ride-climbing

Compute VAM and watts per kilogram from Strava ride data.

Updated Apr 12, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/AlvaroLaraFF/strava-coach --skill ride-climbing
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: ride-climbing
Source: https://github.com/AlvaroLaraFF/strava-coach/tree/main/.claude/skills/ride-climbing
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/AlvaroLaraFF/strava-coach --skill ride-climbing

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires strava, and includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Climbing analysis for cyclists: VAM (vertical meters per hour), W/kg on climbs, and identification of the hardest climbs in a period. Use when you want to understand climbing performance and target improvements.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • For each ride: compute total elevation, implied grade, and VAM; if weight and power are available, compute W/kg and rank climbs by W/kg.
  • Present top rides by VAM, plus aggregate metrics: average VAM, max VAM, and trend versus the previous window.
  • Include segment-level VAM derived from laps to reveal steep efforts and climb quality.

Quick Start

Run the climb analysis for the last 90 days and provide VAM, W/kg, and top climbs using your weight when available.

Frequently Asked Questions about ride-climbing

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I calculate VAM and watts per kilogram from Strava cycling data?

Calculate VAM and watts per kilogram from Strava data by analyzing climbing metrics over a specified window of rides. This requires a local Strava SQLite database containing rides and laps, plus power data and rider weight for W/kg calculations.

What is VAM in cycling and how is it computed from ride data?

VAM in cycling measures vertical ascent meters per hour, indicating climbing speed. It is computed from Strava ride data by evaluating total elevation gain and ride duration, with segment-level VAM derived from laps to reveal steep efforts.

Do I need a local Strava database and Python to analyze cycling climbing metrics?

Analyzing climbing metrics requires a local Strava SQLite database with rides and laps data and Python 3.10 or higher. Access to power data is also necessary to calculate watts per kilogram and rank climbs by performance.

How can I rank my hardest cycling climbs using Strava laps and power data?

Rank hardest climbs by computing W/kg for each ride when weight and power are available, then ordering rides by climbing performance. Segment-level VAM derived from Strava laps further identifies the steepest efforts and climb quality.

Can I track climbing performance trends over a 90-day window using Strava data?

Track climbing trends by computing aggregate metrics like average VAM and max VAM over an adjustable window of rides, defaulting to 90 days. The analysis compares current performance against the previous window to show progress.