Course Analyzer

How the Course Analyzer Works

Upload a FIT file recorded on the course (or any file with distance and altitude data). The tool splits the route into gradient-homogeneous segments based on the minimum segment length and gradient tolerance you configure. Short consecutive segments with similar gradients are merged to avoid noise from GPS elevation sampling.

Each segment is classified into a terrain band - steep downhill, slight downhill, flat, slight uphill, or steep uphill - and a power factor is applied: you push harder on climbs and back off on descents. The base power is then calibrated via a binary search so that your W' (anaerobic capacity) is fully spent by the finish, squeezing out the fastest possible total time without going negative on W' mid-course.

The W' balance model is linear: riding above the adjusted CP drains W' at (Power - CP) x time; riding below recovers it at the same rate (capped at initial W'). The tool uses the standard CP/W' power-duration model (P = W'/t + CP) to derive the correct threshold for the estimated course duration - shorter courses naturally allow a higher sustainable power because W' is spread over fewer seconds, while for long courses (over one hour) an exponential fatigue decay is applied below CP to account for glycogen depletion. The "Adjusted CP" shown in the results is the effective threshold used. If the course ends on a long downhill or has many recovery sections, it may be impossible to fully exhaust W' - the strategy still maximises pace on climbs, and the W' progress bar in the results shows how much was left. For the most accurate results, keep your FTP and W' up to date in your Rider Profile.