My First 10 KM Climb EVER in Tenerife! - El Teide Climbing Challenge

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

Before anyone mentions the word "cadence", I'm taking care of that in the next episode. Stay tuned. 😘 Credits to sanluca.cc for creating the route presentation segment of the video. 🙏

[@mchaste2019]

🤣glad I read this before I started commenting. Ride on!

[@alegrasso1974]

I Swear I was just about to shit on you for that 😂 Keep an eye on pedalling technique also, in longer efforts it goes a long way in avoiding cramps and muscle soreness, at least it did for me when I started

[@frankbuchsel293]

So going on a Gravel setup with a 40+ cassette next time? The secret to getting up the mountain really simply is to have a gear that allows you to not wreck your knees while you can ride the majority of the gradient at Z2/3 power to not be gassed the whole time, eventually you get to the top and it doesnt even feel hard :)

[@gearmonger8616]

As long as YOU know. You'll fix it, takes time

[@XDEMIGODXx]

Not something you need to fix my friend. As your cardio improves, it will be more efficient to pedal faster. Your body usually knows whats the most efficient cadence to cycle at. Its actually less efficient to spin at 90 cadence if your doing less that 200 watts.

[@pedrosgarden]

Happy to support your quest to find a contract, Benji! 🤣 It's never too late, as Roglic would agree. Just the bike handling could be a problem... as Roglic would agree. Keep it up, you're making such big progress!

[@alistairwhite3531]

Don't listen Benji...just Blame Fred Wright! :/

[@sanchepito03]

This is amazing content! it’s easy to put things here when you have a 350FTP but seeing the whole journey it’s so much more wholesome!

[@legrandepatrontheplaneteat6241]

A painface and pleading with the Mountain. You are a climber now, Benji.

[@raevynlen]

Can’t tell if Bert Grabsch with the 50 rpm or Nibali with the 42 bars. Killing it Benji!

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

Thanks for the support! :) Just dropping here that the bars are standard. The 360 camera just makes it look like that. 😃

[@teunverberne6185]

Came here to reply the Grabsch rpm thing but had Pieter Weening in mind 😄, keep it up Benji!

[@cdmcalister-zo4zh]

Well done Benji, can really see the improvement since your ramp test. Keep at it, inspiring to see and I look forward to continuing to watch your journey. Love the bar width as well

[@garysladek9110]

You say that that ride will not help you, oh I think it will. Thanks for taking us along, and cheers!

[@DaM.1]

Great to see you going out and riding. Let me just tell you a few things. First the warm up: having a 190W FTP and going 300W 1.5kms in is smoking your legs for the entire ride with no need for it. Go very easy for the first 20 minutes. Second is cadence (I know you know this, so I won't get much into it) but let me just tell you, no mountain is to steep, it's all about the gears on your bike. Third is try not to stop immediately after a big effort. Keep going to recover for a bit, spinning the legs for a bit and then stop If you want. In the future you will have the fitness to enjoy the great feeling of digging a hole so big you actually fall over when you reach the top after going for a KOM! But for now keep this in mind while you are still conditioning your body for extreme exercise. Good luck with training

[@chrishophoto]

Good work ,Benji! As a lifelong cyclist, I admire your humility and willingness to put it all out there as you bring us all along in you quest for a higher level! Is the ultimate goal to go from Couch Peleton to Pro Peleton? Whatever the goal, GO FOR IT!One word of advice (based on watching this video), get some lower gears and get your cadence up. I don’t know what you are running now, but either smaller chainrings or larger gears in the rear cassette will serve you well at this stage in the game. Finally, please move your Wahoo mount to the other side of your stem. Cheers!

[@joelguerin-simard3415]

Great effort benji, the view and the cycling looks amazing there! Enjoy all of it!

[@thsaintful]

Nice work Benji! quite a milestone! happy to follow your channel for what more is to come!

[@greavsey1984]

Absolutely superb Benji! Well done mate!

[@magnusalexander2617]

People driving cars in Spain is another level. They have so much respect, so much you often feel sorry :)! Great ride

[@Telemasto]

Man what a great effort! Good job mate! Inspired to see your journey and super nice that you are documenting it from the start. I bet after one year you will be amazed how much progress you can make. :D Cheers from Finland -TT

[@ShawnIsBatman]

Putting in the work! Well done!!

