On empirical adequacy of an ascent-time model: Uphills in bicycle races

We compare a previous theoretical formulation of a cyclist’s ascent time with experimental measurements obtained by a competitive cyclist along an actual uphill to examine the empirical adequacy of a phenomenological model. The most direct measurement — and the purpose of optimization — is the total ascent time; it is more reliable than either instantaneous power or speed, which are also part of the model. As we demonstrate, the modelled times are consistent with the measured time. This agreement, combined with the simplicity of the model, allows us to propose it as a tool for optimization of ascent efforts.