Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

FTP and cycle racing.

1…444546474850»

Comments

  • #1472
    dahat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,087 ✭✭✭✭dahat


    Is there a benefit to get lactate testing done before winter training?

    I train using power with regular ish ftp assessments but get bogged down on whether to use max hr zones or lthr zones for outdoor low zone work.


  • #1473
    JimmiesRustled
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 293 ✭✭JimmiesRustled


    dahat wrote: »
    Is there a benefit to get lactate testing done before winter training?

    I train using power with regular ish ftp assessments but get bogged down on whether to use max hr zones or lthr zones for outdoor low zone work.

    If you enjoy pain then yeah go for it. Think they draw blood differently depending on where you get it done but I swear getting a needle through the top of my finger cost me a step or two. At least that's what I like to tell myself.

    I thought it was worthwhill as it showed me just how little fat I burned sub threshold. Literally burned carbs only through every zone so it gave me a better picture of my ovemail fitness.

    As for winter training I use the zones I've calculated through a standard ftp test or similar. Have had too much variance on longer 6 hour spins with hr. Same power after 5 hours might see me close to active recovery when it's endurance power.


  • #1474
    ba
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭ba


    Long time lurker on this thread. Really would like to race next year.

    Got back on the bike in February after some time off with wedding last year. I’ve brought my FTP of 233 to most recently 283 in August, but have since achieved 302w for 20min on the road as opposed to turbo trainer.

    My power to weight is roughly 3.2 and I’m wondering at this figure would I survive in A4 if I can carry fitness into next season?


  • #1475
    dahat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,087 ✭✭✭✭dahat


    3.2 is perfectly fine just learn some race craft through league races or fast paced club spins with fellow racers in your club.


  • #1476
    thekooman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,221 ✭✭✭thekooman


    ba wrote: »
    Long time lurker on this thread. Really would like to race next year.

    Got back on the bike in February after some time off with wedding last year. I’ve brought my FTP of 233 to most recently 283 in August, but have since achieved 302w for 20min on the road as opposed to turbo trainer.

    My power to weight is roughly 3.2 and I’m wondering at this figure would I survive in A4 if I can carry fitness into next season?

    You are 94kg? what height?

    I'd give it a go... its fantastic training as well. you'll hit limits youll never hit out by yourself or even in a club spin. its all about positioning as well... so get out with a race group in the club and learn the race craft.


  • Advertisement
  • #1477
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,009 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    For A4 you'll be competitive if you have any race craft at all, in fact I imagine A3 would be alright as well.


  • #1478
    harringtonp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,577 ✭✭✭harringtonp


    ba wrote: »
    My power to weight is roughly 3.2 and I’m wondering at this figure would I survive in A4 if I can carry fitness into next season?

    You'll be fine with that, my FTP has been consistently at 3.6-3.7 W/KG the past few years and it gets me around most A3 races fine. Was even enough last year to stay away in two long range breaks and get placed.


  • #1479
    delynet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 435 ✭✭delynet


    ba wrote: »
    Long time lurker on this thread. Really would like to race next year.

    Got back on the bike in February after some time off with wedding last year. I’ve brought my FTP of 233 to most recently 283 in August, but have since achieved 302w for 20min on the road as opposed to turbo trainer.

    My power to weight is roughly 3.2 and I’m wondering at this figure would I survive in A4 if I can carry fitness into next season?

    Definitely, have the engine. Problem is A4 is full of good engines. As previous posters mentioned it is about race craft and getting your positioning right. Fast group spins or the front of sportives is a good place to learn what your strengths are.


  • #1480
    harringtonp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,577 ✭✭✭harringtonp


    dahat wrote: »
    Is there a benefit to get lactate testing done before winter training?

    I train using power with regular ish ftp assessments but get bogged down on whether to use max hr zones or lthr zones for outdoor low zone work.

    The lower the zone the more you can rely on heartrate. If I'm doing 2-3 hours at Z2 I'll either bring the power meter and aim for 190-200W average at the end of it or just use a heart rate monitor and look for an average in the 130s. Its actually more enjoyable without the PM for these spins.

    I reckon also that down in Z2 the range can be much bigger than targeting something like sub threshold where you need to be quite precise and a PM is definitely very useful.


  • #1481
    ba
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭ba


    thekooman wrote: »
    You are 94kg? what height?

    I'd give it a go... its fantastic training as well. you'll hit limits youll never hit out by yourself or even in a club spin. its all about positioning as well... so get out with a race group in the club and learn the race craft.

    Thanks for the encouragement. I’m about 87-88kg and 6’. I used to race back in 2009-10, so have some craft.

    But after years of cycling solo and the advance of power just doubted I could get by if I refurned to competition. Cheers lads.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement