What helps you set the tempo on a climb?

[William]

When I'm settling in on a climb I tend to have music coursing through my brain that helps me keep my tempo/cadence up and stay on top of the gear. The specific songs can vary depending on my mood but a few of the main ones that I come back too are...


Beethoven: String Quartet No. 4 C minor - Allegro (up-tempo portions)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E3OUvvD7dU

Baby Please don't go...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKPag9xQ3JM

Rollin' Tumblin'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKOW1hTQdg0

Let My Baby Ride
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lzpDwaxGk4

And lately

Shipping up to Boston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-64CaD8GXw


Do you do the same? What songs seem to get you going?




William

[weiwentg]

The sound of my labored breathing is sufficient music for me. I set my tempo according to pain, not music.

[William]

The sound of my labored breathing is sufficient music for me. I set my tempo according to pain, not music.

Pain is a given, music helps with the cope.





William

[AgilisMerlin]

a tad above not being able to breath, a smidgen below puking, and hold

[fiamme red]

On my road bike, often I'll play a medium tempo movement from a Haydn symphony in my head, a slower tempo movement when I'm climbing in low cadence on my fixed-gear.

[Jaq]

Howlin' For You (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3scl0fl0zE) The Black Keys

Saint-Saens - Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBoz4vfeDpM&feature=related)

And of course, the one tune no decent cyclist is ever without....

el conejo de sevilla (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbCJDXpQQvA&feature=related)

[MattTuck]

Occasionally a random song does pop into my head on a climb, I think more for breathing rhythm than cadence, although it is usually something bizarre and I forget it long before the ride is over.

Will pay more attention and report back. That shipping up to Boston song is one to get you pumped up...

[rugbysecondrow]

Humming, singing this...If I can force a smile, enjoy the hurt and pain, then I feed off of it. I am a strange bird though. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE_51nxCh5E

Would you like to swing on a star
carry moonbeams home in a jar
and be better off than you are
or would you rather be a mule

A mule is an animal with long funny ears
he kicks up at anything he hears
His back is brawny but his brain is weak
he's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak
and by the way if you hate to go to school
You may grow up to be a mule

Oh would you like to swing on a star
carry moonbeams home in a jar
and be better off than you are
or would you rather be a pig

A pig is an animal with dirt on his face
his shoes are a terrible disgrace
He has no manners when he eats his food
He's fat and lazy and extremely rude
But if you don't care a feather or a fig
you may grow up to be a pig

Oh would you like to swing on a star
carry moonbeams home in a jar
and be better off than you are
or would you rather be a fish

A fish won't do anything but swim in a brook
he can't write his name or read a book
to fool the people is his only thought
and though he's slippery he still gets caught
but if then that sort of life is what you wish
you may grow up to be a fish
(music)
a new kind of jumped up slippery fish

And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo
everyday you see quite a few
so you see it's all up to you,
you could be better than you are
you could be swinging on a star

[FlashUNC]

Just go for the granny gear and pray it ends soon.

[jr59]

Not that I'm much on pace going up hill, but I'll give you a few;

Radar Love;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeRa3RtBiIU

Ram Jam' Black Betty;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R044sleOW6I&feature=related

ZZ Top's Sharp dressed Man;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4SXK2UTQ_Y&feature=related

And of course I'll include my old friends;
Lynyrd Skynyrd's T for texas;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY63KTMrkTM

[Kevan]

I was pedaling home, nearly there, my last climb, and I hear drumming coming from up ahead, as I approached. It's not a serious climb, but I pop out of the saddle and start cranking to the drumbeat. There on the left, in the front yard of a house, winding down their day's yard sale, are two guys going at it, beating to hell two sets of bongos. I waved them to pick up their cadence, they respond, and we all had a terrific laugh.

Next day...the yard sale continued, but I guess the drums had finally been sold. They shrugged as I rode by.

[Fixed]

Beethoven was a genius his piano music was /is incredibly difficult so much so that only he could play some of his fingerings . to bad recordings were not around then.
he once did a famous four hour concert when he was 39 during a snow storm that is still talked about in music circles .
here is another genius that is recorded playing his own composition

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8l37utZxMQ
cheers

[Bob Loblaw]

"Dogs of War" by Pink Floyd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-NDbWWiy0U&feature=related

"Get Miles" by Gomez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uSj0YHOCM8

"Shanti Ashtagi" by Madonna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEfZaiWv03E

Listening to these, you can sort of tell I like long climbs and big gears.

BL

[Bob Loblaw]

:beer:

Excellent. In spite of its flaws, still my favorite cycling movie.



And of course, the one tune no decent cyclist is ever without....

el conejo de sevilla (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbCJDXpQQvA&feature=related)

[metalheart]

Ali in The Jungle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8Q3ocKJNng

and
The Stones, Dont Stop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAiVW2ZkSH4

[William]

Some good additions here! :cool:




William

[54ny77]

i typically time my cadence to 1 pedal stroke for every other pump of blood i feel bouncing against the back of my eyeballs.

conveniently, that works out to around 90 or so. ;)

[weiwentg]

so, we have 4 votes for pain and 10 weaklings who voted for music.

