View Full Version : The 5th to 6th hell? How do you cope?
Rorschach
07-14-2006, 07:04 PM
Oh do I hate the stretch between the 5th and 6th switchback on Fromme. It seems to go on forever, right when I am getting burnt out from climbing. Then there are those curves in the road that makes you think the switchback is just around the bend, then you get there and it keeps going. Ugghh. Are there any secret routes up to the seventh switchback to shorten the damn climb? Just venting......
DUDEONABIKE
07-14-2006, 07:17 PM
well, i just chill and walk up fromme with my friend, and we just talk about the trails we're going to hit and the drops (side show etc) that we're going to do when we get to them. we also talk about NBR stuff too. talking about stuff just passes the climb by.
jonny.zee
07-14-2006, 07:18 PM
Hike-a-bike up Pile of Rocks isn't too bad and it saves a few mins. Let's you stretch out your back. But 5 to 6 is a long one, no doubt. You just have to remind yourself of the awesome "bonus" trail you're gonna ride.
DaveM
07-14-2006, 07:29 PM
Just keep doing it. It gets easier every time.
Seriously, the Fromme climb is pretty much the easiest one around.
synchro
07-14-2006, 08:19 PM
Just keep doing it. It gets easier every time.
Seriously, the Fromme climb is pretty much the easiest one around.
yeah, cause you ride up the whole thing right dave?
the flying moose
07-14-2006, 08:23 PM
yeah, cause you ride up the whole thing right dave?
he rides up with a meatball hogie in his asscrack. now that takes skill. not like these guys and their ham sandwiches.
methods
07-14-2006, 09:11 PM
http://er1.org/docs/photos/Disaster/Hindenburg%2001.jpg
Danksi
07-14-2006, 09:35 PM
Seriously, the Fromme climb is pretty much the easiest one around.
Certainly is!
Air Supplier
07-14-2006, 09:39 PM
Just walk up and take a rest at Air Supply, after that rest you'll be able to go.
DaveM
07-14-2006, 09:41 PM
yeah, cause you ride up the whole thing right dave?
The whole way on the big bike, stopping usually at the 3rd to let the asscramps ease up. I've never pushed up Fromme. It ain't fast, but it's pedaling the whole way. I've had people pushing their bikes pass me.
Hack On Wheels
07-14-2006, 10:31 PM
I stop at the first for some stretches and then I may or may not stop again after that depending on how I'm feeling (if I have any soreness or numbness or such things..). Just take some breaks and take less and less each time... if you have a riding buddy to talk to as you go it is quite a bit more tolerable.
suck it up and stop whining. the climb rules. i'm going to the 7th 3 times tomorrow on my dually. no offence but i hate it when peeps whine about the climb because it's part of the ride and you have to earn the ride down. if you can't hack it go shuttle the freeway called cbc. and like dave said, it's one of the easier ones around.
Hack On Wheels
07-14-2006, 10:46 PM
^ now that is what I want to be doing by the end of this summer. What trails do you take going down? Doing the whole Seventh run 3 times in one day could get a little boring...
Lady Gravity
07-14-2006, 11:12 PM
I've had people pushing their bikes pass me.
haha so have i, but it doesn't bother me. i use to be able to only ride to the 4th, then pushed the rest, but last time i rode fromme i rode all the way up to 7th :)
rorschach - trust me, it's one of the easiest climbs around (try lungbuster on eagle :|) and it DOES get easier. besides, it feels really cool when you realize you just rode the whole thing.
Ninja
07-14-2006, 11:17 PM
I've never pushed up Fromme. It ain't fast, but it's pedaling the whole way. I've had people pushing their bikes pass me.
Well that's nothing to be proud of!
^ now that is what I want to be doing by the end of this summer. What trails do you take going down? Doing the whole Seventh run 3 times in one day could get a little boring...
usually i do UOC at least once too. however i don't find 7th boring even though i know the trail so well. it's a great trail to mach it down. when i do multiple fromme laps, i never do the same trail combos twice. there is enough there to mix it up. tomorrow, my plan is to do 7th - leopard - pipeline - skull, then up to UOC - espresso - bp, then back up again to do 7th(or UOC) - ladies - lower ladies.
actually, the hardest part of the climb is the mountain highway, especially if you're coming from down by the school where i usually park.
also, listening to the ipod on the way up is the way to go. i prefer riding solo on fromme because i hate waiting for people.
synchro
07-14-2006, 11:50 PM
suck it up and stop whining. the climb rules. i'm going to the 7th 3 times tomorrow on my dually. no offence but i hate it when peeps whine about the climb because it's part of the ride and you have to earn the ride down. if you can't hack it go shuttle the freeway called cbc. and like dave said, it's one of the easier ones around.
only 3? man that's weak.
only 3? man that's weak.
