What does KOM mean in SPORTS

KOM stands for King of the Mountain. It is used to describe the cyclist who climbs a mountain pass first and is crowned with “kingly” glory

Becoming the King of the Mountain offers bragging rights and put a person’s name on an online leaderboard for all time. It also symbolizes physical hard work and dedication to cycling.

To become a KOM, you must upload your ride data to popular bike apps such as Strava or MapMyRide that record your performance over course segments on their leaderboards. You must also be one of the fastest riders on any given route segment for your result to count in those leaderboards.

Any bike will suffice, but it helps to have a light-weight road bike with an aerodynamic design that can help you ascend quickly and efficiently. A good pair of tires with plenty of grip will also come in handy when tackling steep terrain.

On platforms like Strava, there are sections called 'Segments' which will tell you which routes offer potential for a KOM title. Additionally, many avid cyclists share their favorite climbs and post about them in forums and social media groups dedicated to climbing challenges.

No, anyone can attempt the challenge regardless of age or physical fitness level. That being said, achieving a KOM title does require some measure of technical riding ability so adequate experience is paramount if you hope to take it up against other seasoned cyclists.

Not necessarily, however having appropriate clothing as well as accessories like heart rate monitors or power meters can give you valuable insights into how much effort you need expend while attempting your climb. A GPS bicycle computer would also prove helpful in tracking your progress accurately.

Yes, certain mountain passes are more suitable than others depending on their elevation gain and gradient variation amongst other factors that make them more difficult than others. Generally speaking though, any hill can be tackled if ridden hard enough.