took going up.
keep pushing
Nice ride. What’s is like crossing the GWB in December? Gotta be cold. And how did you pick the 59th street bridge over any other?
Edit: to get better at climbing, you need to climb often. Doesn’t have to be huge climbs but find a hill on every ride and make it a goal to get to the top no matter what, without stopping.
It was pretty windy today too, ya did good.
What ratio are you riding?
And were you taking hills in the saddle or out?
smaller ratio (smaller than you think, 48:17 is popular for good reason but it’s too big for most beginners, and even after 4 years fixed I only ride 50:17 when I’m trying to keep up with roadies. otherwise, 48:19)
make sure your bike fits! if your kneecaps hurt maybe your saddle height is wrong or it’s too far forward.
hills: as said above, repetitions help. but stand up mashing is a skill, once you figure out a proper rhythm of swinging the bike, putting down a power stroke, resting a tiny bit as your foot goes through the dead zone, it will feel like flying. even if your legs don’t get stronger.
just keep doing it, focus on being smooth and stable, don’t wobble and don’t let your body move too much from side to side. just swing the bike enough to keep your weight on the pedals.
+ If you know how to track stand it will make it easy for you to stand up mash at very low speeds, which can help if the hill is super steep.