CoachingDIAGNOSIS

BLOWING UP ON CLIMBS — THE PACING FIX

You start the climb feeling good. Two minutes in you're already over threshold. Five minutes in you're hanging on. By the top you've been passed by riders who started slower and paced better. This isn't a fitness problem — it's a pacing problem.

THE SHORT ANSWER

Most often, this is because starting at VO2max, not at threshold — the first 30 seconds feel easy and trick you into going too hard. The fix: use the 3-phase pacing framework — first third at 95% target, middle third at target, final third chase the top.

WHY THIS HAPPENS

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Starting at VO2max, not at threshold — the first 30 seconds feel easy and trick you into going too hard

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Chasing the wheel in front rather than riding your own watts

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No target power for the climb — riding on feel means over-pacing on feel-good days

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Not factoring in climb duration — a 5-minute climb has different pacing than a 20-minute climb

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Low cadence + high torque on steep pitches burns out muscular endurance early

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Fuelling gap — rolling into the climb with empty tank from inadequate carbs/hour

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Climbing cold — no warm-up before the first serious effort

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT

1

Use the 3-phase pacing framework

First third at 95% target, middle third at target, final third chase the top

2

Set a target wattage before the climb

Based on FTP and climb duration — know the number before you start

3

Fuel the climb from below

Take carbs 10-15 min before the climb, not at the top when you're already in trouble

4

Warm up properly

15 minutes including one short effort to open the engine before the first climb

FREE DIAGNOSTIC

Calculate your climbing target wattage

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