"Jacobe Hazzard" <
[email protected]> writes:
[snip]
>
> Ignoring second-order effects and whatnot most of your power when peddling at constant speed on
> level ground goes into overcoming wind resistance
Agreed so far.
> - and assuming a constant windspeed relative to the ground your power output increases with the
> square of your speed.
The wind resistance _force_ increases with the square of the speed, hence the _power_ needed to
overcome it increases whith the cube of the speed.
> It's four times as hard to go twice as fast,
Eight times as hard.
> and going from 18-22mph is an increase of (22/18)^2 or about 1.5 times as much power.
By doubling your power output you can increase your speed by approximatly 1/4.
>
> It might *feel* like even more
Indeed, trust your feelings, in this case they coincide with classic physics.
> if this level of exertion causes your muscles to switch from aerobic exertion to anaerobic - it's
> pretty subjective and dependant on your body.
>
> Others may disagree.
Yes.
>
> Adam
>
>
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