title: Factors affecting speed in human-powered vehicles.
abstract: It is shown how to derive the appropriate cubic equation relating power and the effects of friction, gradient and wind resistance on the speed of a human-powered vehicle (HPV). The effects of gradient and wind resistance are explored for parameters representing a typical racing cyclist. The principal conclusion may be summarized as follows: for optimum performance in a time trial, there should be no wind and the course should be level. Any deviation from these conditions will produce a decrement in performance.
authors.affiliation: Computer Centre, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D005260:Female; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014919:Wind