Tim Don’s off-road masterclass: Climbing

Get back

For long slogs up smoother climbs, stay in the saddle and keep your weight over the rear wheel for greater traction. Just straightening your arms out a little should be enough to shift your bulk back so you can apply more power.

Look ahead

Don’t let your head drop – keep your chin up and your eyes looking forward. This way you’ll be better able to see where you’re going and find the smoothest possible line, so you can carry your momentum up the climb.

Rev up

Gear selection is crucial for climbing. Find one that allows you to hold a smooth cadence. It’s often better to use higher revs than higher power because it lowers the chances of your rear wheel losing traction and spinning out.

Keep it down

Traction is an issue on shorter, steeper climbs too but so is keeping the front wheel down. Bend your arms to shift your weight forward when the ramps rise sharply. If the front wheel is still popping up, move on to the front of the saddle.

We’ll be running part three tomorrow. Photos: Paul Whitfield

Tim Don Pro athlete and coach

About

After earning short-course kudos as a 3 x Olympian, 4 x ITU World Champion (in triathlon and duathlon) and countless ITU World Cup victories, Tim Don turned his attention to the half-Ironman distance. His unrivaled foot pace and light, lithe running form transitioned seamlessly to longer racing, resulting in a tidy collection of Ironman 70.3 titles, as well as an Ironman victory in his first attempt at the distance. He also holds the British Ironman record of 7:40:23. Despite his warm and slightly eccentric personality, this versatile competitor is often considered a favourite at any distance! He shot to fame in 2017 when he was hit by a car in training just two days prior to the Ironman World Championships. With fractured vertebrae, Tim was given a Halo, a metal structure which screwed directly into his skull, to help speed up the healing process. Tim is now a full-time triathlon coach.