rruff wrote:
Local town weather reports of wind are inadequate. Air movement is variable in and around the immediate topography of a climb. The shape of mountains, where trees are, the nature of retaining walls all affect wind direction and flow where the riders are. I live near a long switchback climb so I have a lot of experience with this. What you say is certainly true in spots, but it tends to cancel out over the whole climb. The best is a general tailwind going in the direction of the switchbacks, but it isn't a large benefit. Next best is no wind at all. And wind from any other direction is nearly a wash. Not a lot of difference from best to worst.
Wish I could find that study which examined climbing power estimates versus actual...
Edit: found it:
http://www.fredericgrappe.com/...s/2015/01/Millet.pdf
Quote:
Conclusions: Aerodynamic drag (affected by wind velocity and orientation, frontal area, drafting, and speed) is the most confounding factor. The mean estimated values are close to the power-output values measured by power meters, but the random error is between ±6% and ±10%. Moreover, at the power outputs (>400 W) produced by professional riders, this error is likely to be higher. This observation calls into question the validity of releasing individual values without reporting the range of random errors.http://www.cyclecoach.com
http://www.aerocoach.com.au