I've been monitoring my fitness on a road bike for almost a year now but threw in an afternoon at Gwydir forest (Marin Trail) on my 1990 rigid Stumper for a laugh - my first decent outing on an MTB for over 20 years. I was shocked when looking at my HR data afterwards: without even realising, I was working harder than a one-legged man in an arse kicking contest! I've since acquired a FSR XC which I've been ripping the local mountain trails on this winter and I'm absolutely loving it. 🤘
Great video, Neil. Love your DH content and thoughtful approach. I've come to realise it's not easy to get a good measure of work done on downhill runs without measuring lactate - would be worth trying that, and maybe checking in with what world cup teams do to measure effort and work performed. That would be an awesome video! Here are the challenges I've noted: 1. The power pedals won't provide a true measure of work. As you point out, there's a lot of work pumping etc that the pedals don't pick up. This means the Garmin measures aren't using accurate metrics for power output. Not sure how this can be addressed as movements are complex. 2. Anaerobic exercise doesn't typically drive up the heart rate as much as aerobic exercise. I've noticed Garmin (and Polar) interpret this as lower intensity aerobic exercise rather than high intensity anaerobic exercise. 3. Garmin will probably be using heart rate and power to calculate EPOC, so that is likely not accurate for DH either. I personally gave up trying to measure DH effort but would definitely be keen to see what the pros use. Maybe correlating direct measures of EPOC to other effort variables could be used to create a model - but if it were easy, someone would have done it by now.
nice video again. when i used to go shuttling with my friends, i felt just as tired but it was more intensive sort of riding. this data backs up what i felt physically.
Neil, great video, thanks for doing. I for one appreciate that you don't go faster than you normally would, since a portion of your audience are older and aren't up to the task to do everything you do. I for one like seeing videos that are challenging to the "not" everyday rider but also not professional level. It captivates me to continue watching. Although I know I am not the only one here, but again thanks
Interesting video. My experience with using a power meter is that Garmin will record higher calories based on the power through the meter than it estimates from other body metrics (and speed, which will skew the results up on a downhill ride). As the power meter uses torque x cadence it only records properly when you are pedalling, so the quad exercise of manoeuvring the bike probably doesn't record. It would be interesting to see the comparison of the same downhill routes on a full sus and a hardtail!
Thanks Neil. This is perfect timing. I've been considering a garmin watch to keep track of my fitness when biking. Great to know what it can do for me. Of course it's not 100% accurate but no one is strapping medical equipment to themselves. 😋
I am 72yrs and love the uphill and the downhill, but to be honest, I would come down and enjoy it at half your speed and with more soothing music. LOL 😂 BTW I love the climb as well, but usually take 30% more time to make the climb than my younger Buddies. So, I get up an 1/2 hour earlier so I won't keep them waiting and riding circles, but then they also start up 1/2 earlier - love those turkeys. 😊
I tend to see higher average HR on trail rides because I usually push fairly hard on climbs (mid 180's whether I want to or not), but I will still see high HR spikes when at bike parks (~180). However, I will see my max HR doing road intervals (190+). All fairly high numbers for my age (mid-50's), but since I started using a HRM a few years ago, the numbers are consistent.
The results only show one thing: wrong way of measuring effort and training for those two activities to compare. Use lactate combined with heartrate and blood oxygen or something like that.
I think the one thing you’ve missed is how it felt. I’m guessing the trail ride you felt like your lungs were fubar and the legs were tired. But the dh was probably a whole body exhaustion; arms ,shoulders , back, legs… all aching.
@@Sexyoldgeraldorivera some of us analyse the finer things like fork reactions and tyre depressions on certain line choices along with evidence for arm pump as a result of those choices and parts selection. You do you, i’ll do me.
I know, the bike industry has been ripping it's customers off for years, just like the golf industry has been. unfortunately there are always some mugs willing to pay that silly money.
DH is sprinting. XC is long distance running. Both exhausting, in different ways. Both require skills, just different ones. Which one is better, which one is harder, how do they compare? Who cares, they’re two different things, they don’t compare- just go have fun whichever you ride. Or better yet, ride some of both.
