What is the ideal O&B calibration ride?

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biryets
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Oct 13, 2019 6:14 pm

What is the ideal O&B calibration ride?

Post by biryets »

If I have a choice of routes to perform an out and back calibration ride, what would the Ideal route/ride be? I appreciate that the choice may not be available for everyone.
  • What speed range should I target (Min -Max)
  • Flat route vs hilly terrain or a mix?
  • Any min or max incline?
  • Should I aim to pedal throughout is occasional coasting OK?
  • Is it OK to brake? Obviously safety is the most important priority. ;)
  • What is the ideal weather?
  • What is the range of accepatble headwidn/tailwind/crosswind.
  • Do any of the above not matter?
  • What other factors should be considered?
I’ve seen various tips on the forum but have not found a place where this is spelled out in one place.
Velocomp
Velocomp CEO
Posts: 7793
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:43 am

Re: What is the ideal O&B calibration ride?

Post by Velocomp »

biryets wrote: Tue Nov 12, 2019 2:31 pm If I have a choice of routes to perform an out and back calibration ride, what would the Ideal route/ride be? I appreciate that the choice may not be available for everyone.
  • What speed range should I target (Min -Max)
  • Flat route vs hilly terrain or a mix?
  • Any min or max incline?
  • Should I aim to pedal throughout is occasional coasting OK?
  • Is it OK to brake? Obviously safety is the most important priority. ;)
  • What is the ideal weather?
  • What is the range of accepatble headwidn/tailwind/crosswind.
  • Do any of the above not matter?
  • What other factors should be considered?
I’ve seen various tips on the forum but have not found a place where this is spelled out in one place.
We're not trying to make this more complicated than it needs to be... :D

Here is what the instructions say:

"For your O&B ride pick a place where you won't be drafting behind other cyclists and cars, and where gusty winds are kept to a minimum".

That said, here are answers to your questions:

1) Ride at your normal speed. For most cyclists this will be 15 mph or more (except on steep hills)
2) Flat or mix is fine. If you ride up a steep hill (5%+ grade) you might not get as good a result, because your uphill speed will be low, which will limit the accuracy of the wind sensor calibration, due to low wind speed
3) See 2) above
4) Coasting is OK, though if you are on a reasonably level route, coasting is probably not an option
5) No braking, except at stop signs or the turnaround
6) Do not do cal rides in rain or heavy wind
7) I would keep head/tailwind to less than 7 mph (that is a pretty strong wind)
8) If you follow our basic instructions you're likely to be fine
9) Don't ride where there is heavy traffic (cars/trucks create gusty winds).
John Hamann
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