Wind and Bike Test

imc1792

 

Bike test done last night. Was so windy I ran out of gears when it was behind me and slightly downhill and almost had to drop to small chainring when fighting against it. Thought a couple of times this is stupid and should just try wed. The numbers don't show how happy I was with my effort.

 Effectively i had a bump of "1" watt. 

avgP=245

Pnorm=251 (current ftp  is 250)

IF 1.003

avg HR=139 (lowest ever usually sit at 145-148)

avg Cadence=79 (lower than average usually sit at 87 for z4 intervals)

I had no problem pushing 270ish watts when sheltered from wind but then bamm once into it i would just slow and slow. maybe some fatigue it just beat me down.

Anyhow, interested in any comments about how to assess, keep FTP at the same or bump it a bit?

[Deleted User]

Interesting you posted this Tim, because I had the exact same experience last night on a flat, 2 mile oval that I use for my bike tests. The tailwind had me just about out of gears, then a gusty side wind as I came around, and then into the headwind with some downshifting and adjusting to a totally different kind of effort into the wind. Unfortunately my NP was a little lower than last test (286 vs 296), but HR was at least 10 BPM lower as well. I was thinking I would just go with the same zones from the last test, thinking the wind threw me off. My other rationalization is that I tend to undershoot the target NP on my rides by at least 5 watts from what I think it would be based on looking at 3 second average power on my Garmin 910x. So combined, I was thinking I would just stick with my old FTP. I hope this is not cheating... I remember Coach Rich saying some where FTP could easily vary 10 watts per test depending on mojo, etc. I have two race rehearsals coming up that will should let me know if this is a bad assumptiion. If anyone out there reading this thinks I should adjust down, let know!

Peter Greagg

Something to keep in mind is that Z4 intervals are designed to be 95% to 100% of FTP and that the training training effect from the different zones don't vary abruptly, the change is smooth — meaning that you still get a good FTP effect even if your Z4 intervals were 90% of your actual FTP.

So if it was me, I wouldn't over-think it and I would just use the latest test number — if the Z4 intervals now seem easy, bump up your estimate of your FTP by, say 5 - 10 watts and see how you go.

Al Truscott

Does wind affect our ability to generate max levels of straight ahead power? I think so. I think we are "wasting" energy trying to stay upright that would otherwise go into pedaling harder.

What FTP should you train at? The one that will let you do the workouts @ the prescribed intensity day afer day, week after week. If you can't assess that wihtout a test, then re-test. 

mgraffeo

What Al said. You can most likely SWAG it, and keep training. If you aren't comfortable with that, find a training session without all that wind!

[Deleted User]

Good points guys, thanks.

Nate Parady

as a new power meter user(Feb 2012) and really new to a PM outside, I think I am leaning towards the Rich Strauss style of FTP determination, in that I will start SWAGing my FTP based on what i'm seeing ride after ride. There are just so many variables outside. I haven't written off doing formal tests just yet but still getting used to some new terrain choices after having just moved.

[Deleted User]

It is definitely trickier to do a power test outside - much harder to maintain that steady, hard power. My resulting average (and normalized) power is always a little lower than what I think it would have been based on looking at the instantaneous power during the ride. I think there are more little "micro rests" outside than on a trainer due to terrain. Going up a hill makes it easier to apply steady power. I'm lucky to have a state office campus loop that is deserted in the evenings with good, flat roads to do power tests on:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/193168006

Nate Parady

That's a nice test route but as you said the wind was playing a huge factor. so even given good terrain, the wind has a vote. I like the idea of finding a nice hill to do TT up as intervalls of 2 or 3 and then take an average of that type of effort. Again, tricky to find the terrain for me in VA. I have some decent hills but more rolling up and down than a steady 2-3 mile climb. One other option I am considering it to eventually put the bike back on the trainer and do some FTP work indoors to see what the data tells me. and of course it all really boils down to how you feel during the longer rides and especially the RRs...