howaboutme

No naivety here. In fact, I agree with you. I'm simply responding to some comments that seem to overthink the thread and if there is a simplified response, some take issue with it. Of course we're going to tackle the final climb of the day differently then the first. But your goal is the same for both, climb up as fast as you can w/o toppling over.

Jughed

The OP asked a question about others climbing rate.

His question piqued my interest, so I looked at some of my climbs on Strava - which lists VAM. So, I answered the OP's question.

Why it matters in this case? The man asked a question for all/any of us to answer.

70sSanO

I would think climbing “rate” is pretty constant on long climbs outside of the extremes. Too steep or too flat might influence the rate.

Since distance is not a part of the equation, neither is speed (mph/mph), only elevation gain over time. Effort on more grade at lower speeds vs less grade at higher speeds is probably pretty close.

I’d guess a bigger difference is strong days vs weak days.

John

terrymorse 

Another insult, similar to the first one, in the form of "any cyclist who is more avid than me is too serious".

Please knock it off.

Eric F 

Why does someone need to be a pro to want to climb faster? For me, the challenge of climbing at my limits is part of the game of cycling. Improvements in my climbing speed/efficiency are meaningful to me. If you don't care about your climbing speed, that's fine. Do it how you want, but don't tell me how I need to feel about riding the way I want to ride.

terrymorse 

For a big fella, that's an impressive climbing rate.

If I had to carry an extra 50 pounds up a hill, I'm sure I wouldn't last long.

PeteHski

The big picture is that we all have different riding interests and goals. Maybe you are the one who has lost track of this.

Eric F 

So...what's this big picture that only you are enlightened enough to see?

Eric F 

Damnit. You don't need to use THAT adjective!!

terrymorse 

Sorry. But on the plus side, you "average size" big dogs have big engines. And you're in good company, with the likes of "Big Mig" Indurain, and "Big Jens" Voigt.

You can destroy little climbers like me on a flat course.

Eric F 

Unfortunately, even at my best and lightest, my engine wasn't good enough to haul my ass uphill with you little mountain goats. These days, stupid me is now doing gravel racing, which is never flat (in our part of the world).

indyfabz

Never paid attention during road rides, but when touring with a full load, my climbing rate is definitely within a narrow range unless the grade is supper steep or super easy.

indyfabz

Let's see...Because I want to be able estimate how may hours the nearly 30 mile climb from Colonial Creek Campground the summit of Washington Pass on the North Cascade Highway fully loaded is going to take?

pdlamb

I'd think Logan Pass in Glacier NP would be even better as an illustration; gotta get up and down before the "no bikes" rule kicks in.

pdlamb

Unless you care, why post in this thread?

wayold

OP here. I don't race. I don't even train per se. I just ride a lot of hilly terrain and look at what my bike computer spits out after a ride. After the last couple of long-ish climbs (for me anyway) - a 2000 ft in 10 miles during a 30 mile ride and a 3000 ft climb in 15 during a 50 - I noticed that what I now realize is my VAM was pretty constant despite the fact that the grade varied between 2 and 15% in both climbs. I'm not at all strategic about my energy use. I'm not thinking about my next climb, but only about maintaining a level of effort that can sustain indefinitely (or at least for multiple hours). For me that means a heart rate in zone 3 or 4 and I guess I just unconsciously calibrate my effort to that level regardless of how steep the climb. From the discussion of VAM in this thread and its use as a proxy for power I guess that just means I.m operating at a consistent HRM and power output regardless of terrain. None of this analysis is necessary, but it gives me some insight into my style of riding (and exercise in general). Thanks.

Trakhak

As George Carlin said, "Anybody who takes cycling less seriously than I do is an idiot, and anybody who takes cycling more seriously than I do is a maniac."

Darth Lefty 

You can ride the front brake to increase stability. But that's not going to help the graph go upward!

terrymorse 

For what they're worth, here are some data points from today's ride, on a few short hills (0.2-0.5 miles):

• Grade : VAM : Power
• 4.1% : 3276 ft/hr : 4.5 W/kg
• 6.9% : 3923 ft/hr : 4.4 W/kg
• 5.8% : 2873 ft/hr : 3.4 W/kg
• 4.4% : 2838 ft/hr : 3.4 W/kg
• 4.7% : 4027 ft/hr : 5.8 W/kg

wayold

Just curious, was your heart rate steady or increasing during those climbs?

terrymorse 

Heart rate was steady on the lower power segments, as those were steady state efforts. Heart rate increased on the higher power segments, topping out around 160 at the end.

Atlas Shrugged

I have been riding with a power meter for decades and quickly found a correlation between VAM and power so that’s a measure that I used to help pace my efforts. Fortunately I have a few 3,000 ft climbs effectively out my front door so pacing is the thing to help me with my enjoyment of that days outing.

Unfortunately the trend on these forums is yokels who insist on offering there judgmental opinions rather than answering the question proposed. I ride to run errands, commute, bike tour, socialize and at times challenge myself and I approach each with different parameters.

slow rollin

I don't use bike computers, but I try and keep a certain cadence and power level on hills. However this is not always possible on vintage, or single speed bikes. In which case I put out more power to keep my cadence, or if a cramp is coming on I just go until I really have to walk. With wide enough gearing I keep the cadence up and power manageable so I can ride further.
I do my best on shorter climbs to build momentum or stand up them if it's viable.

indyfabz

Great point. Having ridden up the west slope 4 times, it is definitely a concern.

wheelreason

LOL.