:rolleyes: yea whatever you say old man.
Lady Gravity
07-14-2006, 11:55 PM
:rolleyes: yea whatever you say old man.
i'm pretty sure he's younger than you ;)
i'm pretty sure he's younger than you ;)
yea well i look younger. plus, i'm pretty sure were both younger than you :D
DaveM
07-15-2006, 09:27 AM
yea well i look younger. plus, i'm pretty sure were both younger than you :D
http://mishilo.image.pbase.com/u43/kleaf/upload/36016041.burn.jpg
^:lol::lol:
haha... although, i must say, synchro is the man, 'cause i i know i couldn't climb up to even the first switchback if i had a hamsandwich stuck in my crack.
Lady Gravity
07-15-2006, 11:04 AM
yea well i look younger. plus, i'm pretty sure were both younger than you :D
got that right, but i look better than both of you put together ;)
Bukkake
07-15-2006, 01:59 PM
Oh do I hate the stretch between the 5th and 6th switchback on Fromme. It seems to go on forever, right when I am getting burnt out from climbing. Then there are those curves in the road that makes you think the switchback is just around the bend, then you get there and it keeps going. Ugghh. Are there any secret routes up to the seventh switchback to shorten the damn climb? Just venting......
:lol: oh man.....the things some people complain about.
Rorschach
07-15-2006, 07:01 PM
I agree the hill is nothing, or at least it would be on my trail bike. My damn big bike climbs like a pig and the seat acts like a torture device after a half hour.
Maybe I'll try hoofing up Pile of rocks to break things up. That was the point of this thread, to find out alternatives. It's funny how people complain about people "complaining".
Thanks for the input.
My damn big bike climbs like a pig and the seat acts like a torture device after a half hour.
:lol: hahaha. you should get a better seat. i like the wtb seats. also, your seat may not setup right. try adjusting the angle a bit. a brutal seat can ruin an otherwise great ride.
DaveM
07-15-2006, 08:04 PM
:lol: hahaha. you should get a better seat. i like the wtb seats. also, your seat may not setup right. try adjusting the angle a bit. a brutal seat can ruin an otherwise great ride.
Yup, I just bought a WTB seat, it's the best thing my hiney has sat on. I had to take a dremel to my seat post to get the right angle. DH bikes aren't really made to climb and have a horrible seatmast angle to get your seat right.
Zedbra
07-15-2006, 08:57 PM
Dante, you've turned into a grumpy old fart since you moved here.
enduramil
07-15-2006, 09:08 PM
got that right, but i look better than both of you put together ;)
Rather look at you on the trail any day, Judy. The view is some what more appealing.
Rather look at you on the trail any day, Judy. The view is some what more appealing.
:rolleyes:
you've never seen me in a speedo :eek: :D
Lady Gravity
07-15-2006, 10:58 PM
Rather look at you on the trail any day, Judy. The view is some what more appealing.
aww shucks :love:
you've never seen me in a speedo :eek: :D
pics?
DaveM
07-15-2006, 11:36 PM
:rolleyes:
you've never seen me in a speedo :eek: :D
Or with a sandwich.
hahahaa. no sandwich, but maybe a veggie dog :lol:
Aldo Nova
07-16-2006, 03:00 AM
hahahaa. no sandwich, but maybe a veggie dog :lol:
shuttlin is ghey
StefB
07-16-2006, 11:10 AM
Nice Neo.
Three times up the mountain and climbing up from the school...Impressive!
I find the climb from the first gate to first switchback the hardest. At that point, I am still warming up while trying to find the ideal speed and rear gear for the climb.
As for tips, music and/or having somebody to talk to on the ride really helps a lot. Also, do not put into the eaziest gear right of the bat. I usualy try to save a gear or two for when the going get's though. This way, not only are you improving your cardio but you also have something to look forward to.
