Minimum Watt per KG Mt. Lemmon

Training
21

I was at 2.5 w/kg when I went down to Tucson for a training camp. We did Mount Lemmon at the end of our training week. By the time I started the climb I already had ridden 185 miles and climbed 12,000 feet in the previous 4 days. Needless to say I was cooked right from the start of the climb.

I made it up (it was really tough, lol) in 3:13…averaged 6.2mph that’s 2.02 w/kg. I was on a rented bike (a nice BMC though) with a 36/28 for my climbing gear and I stayed in that the whole time. The worst part was coming down…just endless descending (really only 26 miles or so) with lots of traffic…actually had to pull over and take a break on the descent.

I’d love to go back and hit it fresh with my current 34/32 and more knowledge of how to climb.

You’ll be fine. I wasn’t prepared for it at all and still made it. Good luck!

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22

You can easily climb it at under 3W/Kg. I have done it at just under 3W/Kg and it took just over 2 hours. The climb is not steep it is just long.

23

Let me know when you’re gonna give it a go and I’ll come down from Phoenix and we’ll do it together.
-Hugh

24

You’ll do just fine. Take it slow and ride for completion and enjoyment.

If you have anything left as you pass the ski resort and head up to the observatory, you can empty the tank there. :slight_smile:

Let us (@michelleihowe and I) know when you’ll do it and maybe you’ll have more company from us, too.

25

This thread is perfect timing as I’m heading that way in less than 2 weeks.
I’m planning on bringing 36/28 gearing.
I’m at 3.6 W/kg

Recently I did the Lemmon climb on Rouvy and didn’t have issues but I know that virtual on trainer is not the same thing.

let me know what you think. I may have an option of swapping for a cassette with 30t just in case.

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26

You’ll be fine with 36/28. Probably won’t use that 28t for a lot of it.

27

I think I have 33x32. Hoping that is enough.

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28

Turns out I’m headed to Tucson this weekend for a week. Planning on a day to do Mt. Lemmon as well. “Tourist Mode”.

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29

Have fun! Please let me know how it goes.

30

OK. Day was sunny and in the mid 50’s Progressively increasing quartering wind. I rode from where I was staying so did 45 min before starting the climb. My FTP is currently just above 2.6 w/kg. I ran into a time crunch so only went as far as the KOM at Palasades. Gearing mostly 34 front and 32 back. I averaged 134 watts and 6 mph. Passed by a bunch of triathletes and much younger riders ('m 67). The only “senior” rider that passed me was on an electric bike. Very windy and chilly on the descent. And If I ever figure out fueling, I’m sure I could have gone faster.

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31

Great job getting after it, what did you think of the climb? You plan on going back to get a full ascent completed?

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32

Interesting to climb from a desert environment through a Saguaro cactus forest to an alpine conifer forest. I live in Spokane, so have no idea when I’ll be back in the Tuscon area. Plans for next winter are to check out the Phoenix area, so I may make a trip down just to do the whole climb. I’ve been doing mostly endurance and VO2 max work, so haven’t done much SS or threshold. The absolute summit is at the ski area, and that road just opened. If you want to summit, best to go later in the season.

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33

I was there in 2017 around this time and it wasn’t open all the way to the ski are either, but we made it to the cookie cabin all the same.

I like our Mt. Spokane climb way better anyway :wink:

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34

Great job on the climb! I will be making it happen in about six weeks. I am feeling confident but not too confident. I will report back no matter how it goes.

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35

I made it up the mountain without any issue. I put a 36 on the back and spun the whole way up. Ended up at .72 IF and dead on what I thought my NP should be (188). It took a 3.5 hours and our friends ran support for us. I used almost 5 bottles of water and 2 bottles of carb mix- plus assorted other food.

It was a great climb and good to get my revenge on the mountain.

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. It was very helpful!

Next!?

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