European race season is upon us, the National B road races, CTT time trials, IRONMAN Triathlons and World Tour stage races have hit Europe and according to our data – you’re all using myWindsock to prepare. As you’re doing it anyway, we thought we’d go through how we, here ay myWindsock, use the app to get ready for events that we’re doing. This will be quite comprehensive and will go over the following:

1. Course recon 
2. Duration predictions 
3. Pacing plans 
4. Fuelling 

Running the risk of being self indulgent, I’ll base the contents of this piece on a course that I’m doing – namely the bike course at the Peniscola Infinitri Triathlon – my first race of the season.

Course recon 

Unfortunately, we don’t all have unlimited money and time so can’t often recon a course in the flesh – but myWindsock is the next best thing for it. It allows us to review the terrain, weather and their combination.

The plot above shows the gradient as a function of time, which is typically where I like to start. This allows me to think about gearing on a high level and decide between a 1x and 2x chainring set up. For this race, it’s on the cusp but I prefer to pay the aero penalty rather than running the serious risk of being undergeared so I will use a 2x chainring. 

Predicting duration

In order to predict duration I do a worst case scenario and best case scenario which to me, looks roughly as follows… 

From this we can see I’ll be around the two hour mark plus or minus a couple of minutes depending on how I feel. You’ll notice a wide cda range as well – this is because on a bad day I also typically sit up a bit more and shift around on the saddle. With these constraints we can come up with a pacing plan and look into the course demands. 

Pacing plans 

Firstly we can look into the distribution of speeds and we can see it’s a very wide range – we spend a lot of time under 30 kph, so we will look to minimise this by going harder and setting a rule that if we are under 30 kph, we’ll do 400W, if under 20 we will sit up and do 450W. To balance this out, we’ll also stop pedalling over 55 kph. Let’s see how this impacts a middle case scenario (remembering that in triathlon we are looking to balance going fast with saving energy for the run).  

The above case is without the aforementioned pacing rules, and with them we get… 

We notice it’s actually 14 seconds slower (probably within the margin of error). Changing out the speed at which we stop pedalling from 55 to 65 kph adds 20W to the average power and saves 2 minutes over the course of the event. This information allows me to make better decisions during the race, if I want to behave aggressively I know what the time savings for going hard on the descents are and I also am fully aware of the energy penalty I’ll pay for doing this. 

Fuelling planning

We need to plan to consume 2 hours worth of fuel for this race, which for me is around 240g of carbohydrates, 1000mg of sodium and around 1.5-2L of water. Now, we don’t want to be eating when going full gas and we can use dips in the power profile to think about when we’ll likely be able to get some food in. Around 15 minutes, 40 minutes, 50 minutes etc. I’ll have the chance to take a gel or a sip. Also, looking at this tells us the first 15 minutes is likely to be pretty full on so maybe a gel in transition would be wise. 

This blog gave us just a brief insight into some of the tools available in myWindsock for planning performance but it was by no means exhaustive. To prepare for your next race and leave no stone unturned, sign up to myWindsock here.

Looking to outsmart the wind? Now you can with live aerodynamic insights from myWindsock, available directly on your Hammerhead device.



Real-Time Insights, Right on Your Handlebars

Take control of your ride with myWindsock’s Hammerhead extension with in-ride data, giving you real-time visibility into key environmental forces:

• Wind Visualization – A colour-coded wind field shows real-time wind direction and speed so you can plan ahead.
• Forces – Tells you whether to focus on raw power or aerodynamics.
• Feels Like Gradient™ – Combines wind and gradient data to reveal how the road actually feels.

Beyond these core features, myWindsock also provides valuable insights into accumulated headwind and current headwind time, allowing riders to track how much they’ve battled the wind and adjust their energy management accordingly. Additionally, yaw angle analysis helps cyclists understand the aerodynamic impact of crosswinds, while Air Speed displays your actual speed through the air, factoring in terrain roughness for precise effort measurement.

How to install

1. Turn on your Karoo and install the latest app update
2. Go to Extensions
3. Find myWindsock and tap install
4. Add myWindsock data fields to your ride profile

Help is here or see the myWindsock Hammerhead Extension Help

You may have seen the headlines describing Strava as “shutting down” their API. As far as we are concerned this is not the case.

What will change

The major change that we are preparing for is removing your ability to share with your friends Strava Activity maps on myWindsock. You will continue to be able to view your own Strava Activity maps on myWindsock.

