It's not so much about aero, it's more about putting down power. I feel like my elbows are below the bars most of the time.

 

See the guy on the front at the Tour of Southland in NZ? That's one of the guys I had to race against in several cat-4/5 CX races and had to race against in cat-3 on single-track last week.

 

And you did precisely what about it?

 

Trey complained here.

The cat 5 races are in the morning, was the guy 'racing' as a warmup and to check out the track for his later cat1 race? Did he finish the race? Dick move for sure.

 

I publicly berated him, of course, and complained to a USAC official once when pulled for getting lapped in 13th position, meaning they pulled nearly fifty riders from that race.

 

At the specific race where I refused to get off the course when he lapped me he rode to the race on his road-bike, shop/team traveled with his CX bike which he raced on in the 4/5 race, then put his road shoes back on and continued his long ride.

 

That's effed up for sure. What a dick.

 

https://cyclingtips.com/2016/12/gaim...s-strava-koms/

 

^that's funny.


I'm doing my first ever FTP test this afternoon. I'm scared.

 

Don't be. Just prep as you woul normally and get thoroughly warmed up. 20 minute I assume?

 

30 min- I've been reading Joel Friels power meter book. It says to do a 30 minute test and don't worry about adding/subtracting % afterwards.



I'm going to use my fluid trainer in the garage for maximum repeatably (so I can do a few re-tests through the winter).

 

**** that

I tried to go out at my calculated FTP from the book- at 305 watts- that lasted about 5 minutes lol.

 

Weight?

 

163 lbs, 6000 ft elevation

FTP estimate (by the book) is weight x2, minus 6% for elevation, minus 2% for riding only 3-4 days a week = 300 watts


I think I can get past the estimated FTP by this summer. I've been being a lazy slob lately.

 

Solid! Those are about the same as my numbers actually.

 

Damn, cat-3 FTP.

 

thanks, that's encouraging... you guys know what % gains I should be looking for over say 6 months? I didn't find anything specific in the book- I'm thinking 10% is possible? I'll start actually building in January and try to peak in late July for a race.


Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/791797349#kudos

 

Potential gains are tricky. It depends on where your fitness is now, on the micro and macro cycle. However, my guess is that you would see a gain from just doing the test outside and now knowing how to pace yourself. I have seen people struggle for years to mantain and people go from 250-370 watts in their first year of cycling, it all depends. Great job though, power tests on the trainer are awful and that's a good number.

 

Nice! I did zwift's 6 week FTP builder last winter and only got to 3.4. Keep us posted with your gains!

 

That's kinda what I was thinking (that this stuff is highly dependent on the human)... hopefully my fitness is pretty bad as I've been on vacation and not riding much in the last few months.

I definitely think pacing will help next time, I started out way too hard. I'll keep this thread posted on my progress- I'm training for Enduro MTB racing, so I'll try to focus on 5 sec/1 minute/5 minute power the most.