Power Meters / Powermeters (SRM, Powertap, Quarq, Ergomo, Vector, Stages, power2max, P2M, 4iii, InPower, Cinch)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_DqV1xdf-Y

I got cramp at pretty much exactly the point on the chart where my max power (X) over duration (Y) starts to overtake the best of the year to date. I need to go harder on long training rides and do events within the limits found in training. Not sure if that is similar with you.

What you do is you look at it, go "this is interesting", then never look at it again.

Ha! I would say it would be like 'Ho you're riding out of your FTP comfort zone..so what! FUCK IT!!!!'

Pretty much all my rides and races!

Normalized power only 211, try harder next time.

The difference in our average speed vs average power makes me think I should lose some weight/work on my aero's. Only 4kg difference but an average ride is at least the same weighted, but for a lot less speed.

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Ok...

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I think for me I think I should have stretched (to lessen the chance of cramps) and do more training on endurance at a higher FTP (whatever that will be) to get comfortable to be riding at a painful zone.

get comfortable to be riding at a painful zone

an @eyebrows enters the room

get comfortable to be riding at a painful zone.

Ho, meet over/unders. Under/overs, meet Ho.

You'll both get on like a house on fire.

I've been using a power meter for a couple of years but not really 'using' it, I just like the extra strava info. I fucking hate FTP tests though as they're a bugger to do outside, and I can't handle a turbo in the summer, so haven't done one in ages. Thankfully Strava estimates it, and it seems to be creeping up very slowly, it's 30w on last year but I think that may just be from changing power meters... I mostly use mine for pacing on hills, and keeping my spirits up when riding into a headwind (which are constant around the Vale of York).

What little 'training' I do do, however, is made massively easier by having a PM - e.g. 20/40s, Russian steps, over/unders as ^.

I'm ~7kg heavier than you Ho, averaged 184 watts for the event, and was 2 minutes slower overall.

Basically I'm fatter*, which is where my additional power turned into a slower time.

Entertainingly I averaged 196 watts for last year, and was a minute slower. I did take a long and frankly extremely satisfying piss each year and have no data on how long they took, so that might account for that.

*Larger frontal area

All this average speed malarky isn't comparable as its a group event and I'm guessing you all spent different amounts of time sitting in the middle of a bunch.

It's those fucking aeros then, the bastards.
Looking back at last weeks Sunday ride bit windy, but tailwind on the way back - ave 181, weighted 214 and yet... 17.9mph over 100k/2,900ft of climbing.

Edit: As @hovis rightfully pointed out - club runs are a lot lower power, similar speed. I'm say here assuming that you both smashed it round on your own, which seems unlikely now I come to think of it.

FTP and comfort are not words I'd use in the same sentence.

I was shameless when it came to taking a wheel when I was tired, equally I pulled at the front when I could- however Hovis is quite correct in pointing out that we have no way of normalising for drafting.

Isn't that what weighted/normalised is meant to do though? Strava: " It is our best guess at your average power if you rode at the exact same wattage the entire ride." Presumably that's how the Coggan formula works as well?

Dunno, NP for me was 221 watts for the ride, against an FTP of 260. I have no idea if that FTP is accurate having not tested for six months, however. It's likely high if anything. I barely ride a bike these days.

This is a very good point. In my last rod crit I finished about 12th but had around 50 watts less on average than a couple of people I beat because I spent the whole race coasting in the bunch.

I don't know how much to trust NP at all really, particularly the Coggan formula which often puts it at just shy of my FTP for a long Sunday ride which doesn't make sense. It may just be that my FTP figure is low because I'm lazy in tests, but I don't think there's that much disparity. FTP tests and Strava (from the power curve) both put it at 250. I'd like to think that it's higher, but seeing as how I don't really make any efforts to raise it through training ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I'm going to strong-arm the original retailer to get the thing fixed - which complicated by the fact that I bought it second hand, but we can hopefully / maybe work something out.

You cant compare average speeds at average Power if theres drafting involved. You're introducing something like a 35% deviation. Which is far more than the speeds deviate. So it becomes pointless.

Just looking at a longish (10.5km) rolling segment I happened to ride last night.

Group ride - 40,8 kph - 205w
Solo - 32,0 kph - 213w

(probably similar Wind conditions)

Clear the only way to settle this is for @Hoke and @dglshrn to have pursuit race. Loser to provide beers for me.

Ha ha.