Climbing practice

[eljimberino]

After seeing this image of Sastre climbing I have become conscious of my heels while standing. As with most of this stuff I know it's just common sense and practice but thought it might generate some discussion.

When climbing, especially steep gradients, I have found bringing the heel as vertical as possible garners a lot more power, but at the expense of stroke rhythm. It is difficult to maintain for a long time too. One of the few instances of bringing the heart rate to its max.

Is this a preferred method of climbing while mashing?

It appears to be the opposite of spinning where you wipe dog poo off the bottom of your shoe.

 

[brianf7]

I usualy just try to stay seated as long as I can but when it gets steep and attacks are thick and fast I do whatever I can to hang on.

What I am saying is we are all made up differently and no mater how you train a techneque under that presure you still go back to what your body compesition dose naturaly.

Some have big feet short legs it all has to get over the dead centre at the top of the stroke.

There are toe dippers and heel dropers and all are good then there is Joe average. also how much fore foot you have over the pedal axel.

 

[Bike Boy]

After seeing this image of Sastre climbing I have become conscious of my heels while standing. As with most of this stuff I know it's just common sense and practice but thought it might generate some discussion.

When climbing, especially steep gradients, I have found bringing the heel as vertical as possible garners a lot more power, but at the expense of stroke rhythm. It is difficult to maintain for a long time too. One of the few instances of bringing the heart rate to its max.

Is this a preferred method of climbing while mashing?

It appears to be the opposite of spinning where you wipe dog poo off the bottom of your shoe.

I don't no if that technique in particular is helpfull, but I do believe it's a good idea to be aware of which techniques one apply under stress.

One thing that strikes me is the very leaned forward position of Sastre in that picture, it's very similar to mountain biking.
I don't no how often you guys encounter those steep gradients while on the road, but I'm sure the time spent on the mountain bike won't be wasted if you do.

 

[titleshot]

It doesnt matter where your heels are, when you are standing the foot coming over the top is not applying very much power as compared to the foot that is stomping down, so where your heel is wont make much difference. Just do what is natural.

That is Xavier Tondo, not Carlos Sastre BTW.

 

[brianf7]

It doesnt matter where your heels are, when you are standing the foot coming over the top is not applying very much power as compared to the foot that is stomping down, so where your heel is wont make much difference. Just do what is natural.

That is Xavier Tondo, not Carlos Sastre BTW.

and Xavier has very big feet from this pic they look like size 11 on a short body so that is why he is dipping his toes at top of pedal stroke.