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Help Understnading TSS numbers

danjohnstondanjohnston
in General Training Discussions

So are there kind of "standard" TSS numbers that a given ride should fall into?  For example, when we do our OS FTP rides that last approx one hour, will my TSS number pretty much be the same each week?  And more importantly when I start doing a weekly long ride during the IM plan, will my TSS score fall into a predicatable range each week?  Sorry if this is a dumb question but I am totally new to training with power and am trying to fully understand the whole TSS deal.  thanks!

Comments

  • tuckermtuckerm

     Dan, in the OS we don't really pay atention to TSS.  

    As for rides during the season, it really depends on the duration of the rides and how you hit your zones.

    The equation for TSS is:

    TSS = IF^2 x duration in minutes/60 x 100

    One hour at FTP is 100 TSS.

    So if duration and IF are the same TSS will be equal.

    So basically, it all depends.

    You can check out this calculator if you want to play around.  https://www.box.com/shared/vpfjymxbffyzq6tkji5x

  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    yes. typical long ride starts off with some FTP work, then followed by a bunch of Z3 work. Rides of similar length will have similar TSS, and the key is that you'll put up IM-like TSS, but in 4.5 hours (it would take 6+ if you were just doing a Z2 ride).
  • danjohnstondanjohnston

     Thanks. 

    @ mike - what are "similar" TSS numbers for an IM ride?

     

  • Peter GreaggPeter Greagg
    For me in the Intermediate IM plan they are about 250 TSS.
  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    Roughly speaking, an IM ride will be between 275-300 TSS (any more than that, and you're asking for trouble on the run). But that might be riding at 70% for 6 hours, or you could put up the same with 3 x 15' (Z4) and a bunch of Z3 in a 4 hour ride, and save yourself a few hours of saddle time. Just an example.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    I wonder if there is value to have a 'target' TSS included in every Saturday and Sunday ride? I'm not sure of the value myself but would be interested in the views of smarter members!
  • tuckermtuckerm
    Posted By Ian Coleman on 26 Apr 2012 08:59 AM

    I wonder if there is value to have a 'target' TSS included in every Saturday and Sunday ride? I'm not sure of the value myself but would be interested in the views of smarter members!



    There is. The workouts are structured to produce a certain TSS. You can play with the calculator I linked to and it will give you a good estimate of the TSS for a given ride. 

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]

     Thanks Tucker!

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