[@CamPearson]

Benji that was great. A lot of people I know who (no offence here!) are not super fit, but still exercising regularly, find it most helpful to ride according to their heart rate… I can see your regularly at 170bpm which proves you’re working hard… there’s a world of statistics and data nowadays within cycling as we all know, but your HR is the most personal to you and I think the best and most consistent measure of your effort… over time you’ll notice how your FTP / power levels rise for the same HR, that’s when you’re really becoming more efficient and fitter! Keep going

[@kaamosVendetta]

Benji i'll waiting for U here in Colombia, and the easy step mountains say hello!!! hahaha

[@ACanette]

congratulations, man. I know exactly how you feel as i learned how to ride a bike in 2019 and did my first fondo last year (never having climbed at all before). You'll improve super fast and shed all the weight you want in no time!

[@BrokenShifterCable]

Climbing Teide is actually quite easy. You should be able to do it. I used to do loops around Teide starting from Icod de Los Vinos, to La Orotava, then descending through Tamaimo, climbing through Santiago del Teide back towards Icod. I did that after less than one year of cycling at the age of 41. I was leading mostly sedentary lifestyle before that.

[@talonlan]

Man you putting in digs at over 120% FTP shows how much an effort you put in, well done.

[@princeandrew5430]

It’s a soft FTP. As he states his FTP has not stabilised yet, so it’s of little value yet.

[@Rexve]

Well done, Benji. Makes me really want to try to go and ride a climb like this myself.. I´ll have to go somewhere else than Denmark though. Would love to see more climbing videos. Maybe from the Cobbles of the Flanders roads, if possible.

[@KillrobPlays]

Good going Benji! That's proper suffering, which can be had at any level of fitness :D You can put down a lot of power too, cannonball mode activated haha

[@MrMateuszSiekiera]

Thats amazing! Olie Bridgewood had to spend years on a bike and dedicate entire episode to go above 1000W :) Congrats!

[@princeandrew5430]

Benji is fatter so that always helps with Max watts.

[@miche_amico]

Nice work, Benji!

[@wsbygt]

Great effort! Keep going\enjoying and ride safe, cheers!!

[@nickonzwift]

1000W seated! Are you kidding me Benji! Nice work. Don’t worry about the climbing - sprint to win!

[@jamie14141]

Top Content! Great work Benji

[@huntingsynth]

Impressed you ride in the drops so much…its a thing if you ever do some bunch rides or races

[@BobShurunkle]

Truly amazing achievement. Inspirational too. Keep it going, safely and in good health Can I ask how you got that map animation, with the route drawing on, at 3:34ish?

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

Thanks for the kind words. Animation was made by sanluca.cc, @sanluca_cc on Twitter

[@KoenMiseur]

From what I've learned in cycling is that you can always reach the top if you train enough, I'm fluctuated between 85kg and 69kg (and now I'm back to 79kg) and I've always managed to reach the top, yeah a lot slower when I'm higher in weight and it feels so much easier when you are lower in weight but you can always reach the top (this is of course speaking about normal mountains not super steep once like the Mortirolo)!

[@drewbuffington]

I literally cannot stop thinking about how you’re too scared to stand up on the trainer bro Lolol bro! Send it!

[@ciarsz]

Way to go Benji ,One thing about tenerife its very deceptivethere's a lot of hidden gradients on the climbs that ramp up rapidly,:( ,great video Thanks man

[@JeffMortonRacing]

Solid effort for a seated sprint Benji - 1000w peak is impressive. Was painful watching you on the climb, spin to win next time!

[@Runna_TM]

this is really really impressive to take a step like that i think you should consider yourself proud of being strong enough to place something like this on the internet, something that you may believe people will judge you for. you have a strong mind

[@dsmhiggins67]

This is great stuff. Every cyclist knows this pain and the surreal self flagellation we put ourselves through. Chapeau

[@Oscaraha]

Nice work, man! You should go to puerto de la cruz the next time, very even 6% for the whole 50 km to the top and possibly the nicest place to stay in Tenerife. And remember: spin to win!

[@andrewparker2574]

Jan Ullrich right there .. are you in the big ring?

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

I'm not, haha. I just naturally shifted towards lower cadence. I have adapted my cadence since recording this climbing effort. You'll see the fruits of that labour in the next episode. :)

[@KoenMiseur]

Tip Benji, de Vogezen vlakbij België en zeer leuke klimmen op een klein oppervlak!

