Lowest Wattage Winner

This entry was posted in Comments about Cycling, Fun Stuff on by .

I’ve had this idea ever since it has become commonplace to use power meters on bicycles that there should be a competition during each event for the rider with the lowest average wattage when the event is finished. There would be some sort of formula that takes the rider’s weight, the finishing time/place into account, plus the average wattage the rider put out during the event, and there would be an award for it.

It would be really difficult to do this. It would probably only work for special races and would have to be sponsored by a power meter company with all the units matched. There really is a fair amount of fudge factor when it comes to recording power data.

I think it is strange when guys compare their wattage numbers after an event and brag about how high their wattage is. I want my average wattage to be low. As low as I can possible get it. It’s a bike race, not a training ride. Of course that isn’t the case for races that I’m using to try to get to a different level of fitness, but for a race that I’m keying on and trying to have a result, it is for sure my goal.

Another idea would be to have a battery and small electric motor on your bike and have your drive system connected to an alternator that allows you to store energy into that battery. At the start of the race, each rider would be given a completely discharged battery and then they could store up as much extra energy they could produce, in the battery, and use it whenever they needed.

This would be a strange event also. Guys pedaling like crazy on the downhills trying to store up a bunch of energy for the climbs. One rider could just be riding easy in the field at 25mph and the guy next to him could be producing 450 watts charging his battery. Maybe even have a display on each rider, the back of the seat or somewhere obvious, so the other riders would know exactly how much “charge” each rider has. The race tactics for this event would be wild.

Anyway, it’s just fun ideas. But seriously, if you consistently have a high average wattage at the end of a race and also a high number beside your name on the result sheet, you need to start trying to figure out what you’re doing wrong. There is a saying something like – “Strong like bull, dumb like bull (might be ox).” Try to avoid that description.

cow-on-bike1

Electric bike motor kit.

Electric bike motor kit.

Nelson Vails Documentary

This entry was posted in Racing on by .

I was forwarded a link and it led me to a short trailer of a documentary of my old team mate, Nelson Vails. It turns out they are making a video of his life and need some contributions. Nelson is one of the good guys. I always enjoyed traveling and training with him. Always smiling, always happy. Here’s a link to the site and there is a place to click to contribute to help make it possible.

Indiegogo Campaign – Cheetah: The Nelson Vails Story trailer from stephane gauger on Vimeo.

Nelson is on a poster heading down to my basement. This was a Raleigh poster from 1984. Pretty great results from our team. Doesn't even show Thurlow and Roy who won Olympic Bronze medals. That would be a total of two gold, one silver and two bronze Olympic medals from one domestic team. Pretty stellar.

Nelson is on a poster heading down to my basement. This was a Raleigh poster from 1984. Pretty great results from our team. Doesn’t even show Thurlow and Roy who won Olympic Bronze medals. That would be a total of two gold, one silver and two bronze Olympic medals from one domestic team. Pretty stellar.