Good luck.
yea the climb up the highway to the gate almost killed me yesterday, but after that no worries. its just so damn hot in the sun on the pavement, whereas the switchbacks cut through the trees in the shade. but the climb to the gate sure warms you up for the rest of the ride. haha, that third climb up the access road to UOC sure made me long for my old hardtail. finished off the ride with a nice tumble over the bars on a steep section of lower ladies :S :D
marksthespot
07-17-2006, 02:53 AM
Here's the hard stats on the 5th to 6th switchback:
http://photos.nsmb.com/files/2/6/1/9/4/5th_to_6th.gif
About 400 vertical feet in 1.5km.
Mixed units... yee-haw.
enduramil
07-17-2006, 05:58 AM
:rolleyes:
you've never seen me in a speedo :eek: :D
*Bart Simpson picturing Aunt Gladdis shudder*
Rorschach
07-17-2006, 11:30 AM
Anyone know the elevations of mid way up Mnt Hwy and the top of 7th? Just curious on how much actual climbing, and more so how high the hills are here.
TheGiggler
07-17-2006, 12:27 PM
Anyone know the elevations of mid way up Mnt Hwy and the top of 7th? Just curious on how much actual climbing, and more so how high the hills are here.
its about 500m gain.
yellow gate ~300m
7th ~ 800m
if your bike is hard to ride then get a big bike which pedals properly...
cam@nsmb.com
07-17-2006, 12:48 PM
suck it up and stop whining. the climb rules. i'm going to the 7th 3 times tomorrow on my dually. no offence but i hate it when peeps whine about the climb because it's part of the ride and you have to earn the ride down. if you can't hack it go shuttle the freeway called cbc. and like dave said, it's one of the easier ones around.
Totally.
The only thing worse than people whining about the climbs is people whining about people whining about the climbs to let the rest of us know what fantastically fit and macho mountain bikers they are. ;)
Totally.
The only thing worse than people whining about the climbs is people whining about people whining about the climbs to let the rest of us know what fantastically fit and macho mountain bikers they are. ;)
lol, nice. just like the two dudes who burned my ass up the fireroad on saturday. but it really is stupid to whine about climbing fromme because we are damn lucky to have such wicked trails so accessible.
cam@nsmb.com
07-17-2006, 01:01 PM
lol, nice. just like the two dudes who burned my ass up the fireroad on saturday. but it really is stupid to whine about climbing fromme because we are damn lucky to have such wicked trails so accessible.
True - but it's not stupid for a rider who may be less experienced and less fit (maybe new to the North Shore!) to ask how those of us with more miles and years under our belts make the vert pass more comfortably.
shirk
07-17-2006, 01:31 PM
Anyone looking for vertical data on Symour, Fromme, or Cypress can have a look at Lee's graph in the Triple Crown thread.
Suck it up and climb.
Bryce
07-17-2006, 01:55 PM
The only thing worse than people whining about the climbs is people whining about people whining about the climbs to let the rest of us know what fantastically fit and macho mountain bikers they are. ;)
damn Cam, you nipped my post in the bud!
I agree, 1-5 goes pretty quick but 5-6 goes on forever. Once you get used to it and you're mentally prepared, it gets easier. I can still recall how my first few climbs up to 7th went on foreeeeeeever.
anyone remember MattJ's best time to 7th on the demo 9? 40 minutes or so? :high: :smokey:
TheGiggler
07-17-2006, 02:08 PM
#1 way ... look around the woods at the scenery and get your mind off the climb
#2 have someoen to talk to
#3 have tunes, i guess
#4 take food/water/stretching breaks
#5 have some attitude enchancing smokables
etc etc
it's all in your mindset! you can make the climb a painful suffering experience or make it a chilled trip thru the woods ...
#1 way ... look around the woods at the scenery and get your mind off the climb
#2 have someoen to talk to
#3 have tunes, i guess
#4 take food/water/stretching breaks
#5 have some attitude enchancing smokables
etc etc
it's all in your mindset! you can make the climb a painful suffering experience or make it a chilled trip thru the woods ...
good advice. especially the food/water, tunes and attitude enhancing smokables... :D nothing like a puff of the electric lettuce before the climb and before the ride down 8)
and make sure you say hi to the one-eyed bear in the tree on the right between the 2nd and 3rd switchback.
