Personal Best (Black Mtn Singletrack)

2012-10-23 • SEND FEEDBACK •
Related: bicycle power meter, heart rate, Moots, SRM, training

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This workout analysis shows a personal best effort up a singletrack dirt climb on the Moots Psychlo X RSL cyclocross bike.

Prior to this effort, I warmed up for about 45 minutes briefly. It was part of a training ride, and like most good results I had taken a day off followed by a half-length ride the day before.

Duration: 12:12
Power, watts: 356.2
BPM: 160, with max of 176
Distance: 1.89 miles on singletrack dirt
Ascent: ~800 feet (known value, varies from recorded slightly)
Speed: 9.28 mph
Cadence: 59 rpm
Temp: 56° F

Analysis

The SRM Cannondale Hollowgram SL power meter is rated for 1% accuracy.

This was a hard effort, but definitely not a maximal effort, I did not set out to achieve a personal best. A pity, since I am certain I could have shaved off 15-30 seconds if I had. Such is how it works sometimes.

What is most striking here is that (as in 2011) I rapidly gained 4-5 pounds after the 2012 Everest Challenge.

But it seems that too lean means less power, so even carrying 4-5 more pounds, my strength (power) increases. Ditto for a personal best on Old La Honda road, similar time of year, also after gaining 4-5 pounds. Some of that gain fat, some muscle. I think it’s related to the season. Go figure.

Click for a larger graph. Red is heart rate, green is power.

Power and heart rate on Black Mtn singletrack, October 23, 2012
Moots Pyschlo X RSL with bike light, small repair kit, 2.3 pound water bottle

4 days later

A few days later, I returned and shaved off 18 seconds, mainly by focusing on higher speed on the bottom half, and by making my legs suffer a little more.

The dips seen in both graphs are areas where the singletrack descends or turns in loose material that require backing off power briefly.

Duration: 11:52
Power, watts: 364.3
BPM: 164, with max of 174
Distance: 1.88 (1.89) miles on singletrack dirt
Ascent: ~800 feet (known value, varies from recorded slightly)
Speed: 9.47 mph
Cadence: 67 rpm
Temp: 76° F

Power and heart rate on Black Mtn singletrack, October 27, 2012
Moots Pyschlo X RSL with bike light, small repair kit, 1.5 pound water bottle