I put to 3 places as I like accurate Distance Downhill 37.313 miles (16.155 miles) Trail 8.158 miles Descended Downhill 2.005 miles Trail 0.402 miles Max speed Downhill 59.651 mph Trail 25.476 mph
Ive tested my bike on a downhill tar road and no matter how much power i put to the pedal on a 1x12 I can’t get it faster than 60kmh any one tells you he is going dh faster than that is working magic
What do you think of these results? Do you think Downhill riding requires more effort than other discipline of MTB? Let us know in the comments! 👇
Dh is a fantastic workout, I'm a bit old in the tooth for it now, so bridleway trails, and our Devon ones are mental for rocks steepsand cardio
Anyone can xc. Not everyone can downhill.
Let you know when u do it on the dh rig
I've been monitoring my fitness on a road bike for almost a year now but threw in an afternoon at Gwydir forest (Marin Trail) on my 1990 rigid Stumper for a laugh - my first decent outing on an MTB for over 20 years. I was shocked when looking at my HR data afterwards: without even realising, I was working harder than a one-legged man in an arse kicking contest! I've since acquired a FSR XC which I've been ripping the local mountain trails on this winter and I'm absolutely loving it. 🤘
Great video, Neil. Love your DH content and thoughtful approach.
I've come to realise it's not easy to get a good measure of work done on downhill runs without measuring lactate - would be worth trying that, and maybe checking in with what world cup teams do to measure effort and work performed. That would be an awesome video!
Here are the challenges I've noted:
1. The power pedals won't provide a true measure of work. As you point out, there's a lot of work pumping etc that the pedals don't pick up. This means the Garmin measures aren't using accurate metrics for power output. Not sure how this can be addressed as movements are complex.
2. Anaerobic exercise doesn't typically drive up the heart rate as much as aerobic exercise. I've noticed Garmin (and Polar) interpret this as lower intensity aerobic exercise rather than high intensity anaerobic exercise.
3. Garmin will probably be using heart rate and power to calculate EPOC, so that is likely not accurate for DH either.
I personally gave up trying to measure DH effort but would definitely be keen to see what the pros use. Maybe correlating direct measures of EPOC to other effort variables could be used to create a model - but if it were easy, someone would have done it by now.
nice video again. when i used to go shuttling with my friends, i felt just as tired but it was more intensive sort of riding. this data backs up what i felt physically.
It can be a full on day, when's your next shuttle day? 🤘
@@gmbn i have no idea. i barely have time to ride trails. since i've had two kids, i haven't gone shuttling once. over 6 years ago now. sad.
Don't worry! If you get your kids riding you can do family shuttle days 🤙
Neil, great video, thanks for doing. I for one appreciate that you don't go faster than you normally would, since a portion of your audience are older and aren't up to the task to do everything you do. I for one like seeing videos that are challenging to the "not" everyday rider but also not professional level. It captivates me to continue watching. Although I know I am not the only one here, but again thanks
That's great to hear! Thank's for your feedback 🤙
Love those comparative videos, love the stats at the end. Keep em coming! 😃
Will do, It's very interesting going through the hard data after a days ride!
After 4 back 2 back runs at Bike park Wales red runs , arm pump kicked in but love wet routes and rocks.
Interesting video. My experience with using a power meter is that Garmin will record higher calories based on the power through the meter than it estimates from other body metrics (and speed, which will skew the results up on a downhill ride). As the power meter uses torque x cadence it only records properly when you are pedalling, so the quad exercise of manoeuvring the bike probably doesn't record. It would be interesting to see the comparison of the same downhill routes on a full sus and a hardtail!
Garmin is a sponsor now? Thats pretty cool when he stated talking about metrics im used to seeing.
Thanks Neil. This is perfect timing. I've been considering a garmin watch to keep track of my fitness when biking. Great to know what it can do for me. Of course it's not 100% accurate but no one is strapping medical equipment to themselves. 😋
They're great for seeing your max speed after a decent! 🔥
I am 72yrs and love the uphill and the downhill, but to be honest, I would come down and enjoy it at half your speed and with more soothing music. LOL 😂
BTW I love the climb as well, but usually take 30% more time to make the climb than my younger Buddies. So, I get up an 1/2 hour earlier so I won't keep them waiting and riding circles, but then they also start up 1/2 earlier - love those turkeys. 😊
I tend to see higher average HR on trail rides because I usually push fairly hard on climbs (mid 180's whether I want to or not), but I will still see high HR spikes when at bike parks (~180). However, I will see my max HR doing road intervals (190+). All fairly high numbers for my age (mid-50's), but since I started using a HRM a few years ago, the numbers are consistent.
