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its not the miles, but the elevation

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Trek_5200

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
so when people start cycling, they tend to get all excited about the century mark, i was no different but i've realized that i no longer plan my cycling activities around the number of miles i do , but how many feet i climb and what climbs i feel like attacking that day. That and what scenery will turn me on.

Wondering how many of you focus more on altitude versus distance.
 
#2 ·
I think it really comes down to what type of rider you are vs the rider you become. I'd wager many that start out pick the distance metric due to their fitness, as climbing typically requires a higher level vs that of distance.

As a bigger clyde, all I cared about was average speed and distance. As I got into better shape and refined my overall cycling, I found I was more of a punchy climber and sprinter, so that's what I look for now as a rider. Still a clyde, likely always will be, so I doubt I'll ever be a guy who seeks out climbs like you're describing. That said, I hold my own nowadays so I don't mind the altitude.
 
#3 ·
It also comes down to where home may be. As a Midwesterner there isn't much in the way big altitude gains, but dealing with the wind can become something that can make or break a cyclist.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
velodog said:
It also comes down to where home may be. As a Midwesterner there isn't much in the way big altitude gains, but dealing with the wind can become something that can make or break a cyclist.
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there are some very good dutch cyclists. i had the pleasure of riding with a bunch earlier this year and was amazed at how good they were at climbing considering the absence of elevation in most of the netherlands. they refer to the wind as the dutch mountains
 
#5 ·
When I lived in Memphis (pretty flat) I called the steady westerly and southerly winds " West Tennessee hills". I got pretty good, or at least used to, riding into headwinds. Now I live in the Blue Ridge and I'd much rather tackle a 5 mile climb than a 5 mile slog into a stiff headwind.

I classify my rides now into feet per mile, I.e. total climbing divided by distance. 100 fpm is a hard ride. Around here 60 fpm is about as easy as you'll find, average is about 80. I don't ride as far now, partly because the rides are harder, but mostly because they just take longer, and it's rare that I'm able to get more than 3 hours to dedicate to a ride.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
hfc said:
When I lived in Memphis (pretty flat) I called the steady westerly and southerly winds " West Tennessee hills". I got pretty good, or at least used to, riding into headwinds. Now I live in the Blue Ridge and I'd much rather tackle a 5 mile climb than a 5 mile slog into a stiff headwind.

I classify my rides now into feet per mile, I.e. total climbing divided by distance. 100 fpm is a hard ride. Around here 60 fpm is about as easy as you'll find, average is about 80. I don't ride as far now, partly because the rides are harder, but mostly because they just take longer, and it's rare that I'm able to get more than 3 hours to dedicate to a ride.
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wow , who knew so many people use the same system(feet per mile). makes sense though, i just never had the conversation
 
#8 ·
Neither directly. I have filtered it all down to tracking how much stress (on the bike work) I do in a day, week, month, etc...in order to systematically increase fitness. But, in doing that I'm aware of miles, time, altitude gain I do. Finding interesting rides, roads and people all help get the work done imo/e.
 
#9 ·
"All of the above" for me.

Tuesdays are hill days, usually netting >3,000'. Periodically I hammer a rolling test segment. Sometimes I get on the flats, looking for a certain HR/cadence combination. Occasionally I'll take a new turn and just explore, perhaps stopping for a pic or two. I did five centuries this year.

My goal goal of 5,000 mi for the year is in the rear view mirror. I'll roll to 6,000 mi, taking it easy, smelling the metaphorical roses, and recharging for the assault on 2018.
 
#11 ·
I focus on how much fun I will have. Sometimes there is a direct correlation between distance and fun, sometimes there is a direct correlation between elevation and fun

...but most of the time there isn't.
 
#12 ·
I can wear my lungs/heart out with four or five 15% hills over 30 miles. Saves me the bruises on my *** from doing a century sitting straight up. I did a metric century once: that scenery of central IND is boring. Cows, pig sheds, chicken sheds, new & old farm equipment, more of the same. Here in So IND we have furry squirrels, chipmunks, ground hogs, deer, & pretty bluebirds & goldfinches. I only end up 300' higher than the start, but the ups & downs (especially the downs) make it fun. 30+ mph! I brag about the ups; usually it's late May before I can get up them without stopping & pushing.
 
#14 ·
Here in the SF Bay Area, there's no such thing as a flat century, as it's impossible to avoid the hills in every direction. The 100 ft/mile guide mentioned earlier is our guideline for a tough ride, and there are several centuries in the area that are over 10,000 ft. of climbing.

Recently, our group was joined by a Texas transplant, and he soon learned that average mph may be the standard in Texas, but is pretty much meaningless here.
 
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
rtalain said:
Here in the SF Bay Area, there's no such thing as a flat century, as it's impossible to avoid the hills in every direction. The 100 ft/mile guide mentioned earlier is our guideline for a tough ride, and there are several centuries in the area that are over 10,000 ft. of climbing.

Recently, our group was joined by a Texas transplant, and he soon learned that average mph may be the standard in Texas, but is pretty much meaningless here.
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Where I am a ratio of 100 feet per mile is certainly possible, but its not the standard ride by a long shot.
 
#16 ·
In Colorado, I gauge all rides by both distance and total climbing. One ride I do from my house is mellow with just 3k climbing in 60 miles, another is 9k climbing in a single 30 mile route and is the hardest ride I've ever done.
 
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#17 ·
hfc said:
..

I classify my rides now into feet per mile, I.e. total climbing divided by distance. 100 fpm is a hard ride. .....
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100'/mile is less than a 2.0% gradient. If that's a "hard ride" around your area, you've got it really easy. I live in a neighborhood where the hilly roads are more like 6% gradient.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
No Time Toulouse said:
100'/mile is less than a 2.0% gradient. If that's a "hard ride" around your area, you've got it really easy. I live in a neighborhood where the hilly roads are more like 6% gradient.
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i have to doubt you've ever done a 10,000 feet of elevation century then. that's about as hard as it gets. Very few rides will exceed that. it souns like you are confusing a segment for a ride. Sure i've done 6%, 8% even 12% segments, but that's not a whole ride. i'm set to do the marmotte which will be about 12,000 feet and it frankly scares me. i'll be training all year
 
#19 ·
It is best to keep track of time, miles or elevation really are built into that. If you do 3 hours and have a 90%MHR, it don't matter whether you are hammering up a hill, into a headwind, or spun out in the top gear.

100'/mile HA HA HA, that is walk in the park & a really flat one!
 
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