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The Climber

Climbing is one of the most exciting stages to participate in during a race. Most climbers are much lighter in build and have a higher ratio of slow twitch muscles to fast twitch muscles, have an profound ability to go above their lactic threshold, can recover quickly afterwards, and have a high power to weight ratio as compared to their peers.

In general, the climber is really a really good cyclist (who is more like an all rounder) in most events but doesn't have the same abilities to dominate the other areas such as time trials and sprinting as their peers.  The climber makes up for this by separating himself from his peers in the mountains to make up time in the general competition and in overall time where the other specialists are not as good.

The best climbers have a variety of skills they can employ on race day. They can attack, gap, bridge, breakaway and feint their competition in order to win the stage or the race.

Bike and equipment selection is of importance to the climber in order of their unique abilities. Geometry, weight, and stiffness are the most important factors and aerodynamics are not as important.

The take aways

~The best climbers have a high power to weight ratio at or above their lactic threshold and can recover quickly.

~ They are generally lighter in weight and have a higher ratio of slow twitch muscles to fast twitch muscles.

~ They utilize lighter bikes and equipment as well as select gearing that gives them an optimal advantage based on the steepness of the terrain and conditions of the race.

 

 

 

Coach Mike Matney

Coach Mike Matney is a local coach of triathletes and cyclists. He has qualified athletes for the Hawaii Ironman World Championships, Half Ironman World Championships, XTERRA National Championships, National Age Group Olympic Championships as well as coaching many age group athletes to achieve podium spots as age group athletes and successful completion of their ultra endurance events.

Coach Mike Matney competes in triathlons of all distances up to Ironman, XTERRA, mountain bike racing, and is an alternate rider for Team4Mil, an 8 man team competing in the Race Across America (RAAM)

He has over 20 years experience in the US Army, is married to his wonderful wife Christine and enjoys spending his off time with his three daughters.Mike may be reached via e-mail.