Would be interesting to see a similar comparison between MTB and eMtb on the same trails.
Would love to see those figures for racing the megavalanche!
I always see higher max and average HR when at a bike park, especially the more janky ones like Rogate and Tidworth, than I do on a trail ride
Great video! 👍🤙
Thanks! 👍
Great and interesting video.
The results only show one thing: wrong way of measuring effort and training for those two activities to compare.
Use lactate combined with heartrate and blood oxygen or something like that.
More DJ and enduro content please🤩
I think the one thing you’ve missed is how it felt.
I’m guessing the trail ride you felt like your lungs were fubar and the legs were tired. But the dh was probably a whole body exhaustion; arms ,shoulders , back, legs… all aching.
Great comparison, I’d love to see you ride a trial on a DH bike Neil. That’s my issue currently with only having one bike.
DH bike aren't known for their climbing/pedalling but we'd love to see how it goes 👀
@@gmbn it’s so hard,better than CrossFit! Maybe this is a Rich Payne challenge?
I keep going to Downhill spots without lifts, So I find DH difficult with the 300watts for 20 min climb
Hey, Neil
Great content!
Hey, thanks!
What happened to going to the woods having fun with the buddies
Apples and oranges, I would say.
Why on earth are videos like this still not available in 4K? I would’ve thought that you guys would be prepped with all the equipment by now 😑
You are such a queen.
@@Sexyoldgeraldorivera some of us analyse the finer things like fork reactions and tyre depressions on certain line choices along with evidence for arm pump as a result of those choices and parts selection.
You do you, i’ll do me.
Have a kitkat.
@@J00shh mind yourself, not others
Down hill is easy if you’re control and skill with a bike is good gravity is doing the work so not much pedaling is required
Yep, it’s hard 💪
I just checked the price on those Garmin Pedals....£900 Are you joking, no wonder the bike industry is on its arse...FFS !!
I know, the bike industry has been ripping it's customers off for years, just like the golf industry has been. unfortunately there are always some mugs willing to pay that silly money.
@@Alan-75don't have to talk about me ... I got crank arm power meter but looking to get pedals so use on multiple bikes
you should really work on your pov footage, and the consistency of it.
DH is sprinting.
XC is long distance running.
Both exhausting, in different ways. Both require skills, just different ones.
Which one is better, which one is harder, how do they compare? Who cares, they’re two different things, they don’t compare- just go have fun whichever you ride. Or better yet, ride some of both.
What? Actually having to pedal your bike is harder? Shocking revelation
😱
A lot depends on yr bike and skill level , Neil is way above me 😂 😂
How hard is Downhill? So why not using a downhill bike if you have one
You did not do 96km/h in downhill that's absurd
Gravity helps
How to convert to proper units, I understand if velomobile and downhill on a smooth road
When the PRO'S get over the finish line, they ain't knackered cuz it was easy...Ha !!
Can you please put the distances and speeds into English please? My French is a little lacking….
I put to 3 places as I like accurate
Distance
Downhill 37.313 miles (16.155 miles)
Trail 8.158 miles
Descended
Downhill 2.005 miles
Trail 0.402 miles
Max speed
Downhill 59.651 mph
Trail 25.476 mph
third
How can you trust in your Garmin's when it says you did 96km/h..when you know that's impossible....Ha !
Ive tested my bike on a downhill tar road and no matter how much power i put to the pedal on a 1x12 I can’t get it faster than 60kmh any one tells you he is going dh faster than that is working magic
@@shaunschneeberger6301bros never watched a uci World Cup but still I don’t believe he’s going90
@@Thatguyno.1 hence I say magic not impossible but the situation must be right and the rider a pro
Niel probably left his Garmin recording on the uplift ride up.
@@shaunschneeberger6301I once did 86 km/h on one of the steepest tarmac roads I know. I even had a dead wasp on my helmet 😅
Easy... without jumps lol.
it`s easy because you just rolling down
Pity you didn’t do it on a downhill bike ffs