Have you ever heard the term “VAM” used in cycling conversations and wondered what it meant? VAM stands for “Vertical Ascent Meters” and is a metric used to help cyclists measure their performance.
Let’s take a look at what VAM means and how it can be used to improve your cycling performance.
What is VAM?
VAM, or Vertical Ascent Meters, is a measurement that shows the total amount of meters gained by a cyclist during an ascent.
It calculates the outcome of your efforts as you climb up an incline by taking into account both the gradient of the ascent and the distance traveled up it.
This metric is especially useful for cyclists who are looking to challenge themselves while riding on mountainous terrain, as they can use their VAM score to track their progress over time.
How to Calculate Your VAM Score
Calculating your VAM score is relatively easy. All you need to do is multiply the elevation gain (in meters) with the length (in km) of the climb.
For example, if you climbed 500 meters and rode 2 km, then your total VAM would be 1000 m/h (500 x 2).
Keep in mind that this calculation does not take into account any speed or time components; it simply measures how much altitude was gained over the specified distance.
Using Your VAM Scores to Improve Performance
Your VAM scores can be used to measure improvements in your cycling performance over time.
By tracking your scores each time you ride on a particular route or terrain, you can identify which areas need more work and then adjust your training accordingly.
Additionally, comparing your scores with those of other riders can give you an idea of where you stand relative to other cyclists in terms of endurance and power output when riding uphill.
Final Words
In conclusion, understanding what VAM means in cycling is important if you want to accurately track improvements in your performance on inclines.
The higher your score, the better job you’re doing at climbing hills efficiently!
With this knowledge in hand, make sure to record all of your rides so that you can compare them against one another and see just how far you’ve come as a cyclist!
