Cycling Data Figures

The following figures were generated using Golden Cheetah. The first three-dimensional plot shows how often I generate given power outputs at certain cadences. Specifically, this data is taken from a 170-mile ride. The colors in the plot represent different training levels (power zones):

A few things stand out in this figure. First, my average cadence was just under 80 rpm. Second, as I generated power to sprint, my cadence would invariably increase. However, my cadence for this ride rarely passed 110 rpm. Third, I rode at an endurance pace a majority of the time, which is to be expected for such a long ride.


The three-dimensional plot below is taken from the same ride and shows the relationship between my heart rate and power output. Heart rate can be a good indicator of effort during exercise, but it takes up to a few minutes to rise to its steady-state value. For short, intense efforts, heart rate never has a chance to reach a steady-state. It is therefore apparent from this plot that most of my high-power efforts were short in duration, because for many high-power outputs my heart rate was at an endurance-pace level (about 130–140).


The figure below shows pedal velocity and pedal force data for the same ride. The colored zones in this figure correspond to the same power zones mentioned above. The data in this figure show how fast I was pedalling every second of the ride, and how hard I was pedalling based on the pedal speed. The gist of this figure is that you can either pedal slower, which requires more force to push the pedals, or you can pedal faster, which requires less force.


This last figure shows pedal velocity and pedal force data for an anaerobic workout. This graph helps ensure that I was pedalling at the right combinations of speed and force throughout the workout to stay in the targeted power zone.

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