Opendro's World

Ganapathy and I attempted climbing Basavanabetta using single speed ratio of 43:16. On the way, we two were calculating the maximum gradient one can do using a given gear ratio or the amount of force required to climb a given gradient. I tried googling for any such existing article or formula. Since I couldn't find one, I'm writing it down here if anybody wants to refer. What is gradient? It is height gained divided by distance covered horizontally multiplied by 100. gradient = (height gained / horizontal distance) * 100 What does it take to climb or push an object? Many articles seem to be confused between power and force (linear) or torque (rotational). Power helps in moving faster. Torque helps in rolling against a resistance (gravity or wind or whatever). Of course, power and torque are related. But the problem comes when people try to use a power meter and calculate their max power on a flat road and then try to deduce how much gradient they would be able t

Trans Am Bike Race is a race of about 7000 km with various kinds of terrain and landscape, temperature ranging from 0 degree Celsius to 42 degree, which can happen on the same day, altitudes from sea level to 11500 feet, with total gain of about 165,000 at a very conservative calculation. There are bad roads, rough roads, smooth roads, bear infested roads, thick forests, totally dry places. It takes through mostly country roads and there are places where supplies are 100 miles apart. Writing about every detail of the experience for me alone will sound like J.K. Rowling's novel, leave alone about compiling stories that I got to hear from other riders. Here, I will try to give a gist of the race while I focus mostly on my journey, how I survived the distance in spite of a horrible health condition, that happened in a bad timing, and in spite of my lack of adaptability to a food habit that is poles apart from my regular eating routine. I'm not a good writer who can mak