Originally Posted by
Walter S
Anybody that says conserve on the uphill and put the effort into the downhill has it totally backwards.
If you're going fast (i.e. downhill) then more effort gives you only a marginal gain in speed because the effect of wind resistance above about 10 mph becomes more and more exponential. But when you're going slow (i.e. uphill) more effort gives you what's close to a proportionate increase in speed.
Downhill, double the effort and you might go 25% faster. Uphill, double the effort and you might go 90% faster. The specific gain/drag depends on the exact speeds and inclines involved. But this effect is undeniable.
However, if you look at absolute speed, rather than proportionate, your argument weakens. If you're going 5mph up a steep hill and double your effort (and speed), you only get an extra 5 mph. If you're going downhill at 40 mph and doubling your effort gives you a 25% increase, that's an extra 10 mph.