Altitude metres: Plan, record, analyse - The mountain is calling: collecting altitude metres on a road bike

PLANNING

What can I expect on the climbing tour? Am I fit enough for the climb? Good planning helps to avoid nasty surprises.

Printed map:

The classic method: It can be very accurate when determining the altitude metres of a single ascent. The prerequisite is a topographic map with contour lines: Subtract the altitude at the start of the ascent from the top of the pass. What remains are the metres in altitude to be climbed. The result can be distorted by intermediate descents where metres in altitude are lost and have to be added back to the total ascent. Inaccurate information about the pass height also occurs more often than you might think, but it is usually only a few metres. The contour line method is too time-consuming for hilly routes. Example: A lap leads over two passes, but in between there are many kilometres of undulating terrain. This can accumulate a lot of altitude metres that cannot be determined precisely in advance - so it is better to estimate generously to avoid any nasty surprises. Another disadvantage: good topo maps are expensive, and you need a lot of maps,
many sheets, depending on the region.

Online map, route planner:
There are numerous online portals with online maps and route planners. GPSies (www.gpsies.com) offers various base maps, even the satellite image from Google Earth. The desired routes can be created with just a few mouse clicks. The track follows the road automatically and precisely. An elevation profile is calculated in the background. However, this elevation data is based on more or less finely resolved digital terrain models, for example with a grid size of 100 m2. Only one elevation value exists for each of these "tiles". It is clear that there are jumps in the calculated profile - the height metres planned by the programme deviate from reality. In addition, each portal uses different algorithms for the calculation. Online route planners are therefore suitable for getting a rough overview of the expected altitude metres.

Tour planner software, digital maps:
Manufacturers such as MagicMaps and Kompass offer topographical maps in digital format. The DVDs also include route planner programmes and other features such as cycle path networks and tour suggestions. This allows tours to be planned on the computer and, above all, offline. Precise terrain models allow realistic elevation profiles to be created at the planning stage. In most cases, the maps can also be transferred to a smartphone. However, you need separate maps for each region, which can be very expensive.

RECORD

Bike computer, GPS device or smartphone? Which device measures the altitude metres most accurately on tour?

Bike computer:
The classic on the handlebar, light and compact, relatively inexpensive and - as far as altitude measurement is concerned - even very precise! Models with barometric altitude measurement are available for less than 100 euros. Higher quality models include additional features such as an inclinometer. Although barometric altitude measurement has its weaknesses (e.g. influence of weather changes), it is fundamentally superior to pure GPS measurement. It is important to carefully calibrate the altitude - both at the start and sporadically during the tour using altitude information on signs at huts or mountain passes. The computer provides information about the current altitude and the total altitude metres covered. If you want to print out or archive altitude profiles, you need a model with an interface.

GPS device:
They are the all-rounders, but also correspondingly expensive. Specialised bike computers with an integrated GPS function (e.g. Garmin Edge) and compact outdoor GPS devices are suitable for use on the bike. However, anyone expecting an error-free result in terms of altitude measurement will be disappointed. Although the devices can determine the altitude via the satellites as well as the position, the values are inaccurate and fluctuate. The quality depends, among other things, on the number of satellites received. High-quality models also have a barometric altimeter, which works much more precisely and consistently. This combination delivers very good results. GPS devices also offer perfect options for data transmission and analysis.

Smartphone:
In conjunction with one of the numerous sports apps (e.g. Komoot, Strava or Runtastic), the smartphone is becoming a serious alternative to computers and pure GPS specialists. The analysis options are fantastic. Last but not least, you can also load maps into the memory. Almost all smartphones now have a GPS receiver. But that's where the problem lies when it comes to altitude measurement: measuring altitude purely via GPS signals is inaccurate. Other disadvantages of smartphones: the limited battery life when all functions are activated; in addition, very few devices are robust enough for long-term outdoor use.

EVALUATE

What to do with the data from the bike computer and GPS device? You can archive and edit tours on your PC.

For devices with an interface to the computer, the manufacturers usually provide Software The data can be read out using the app - for example, to display an altitude profile of the completed tour. The data can be stored on the user account in the associated web portal using a smartphone and app. The options for online editing - for example, changing a GPS track - depend on the range of functions of the respective portal. GPS data can also be exported from the portal in order to save and edit it on your own computer. For this option, GPS users can hardly do without a programme such as Garmin Basecamp. It offers extensive features, from map display (e.g. also the free OpenStreetMap) to tour planning and detailed correction of GPS tracks. There is a smoothing function for overly jagged elevation profiles. The programme is available free of charge on the Garmin website. However, if you want to use the software and computer effectively, you need to familiarise yourself thoroughly.

Tip: The GPX format is recommended for all types of data transfer. This stands for "GPS Exchange" and can now be read by almost all devices.