Post · bonfire.cafe

Hmm, is biking vs. walking more efficient or less efficient on steep UPHILL? (I know bicycling wins absolutely on flats and downhill). I would guess, walking is more efficient? #energy #physics

#physics #energy

Shirley Eugest

@EugestShirley@m.ai6yr.org · 14 hours ago

@ai6yr
Walking uphill pushing the bike is easier.

Shirley Eugest

@EugestShirley@m.ai6yr.org · 14 hours ago

@ai6yr
Here is a good explanation from someone who does not first ask you to:
Be fitter
Be stronger
Change what you eat
Buy their supplement on auto-ship.

Just a practical tip for walking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kohoA918qGg

AI6YR Ben

@ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org · 15 hours ago

Aha!

Fonda, B. and Šarabon, N.:
BIOMECHANICS AND ENERGETICS OF UPHILL ... Kinesiology 44(2012) 1:5-17
5

BIOMECHANICS AND ENERGETICS
OF UPHILL CYCLING: A REVIEW

https://fileserver-az.core.ac.uk/download/pdf/52485950.pdf

The winners of the major cycling 3-week stage races (i.e. Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana)
are usually riders who dominate in the uphill sections of the race. Amateur cyclists, however, will often
avoid uphill terrain because of the discomfort involved. Therefore, understanding movement behavior during
uphill cycling is needed in order to find an optimum solution that can be applied in practice. The aim of this
review is to assess the quality of research performed on biomechanics and the energetics of uphill cycling.
Altogether we have analyzed over 40 articles from scientific and expert periodicals that provided results on
energetics, pedal and joint forces, economy and efficiency, muscular activity, as well as performance and
comfort optimization during uphill cycling. During uphill cycling, cyclists need to overcome gravity and
in order to achieve this, some changes in posture are necessary. The main results from this review are that
changes in muscular activity are present, while on the other hand pedal forces, joint dynamics, and cycling
efficiency are not substantially altered during seated uphill cycling compared to cycling on level terrain.
In contrast, during standing uphill cycling, all of the previously mentioned measures are different when
comparing either seated uphill cycling or level terrain cycling. Further research should focus on outdoor
studies and steeper slopes — The winners of the major cycling 3-week stage races (i.e. Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana) are usually riders who dominate in the uphill sections of the race. Amateur cyclists, however, will often avoid uphill terrain because of the discomfort involved. Therefore, understanding movement behavior during uphill cycling is needed in order to find an optimum solution that can be applied in practice. The aim of this review is to assess the quality of research performed on biomechanics and the energetics of uphill cycling. Altogether we have analyzed over 40 articles from scientific and expert periodicals that provided results on energetics, pedal and joint forces, economy and efficiency, muscular activity, as well as performance and comfort optimization during uphill cycling. During uphill cycling, cyclists need to overcome gravity and in order to achieve this, some changes in posture are necessary. The main results from this review are that changes in muscular activity are present, while on the other hand pedal forces, joint dynamics, and cycling efficiency are not substantially altered during seated uphill cycling compared to cycling on level terrain. In contrast, during standing uphill cycling, all of the previously mentioned measures are different when comparing either seated uphill cycling or level terrain cycling. Further research should focus on outdoor studies and steeper slopes

View (PDF)

AI6YR Ben

@ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org · 14 hours ago

Physics is involved!

#physics

Diagram showing the forces during uphill cycling

AI6YR Ben

@ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org · 14 hours ago

Aha! Conclusion, effort is a lot less walking uphill than cycling uphill. (which answer my question).

https://pedalchile.com/blog/uphill

#BikeTooter #physics

METS or Metabolic Equivalent of Task is the measure of the ratio of the rate at which a person expends energy of a specific task relative to what you would expend while sitting quietly. Walking uphill at 3.5 mph equates to 6 METS. Which means this activity requires 6 times more oxygen compared to just sitting down chilling in a chair.

Brisk walking at 3.5 mph on a level ground = 3.8 METS

Walking uphill at 3.5 mph = 6 METS

Climbing (walking) uphill with 40-pound backback = 9METS

Cycling uphill = 10 to 16 METS — METS or Metabolic Equivalent of Task is the measure of the ratio of the rate at which a person expends energy of a specific task relative to what you would expend while sitting quietly. Walking uphill at 3.5 mph equates to 6 METS. Which means this activity requires 6 times more oxygen compared to just sitting down chilling in a chair. Brisk walking at 3.5 mph on a level ground = 3.8 METS Walking uphill at 3.5 mph = 6 METS Climbing (walking) uphill with 40-pound backback = 9METS Cycling uphill = 10 to 16 METS

Pedal Chile

Walking Vs Biking Uphill | Pedal Chile |

Road cycling: The "critical slope" or the incline where walking (or running) becomes more efficient than cycling is 13–15% (recreational cyclists) Mountain Biking: The “critical slope” is 8 - 11% before it becomes more efficient to walk then to continue pedaling.

David Chisnall (*Now with 50% more sarcasm!*)

@david_chisnall@infosec.exchange · 2 hours ago

@ai6yr This is per unit time though. The normal rule for cycling is that you get more exercise per unit time and less per unit distance than walking. If you’re cycling uphill at twice the speed of a walking person, it will take less effort to reach the top than walking with those numbers.

I suspect this depends on the steepness of the hill. I used to live near one of the steepest hills in Swansea and I physically couldn’t cycle up it in a straight line. I managed it once zigzagging diagonally cross the road and was much slower than a person walking (every other time, I got off and pushed the bike). But almost all of my route home from the middle of town was uphill of various gradients and cycling back took about half as long as walking.

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