A formula for effort : Dist x (speed-10) / 10

The Richter scale is logarithmic, a change from 8 to 13 would be
10x10x10x10x10 = 10^5 times more effort :-). Apparently 12.0 would
fault the earth in half through the centre.

<\url http://www.seismo.unr.edu/ftp/pub/louie/class/100/magnitude.html>

I think you are looking for something a little more linear, or perhaps
a Log base of 2 (double the effort for each point increment).

So your ride yesterday was 2^5 or 32 times more effort. I'd grade
satisfaction instead!

the effort wil be non-linearly related to distance and speed due to
non-linear air resistance (increases as Velocity^2). see cycling
science web site.

regards,
Daren
--
remove outer garment for reply

Peter Fox said:

After a stonking good ride (on my scale) yesterday evening I entered
the speed and distance figures into the trusty spreadsheet with much
satisfaction. Then it occurred to me to formulate the effort
involved, not as a calorie counter just as a 'Richter scale' for
pushing those pedals round.

The formula I settled on was:
Distance x (Average speed -10) / 10
using English units. (eg 20 miles at 15mph or 40miles at 12.5mph =
score of 10)

Running back over my records this matches well with the satisfaction
from a good distance at a good speed. For /me/ 8 and above is worth a
pat on the back. Yesterday was 13!!!!.

I think there's a formula here:

http://www.mayq.com/Best_european_trips/Cycling_speed_math.htm

but my brain hurts when I look at it.

Tom.

On Fri, 17 Jun 2005 21:38:12 +0100, "Tom Orr" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Peter Fox said:

After a stonking good ride (on my scale) yesterday evening I entered
the speed and distance figures into the trusty spreadsheet with much
satisfaction. Then it occurred to me to formulate the effort
involved, not as a calorie counter just as a 'Richter scale' for
pushing those pedals round.

The formula I settled on was:
Distance x (Average speed -10) / 10
using English units. (eg 20 miles at 15mph or 40miles at 12.5mph =
score of 10)

Running back over my records this matches well with the satisfaction
from a good distance at a good speed. For /me/ 8 and above is worth a
pat on the back. Yesterday was 13!!!!.

I think there's a formula here:

http://www.mayq.com/Best_european_trips/Cycling_speed_math.htm

An interesting article, but, of course, it isn't quite that simple.

Peter Fox <[email hidden]> of 4th Ridley

Lancers said:

After a stonking good ride (on my scale) yesterday evening I entered the
speed and distance figures into the trusty spreadsheet with much
satisfaction. Then it occurred to me to formulate the effort involved,
not as a calorie counter just as a 'Richter scale' for pushing those
pedals round.

The formula I settled on was:
Distance x (Average speed -10) / 10
using English units. (eg 20 miles at 15mph or 40miles at 12.5mph =
score of 10)

Eeek! Average speed -10 makes all my rides have a negative effort.
--
All great truths begin as blasphemies. George Bernard Shaw
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email hidden]
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>

Steph Peters said:

Eeek! Average speed -10 makes all my rides have a negative effort.

I managed an average of 11mph on a ride to Cardiff once. I was so
proud. I even used the big ring, for the first and only time.

My usual 8.7 mph on the way back, though.

--
Keith Willoughby http://flat222.org/keith/
"Football's just a branch of science"

Keith Willoughby of The Viet Gwent said:

Steph Peters said:

Eeek! Average speed -10 makes all my rides have a negative effort.

I managed an average of 11mph on a ride to Cardiff once. I was so
proud. I even used the big ring, for the first and only time.

My usual 8.7 mph on the way back, though.

Stick with it Keith. More cycling has raised my average speed (all rides,
including shopping and in traffic) from about 8.5 mph at the start of the
year to about 9.5 now.

I got to use the big ring this afternoon (slight hill alongside Tatton Park)
and I was quite proud of that.
--
Computer: a device designed to drive human beings insane.
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email hidden]
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>