FRANCIS FACTOR

Definition

Proper Noun: /fran-ćis 'fak-tér/

A measure that indicates the amount of climbing relative to the amount of distance traveled on a bicycle ride. 

Road Riding Applications

In general, road rides with a Francis Factor lower than 1 are not considered "real rides", whereas road rides with a Francis Factor greater than 1 are considered "real rides".

Mountain Bike Riding Applications

In general, mtb rides with a Francis Factor lower than 1.25 are not considered "real rides", whereas mtb rides with a Francis Factor greater than 1.25 are considered "real rides".

How To Calculate

To calculate the Francis Factor on any given ride, divide vertical feet / miles / 100. 

Example Calculations

A 24 mile MTB ride with 3,600 vertical  has a Francis Factor of 1.5 = (3,600 / 24 / 100). This is a "real ride".

A 55 mile road ride with 6,300 vertical feet of climbing has a Francis Factor of 1.14 = (6,300 / 55 / 100). This is also a "real ride".

A 34 mile road ride with 1,100 vertical feet of climbing has a Francis Factor of 0.34 = (1,100 / 34 / 100). This is not a "real ride". A ride like this is good reason to step back and ask yourself some hard questions.

Used in Conversation

"I don't get out of bed for rides with a Francis Factor less than 1.25."

"Dude, that ride does not even count. Your Francis Factor was not over 1.0!"

"Holy sh*t did you see the Francis Factor on her ride yesterday?"

What If You Don't Have Hills Nearby?

Move?

Origin

The Francis Factor was subconsciously pioneered by Tod Francis and his offspring (1, 2) who collectively have the highest & most sustained Francis Factors in the history of humankind.