Mt Coot-tha training

[Ridesbikes]

Yeah the 28-24 doesnt sound pleasant. One of my mates (also running standard cranks) just installed a 12-27t Cassette to help keep the cadence up on tough climbs like Coottha. He loves the extra few teeth, but i believe its still a jump from 27-24.

I find the 25t isnt too bad up there but there are a few pinches where you wish you had a few more teeth to help out! I definitely wont be trying the Mt Glorious Rd (Pei Rd) climb up from Samford with my current combo!

I run standard cranks up the back of Coot-tha, and have put on an 12-28 Cassette (originally had a n 11-25). I actually find the standard crank better than when I was running a compact on my old bike, especially where the road flattens out a bit in a few sections. (The first hairpin for example). You can spin it up quiet a few km/h without changing gears and thus loosing momentary momentum. Can get it up to around 18/km/h whereas on a compact you are tempted to stay in the easier gear and just spin that gear - even though it feels easier on the legs you are going slower.

Have also found the 12-28 is much better than the 12-27 up there, as the jump from 24-27 is big and ruins a consistent cadence.

[Ridesbikes]

For those mountain goats, what would I be better off doing to keep improving my climbing ability. In the past I've been doing various repeats of the front and in the last two months building up the back ie 1 x 1500m, 1 x 1250m, 1 x 1000m, 2 x 500m basically at 80-90% intensity.

Would I be better off trying 2 x full-back and keep my HR to around 160-165? It would definitely take a lot more time doing two full-climbs and I would think I'd lose a bit of elevation compared to the "interval" training, but in the long run it would be more time climbing rather than more climbs.

for me, doing as many as I can at a constant heart rate seems to have worked. then give it a few days, then go for a smash

Everyone's different, but I've never found building up to be effective. After trying for a while to break the sub 10 mark by more than just a few seconds, I finally managed to beat it by 20 seconds. What's funny is I never went out for a PB and wasn't feeling the best either. It was however, only a few days after riding up Mt Tambourine via Tambourine - Oxenford Rd, which the main climb is 6.5km long with a section that is 2+km of average 12% grade. What's worse is there aren't many corners so you can see what you have to ride up... Long story short It's all relative and went into Coot-tha that day perceiving it as nothing compared to a few days before...

With Coot-tha I find breaking the climb up, resting on the steep bits and winding it up on the flatter sections (where more energy is more road speed than it is on the steeper bits) works well. I've managed to consistently shave 1min off my times this year.

This is a good thread.

[jasonc]

Have also found the 11-28 is much better than the 12-27 up there, as the jump from 24-27 is big and ruins a consistent cadence.

shimano cassette last 3 gears:
11-28: 28-24-21
12-27: 27-24-21

not much diff - same jump to 24

[Ridesbikes]

Have also found the 11-28 is much better than the 12-27 up there, as the jump from 24-27 is big and ruins a consistent cadence.

shimano cassette last 3 gears:
11-28: 28-24-21
12-27: 27-24-21

not much diff - same jump to 24

Sorry meant to say the 12-28, not 11-28. Bought a cheap Tiagra 12-28 cassette and feel the jump from 21-23-25-28 is better than the 21-24-27. The jump in 3 between 24-27 feels rougher than the 25-28.
12-28T: 12,13,14,15,17,19,21,23,25,28T

[Comedian]

Have also found the 11-28 is much better than the 12-27 up there, as the jump from 24-27 is big and ruins a consistent cadence.

shimano cassette last 3 gears:
11-28: 28-24-21
12-27: 27-24-21

not much diff - same jump to 24

Sorry meant to say the 12-28, not 11-28. Bought a cheap Tiagra 12-28 cassette and feel the jump from 21-23-25-28 is better than the 21-24-27. The jump in 3 between 24-27 feels rougher than the 25-28.
12-28T: 12,13,14,15,17,19,21,23,25,28T

Interesting. The campag 12-27 is as so...

12,13,14,15,16,17,19,21,23,25,27

[Ridesbikes]

That's quite an ideal cassette, would be nice to have an 11 speed setup. Guess the sacrifice on the 10 speed 12-28 is loosing the 16, which is nice to have on the rolling hills especially with the 39/52 setup up front. But, the closer ratios 21 & above, do make up for it.

