holding power constant @300watts, varying weight from 175 lbs to 190 lbs
holding weight constant @ 190lbs, varying power from 300 to 350 watts
Using the formula from the online calculator, I decided to chart the effects of both a sustained power increase and the effect of weight loss. I used a 500 ft elevation climb as a constant and assumed that my bike weighs 18 lbs. The starting point for my weight is 190lbs, which was the weight that I raced at last season, for the most part. Without increasing fitness, assuming no power loss, it is possible to reduce overall climb time by more than 30 seconds. By increasing sustained power by 50 watts, the time gain would be more than 1 minute. I don't have a power meter and therefore don't know what my actual sustained power is on 500 ft climb and I also don't have an appreciation for the sort of fitness gains required to increase sustained power for 7-10 minutes. I would be interested in anyones comments regarding the topic. I do have a feel for how much discipline it takes to lose 10 to 15 lbs.
4 comments:
Thats a cool little program you made. Im sure it will come handy once those uphill TT come along...wintergreen or ephrata??
You could use it to see what is gear is most advantageous...
I'm not sure how it could help find the right gear. But a high cadence in a high gear could net the same power output as a lower cadence in a lower gear. the cadence does dictate which system is used more, muscular or aerobic.
A wise man once told me that there are 2 ways to get rich, make more or spend less. I suppose there are 2 ways to get faster on a bike, pedal harder or lose weight.
Is it possible to plot them together, to see how much weight loss produces the same increase in speed as a given amount of performance increase?
That's the trade-off in Watts/Kg, right? How much weight to lose and still retain power, and figuring out if weight loss is actually productive. It's possible to lose weight AND power, but still get faster. I'm wondering if there's a rule-of-thumb ratio to be calculated, where 1 lb of weight loss is the equivalent of increasing power by X watts at threshold. If it turns out your actual "X" is less than the formula, your weight loss has slowed you and you need to eat a pop tart.
I'll work on that - good idea.
pop tart - ahhhhh the secret is revealed.
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