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Riding at lower watts and faster??

kimmydctkimmydct
in General Training Discussions

So I'm confused about a recent race and my power meter data.  I did a test ride a few weeks ago and I rode at 140 watts (NP) and it took me 2:08.  In the race, I rode a little more conservatively (due to rain and trying to save some juice for the last 5 uphill miles).  I rode at 131 watts NP and it took me 1:57.  My VI was higher on the lower watt ride. (1.15 vs. 1.09- both fairly high but it is a hilly course)  I want to know what I did right/wrong for future reference.  I'm sure there is some logical explanation but I'd rather ride at lower watts and go faster! 

Comments

  • Doug JohnsonDoug Johnson
    Hi Kim, I'm by no means a power expert but two things come to mind immediately. Listening to the HIM webinar the other night Coach R. talked about strategically racing certain courses and how he has raced Wildflower in the past. He mentioned by pushing the watts a little harder on the uphills he was able to reduce his overall bike time even with not pushing as hard on the downhills. It sounds like this is what you were doing in your race. The other factor is possibly wind. I'm not sure what the conditions were there but wind can certainly play a factor over longer bike rides.
  • Peter GreaggPeter Greagg
    Hi Kim NP/AP = VI, so in your first ride as NP was 140 and VI was 1.09, which means your AP was around 128 (140/1.09). In your second ride your NP was 131 and your VI was 1.15, which means your AP was around 114 (131/1.15).
    Now AP is the main driver of average speed and therefore elapsed time. So given your AP for the first ride was 14 watts higher than for the second ride, I would have expected the first ride would have been faster (by a reasonable margin) than the second.
    As this wasn't the case, something else must be causing this result.
    As Doug mentioned, it could have been wind?
    Other posibilities include how aero you were (were you more aero in the second ride)?, How about tyre pressure? Did you calibrate your PM before both rides (I do so before every ride)?
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    You could be lighter, you could be more aero you could be benefitting from a slight draft, could be you pumped your tires up more? Who knows...just keep up the great work of riding smart!!!
  • kimmydctkimmydct
    Here's what I know:
    - I defininitely did not push AT ALL on downhills (I rode granny-style... on the brakes due to rain)
    - I haven't calibrated PM (there is some snafu w/ the manual zero on Joule not really zeroing, but numbers haven't ever seemed out of whack.)
    - Unfortunately I'm not lighter.
    - Same tire pressure
    - Same re: aero position (didn't use aero bars due to course and conditions) but I did have a new aero helmet. (I would love for it to have given me 10 mins, but prob not)
    - New more confortable saddle. (No fidgeting!)
    - Wind- possibly. I felt some crosswind at times, so probably had a tailwind at some point.

    I think I just answered my own question with all your comments. I think it must have been a combination of all of the above. And will try to use that style of riding on hilly courses since it seems to have worked for me! And my run proved it. (Down 7 mins vs. LY)
  • Peter GreaggPeter Greagg
    Kim - a VI of 1.05 should be your target on hilly course, so you have some more low hanging fruit. It does take practice though.










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