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  • The lost thread and watts

    From Mark J cleary@mcleary08@comcast.net to rec.bicycles.tech on Sun Jul 26 17:22:36 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.bicycles.tech

    I just google this take note what is says I think it is accurate.


    A cyclist needs roughly 250 to 350 watts to go 12 mph into a 20 mph
    headwind, depending heavily on rider size and position. The key factors
    that change this number.

    Then I went further.


    No, an ordinary cyclist would generally not be able to maintain that
    effort for 5 miles.Why It Is Too DifficultRequired Time: Traveling 5
    miles at 12 mph takes exactly 25 minutes.Fitness Limit: An ordinary or recreational cyclist typically has a Functional Threshold Power
    (FTP)rCothe maximum power they can hold for an hourrCoof around 150 to 200
    --
    Deacon Mark

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark J cleary@mcleary08@comcast.net to rec.bicycles.tech on Sun Jul 26 17:27:37 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.bicycles.tech

    On 7/26/2026 5:22 PM, Mark J cleary wrote:
    I just google this take note what is says I think it is accurate.


    A cyclist needs roughly 250 to 350 watts to go 12 mph into a 20 mph headwind, depending heavily on rider size and position. The key factors
    that change this number.

    Then I went further.


    No, an ordinary cyclist would generally not be able to maintain that
    effort for 5 miles.Why It Is Too DifficultRequired Time: Traveling 5
    miles at 12 mph takes exactly 25 minutes.Fitness Limit: An ordinary or recreational cyclist typically has a Functional Threshold Power (FTP)rCo
    the maximum power they can hold for an hourrCoof around 150 to 200

    There are pros riding in this newsgroup.

    Stop using 11 mph since thst is a false reading. Average speed should be
    the speed you ride at and NOT correctred for slowing down for stop signs
    etc. This morning I was riding 12 mph almost directly into a 20 mph
    headwind. I did this for most of the first 17 miles. The second half (13 miles) the wind had clocked around to full on the beam and I was riding
    15 mph in a 20 mph crosswind does that sound like 11 mph?

    You saod you had a Garmin didn't you? What are your calories and average speed?
    --
    Deacon Mark
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2