What are cycling models?
Physical models are mathematical representations of some physical aspect. These models enable us to ask questions and compute answers. We have already modeled two key aspects: the cycle and the cyclist. Now it is time to build on these and model the cycling process itself and look to understand how we ride.
Longitudinal and lateral cycling
Cycling involves two distinct types of riding. Longitudinal refers to straightline motion and includes startups, coasting, riding flats, ascents, descents, and stopping. Lateral refers to motion such as changing directions, and for our purposes issues such as stability.
Cycling Models
Cycling can be modeled in different ways depending on the questions being asked. Fortunately, the ones a cyclist is concerned with are also the easiest to work with, and the most complicated ones are of academic interest and of little interest to a cyclist. Here we will talk about the following models: Power, Dynamical, Energy, Mechanical, and Research.
Cycling Power Models
These are of the most interest to cyclists, primarily because they connect cycling scenarios to cyclist performance capabilities. They are often characterized by asking what it would take to ride a scenario at a given velocity.
For each scenario, they involve the following steps:
- Compute the required effort in Joules to complete the scenario.
- Select a time interval to ride the scenario, and then use it to compute the required power output in Watts.
- Compare the Watt output requirements to the cyclist training level to determine their ability to complete the ride.
Cycling Dynamical Models
Dynamical models are the equations of motion associated with a given scenario and correspond to the velocity and position profiles as a function of time. These are of interest to a cyclist in that they describe how the CyclistCycle moves in scenarios where they are accelerating or decelerating.