[@XtremeManchester]

Benji Vingegaard. Thermonuclear pace 😎

[@huntergeren7752]

Just a did 53 mile ride with 1000 ft elevation and I am cooked! On this journey with you

[@huntingsynth]

Long climbs are a thing…if you get the chance Haleakala on Maui is an amazing climb and decent with crazy views

[@doc_need_helpr6469]

I see you are competing with Almeida for the "facial expression with most visible pain" award 😅 i think you´d win that award ahah. All jokes aside, great to see your improvement. Its videos like this that get me in my btt bike killing myself on steep climbs. Can´t wait for the next one 💪

[@nitemunky76]

Great content. Real world cycling to inspire anyone to push their limits!

[@akadoiphin267]

wonder how good being 6’6, or 1.98m would do in climbing. recently started riding and I can’t get enough, really hard to not get scared of these damn cars though. Also real life Polish Goat Farm ‘23???

[@laurensdc26]

Great to see you going! Just one question. With what program you ad the overlays (speed, watts, etc)?

[@cskard8289]

Benji, I'm loving the content. Any Alpe du Zwift plans? Would you consider recording it for KZbin? You'll soon be climbing with the greats!

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

Yes, Alpe du Zwift plans, and I will record or stream it. :)

[@DrewMtl]

I'm heading to Mallorca in April, I hope I do at least as well as you.

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

You’ll smash it. Most importantly, enjoy.

[@DrewMtl]

@@BenjiNaesenTV LOL I'm glad your confident. Thanks

[@czeckson74]

04:50 the look of the seat-cycler ?!?

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

that dude was the reincarnation of Alberto Contador based on the pace he flew past me.

[@wihool8894]

Fantastic video Benji, especially the overlay, that added something good. What did you use to make that?

[@CyclocrossPortal]

This guy will be flying soon🙌. Keep it up, mate🔥

[@brucewilliams259]

Everyone remembers their first proper climb and you did it in a lovely location. Well done. Think about a ride with a local cycling club, you can learn a lot in a short time. For me it was a triathlon group (yeah, I know, sorry) but learnt a lot about technique for long rides, plus challenges of riding on the roads and around other cyclists.

[@MrTimeslip]

Great video! Proper suffering in the mountains! I remember my first climb (pfff). It ushered a new cycling periode for me. I then had then also an ftp of 200 watt but I am a skinny guy. I really died on that climb. Later I went back with 300 watts ftp. Smashed the time but died again. It does not get easier you only go faster 😀. Hope your video will motivate others who are afraid to climb to do it. It is so nice! Ride on!

[@dieseldizzy]

Well done Benji. Try keep the cadence up on the climbs. It'll make it much easier when you are spinning instead of grinding. Don't be afraid to select an easier gear.

[@kelldub78]

Look at that 15sec power jump... OLOLOLOLO!

[@dropatrain]

First time I sprinted on a trainer I almost tipped over. 2nd time I ripped the bike out (but that's cuz I didn't close the qr tight enough) Now I stay in the saddle and below 1000W 😭

[@ellipticalsoul]

Well done Benji! I'm kind of at the same level as you but I really struggle not to push myself into 180bpm+ and burn myself out because I feel like I'm not going fast enough. This might be partly down to UK drivers scaring me because they want any excuse to fly past you about 1cm from your side...

[@savagepro9060]

The fear of stand sprinting on a trainer? Come on Benji it's not like you gonna go anywhere. Just kidding🤣. Go Benji Go!

[@itsianwood]

Well done! I really enjoyed this. Wouldn't a faster cadence have helped on these climbs?

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

Probably but my fitness isn't good enough to be able to keep a high cadence without dying.

[@josephmtsindula7256]

that was awesome dude

[@AkiEvansHD]

Good to see you in Puerto Santiago/Los Gigantes I lived there for 10 years and this place is the best city to ride in island :) Go north you go mountains go south you go flat ;)

[@Laserfreak99]

Really good job Benji👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@scorpsbtw7951]

Hello Benji. I am 16 years old and I have already been cycling in my free time. This year I want to start really training to go in a team but I don't know how to make a training schedule. Dou you have any tips?

[@draloalo]

4:51 wtf :D Motor?