[jack11]

Had my first crack at Mt Coot-tha Front on the weekend. Went too hard early on the opening steep sections and ended up crawling to the top coughing up a lung.

On the descent both my front and back brakes started squealing which was rather scary - anyone have any idea what would cause this?

[singlespeedscott]

On the descent both my front and back brakes started squealing which was rather scary - anyone have any idea what would cause this?

Usually an indicator of poor quality brake pads.

[GeoffInBrisbane]

Well, first time up the hill in several weeks this morning. Brissie looked beautiful with the CBD rising out of the backlit mist. Did a 9:10 which is my best time since before I started running into injury issues, so happy with that. If I can get back below 9 it'll be a big psychological thing for me- "maybe I'm not as fit as I was, but at least I'm on the same page" sort of thing.

[jasonc]

Well, first time up the hill in several weeks this morning. Brissie looked beautiful with the CBD rising out of the backlit mist. Did a 9:10 which is my best time since before I started running into injury issues, so happy with that. If I can get back below 9 it'll be a big psychological thing for me- "maybe I'm not as fit as I was, but at least I'm on the same page" sort of thing.

I was up there too. But no where near your time this morning

[GeoffInBrisbane]

Wasn't it gorgeous today? Good to see LOTS of people out enjoying it.

[jasonc]

Wasn't it gorgeous today? Good to see LOTS of people out enjoying it.

i took a photo

[Ignoto]

Wasn't it gorgeous today? Good to see LOTS of people out enjoying it.

Wednesday's always seems to be the busiest day on Cootha with Friday being the designated riverloop day for Brisbane riders!

Mondays or Fridays are my choice of days to be going up Cootha, generally less two and four wheel traffic I've found!

[GeoffInBrisbane]

Interesting! Though for me I quite like riding Coot Tha when there are lots of other riders. Something to distract from the pain!

[marinmomma]

Interesting! Though for me I quite like riding Coot Tha when there are lots of other riders. Something to distract from the pain!

Hopefully you get a rabbit to chase down...

[jasonc]

Interesting! Though for me I quite like riding Coot Tha when there are lots of other riders. Something to distract from the pain!

Hopefully you get a rabbit to chase down...

i may be able to assist in organising something. PM me if interested

[Ridesbikes]

There was someone (cyclist) hit by a car there this morning, presumably along the ridge near the channel 9 building as that's where we saw the ambulances & police. Not sure of details, anyone know him and know if he's ok?

[Lukeyboy]

Hmmm. I might have to start climbing Coot-tha again since the sun is coming up earlier and earlier now

On the descent both my front and back brakes started squealing which was rather scary - anyone have any idea what would cause this?

I can't see, hear them or know how you braked going down Coot-tha but it could be many things. It could be built up crap/debris imbedded into the pads - remove the wheel and inspect. Dirty rims/residue on the rims after cleaning or greasing the chain/cassette - quick clean and wipe. Poor quality pads - obviously change. New pads - let them wear in. Worn out pads - change. Misaligned pads - realign. On the brakes too long ie built up heat - learn to modulate your breaking/using your body as a airbrake etc. On the brakes too hard ie slamming on the brakes at the last minute before approaching the stop sign - brake earlier .

[jasonc]

Hmmm. I might have to start climbing Coot-tha again since the sun is coming up earlier and earlier now

nah don't do that - you'll beat my time

On the brakes too hard ie slamming on the brakes at the last minute before approaching the stop sign - brake earlier .

oh so you've seen me up there

[Lukeyboy]

Haha. I do the same literally metres before the stop sign Boy don't the brakes start to make some noise when I'm almost at a stop

[GeoffInBrisbane]

Rolling stoppies for the last metre? You crazy fools, I'm far too much of a wuss to brake that late. I'm not following Luke 'Nencini' Hamilton down any mountain anyway... Well, I will, a LONG way back...

[Lukeyboy]

I'm not that fast down hills

[GeoffInBrisbane]

Yeah right, stop practicing your lines for the policeman.

[GeoffInBrisbane]

Woohoo! Back in the eights (just about) for the first time since injuries. Really happy with that!

[jasonc]

Woohoo! Back in the eights (just about) for the first time since injuries. Really happy with that!

well done