Originally Posted by
aaronmcd
I'm pretty sure 10 minutes straight climbing at 4 w/kg would drop at least a few cat 4s. Was it just a straight up 10 minute climb 7%? Cuz if there are any easier parts, or a headwind, or if it's only 5% and you are setting a 4 w/kg pace everyone behind you could be doing 3.5 or less.
The climb itself was 2.37miles average 3% so it was a mixed bag of gradients (and that portion was about 8mins but there's a little downhill and another kicker that made up those 10min efforts I described above). I was definitely the beneficiary of some energy saving on the 2nd lap (252w). I think I had some bad wheels on the 3rd lap and wasn't in a position to follow a group getting away. I was just talking to the 4th place finisher and he did 3.86w/kg up the climb, which really makes me wonder where I goofed up. I generally feel fitness is king over gear, but occasionally I wonder if lighter gear would help me narrow the gap and save some watts.