Honking is a cycling term used to describe a high-torque, out-of-the-saddle climbing technique. Unlike the “Souplesse” of a rhythmic seated climb, honking involves standing on the pedals and aggressively swaying the bicycle from side to side in opposition to the downstroke. By pulling up on the handlebars and shifting the body weight forward, the rider creates a mechanical lever, allowing them to “grunt” through steep gradients or respond to a sudden attack on a climb.
While honking is a powerful tactical tool, it is physiologically expensive. Because the athlete is supporting their entire body weight while engaging the core, shoulders, and triceps, the heart rate typically spikes faster than it would in a seated position. In the realm of the Grand Tours, “Honkers” are often contrasted with “Sitters”; while the former uses raw wattage and leverage to crest a summit, the latter relies on high cadence and aerobic efficiency. For the endurance athlete, the art of honking is about timing: it is the preferred method for the final “kick” over the top of a hill or for a 15-second burst to close a gap before returning to a sustainable seated rhythm.
