It is also worth noting your weight at the same time, so you can see a 'cycling power to weight' figure. You can also use a 'cycling power calculator' eg this one here to come up with an estimate of your power. It is this number that gets you up the hills faster and that you want to improve! For example,if you are gaining speed on hills but losing lots of weight over the same period it is possible that your actual cycling power is unchanged, but your 'power per kilogramme' is increasing.
Note: It is said that top riders produce - watts over reasonably extended stretches e. Most of us will have to settle for something rather less! Cycling Power. You're willing to eat calories less than your basal metabolism per day, that's calories, leaving 14, to go - per day. What kind of ride is that? About 60 miles - oops! Gosh, those new bikes are pretty - and light! You hate getting dropped by that new guy on the Los Alamos road - let's see, he crests the hill about 30 seconds in front of you, so The black model with the red fade may be even faster.
You wonder what the grade is on that hill on Igerna Road. How much faster you would go if you lost ten pounds? Whether you should go anaerobic up that short hill?
If that almost imperceptible headwind could be responsible for your slow speed and not last night's chili? Let's answer some simple questions. First, why are even small headwinds so unpleasant? The following graph shows the effect on a rider putting out watts for two positions, on the hoods lower and using an aerobar upper :. A headwind of 5 mph reduces speed by nearly 3 mph. This is the equivalent of a 0. You would have to increase power from to watts to compensate see one of the "Power" calculators.
And don't we all try, slaves to our cyclocomputers? Here is the effect of grade on speed, for the same two positions hoods and aerobar , at watts:. How does weight influence these curves? Over a simulated mile closed-circuit ride with a variety of grades, a lb difference produced a 33 second difference. Eventually, if you do get a Powermeter the real value will show up, and then you will be able to modify accordingly your power in order to train withthe correct value.
And good form. And a properly fit bike. Look at everything. Go global! I like to look at the watt-estimations form younger and lighter riders on Strava. I am 59 years, kg heavy and not close to their speed. The watt is somewhat closer. It gives me satisfaction when i see my watt is not much behind very fast riders and I think its a sign that says I can partially close the gap when I get lighter.
I am not a skilled biker, and do not dare fast cornering, but I like to push my limits. Sometimes Strava says my watt is above in a 40 second climb, This is probably wrong, because I carried speed from descent, watt is strong for me when starting a climb in low speed. Measure, set a goal, train and repeat. Your email address will not be published.
Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Our cycling expert editors and writers choose every product we review. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. This income supports our site. Comments As the coach states, there is a lot more to it than how simple it seems on the surface. So, what is a power profile and how do I get one and use it to get some gains in performance? It matters more on the climbs.
This article should have started by saying that Strava power estimates are very inaccurate. The only meaningful way to use power for cycling is use a power meter. It would make between 0.
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