Thanks to the Otakam algorithm, the effort prediction allows you to estimate with a very good precision the time you will achieve on a course for which you have a gpx file.
Here are the parameters used:
- A gpx file of the course.
- Some personal data: weight, weight of your bike with your equipment, height, FTP.
- The wind (direction and strength) which you can indicate on the Forecast page if you know the weather forecast.
- The aerodynamic coefficient Cx: the default value is 0.9 (typical value for a cyclist with arms bent). Those who know their cda (cda = Saero x Cx) can calculate the corresponding Cx by the formula Cx = cda / (0.196 x 0.007184 x T x 0.725 x M x 0.425) where T is your height in cm and M your weight in kg.
- The number of cyclists in your group, e.g., for a cyclosportive or a club ride (1 to 8). For example, if you enter 4, the algorithm will consider that the 4 riders will take turns regularly along the course. The impact will be significant on the flat and on the descents but will have little influence on the climbs.
Four calculation modes are available:
- Ride: You don’t pedal on descents over 3% and develop a power of 0.75 times your FTP on climbs over 3%.
- Sporty: In sporty mode, you pedal on descents of more than 5%, and the power level on climbs of more than 5% depends on the intensity level you have chosen. For a cyclosportive, choose the « Energetic » level.
- Time trial: you pedal harder on descents of more than 5% (0.7 times your FTP) and on climbs of more than 5% (1.15 FTP).
- Custom: in this mode you can define your power on descents and ascents (as a percentage of your FTP) and also indicate the max/min slopes that correspond to the ascents and descents.