Ultracyclist Dave Haase will compete in the 2015 Race Across America, a 3,000-mile journey that involves almost nonstop pedaling. In addition to monitoring traditional performance data, such as heart rate, power and speed, Haase called upon IBM’s analytics team to help him monitor other variables, such as weather and wind conditions.

“We collect data and use it to track Dave’s performance in the coming hours,” said Jean-Francois Puget, chief architect for Analytics at IBM. “When you ride, one of the key factors that impacts speed is whether you have a headwind or tailwind. With this data, we can help Dave decide when to rest.”

Predictive and prescriptive data

The data is both predictive and prescriptive. IBM will gather data to predict weather conditions and how fast Haase will ride. It will also help him determine how much time he may lose or gain if he continues at a certain speed, which will help him decide when to rest.

“In the past I’ve used fitness and luck,” said Haase. “With IBM we’ll have some foresight. My power is going to decrease throughout the race. Our goal is to have it decrease by the least amount. I will ride at a power level that I can maintain, then take some rest based on the prescribed conditions, so my power should come back up for a time. The goal is to keep my power output at the highest level I can.”

Analytics allows for real-time decisions

Haase’s crew, which follows him in a van, will monitor the information provided by IBM and help Haase make decisions. A Garmin device on Haase’s bike captures data, which is sent via an Android phone to an iPad monitored by Haase’s crew. His crew also collects and monitors information provided by IBM.

“Dave and his crew make the decisions,” said Puget. “Analytics inform those decisions.”

Race Across America begins June 16, 2015, in Oceanside, California.

Watch the full interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE and theCUBE’s coverage of IBM Vision 2015.