yeah, I set myself up for that one.
I guess I should say that a simple thing like using a big hill and doing what the oldtimers called "Power Timing" gives you a result better than any theoretical timing number from a book. This way you get an actual result that takes into account the idiosyncrasies of your particular engine, it's condition etc.
Still, this could be a tough thing to come up with if you happen to live in Florida or anywhere on the Prairies.
An aside-
My wife and I went back to Saskatoon (we live in Mountainous BC)a few years ago to visit friends. I brought the Commando along. I asked our friends if there was a good destination for a 100 mile or so round trip MC ride. They suggested a Provincial Park to the South. In giving directions, they said "Once you leave Saskatoon you will see the ski Hill 50 miles away. Ride towards it"
And sure enough once out of the city, there was this lone hump of dirt off in the distance. It looked just like a dump truck load of dirt, but since it was 50 miles away, it had to be a large dump truck load. When I got there is was a perfectly uniform pile of dirt maybe 200 feet high, shaped just like it came out of a dump truck box. I guess it was many dump truck loads, but no one thought to try to create an interesting shape, it was enough of a thrill just to have a hill.
I can see why Saskatoon is not the top ski destination in North America!
It is a lovely city tho, great mountain bike trails right thru the city along the Saskatchewan river.
Glen