We are clarifying a few things

We will be clarifying some aspects of the API terms and conditions with Strava. As we get more details we will update you here.

Most importantly, we will always find a way for you to connect your data with us and use our cycling weather and prediction tech.

myWindsock exists in a “post social media” world and the blogs are dying. In order to reach a wider audience, we are adapting and overcoming… into podcast form. The plan is to release one episode a week with (and without) guests on a range of topics, some related to myWindsock directly and others more broadly in cycling and endurance sports. 

This podcast will be available on YouTube for the episodes we film, as well as clipped up on our Instagram and you’ll be able to listen on all major podcast platforms. 

The episodes will vary in length but probably won’t be much longer than 60 minutes so will be great turbo fodder or something for you to listen to on the bus…

Keep your ears out, more coming soon… 

The contenders

This is the first of two individual time trials, and it’s the flattest, favouring pure time trial specialists. Expect to see these experts high up in the stage rankings. World champion Remco Evenepoel (Soudal–Quick-Step) has likely targeted this stage due to his time trial prowess. Currently sitting second in the General Classification (GC), Evenepoel aims to reduce the gap between him and the leader. His recent form suggests a strong performance on stage seven. We took a look at who might perform the best between Pogacar and Remco here.

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), holds a 45-second advantage over the Belgian in the GC. Pogačar, a formidable time trialist, showcased his abilities during the Giro d’Italia in May, winning one time trial and placing second behind TT specialist Filippo Ganna.

Olympic time trial champion Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) also seeks to leverage his time trial skills to close the gap on Pogačar. However, he will need to demonstrate improved form compared to his earlier performances in the race.

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) are also strong time trialists. Vingegaard excels in Grand Tours, while Ayuso has shown consistent time trial performance early in his career. Although neither is expected to win the stage, they should maintain their positions relative to the other contenders.

Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) is a strong contender for the stage victory despite his inconsistent form. He is aiming for stage wins throughout these three weeks and will seize any opportunity to do so. Another potential stage winner is Stefan Bissegger (EF Education-EasyPost), who finished second in the Swiss National Championships, an event of similar length. 

The Swiss ITT national champion, Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ), will also be competing in this stage. Additionally, Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team), Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility), and Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) are also in contention for a strong performance in the first individual time trial.

How fast will they ride?

The TT is net tailwind, with the bulk of the climbing being done at “high pace” my prediction is Remco Evenepoel to take the victory today with a very slim margin over Pogacar.

The 111th edition of the Tour de France will kick off tomorrow on June the 29th, marking several historic firsts. For the first time, the race will start in Italy and visit the home city of Gino Bartali. Additionally, this opening stage will be the toughest in recent memory, featuring 3,600 meters of climbing.

Rimini, located by the Adriatic Sea and serving as a gateway to the flat Po Valley, may lack the star power of the renowned Florentine cyclist Gino Bartali. Despite its sprint-friendly terrain, evidenced by Arnaud Démare’s Giro stage win there four years ago, it’s likely that a rider with a skill set more akin to Giro and Tour champion Bartali, rather than the French sprinter, will emerge victorious on Saturday afternoon. Might be a day for Fred Wright? We can only hope…

Enjoy your Track Pass ride on the historic, silky smooth, Oulton Park tarmac.

Then, the tension builds, for an “all out”, lung busting, Hot Lap competition.

Proudly supported by

For more details check out thehotlap.co.uk

For competitive cyclists, every second counts. Achieving peak performance on race day involves more than just rigorous training and top-notch equipment; it also requires a keen understanding of environmental conditions. This is where MyWindsock comes into play. By providing detailed weather and environmental data, MyWindsock equips cyclists with the information needed to strategise effectively and gain a competitive edge. In this guide, we’ll explore how to leverage MyWindsock for optimal race day performance.

1. Pre-Race Planning: Analysing the Route

Begin your race day optimisation by thoroughly analysing the race route using MyWindsock. Input your route via Strava, RideWithGPS or just upload the GPX file straight into Windsock to get a comprehensive overview of the environmental factors that will impact your ride:

 – Wind Direction and Speed: Identify sections of the route where you’ll face headwinds, tailwinds, or crosswinds. Tailwinds can help you conserve energy, while headwinds require more effort.

– Elevation Changes: Pay attention to where the climbs and descents are. Plan your energy expenditure accordingly, conserving energy for challenging climbs and capitalising on descents.

– Weather Conditions: Check the weather forecast for race day. Temperature, humidity, and potential precipitation can all affect your performance and equipment choices.

