Originally Posted by
jackklas
But of course you can exert yourself more without more weight on the ride, but can you exert yourself “as much” without the extra weight? What takes more strength, full exertion without extra weight- or full exertion with extra weight? Seems pretty basic to me.
That's because it IS very basic. At Full Exertion you are at your peak strength regardless of how much mass you are accelerating. With extra weight you are accelerating and climbing more slowly, that is the difference. If I'm going the same speed while climbing when I have an extra 20lbs on me than without, I am exerting myself harder with the weight. Equal exertion levels I will be climbing faster with less weight. It's really not that complicated. If I want a "harder" workout I just ride harder.
If, for some strange reason my brain is inhibiting me from riding faster than some given speed that I can attain, then I would be forced to add more weight for greater exertion. Fortunately, I don't have that problem and my speed increases as my strength does.