Originally Posted by Doug64

Barrettscv,

Good job crunching the numbers. How hard would it be to run it with 150 watt output? It would give some of us another point of reference. I think that is more my output, because I'm about .5 to 1 m ph slower on the easier climbs.

The steepest sustained climb that I've knowingly rode up is 12%. Much steeper than that and my "watt meter" blows a fuse.

Not knowing what 200 watts meant to me as a cyclist, I found this article while looking for information. While still finding it hard to figure out my output, I can relate it to the ability I had when I was a Cat 4 rider, and what I hope is a "fit guy" today. Also this is the peak power for 2 hours. Some of the longer climbs on a tour could be quite a bit longer than 2 hours. From our home to the first major pass into the Cascade Mountains is 35 miles, climbing about 4000 feet. A portion of the distance averages 6%. It takes us about 4 hours to cover that distance on loaded bikes.

Originally Posted by sstorkel

Sounds like they need to do some more training! I can average 170-180 watts over a 4-5 hour ride and that average includes time spent coasting. My functional threshold power is 240-250 watts and I can easily generate another 100-150 watts just by standing to pedal...