Originally Posted by
terrymorse
Great, they studied the effects of temperature on performance and came to conclusions that are well established: performance drops off above ~75F and below ~50F.
The CW article about the hour record notes that higher temps are favored for time trialists:
“Here we take a look at some of the other tech details, that were crucial to his record. Climate is crucial for the Hour, with hotter air enabling riders to go faster.”
Note also that for men studied in the Outside article, there was no significant power effect in the 26C-30C range and a 3-5% drop off in the 31C-35C range. Each 5 degree increase at these temps reduces wind drag about 1.6%.
Sounds like 30C is just about optimum for a time trial if you can finish before your body temp gets much above 40C. As I recall, that is consistent with the discussion on Inside Exercise with the scientists studying the effects of heat on cycling.
Note also the CW article comment about managing temperature:
“
Wiggins's support team had a tough task of getting the temperature just right. They had to account for the temperature rising when 6000 spectators enter the velodrome, with the temperature reported to settle at a stifling 30ºC.”
Otto