Power to the Pedaler

Power meters are expensive things and your average Joe may not want to go through the fiddly setup procedures, especially for things like the Polar unit. But getting an idea about power output is a useful tool, so here's one way. Find a standard climb which takes about twenty minutes (about the amount of time a reasonably fit person can sustain effort at the lactate limit (well, one who's my age)) and keep track of your progress. Around here we have such a climb, from Sierra Madre up to a campground called Chantry Flat. From the gate at the north end of Santa Anita Avenue to the gore point at the parking lot is 5km and gains 366m of elevation, and it is a very consistent grade which only flattens a little at the top.

I've compiled a table for estimating average power for the course. The estimate is crude and based on the fact the most people don't go very fast up a 7.5% grade. Time in minutes is across the top, and mass (including bike) in kg down the left side. The supplied .kmz actually starts below the gate at the intersection of Sierra Madre Blvd. Have fun!

Chantry Power Table
Chantry Google Earth file