Honking is dismounting on the bike on an ascending slope. It allows the legs to work harder and engages the upper body to exert greater effort.
When you pedal uphill, the weight presses the pedals on the ground harder when you are ascending very steep hills. This engages more muscles at the back of the legs, the buttocks, and the belly, and makes the heart work harder, burning energy. Timing is also crucial, such as pushing hard at the crest of the hill or when someone else accelerates, so you do not become too fatigued too soon. Training sessions tend to include short repeats on hills, sitting as well as standing, to develop the strength and economy.
