Bin method or FTP test for Vineman 70.3
Sorry I've been offline for awhile. Just busy at the office, taking a new clinical course series, kids out of school, etc.
So, I have yet been able to finish an FTP test on the trainer since December. I have very few roads that are flat enough and I feel safe enough on to crank the wattage and hang on for 42 mins around here. I have looked at my last few 2 hard outdoor rides in the aeroposition and can see a definative bin that I have the largest drop from after 80-85% for the bulk of my rides. Do I just go with that wattage to do my calculations?
The reason I ask is that that bin has me at 320 watts (aero) but when I try to do a test on the trainer I cannot hold 295 aero. Do I use the more conservative number or the realworld bustin my nutz with the group ride numbers? BTW: I have a weak run prep so I will be shooting for "gray" on the chart and not green...probably 79%.
Suggestions?
Vince
Comments
forget the trainer # (and don't do another trainer test!!!). Ask yourself these questions:
-what's your mean maximal power (on the Normalized Power channel) say for 1hr?
-what could you do with Rich standing next to you, waiting to kick where it counts if you slow down?
If both of those are close to the bin, then I'd say you've got your number.
Mike
Seems my mantra today is "what Mike said." My second time using it in the last 5'!
IMO, good advice. Given what you describe, it's what I'd do br confident with the number.
Bin method is pretty much the only one that I rely on. Far better than a trainer test from many moons ago.
Thanks for shoring my decision up.
Vince