The 5 categories of climbs in cycling designate the difficulty of the climb, based on length, gradient, and (depending on who is doing the categorizing) a range of other objective or subjective factors such as where the climb falls in a race.
In some professional races such as the Tour de France, the categories also dictate the number of points awarded for the Mountains Classification.
From the explosive firepower of sprinters vying for stage wins on flat courses to the brutal perseverance of climbers conquering mountain passes, cycling is a sport that is built around different types of riders playing to their strengths.
Whether you’re a devoted fan, club rider, or an aspiring pro yourself, understanding these distinct roles not only deepens your appreciation for the sport but also provides insight into the dynamics and tactics of cycling.
Whether you’re a casual social rider or a serious racer, I want to share my experience and guidance as an ex-professional cyclist to help you understand the factors that affect how fast you climb hills on a bike – and outline how you can improve them to boost your climbing performance.
It might not fit our romantic ideal of cycling, of man against machine and mountain, but it is an undeniable truth that numbers win bike races.
And no number is more sacred, more enshrined in cycling folklore, than the power-to-weight ratio.
Typically measured in Watts per kg (W/kg), it is a measure of the power a cyclist can generate relative to their body weight.
Whether you’re a mountain biker or roadie, you’ll split your rides between sitting on the saddle or standing up on a bike. For experienced riders, this is second nature – and you’ll often find yourself changing between riding positions subconsciously. However, you’ll often notice during a group ride that some of your buddies are sitting … Read more