Conquer the Climbs: Hill Climbing Tips for Cyclists

For many cyclists, hill climbing is a love-hate relationship. Those steep inclines can feel like an endless battle, yet they’re often where the most progress is made. Whether you’re tackling hills out of necessity or because you want to challenge yourself, mastering the ascent is an essential skill for cyclists of all skill levels.

Climbing hills isn’t just about strength and endurance — it’s about strategy, technique and mindset. This guide will cover actionable tips to help you conquer climbs with confidence, and make those peaks scalable. 

5 tips for climbing hills with confidence

1. Cadence is king

You’re no doubt familiar with how important it is to find a rhythm when cycling, and it’s even more crucial when hill climbing. Even though it’s harder on the body and mind, maintaining a rhythm of around 80-100 revolutions per minute helps prevent muscle fatigue and keeps your heart rate manageable. 

Obviously, you’ll need to be smart with your gear selection, a point we’ll cover a bit later on. Hard and fast rule: shift to an easier gear as you approach the climb, and focus on smooth, consistent pedaling. 

Pro tip: you can monitor your cadence by counting the revolutions per second manually. If that sounds like too much to focus on, a cadence monitor might be better. 

2. Right Gear, Right Idea

It’s crucial to make sure you’re wearing clothing that makes your hill climb easier, rather than harder. Weight matters when climbing, and so the lighter you can dress (while still ensuring comfort and protection against the elements) the better. 

Don’t go overboard, but try and find ways to shed unnecessary items like backpacks or bike attachments when you really want to kick it up those hills. 

Pro tip: want to make some serious hill climbing gains? Invest in a bike with a lighter frame and lighter wheels. 

3. Fuel up to move up 

Climbing hills is an especially cardio-intensive form of cycling, so getting the right grub is essential. A few hours before you ride, make sure you eat a nutrient-dense meal with complex carbs, healthy fats and protein. For longer climbs, don’t forget to pack a fast-digesting gel or energy bar for a mid-ride boost. 

Want some tips on what to eat, and when to eat it? Check out this guide. 

Pro tip: don’t forget hydration! Being dehydrated can dramatically affect your performance and sap your energy. Drink up before and during your ride for optimal output.

4. Find your Gear Sweet Spot

Generally when it comes to hill climbs, you’re going to find most joy in a smaller gear. Pedalling in a higher gear can certainly build muscle and strength, but it’s harder (a lot harder) and leads to more injuries. As mentioned above, you’ll want to aim for a cadence of 80-100 rpm, so whichever gear allows you to do that most comfortably is where you should stay. 

You might not be able to do that straight away, and that’s fine! You can build up to it. As your fitness and endurance improves, you may be able to move up to a harder gear.

Pro tip: it’s better to start off on a lower gear and have to move up than having to move down. Downshifting puts more strain on the chain, and can halt your ascent. 

5. Mind over Mountain

Practicing all of the above is a fantastic way to prepare yourself for hill climbs, but you’ll need to train your mind, too. Unlike normal cycling, where you have downhill periods or stretches of smooth, straight road, hill climbing is tough throughout. 

But that’s also precisely what makes it so rewarding. Embracing the challenge — seeking it out, and being ready for it when it comes — will make you a better cyclist and a more resilient person overall. For some tips on building your mental resilience, check out our guide.

Pro tip: set yourself goals for added motivation, such as reaching a certain point before stopping, making an ascent in a specific time, and so on.

And The Best Part? Celebrating The Summit

All of that hard work pays off in the end. There’s few better feelings than reaching the top of a particularly torturous climb and soaking in the victory (once you’ve caught your breath). It’s that feeling that makes it all worth it, and it’s the reason that so many cyclists want every tip they can find to help them conquer those hill climbs. 

Hill climbing doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right mindset, training, and techniques, you can transform those dreaded ascents into opportunities you actively seek out. Get the right gear, the right food, and the right mindset, and you’ll be tackling hill climbs with gusto. 

Want some more focused tips on training for hill climbing? Our guide has you covered.