Accurate FTP test

bfritton

Ok, so starting Dec OS but had nice day last weekend to do my FTP test outdoors with the new PM and out I went, long story short got a super long warmum of nearly 35 minutes plus 6-7 min hard beause I had started the test before I flatted. Fixed tire, took like 10 min, decided to bag it got a few minutes down the road changed my mind and started test again.

Posted this over in micro thread and Coach P answered that I should keep the test and that it was valid the number is the number and that is fine. That is before i actually looked at and figured out the number. Looking at file, the norm power for first 20 min was 20watts higher than second 20 minutes.

Question, should this tell me anything? Test still valid? Just use the number?

The reason I ask is because it was another nice day today and got the bike out and did 3 x 6 min with 2 min RI at what turned out to be about 104% of FTP and while it was hard it was not a crusher.

I just want to make sure I am working at high enough numbers when the OS starts next week.

I am a complete power newbie so if the questions seem uneducated, they are.

Thanks in advance, have a nice Thanksgiving.

Bill

Nemo Brauch

It tells you that you went too hard in the first 20 minutes. It's still a valid test and a good number. Use it for the first few weeks, you'll be fine and you'll get a chance to test again soon.

Chris G

Certainly not an ideal test but it will do for now. Think that you can do better? That's easy, do another test next week with everyone else.

bfritton

Thanks guys, appreciate it. Guess I could test again next...ughhhh. Chris, I will see you in LP.

Thanks again.

Cary Blanco

As long as you're doing another test, you might want to do it on the trainer if you're going to be doing most of your OS workouts on one. Your trainer number will most likely be a bit lower than the outdoor number.

Good luck and see you in the Dec OS forums.

Keith Wick

The other point is to not be fooled by the relative ease of the first few FTP workouts. The fatigue you accumulate by going hard in the OS is sneaky. Don't judge an FTP test by the first one or two workouts, especially if your new to power. Not to mention that everyone usually messes up the first 2 tests. Take your number and move on, unless your some kind of sadist- then retest!

Gordon Cherwoniak

Bill,

Yes it's a valid test and as other have said you went out too hard.   This probably means a well paced test would give you a few more watts. 

As Cary mentioned if you are going to be on the trainer mostly then I'd do another test inside.

The shorter FTP stuff 6', 8' and even 10' it is much easier to go above the FTP.  When you hit the 12's and 15's you really start to feel it, not to mention the cumulative fatigue of the OS.

Gordon