On minimizing cyclists' ascent times: Part II

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Bos, Len, Slawinski, Michael A., Slawinski, Raphaël A., Stanoev, Theodore
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Bos, Len
Slawinski, Michael A.
Slawinski, Raphaël A.
Stanoev, Theodore
author_facet Bos, Len
Slawinski, Michael A.
Slawinski, Raphaël A.
Stanoev, Theodore
contents We formulate an optimization of a bicycle ascent time under the constraints of the average, maximum, and minimum powers. In contrast to the first part of this study, we do not restrict the departure to flying starts with an initial speed determined by the model and its optimization. We allow for various initial speeds, from a standstill to a launched start. We accomplish this by generalizing the discontinuous piecewise constant speed model to a continuous piecewise linear speed model. Regardless of the initial speed, steepness or profile of the ascent the optimal strategy tends to a constant ground speed, in agreement with the conclusion of the previous, more restricted, formulation. This new formulation allows us to compare various initial-speed strategies and, hence, has a direct application to competitive cycling. Notably, in timetrials composed of flat and steep sections, it helps one decide whether or not to change bicycle, which requires stopping and restarting, from one that is more appropriate for flats to one that is more appropriate for uphills.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_03235
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle On minimizing cyclists' ascent times: Part II
Bos, Len
Slawinski, Michael A.
Slawinski, Raphaël A.
Stanoev, Theodore
Classical Physics
We formulate an optimization of a bicycle ascent time under the constraints of the average, maximum, and minimum powers. In contrast to the first part of this study, we do not restrict the departure to flying starts with an initial speed determined by the model and its optimization. We allow for various initial speeds, from a standstill to a launched start. We accomplish this by generalizing the discontinuous piecewise constant speed model to a continuous piecewise linear speed model. Regardless of the initial speed, steepness or profile of the ascent the optimal strategy tends to a constant ground speed, in agreement with the conclusion of the previous, more restricted, formulation. This new formulation allows us to compare various initial-speed strategies and, hence, has a direct application to competitive cycling. Notably, in timetrials composed of flat and steep sections, it helps one decide whether or not to change bicycle, which requires stopping and restarting, from one that is more appropriate for flats to one that is more appropriate for uphills.
title On minimizing cyclists' ascent times: Part II
topic Classical Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.03235