Forum menu
How would you prepare for an alpine climb in this country? Is there anywhere that is similar or is it simply a case of intervals training on the nearest hill/mountain?
Did a couple of roadie weeks in the alps in 2009. Rode a lot of climbs including a 100 mile four major col epic and a ride up Alpe d'Huez and the Col de Joux-Plane (the one which Armstrong famously cracked on in 2000 - found it harder than the Alpe).
My training was based primarily on single speeding and running in the winter, and then shifting to a diet of 10 and 25 mile trials and appropriate training in the run up to going.
I found the discipline of time trialling and learning to know how hard I can push really helped. My pace would not have frightened any of the pros but it was not a problem riding there.
Find a hill locally to you that takes a while to climb (by UK standards at least) and use this for hill interval work. ie ride up as hard as you can, coast down, turn around - repeat.
It's a case of doing as many as you can, and doing this session regularly. It should be part of an overall training plan, and based on a good base.
And if you've never done an alpine climb before, either start off small or start off slow. They do hurt.