Bike Test on the trainer or outside?

JClishe

Historically I've done the OS bike tests on the trainer since I'm usually doing them in the winter here in Cincinnati. However, I just finished my HIM plan and have a new plan starting today which calls for a bike test tomorrow. Just curious, should I perform the test outside since all my training is outside? My hesitation with that is I'm an HR athlete so the bike test calls for a 40' sustained effort, and obviously I can't do that outside without stopping for traffic etc so I'm wondering if those stops will skew the results.

Thanks

Jason

Shaughn Simmons

Jason, I personally do all my FTP test on the trainer for the reasons you mentioned. I am a Power Athelete which means that my NP on the trainer has to be adjusted for outside execursions. Additionally, I do all my Z5/Z4 work on the trainer.

I think it is a matter of preference for most.

Good luck!

SS

spabblington

Shaughn - what is the adjustment you use to convert an 'indoor' ride to an 'outdoor' range? I am a HR athlete as well (same as Jason) and have wondered that b/c my initial test was done on a trainer.

jwpicciotto

Especially if you are a HR athlete, it is preferable to do the test outdoors due to heartrate drift inside. The lack of natural cooling during indoor exercise will tend to elevate your heartrate. You can put up fans, but you will find that your target heartrate outdoors will tend to be a few beats lower for a particular unit of work.

spabblington

Thanks, John. Your response helps explain why I find it so hard (and often not able) to get my HR up into my zones while riding outside. I'm re-doing my bike test this Wednesday and will def. do outdoors. Fortunately I am traveling and in a location where I can ride wo much traffic and no stoplights or stop signs.