Within the cycling community, a popular challenge known as “Everesting” involves cycling up and down the same mountain until the total elevation gain matches that of Mount Everest, which is 8,848 meters. Recently, a cyclist set a new record for Everesting, sparking a debate on social media about the impact of a strong tailwind he had during his climbs. The tailwind was measured at 5.5 meters per second, approximately 20 kilometers per hour or 12 miles per hour. This led to questions about whether limits should be placed on the allowed wind speed in such challenges.
Martin Bier, a physics professor from East Carolina University, decided to investigate the physics behind the debate surrounding the impact of tailwinds on cycling performance during Everest attempts. In an article published in the American Journal of Physics, Bier shared his findings that ultimately, the wind plays a negligible role in the overall performance of cyclists during Everesting. Cycling, from a physics standpoint, is easier to understand than running as it involves smoother and more efficient motions due to rolling movements and minimal air resistance.
While air resistance can significantly affect a cyclist’s speed on flat ground or downhill, it becomes less of a factor when cycling uphill. Bier explained that doubling the power input on a hill results in doubling the speed, making it more beneficial to exert extra effort on climbs to gain an advantage. In the case of Everesting attempts where riders are not benefiting from aerodynamic drafting, the key factors at play are watts, gravity, and resistance, making the calculations relatively straightforward for solo efforts.
Bier’s research highlighted that while a tailwind may provide some assistance during the climb, the impact of the wind is minimal compared to the effort required to overcome gravity. The descent, on the other hand, is affected significantly by headwinds, particularly due to the high speeds reached during the descent phase. He emphasized that waiting for ideal wind conditions is not a practical strategy to improve Everesting performance, as the key factors for success remain losing weight and generating more power through exercise.
In conclusion, Bier’s work suggests that there are no shortcuts or easy tricks to improving Everesting performance. Instead, focusing on weight loss and increasing power output through training are crucial elements for achieving better results in such cycling challenges. While tailwinds may offer some minor benefits during climbs, the overall impact is negligible compared to the effort required to conquer steep ascents. By understanding the physics behind cycling dynamics, cyclists can optimize their training and preparation for future Everesting attempts.