Face it: classic buffs better excel at DP...

Everyone knows that striding is what classic is all about, but face
it, it won't win any races.

1/3 of a proper course might be uphill----and really hardly any US
courses are 'proper---but no one spends even one-fifth of a race doing
striding. Gradual uphills are easily DP or KDP.

Typical races---esp here in Michigan---are 80% flattish.

Better have yer DP in order if you hope for anything at all.

I remember I used to wait for, say, one decent 1/2 km climb in a 10k
event to make my move and break away into the lead. Ha! Not smart.
Slim chance. (Of course all the greater the glory if it worked!)

Someone who loves the DP has nearly the whole course to do their
thing.

I'm actually not knocking DP. One can get into it. It's cool having a
course open up to you when you can dominate DP---you're good for
repeat attacks, you're good for gradually opening gaps by small
amounts, it's all good for the DP enthusiast. Even in what we might
call a hilly course.

I suggest paddling in the summer. And of course RS.

Basically, if you love climbing, move to the hills and be a bike
racer. Uphills EASILY make many bike races. (I suppose not in
Michigan, tho---but even here they contribute more than hills do in
our ski races.)

--JP