[@tibootje2000]

Great video Benji ! I'm curious how fast/good you will be. Maybe it's not possible , but if your riding on the road a little square with your POV would be Nice. Now we are riding with you but don't Know what your seeing :)

[@matzemuller3278]

Chapeau Benji!

[@Helcc]

Did you record any more Tenerife footage?

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

I did but nothing special. Good similar content planned though:)

[@CoreenMazzocchi]

Teide is like the moon, such an amazing place! Keep it up 🤙

[@niallkenyon9347]

"Why are you shouting 'COME ON BENJI' at your laptop?"

[@nils6437]

nice work!!

[@schschsch2642]

Are you Oliver Naesens brother?

[@princeandrew5430]

He is - all Belgias are related

[@thetmac12]

chapeau benji!

[@BenVermonden-wn8cx]

2:30 And, of course, Dirk De Wolf's pancakes.

[@graemehill]

Dude that is good seated power. A lot of zwift races are won with less power than that.

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

Problem is I can only do it fresh 😂

[@lukab2778]

Cadence! 😀 GOOD JOB!

[@escgoogle3865]

Rental bike or did you pack up your own?

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

Rental, I can't afford a BMC Teammachine SLR Carbon. 😂

[@TBATTIECYCLING]

@@BenjiNaesenTV a beautiful bike. How did you find it?

[@ethanmarston9446]

Daaamn impressive ride! Also nice use of the Lionel Sanders outro music at the top of the climb hehe

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

I'll check out his videos, haha. Didn't know actually. 😂

[@ethanmarston9446]

@@BenjiNaesenTV Yeah!! Its very hype for sure. His videos always get me hyped for training sessions. Also speaking of.. triathlon when?

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

They'll have to pay me millions to get me swimming. 😂

[@diogobaixinho5966]

awesome vid, I recommend working on your cadence, hurts my legs just watching this

[@chrisko6439]

We've something in common, and it's even better than cycling: a black cat! :)

[@gearmonger8616]

Benji, that's a real effort. I like the Breakaway, but use the info, man. Your real world FTP is about 175 and you found this out, perhaps 185 with the correct pacing. You were cooking 230 plus in the opening part of the climb. Pace that thing, baby. Start 175 and check in after 1/4th and adjust. Keep pushing the gears.

[@joshuadavis3258]

nice work benji! but you need to increase your cadence :D i bet your legs we're in bits

[@Konzuug]

There must be a nicer track than a highway, eh? I would not be comfortable riding there

[@jgcoppens]

Great effort. Try to increase your cadence next time.

[@marshallmoussavi9843]

forza benji 💪💪

[@GrouEEf]

See you in a week there :P

[@sean7098]

Great job Benji! Must be so satisfying to see your progression. One day you will ride a Tour de France

[@hannesmasschaele]

It seems you're well over your FTP on that climb, proper effort, well done!! Trying to hold myself of dropping the c-bomb. Cadence. Rats, it's out there ;-)

[@abedfo88]

I'm jealous of your peaking 1000watts. I'm much more of an "el tractor"

[@colevevelo]

Let’s go!

[@joshnagy2049]

Bennie the low candence god 😂 wow

[@raduban]

Way to go Benji! Hit me up if you're ever in the Pacific North West USA and we go suffer together!

[@robflel]

5:39 Benji is a views Guy unlike LR.

[@Olguini91]

🔥🔥🔥

[@BikesKomsCRO]

Man that cadence needs to increase mate

[@antoniobergara7878]

Anyone can clinb Teide, you just need to go slow enough and have a lot of food and whater.

[@TBATTIECYCLING]

This guy puts out megA watts

[@serdiezv]

Benji, I'm begging you, pick up your cadence 😂. Get used to pedal between 85-95 rpm.

[@princeandrew5430]

Cadence is always lower when you are a) a novice, and b) overweight

[@serdiezv]

@@princeandrew5430 oh yeah, I came from where Benji is now. Didn't mean it as a gotcha, it's what I've found worked better to improve my form and fitness.

[@kingjasko]

try ski jumping first, that will set u up for a successful cycling career :DDDD

[@karlhiner1618]

62 cadence max , you got the wrong gears on your bike , I’m 57 years old and still ride at 100 rpm 🤔

[@sjon02]

"Cadence" 😉

[@Helcc]

I really enjoyed this makes a change from watching amazing cyclists