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New to EN...new to power

XCcoachXCcoach
in Community Forum 🏠

 I posted this in the Power and Pace Forum...and then realized that there is a "newbie/trial" forum.  

Just got a power meter...wondering what kind of support/resources will be available to me to help me along the power learning curve.  Thanks in advance...

Comments

  • Brenda RossBrenda Ross
    The best resource will be the info in the wiki and the power and pace forum. Those guys and gals in there are super smart about how EN uses power and pace. The team also has a free webinar or one that is really detailed that comes with a fee. See this link http://members.endurancenation.us/Resources/Wiki/tabid/108/Default.aspx?topic=EN+Power+Training+Resources and read, read, read and ask, ask, ask.
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    Hey Mike,

    Best advise is to buy THE book - Training and Racing with a Power Meter by Coggan and Allen. This is a great reference manual, but reads like a college text book. Very dry. Then BUY the EN Power Webinar. Team deal is $79 (I think). This is three 1-hour webinars with associated power points and is a great primer. Then you can get all the finer points in the Power and Pace forum.
  • XCcoachXCcoach

     I've got THE book...very good resource.  I will look into the Webinar.

  • Brenda RossBrenda Ross
    There is a free webinar as well Mike, so when you become a member, you will have access to that.
  • manninj1manninj1
    I'm in a similar boat as mike. . .new to EN and new to power. I'm using a Garmin 310XT with a Quarq PM. What power # do people typically look at? I'm using FTP% on my main screen as the workouts focus on that number. Do most folks use that? I notice the number can jump around a lot as the terrain fluctuates, but I'm trying to focus on pedal pressure and gearing to keep it more consistant. When I'm on a climb though I find it difficult to keep it below 80% consitently even when I follow Coach P's climbing guidance (I'm primarily a bike racer, and a big one(weight wise) , so I've always had to to do this to hang with the little climbers).

    Any thoughts or tips?

    Thanks,
    Joe
  • novaavantnovaavant
    @ Joseph. I would start here for some good ideas. http://members.endurancenation.us/Training/TrainingForums/tabid/101/aft/6126/Default.aspx
  • Keith WickKeith Wick
    Posted By Joseph Manning on 02 Oct 2012 08:58 PM

    I'm in a similar boat as mike. . .new to EN and new to power. I'm using a Garmin 310XT with a Quarq PM. What power # do people typically look at? I'm using FTP% on my main screen as the workouts focus on that number. Do most folks use that? I notice the number can jump around a lot as the terrain fluctuates, but I'm trying to focus on pedal pressure and gearing to keep it more consistant. When I'm on a climb though I find it difficult to keep it below 80% consitently even when I follow Coach P's climbing guidance (I'm primarily a bike racer, and a big one(weight wise) , so I've always had to to do this to hang with the little climbers).



    Any thoughts or tips?



    Thanks,

    Joe



    Look directly at your watts.  You can smooth them out a little by looking at the 3s ave.  If your finding it difficult on the climbs, then you either need more gears on your bike or to increase your comfort at being on low RPM's/going slow.  Often times at LP I found myself in my lowest gear, pedaling at 50-60 RPM's.  This keeps my watts where they need to be.  Practice with this needs to be done solo or with someone who understands and won't drop you.  If your trying this in a roadie ride.....SEE YA...spit out the back .  The big key is once you get it, you get it and can do it whenever you want.  You can just show up to a course you've NEVER ridden and ride consistently at whatever watts you choose.

  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    @Joe - watts while climbing are about steady and consistent. Keith gives great advice about smoothing. As it says in "the book", cycling is very stochastic and jumps around a lot. 3's smoothing will help a lot, but you will also learn to look at the jumping numbers and see the "middle".

    Your 310 will show 4 fields and a couple screens. I generally have a main screen, interval screen and the totals screen. Try looking at interval time, 3's power, cadence and then HR zone or FTP%.

    Final thought on hills. You can only gear down as far as your bike set up will let you. At some point, watts be damned, you gotta get to the top. This is where you need to ride steady, keep seated if possible and try to find a smooth cadence that will get you to the crest.
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