[XAP]Bob wrote:Ayesha wrote:A simple measure of one’s cycling trips is to count the Category 4, 3, 2, 1 & HC climbs one achieves.
Every 10 km of flat cycling will be 1 point. A Cat 4 will add 1 point to the ride total. A Cat 3 will add 2 points. A Cat 2 will add 3 points. A Cat 1 will add 6 points and a HC will add 10 points.
Now you need to define your categories....
There isn't a mathematical formula for them afaik
It’s a weird Lookup Table where the % gradient is replaced by “Increase in effort”.
For example, instead of a 10% gradient, the axis has “110% effort”. This, I deduced, was IN ADDITION to effort on the flat.
The baseline datum is energy required to cover 10 km on the flat. The ‘effort’ multiplier is for the same speed ( 20 kmh ).
For example, up a 10% ( 110% effort ) gradient, the distance reads off at 0.909 km to be equivalent to 10 km along the flat.
Therefore, if a hill is 10% gradient for 1 km, it qualifies to be a Cat 4. Ala Ditchling Beacon.
A 5% gradient has ‘60% effort’. A 15% gradient has ‘160% effort’. Which tells me its an offset linear plot.
The next stage is to define the breakpoints for Cat 3, 2, 1 and HC.
Threshold for Cat 4 is 1x the effort of 10 km on the flat.
For Cat 3, its 1.66x. For Cat 2, its 3x, for Cat 1 its 6x and for HC, its 10x.
I’ve tried for fifteen years off and on to devise a calculation, but every time, gave up and reverted to the Lookup Table. Clear as mud.
