User:MGDenninger/sandbox

The Boyd Denninger Ratio (BDR) quantifies the impact of elevation during an exercise, typically an outdoor hike, run or bike ride. Created in Boulder County, Colorado by two outdoor enthusiasts, it helps compare experiences in a more colorful way.

The BDR complements the popular use of "easy-medium-difficult" and "green-blue-black" rankings. While these relative descriptions can vary among venues, regions and activities, they are a useful tool for separating trails and routes into groups based on local variables.

The ratio is a measurement of the cumulative elevation as a function of distance traveled. Place the cumulative elevation divided by 100 in the numerator and distance traveled in the denominator.

Elevation gain: 200 feet ("two hundred feet") Distance: 1 mile ("one mile") Formula: "two" divided by "one" equals a BDR of 2

Here is an actual example of a ride taken in Vail last year by the author. The app recorded that 1,235 feet were gained over a 7-mile ride. Dividing 12.35 by 7 generates a BDR of 1.7. (The 1,235 was adjusted to 12.35 by dividing by a hundred. Or in conversational terms, "twelve hundred feet divided by seven."

It fits easily into conversation too. "That ride was amazing. 7 miles. Can't believe it took that long though." "Yeah, it did take a while. But it had a BDR of 1.2. Crazy, right?" "That's true. There was a lot of elevation."