Ducati
07-17-2006, 02:21 PM
The guy is from out of town on an extended vaction. He was asking for advice. He was not complaining. How about offering some advice not smart ass comments/flames.
Try spliting the time you spend in the saddle up. Ride to switch back #1 walk to the second, and so on. I find that I work different muscles walking vs riding. By doing the intervals, I find I'm fresher by the time I hit the top of the hill.
actually I find a hike up the warden trail is a nice way to take a streach break.
TheGiggler
07-17-2006, 03:19 PM
actually I find a hike up the warden trail is a nice way to take a streach break.
that'd be between switchbacks #4 and #5. a solid recommendation.
TylerDurden
07-17-2006, 03:29 PM
if your bike is hard to ride then get a big bike which pedals properly...
Hey, we're talking about 7th Secret here....what's the big bike for? Anything over 5" and 2.35's and you're just making work for yerself.
DaveM
07-17-2006, 04:29 PM
Hey, we're talking about 7th Secret here....what's the big bike for? Anything over 5" and 2.35's and you're just making work for yerself.
No one's saying 7th is the only trail he's riding.
I like my 6" travel bike, it rocks the trails, but I like my 9" travel bike better on everything but the climbs and XC.
trillion
07-17-2006, 05:16 PM
actually I find a hike up the warden trail is a nice way to take a streach break.
Yeah it probably only shaves a few minutes of the time but its a nice mental break I find.
Wayne P
07-17-2006, 05:56 PM
Maybe the "lords" of the shore might want to stop beating on this guy who doesn't find the ride up very fun. Ya never know, he might find the ride down way more fun than most of us do.
superman_4
07-17-2006, 05:57 PM
Okay I dont pedal, I walk (singlespeed bike) but I like to roll up a nice fat one and promise my self that the only place I'll be puffin it is at the top of 7th. That combined with some good tunes makes the hike fly by!!
SysCo.
07-17-2006, 06:07 PM
actually after air supply is where i prefer climbing the most,
theres less bugs, you get some sun some shade.
overal nice.
Bukkake
07-17-2006, 06:13 PM
I don't see anything wrong about walking up if you think the pedal is too rough. I have found intervals of both got me up faster than setting myself on one.
Anytime I have come close to feeling upset about the chore in front of me I just remind myself of where I am and then it becomes no chore. :D
Jerry-Rig
07-18-2006, 06:51 AM
takes some laps down "Air Supply" (halfway between 5 and 6).... it'll get your mind off the climb.
Oldfart
07-18-2006, 10:53 AM
It's called single wall tires, Stan's goo, clip pedals and a modicum of fitness. It is much harder when you have 1300 gram dh tires and tubes and all the armour on your back. But, some guys live for the down part. I relish the up as much as the down so I compromise the down with single wall tires. But I am light so it ain't much of a compromise.
synchro
07-18-2006, 11:15 AM
a strong man will find a way to overcome his obstacles, a weak man will find a way to complain about them.
TheGiggler
07-18-2006, 11:31 AM
It's called single wall tires, Stan's goo, clip pedals and a modicum of fitness. It is much harder when you have 1300 gram dh tires and tubes and all the armour on your back. But, some guys live for the down part. I relish the up as much as the down so I compromise the down with single wall tires. But I am light so it ain't much of a compromise.
i get what your saying. but ,...
with a 40lb+ DH/FR bike with proper seating position, if you climb fromme weekly, it gets easier and easier. and after a season of that your fitness should be at the point where it's not so bad. and then the down will be stupid fast.
i climb to get a workout, so riding a big ass heavy bike with DH tires means more of a workout on the way up. you single wall guys have to climb a bunch further to get the same workout as big bike people get :)
playahata
07-18-2006, 12:15 PM
C'mon people, if it wasnt for bitching and self-righteousness, this bb would be a wasteland...
... that being said; the 5th to 6th does get better over time. Apparently (according to my GF) if youre a man, you can "switch your brain off". Works for me... I kinda like that mindless slog sometimes.
It's called single wall tires, Stan's goo, clip pedals and a modicum of fitness. It is much harder when you have 1300 gram dh tires and tubes and all the armour on your back. But, some guys live for the down part. I relish the up as much as the down so I compromise the down with single wall tires. But I am light so it ain't much of a compromise.
good point. going tubeless helps too - i run tubeless michelin's and i notice a big difference in the rotational weight from regular tubed tires.
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