Category: Discussion

CHECK OUT THE LIVE FORECAST HERE

So lets get on to what we’re all really interested and look at how we can be the fastest possible.

Hammer the power?

Lets look at what happens if we put out an extra 10W across the course.

So at the start (1) the green line becomes steeper meaning putting out more power here is important and will make a bigger difference.

At 2 and 3 we can see the line flattens out, meaning the increase in power hasn’t actually made much of a difference to your time here so you don’t need to waste extra energy pushing here.

Number 4 the line is at it’s steepest over the whole graph so here is where we really want to push out the power.

The finish (5), again flattens off, so obviously push out whatever you have left, but the best place to really focus on is number 4, just before the end!

The other big question is seated or standing? Obviously you can push out more power standing but sometimes to maintain standing for the whole climb isn’t always possible. So is there a best place to take a rest?

Seated or standing?

At 2 we can see the graph is steeper and we saw from the power graph that the increase in power isn’t actually as important here, so here is the ideal time if you need a break from standing, lowering your CdA is favourable.

3 has a slight slope but is flatter than most of the graph and we know that this section, the power really makes a difference, so standing here really is your best bet!

4 gets steeper again so the lowered CdA will make a difference to your time in the region of about 2 seconds quicker.

General overview

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For live updates and to play around with your own numbers, find the forecast here.

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These numbers are for a rider and bike of 80kg, CdA of 0.335 and 350W, with weather conditions of 20/10/21 – 11.30am

When attacking in a race, you need every Watt possible optimized to create maximum distance between you and your competitors.

The myWindsock resistance chart shows you each force acting against you and it’s proportions when moving forward.

On a ride, the limiting factor on your speed is the fact that your power is equal to resistances against you. Choosing areas in yellow means high acceleration opportunity, so this is a good place to attack as other resistances are lower here and not a limiting factor.

Areas with high proportions of blue show that wind and air resistance is a strong limiting factor so CdA is particularly important here. The reverse goes for areas with low amounts of blue – CdA isn’t as important here as air resistance is lower, so it might be better for you to get out of the saddle here and just focus on getting the power out.

Top reasons to load a Strava Segment into myWIndsock.com.

1. To view the current weather conditions

Athletes who are prepared better mentally will perform better. Weather Impact and other key metrics reveal the true effect of the weather on the course, learn more about wImpact%.

2. Leaderboard Weather Conditions

Knowing what the conditions of the top 10 were can put into context an athletes performance. The Windrose at the top of the Leaderboard shows the most frequent wind direction of the top 10. Key metrics such as wImpact% quantify the affect of the weather for each effort.

3. Experimenting with Pacing

Discovering where to push the biggest Watts for an effort can be key. The combination of ascents, descents, headwinds and tailwinds make each course a unique challenge to be experimented with.

4. Segment Windsocks

Knowing when to attack a Strava Segment is key to getting the best result for an athletes efforts. Waiting for that perfect moment is key to glory. Segment Windsocks monitor Strava Segments for the optimum conditions. Find out more about Segment Windsocks.

5. Predicting their time

Timing a big effort is crucial to an athlete getting everything they have out on the road. Knowing if it’s 2 minutes to go, or 2.5 minutes, ensures every Watt is released in time.

Find out how to load a Strava Segment into myWindsock.

We’re excited to announce that we have loaded all of the UK’s Parkruns into myWindsock ready for the return of Parkrun in June.

Find the closest Parkruns to you, discover the weather forecast and view course analysis in preparation for that PB run!

Go to to the Parkrun Map

Everyone wants to be the best athlete that they can be and get the fastest times they can possibly achieve.

But do you ever feel that you’d perform so much better if you didn’t have to battle a headwind?

Well… what if i told you, you don’t have to battle that pesky headwind!

With segment windsocks, you can choose a Strava segment that you would like to target and be informed when is the ultimate time to attack.

 

So how do you do this?

1. Simply set the bell on the segment windsock

   

2. You’ll then get alerted when it is optimum conditions

   

3. Win the day!

   

We have loaded all of the UK’s Open time trials ready for forecasting each week. After some hard work by club organisers this also now includes evening club time trials. Just click the “Club Events” tab and you’ll get your local club 10 forecast too.

View Open Events | View Club Events

I ride back and fourth between work and home quite regularly. On paper, the way out should be easiest with only 97m elevation compared to the way home being 108m elevation. So why did the way out feel so hard??

On the way there I had 89% headwind!!! This gave me a feels like elevation of 170m. Without knowing it, I had climbed up mow cop, our local climb (150m).
On the way home I had only 14% headwind, meaning 86% tailwind making the 108m elevation only feel like 93m elevation!

Looking at the wind impact is quite amazing on out and back journeys because if you’re going straight into headwind it has a massive effect! I’ve done the journey before and it’s taking me 33 minutes with a relatively easy effort but it took me 50 minutes with the headwind as it was today!

Luckily I wasn’t late to work but I did cut it close!

 

 

 

Mow Cop – 150m elevation gain

We’re sorry if you have been incorrectly notified of optimum Strava Segment conditions, by one or more of our Windsocks. Unfortunately we temporarily lost comms with Windsocks and they were left excitedly blowing away in the wind.

Order has been restored and the Windsocks are now functioning correctly.

More about Segment Windsocks

Manage your Segment Windsocks

I love a good KOM hunt and I’ve been maxing out the 5 Segment Windsock limit recently, this is very frustrating. At our new location in Cumbria, there are so many amazing hills around to attack! The five Windsocks that we offer on Premium just isn’t enough.

So the 5 Windsock limit had to go!

How to get more Segment Windsocks

Your initial 5 Windsock limit can be increased from the Segment Windsock Page.

Simply choose from the three options:

1. Add 5 £1.99/year
2. Add 30 £4.99/year
3. Add 100 £9.99/year

Add your extra Windsocks here Segment Windsock Page.

What Segment Windsocks are

Having the best conditions on a Segment is crucial for getting the KOM time. When you add a Windsock to a Strava Segment our physics engine gets to work scanning the forecasts. When a favourable forecast is found, we will let you know the best time to go.

How to Add a Segment Windsock

It’s easy to add Windsocks to Segments. You can do this two ways.

• From any forecast or post ride analysis click on the segment icon  .  Then click the Windsock Bell checkbox.
• Load up a Segment forecast click on the Menu Icon  Then Click “Segment Windsock”.

Your initial 5 Windsock limit can be increased from the Segment Windsock Page.

We are delighted to hear Jonathan Schubert used our modelling and analysis in preparation for his record breaking sub 3 hour 100 miles ride.

The aero efficiency (CdA) Jonathan achieved is amazing. He talks about using effective CdA, the on the road CdA, in modelling the record attempt. This modelling would show that the sub 3hr was in his grasp.

Give the podcast a listen, it’s fascinating to hear about the planning and execution of such an incredible ride.
Cycling Time Trials Podcast: #148 Jonathan Schubert