[William]

so, we have 4 votes for pain and 10 weaklings who voted for music.

Oh no, pain and I are good friends. We get together daily.





William

[jr59]

so, we have 4 votes for pain and 10 weaklings who voted for music.

And your point sir? :D

[coelacant]

Picture I'm closing in on Pantani on his jour sans...

[weiwentg]

And your point sir? :D

Forumites need to htfu?
:banana:

[ultraman6970]

What helps you set the tempo on a climb???? <--- Nothing, i can climb decently when in shape but I suck climbing so have to just pray for the best, can't keep pace in climbing.

[Bob Loblaw]

Music, me, and suffering. A menage a trois.

BL

[Bruce K]

Unfortunately for me it's way more mundane

Cadence around 75 - 80 if possible, heart rate below tempo, DON'T trigger the asthma!!!!!

BK

[bikerboy337]

i use music for each set... for my long hard climbing sections i like

The Decemberists - The Island (12:26 long)

or

Sigur Ros - Popplagið, Svefn-g-englar, or Dauðalagið (the death song!) all around 12 minutes...

I'll also throw in some Cocteau Twins or This Mortal Coil

They help me tune everything else out... my college roommate would disagree as he still give me crap and thinks the Cocteau Twins sound like dying cats... oh well

[guyintense]

De Bussy - la plus que lente.
That's french for the more than slow.

[Fixed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzl-lQPhnxw&feature=related
nice choice
cheers :beer:

[nightfend]

My Powermeter is now my taskmaster when I do long climbs. I liked music back in the day better, it hurt less.

[ajz07]

when I am alone it is the powermeter, when I am with people it is the sound of ragged breathing that keeps me going.

[William]

Forumites need to htfu?
:banana:


Oh, I get it now. you're not able to manage the pain, monitor your breathing, and let your mind play an up-tempo piece all at the same time. I think someone else has some h'ing-tfu to do.

:banana:




William

[Viper]

I take those first few clicks, when the shark took the bait on Quint's line. The clicks become cadence. I take those clicks and either run the line or hide under the boat.

[harryblack]

dupe post

[harryblack]

i'm a huge classical & jazz fan but i vote PAIN...

if you can think of music, let alone sing along etc while climbing, you're riding too slowly.

tested most recently with 2-6 mile climbs at 8-10%, occasionally more, in NE Georgia, SW North Carolina.

so, we have 4 votes for pain and 10 weaklings who voted for music.

[dream_theater]

My knee pain sets the pace...and the nice 34-28 gearing...

I remember the days when I would climb in saddle on 48-17 fixed :(

[wtex]

When its not the lamentations of my enemies and their women, STP's Interstate Love Song

[William]

I take those first few clicks, when the shark took the bait on Quint's line. The clicks become cadence. I take those clicks and either run the line or hide under the boat.

We all know you, know how you make a livin' :D





William

[William]

i'm a huge classical & jazz fan but i vote PAIN...

if you can think of music, let alone sing along etc while climbing, you're riding too slowly.

tested most recently with 2-6 mile climbs at 8-10%, occasionally more, in NE Georgia, SW North Carolina.


I guess I'm just used to dealing with more pain then the rest of you.


:banana:



William

[rounder]

I never thought about that before, but if i needed guidance and inspiration, i would go witht the songs that are currently going through ny head...

Over My Head
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXZf833Gnxw

Junior Brown Highway Patrol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_wLVCLPx0M

You got the silver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3_JPxIfuBM

Bob Dylan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RPkJeziNyI

Alisson Krauss and Union Station
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvKtxTsVoMo

[northbend]

Paul Thorn! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nbYpY48O24)

Works for me

[beeatnik]

the last two black keys albums
the last two cut copy albums
the last two black mountain albums

and almost anything by Funkadelic

that's the current stuff, at least

[zetroc]

Le Velo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn0FF1KwL4I

:banana:

[jgspin]

I usually just try to hang on when climbing since many of my friends are far stronger than I. They set the tempo and I try not to get dropped. Usually its about 30-50 watts above my FTP and if it's less than 2 miles most of the time, I can stay with the group. If there is an acceleration then that's when I get popped and I turn on my radio.

I listen to this if I want to spin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo-J1wf2KHc&feature=related

If I need a slower cadence or climb out of the saddle, I listen to something like this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQSCKWfJlXs

Of course for me no amount of HTFU is enough to keep up with my friend when he climbs Mt Palomar in about 1 hr 15 mins.

[bambam]

Lunch at the top of the hill!

[Bob Loblaw]

:banana:

:beer:

Le Velo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn0FF1KwL4I

:banana:

[Fixed]

since i started riding this song has always been in my head when i was jamming..it was my secret weapon ..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQG7XpCiSVA
cheers :beer:

[jr59]

Now wait a stinking min!

William, you told me there were no hills where you lived! :banana:

[laupsi]

the guy in front of me

[William]

Now wait a stinking min!

William, you told me there were no hills where you lived! :banana:


There are no hills in Rhode Island. :D




William

[Jaq]

Good grief. Forgot one. Had it running through my head on yesterday's Alpe d'Malibu. Must be all the yodeling in the middle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw7qS9OCAPc