Nelson, WI Brevet, ride stats

[Scott Weinberg]

Greetings all,

So another delicious day in the WI sunshine yesterday...after my hands and feet thawed out :)  Thanks Rob for hosting this.

Here is the data pull from my Sigma ROX computer, and also compared to July 7:

• 9,665 ft up Oct 1
• 8,861 ft up July 7
• Both rides showed max incline of 17%
  
• incidentally this is the highest reading ever on my Sigma, including the DairyLand Dare @14 and Kickapoo Kicker @15

I did 10 bonus, partly flat miles yesterday due to a wrong turn, so yesterday's more accurate figure would be 9,400 or so I reckon. What did the rest of you get for your ups and max gradient? Also note the computer you use. I get a kick out of the variances between brands.

On the Prescott HooP ride 200k, I get consistent 9,000 readings, and max of 12%. I'm talking to Rob about offering that as a permanent for '12...ergo more opportunities for suffering. That is a really nice route, and goes through forests and along rivers...all the trimmings.

Forgot how hard this ride is, and can't believe we did this in the swelter a few short months ago! 

Scott Weinberg

[tcbcb...@aol.com]

Scott,

 

Glad you had a good time and enjoyed the day.  Elevation stats, as you noted, vary wildly depending on the device.  I used a Garmin 705 in July, a Garmin Oregon 450 in October.  The base numbers are fairly close and actually pretty close to your numbers.  When I run the data through Topo Fusion I get a bunch or interesting numbers, in particular the elevation gain with Topo Fusion algorithms usually grows about 20-30% over what Garmins typically record.  I have heard lots of anecdotal evidence from other sources that Garmins record low compared to other products or tools, but haven't seen any empirical evidence to indicate what readings/analysis are the most accurate.

 

The elevation % on the cue sheet are actual numbers I saw on my Garmin 705 in July.  On Glodowski Road it showed 24% for a few seconds, and 20% + for the steepest 100 feet of the climb.  I rode a 'verified' 24% grade in California last year and can confirm that I felt at least much pain on Glodowski Rd.  Personally, Plattes Valley Road is more difficult for me since the total climb is 100' more and the steepest part seems to go on longer.  To balance this out though, Leo Kulas Road, just before Glodowski Rd on the return leg, is a tough 200' climb at 10-15% just to get your legs loose.   

Scott, it would be great if you are interested in putting together a permanent for your Prescott ride(s).  Let me know and I can send you a sample spreadsheet that will help in getting the cue sheet in the format RUSA likes.  You will also need to consider where the controls would be (and be sure they are open), and that there are no obvious ways to shortcut the route.  A map of your route in pdf or other form is also needed.  We currently have 11 permanent routes, up from zero in 2008 so we are making good progress thanks to other randonneurs that have submitted permanent routes. 

Rob

[Sams Doug]

I used a Garmin 800 and it indicated an elevation gain of 9,842.  (attached)

[see attached file: Nelson Challenge 200k 2011.10 corr elev.pdf]

Doug Sams
612-961-7550