Wattage Meters Light Up Cyclists’ Strength Gain

How’s a cyclist supposed to know if he’s really getting stronger or just imagining that he is? Looking at daily speeds won’t do it, because speed is influenced by things like wind and hills. Heart rate is a fairly reliable metric, but a strong cup of coffee can skew that too. John Horn, a staff writer for the L.A. Times, has a better idea, and it’s one that professional cyclists have subscribed to for some time. Horn recommends wattage meters, also known as "power meters"—complex gadgets that measure several things: the torque place on a bike’s components, speed, pedal cadence, ride time, distance and heart rate. After the ride, writes Horn, the meter links up to a
personal computer, which uploads the data and transforms it into an
easy-to-read spreadsheet of everything from calories
burned to average and maximum heart rates. That data can be sent to an online
coach, who, Horn admits, will probably badger you for not trying hard enough. Read more, and see Horn’s tips for improving "critical power."