Power calculation for Mont Ventoux climb (untrained)

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This vacation I cycled the Mont Ventoux from Bedoin in 1 hour en 40 minutes. The gradient in meters is 1600 meters. So with the formula U = m*g*h I can calculate that I used 85*9.81*1600 = 1.334.160 joules to get me and my bike on top of the mont ventoux. I did that in 100 x 60 = 6.000 seconds which meant that I had an average power of 1.334.160 J / 6.000s = 222 watt for only the height difference. It is without rolling resistance and air resistance.

What is an average rolling resistance and air resistance for climbing the Mont Ventoux for a person of 75 kg?

I thought that that would be 60 watt. So I had an average of 282 watt climbing the Mont Ventoux. But I think that is impossible. It's too much for me because I am untrained, it's 3.8watt/kg on a 100 minute effort. The last year I didn't sport or work out. The last four weeks for the vacation I did twice a week an 20km easy training because my girlfriend wanted to do the mont ventoux.

Does somebody know what I did wrong while calculating? And if it is correct: what would be my Maximum Lactate Steady State or FT?

This vacation I cycled the Mont Ventoux from Bedoin in 1 hour en 40 minutes. The gradient in meters is 1600 meters. So with the formula U = m*g*h I can calculate that I used 85*9.81*1600 = 1.334.160 joules to get me and my bike on top of the mont ventoux. I did that in 100 x 60 = 6.000 seconds which meant that I had an average power of 1.334.160 J / 6.000s = 222 watt for only the height difference. It is without rolling resistance and air resistance.

What is an average rolling resistance and air resistance for climbing the Mont Ventoux for a person of 75 kg?

I thought that that would be 60 watt. So I had an average of 282 watt climbing the Mont Ventoux. But I think that is impossible. It's too much for me because I am untrained, it's 3.8watt/kg on a 100 minute effort. The last year I didn't sport or work out. The last four weeks for the vacation I did twice a week an 20km easy training because my girlfriend wanted to do the mont ventoux.

Does somebody know what I did wrong while calculating? And if it is correct: what would be my Maximum Lactate Steady State or FT?

I think you're close; of course, it depends on several factors like road surface and CdA. Regardless, they contribute a small percentage of resistance. I would guess about 40 W.

Attached is a power equation spreadsheet.

Not sure on all the power calculations, but what about the fact that Paul's girlfriend wanted to ride Ventoux? She is a keeper! :D

Well, you use 85 kg to calculate the potential energy, while you use 75 kg to calculate your relative power output...

Well, you use 85 kg to calculate the potential energy, while you use 75 kg to calculate your relative power output...I do cycle with a bicycle :)

Good point - sorry for erronumously being a smart ass - and thanks for pointing it out!


Henrik

Mont Ventoux from Bedoin in 1 hour en 40 minutes? And you are untrained? Are you sure it was from Bedoin, not Sault? Becaise that seems a very good time for someone who isn't trained? In my opinion, I don't think thats possible, unless you are a super talent? What colud be possible!

Are you sure it was 1h40?

Mont Ventoux from Bedoin in 1 hour en 40 minutes? And you are untrained? Are you sure it was from Bedoin, not Sault? Becaise that seems a very good time for someone who isn't trained? In my opinion, I don't think thats possible, unless you are a super talent? What colud be possible!

Are you sure it was 1h40?Yes

I didn't have time to do any sport last year. So I only cycled the last four weeks for the vacation. I did twice a week an 20km easy training. And the first week of vacation I did 200km with my girl friend. In the second week we did 3x the mont ventoux. So I did train a little, but the feeling was that I was a untrained person with a beer belly.

day 1: Bedoin: 1h40
day 3: Sault: 1h30
day 4: Malaucene: 1h40

Day 4 from Malaucene was the worst because I wasn't recovered yet. My girlfriend who was trained (she trains 4-5 times a week) rode those 3 climbs in: 2h14, 1h59 and 2h10

Calculating my times to power made me wonder if it was correct because the values are pretty high. At the moment I have time to train 3 x 1 hour a week and I want to buy a powermeter to see what is possible. I am now 27 years and 10 years ago I did some races but wasn't any good.

Should it be possible to increase my aerobic perfomance with more than 10%? It is possible to lose 10% of my bodyweight and 30% of my bikeweight (is realistic). Will that make me 20% faster uphill? How much training is needed to increase my aerobic performance with 10%?