6 top tips to avoid getting dropped on a climb

Getting dropped on a climb is not a fun part of any group ride, however it is sometimes unavoidable even for the best riders among us.

That said, there are a few clever ways to stay in touch with the mountain goats of the group ride. Climbing is not just about pure power to weight, there is also an element of tactics that you can use to your advantage.

Here at GCN we've been dropped countless times on group rides but in this article and video, we've put together our top tips and advice on how to avoid getting shelled out the back.

Drafting

Just because climbs will bring the pace of the ride down does not mean that there isn’t a benefit to be had for sitting in the wheels. Not only is there a measurable benefit to hiding from the wind on the climbs, but it also allows you to switch off and simply follow the pace of the riders in front. The mental aspect of pacing your own effort shouldn't be overlooked and drafting behind other riders is a great way to ride climbs as efficiently as possible.

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Drafting still has a valid benefit even at the slower speeds of a climb, sitting in the wheels can be a cheat to hang with the faster riders

• Read more: Tall vs small: how much difference does body size make when cycling?

Don’t go into the red

Going into an anaerobic state where you are riding above your threshold is unsustainable, even if you find yourself in the red for a short period. To recover you will need to drop down well below your threshold. The fastest way to pace long climbs is to sit as close to your limit without ever exceeding it.

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Once you exceed your limit there is only one way to recover, slowing down to well under your threshold. Pacing a climb evenly is the most efficient way to get up it

• Read more: What are power and heart rate zones and what do they mean for cyclists?

Hairpins

On climbs with hairpin turns, use them to your advantage. Although it can take a little bit longer, navigating the outer side of a hairpin bend will provide you with a bit of natural respite. It can also allow you to get back on top of the gear, spin the legs and use this momentum to carry you into the next section of the climb with more speed.

Keeping your cool

Climbing can see your body temperature shoot through the roof as the reduction in airflow partnered with the increase in effort puts more strain on your body. One way to maximise your climbing performance is to get your clothing choices ready ahead of the climb. Keeping your body cool is a genuine performance enhancer.

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Getting your layering right before the climb starts will keep you comfortable and prevent overheating when the going gets tough

Staying warm

After smashing over the top of a climb it is all too easy to roll over on the descent all sweaty, hot and tired and then forget to plan ahead for what's to come. On longer descents of more than five minutes, it is possible to get very cold, especially if you're sitting in the wind and putting in no effort.

You might wonder what this has to do with climbing performance but if you find yourself getting to the base of the next climb cold you are going to struggle to put the power down. Layering up over the top of a climb to keep you warm will mean that at the next climb, you will be fresher and ready to go.

Gearing

Having the right gears to stay within your ideal cadence range can allow you to climb faster and ride at a higher power output. If you find yourself always having to jump out of the saddle and grind your way up a climb it might be a sign that you need to fit a bigger cassette. Spinning the legs at between 80-100 rpm is the most efficient blend of cardiovascular and muscular strength for the majority of riders. Straying away from that will put more strain on your muscles and cause you to fatigue faster. This will result in you being dropped before you otherwise would have been.

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Having a good climbing gear will allow your legs to spin on even the steepest of gradients but it is also important to use them rather than needlessly grinding up a climb in the big ring

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Although climbing will split a group more so than riding on the flat, it is possible to cheat your way up a climb by being smart about how you use your watts. The aim is to be as consistent as possible with your power for the whole climb, and if you are getting dropped and there is a long way to go to the top, just accept it is happening and find your own rhythm. Trying to hold on for too long and then exploding is not a fun way to ride.

Do you have any other tactics for staying in a group on a climb, let us know in the comments section below.