2. Strategising Your Effort

Once you have a clear understanding of the route and conditions, use this data to plan your effort:

– Pacing: Adjust your pacing strategy based on wind and elevation data. For instance, push harder during climbs but work out just how hard you can go without blowing up using W’ Balance.

 – Drafting: In windy conditions, drafting behind other cyclists can significantly reduce your energy expenditure. Use MyWindsock’s wind data to identify the best times and places to draft as well as checking wind direction data for cross-tailwind sections where drafting can be hardest.

– Equipment Choices: Tailor your equipment to the conditions. For example, choose aerodynamic gear for windy days and tires with better grip if rain is expected.

3. Race Day Execution

On race day, keep MyWindsock’s insights in mind as you execute your plan:

– Stay Flexible: While having a plan is crucial, be prepared to adjust based on real-time conditions. If the wind changes direction or intensity, modify your strategy accordingly.

4. Post-Race Analysis

After the race, use MyWindsock to review your performance:

– Compare Data: Analyse how actual conditions compared to forecasts and how well you adhered to your planned strategy.

– Identify Improvements: Look for areas where you can improve. For example, did you lose time in headwind sections? Did you push too hard on climbs?

– Refine Future Strategies: Use insights from your post-race analysis to refine your strategies for future races. Continuous learning and adaptation are key to gaining a competitive edge.

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By leveraging MyWindsock’s comprehensive weather and environmental data, you can optimise your race day strategy to enhance performance and gain a competitive edge. From pre-race planning and effort strategizing to real-time execution and post-race analysis, MyWindsock provides the tools needed to maximise your potential. Embrace the data, refine your strategies, and watch as your race day results improve. Happy racing!

Is it possible to save minutes just by pacing optimally? Without getting fitter or more aero? Let’s take a look…

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The aim – get as close to 40kph as we can…

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Pacing your efforts is much easier with myWindsock. It’s the only place you can virtually test pacing strategies without having to ride them on the road. Pacing can make a bigger difference than anything, especially on rolling and sporting time trial or triathlon courses. It’s not just for solo efforts though, myWindsock can also help you spot the best place in a road race to attack! Sign up here.

What happened at the Giro – a reminder: 

Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates stormed to an impressive victory on stage 7 of the Giro d’Italia back in May, dominating the 40.6km individual time trial from Foligno to Perugia. His stellar performance not only extended his lead in the maglia rosa but also brought him closer to clinching the overall victory.

Filippo Ganna from Ineos Grenadiers initially set the pace with the fastest times at both intermediate checkpoints, hinting at a potential victory for him. However, as Pogačar tackled the final climb towards the finish line, the suspense escalated as Ganna’s substantial lead began to dwindle. By the finish, Pogacar took the victory. 

What happened at the Dauphine – another reminder: 

On stage 4 of the Critérium du Dauphiné, the European time trial champion, Josh Tarling of Ineos Grenadiers, delivered a scorching performance but fell short of surpassing the unstoppable Remco Evenepoel from Soudal Quick-Step. Despite Tarling’s impressive run, Evenepoel, the reigning time trial world champion, seized the lead with a remarkable time of 41:49 over the 34.4km course, ending Tarling’s reign in the hot seat.

Tarling set the early benchmark, finishing just 17 seconds behind Evenepoel in second place, while Primož Roglič of Bora-Hansgrohe secured the third spot, trailing the winner by 39 seconds.

The competition remained tense through the first two time checks, with Evenepoel and Tarling neck and neck within a few seconds of each other. However, it was the Belgian rider who made a decisive push for victory in the final kilometres, securing his dominance on the stage.

Who was better? 

On the fifth of July, the first of two Tour de France TTs will take place over a 25.3km course with 300m of elevation gain and the course will likely take the riders around 30 minutes – so relatively similar to the TTs we are comparing in terms of energy systems used by the athletes. The way we will decide whose TT was better is to back calculate the riders watts and cda based on their performances and what information is available and input these performances onto the course for the Tour de France stage 7 TT on July the 5th. On the surface, Remco Evenepoel’s TT looks streaks ahead of Pogacar’s – however, I have Pogacar’s performance as around 5% “better” in terms of power output for the estimated cda (however, all of these are estimated as neither rider publishes their power and, as a result of this, 5% is within the margin of error).

What will happen at the tour?

During the grand tours, myWindsock is the place to be for TT predictions. We will provide predictions for the entire race and specifically, the two TTs for the GC top 10 as well as TT favourites. 

Sign up here to myWindsock.