Hills for practicing standing climbing

[lordofthemark]

I am pretty sure that I am not doing my standing climbing very efficiently (I read you are supposed to sway to avoid downward pressure on the pedal coming up? I am pretty sure I have seen some folks doing that) and I would like to practice to improve my technique. My real goal is to make it up the 31st Street Ascent (from Shirlington to Fairlington) quickly and efficiently, but I do not want to practice there. I am not sure if I shouldn’t practice someplace where the climb is shorter and less steep. But I am sure I want to do it where there is less traffic. Not that it is the most congested road in the region, but there is enough traffic to make me uncomfortable climbing slowly while taking the lane.

So what I would like is a hill, like that or maybe slightly shorter (or less steep?) where there is no door zone bike lane (I want to be able to do this without worrying about being too close to doors) and where there is very little traffic. And not too far from Park Center/Shirlington, because I don’t want to be too tired from the ride to get there. I am up for your suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Topic

[AFHokie]

Would a hill loop consisting of S Dinwiddie St & S Culpepper St off the northern side of S Walter Reed Dr work? Culpepper is a quiet residential street & Dinwiddie is fairly quiet as well. Both are about a 100ft climb over less than a half mile.

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[GovernorSilver]

When I was learning how to ride a bike last year, I recall reading an REI article that said to only stand if the hill is so steep that there’s no other option. They seem to have softened their stance since then – now they say the same things I’ve read on other cycling websites:

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/climb-hills.html

[Sunyata]

There are several shorter, but still “steep-ish” hills in the vicinity of 31st Street that would probably work for what you are doing in Park Fairfax.

Less steep: Martha Custis from Valley Drive to Preston Road
Less steep: Gunston Road from the bottom of the pedestrian bridge to just past Fitzgerald Lane.
Medium steep: Gunston Road from the Valley Drive intersection towards Chalfonte Drive.
Medium steep: Preston Road from Valley Drive to Martha Custis
Steep: Valley Drive from Martha Custis to Crestwood Drive
Steep: Martha Custis from Gunston Road to Preston Road

These are all very low traffic roads and can provide a pretty decent workout when looped in with some other neighbourhood climbs in that area as well.

[MRH5028]

Depending on how far you are willing to go out, the hill on Hunter Station Road is good. Just head west on W&OD past Vienna, when the trail hits Hunter Mill Road get off and make the quick turn onto Hunter Station. Follow the road around and over the bridge, you will find the hill. Normally low traffic on the road as well. Riding out on the W&OD provides a nice warm up for doing a couple of “Ups”.

[Harry Meatmotor]

Mt. Ida repeats!

[lordofthemark]

So many hills! Thanks to all.

[DrP]

And when you are done with all those, you can try 41st N, by Chain Bridge (not marked on all maps, but the bike route for getting to Chain Bridge). This took me many, many tries to even bicycle up the hill, but as long as I am in a good gear, I can bike up the hill now (although I still do not do the little curvy bit at the top since it is often slick with leaves. Yes, really, that is the reason ).

[bobco85]

@lordofthemark 143797 wrote:

So many hills! Thanks to all.

Your assigned goal for the remainder of the year is now to ride all of the suggested hills. Make a checklist! 😎

[Tim Kelley]

@lordofthemark 143737 wrote:

I am up for your suggestions.

Here’s a route that incorporates plenty of hills in your area: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13800756

Both Oxford and 16th are among my favorites for that ride.

[KayakCyndi]

@Tim Kelley 143805 wrote:

Here’s a route that incorporates plenty of hills in your area: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13800756

Both Oxford and 16th are among my favorites for that ride.

Disappointing. I was sure that was going to be a Kill Bill link!

[lordofthemark]

Just to remind everyone, the target climb is 0.3 miles, at at an average grade of 5.6 percent, for a total elevation gain of 108 feet. You really don’t need to find me climbs that are longer and steeper than that, but thanks!

[hozn]

Honestly, you don’t even need a hill to work on riding-out-of-the-saddle form. Just put it in a high enough gear. Or Dismal’s suggestion.

My son rides almost exclusively out of the saddle on our flat street. I guess he’s working on form; I think he just does it to annoy me now (I have been unable to convince him that there is value in using gears lower than “10”.)

[TwoWheelsDC]

The best solution, of course, is to start riding a fixed gear bike fitted with no fewer than 75 gear inches. You’ll actually have to work up to being able to stay seated!

[GovernorSilver]

@lordofthemark 143812 wrote:

Just to remind everyone, the target climb is 0.3 miles, at at an average grade of 5.6 percent, for a total elevation gain of 108 feet. You really don’t need to find me climbs that are longer and steeper than that, but thanks!

That’s similar to the climb to my house – 0.2 miles, 100-ish ft. elevation gain. Only difference is the gradient range: 7-9.5%.

The steepest section is just coming off the street – I’ve had the tendency to stand there, then downshift and pedal seated when standing gets too tiring, which coincidentally is past the steepest section. The one night when I climbed most efficiently was when I never stood – just steady pedaling. I might have had 2 drops of sweat from that climb and was breathing comfortably. I usually sweat buckets and am out of breath.

[Anonymous]

I like about a 2-3% grade to practice standing on. Just enough of a slope to feel like the bike is headed “upwards” and change my position on the bike a bit, but gentle enough that when my legs get tired and I sit and drop into an easy gear, it is actually easy.

[Author]

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