The Wattage Thread

[Gruffy]

6am departure to meet a mate in Putney and then out to the hills. I don't know the route but my pal was planning to do the Ashmei group ride and we've switched to doing the same route on our own a bit earlier instead as we both need to back at a good time. You're welcome to join us if you like. It is all dependant on being able to pick up a working bike from the LBS tomorrow though!

[okgo]

To both of you chaps, I hope it helps out, I just think it may not be best to expect too much gain from it in terms of actual watts, but for sure it's likely good for your wellbeing in general!

[z4RRSchris]

I had a knee op in 2013 ACL MCL PCL etc.

I can feel the bit in my hamstring they cut out when I cycle at a low cadence. Horribleeeeeeee

[Sandersports]

Great article on CyclingTips this morning giving some impressive numbers from some style of racing a few on here can relate to rather than the more Black n White World Tour numbers . Pretty impressive !! https://cyclingtips.com/2017/10/power-analysis-tak...

[anonymous-user]

On a similar note, there was some interesting data from the Kona ironman last year. I expect this year's will appear in due course

https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/power-analysis-...

[okgo]

The Ironman stuff is anything but interesting

[anonymous-user]

okgo said:

The Ironman stuff is anything but interesting

Oh yes the world of okgo: because it isn't a 10 or a 25 on a UK course, it isn't interesting.

[okgo]

What is interesting about someone sitting at one power for 4 hours? AP/NP almost exactly the same.

Nothing. Also its not even anything remarkable in the context of cycling generally as they have to ride a marathon right after it!

I couldn't give a st about 10 or 25 mile TT's on UK courses, power for those isn't interesting either apart from when someone does a lot of it - the interesting stuff is generally to be found in road races.

Edited by okgo on Tuesday 17th October 12:09

[anonymous-user]

okgo said:

What is interesting about someone sitting at one power for 4 hours? AP/NP almost exactly the same.

Nothing. Also its not even anything remarkable in the context of cycling generally as they have to ride a marathon right after it!

I couldn't give a st about 10 or 25 mile TT's on UK courses, power for those isn't interesting either apart from when someone does a lot of it - the interesting stuff is generally to be found in road races.

Edited by okgo on Tuesday 17th October 12:09

oh yes, you are right, it is dull

I am corrected

Your view has now become mine, thank you oh great one for leading me to the holy grail

[okgo]

JPJPJP said:

oh yes, you are right, it is dull

I am corrected

Your view has now become mine, thank you oh great one for leading me to the holy grail

What is interesting about it? Genuine question?

It is a lot of power, but they're pro athletes, many of them would make amazing cyclists, but they're having to be so reserved hence doing numbers many amateurs can do, due to the run.

Edited by okgo on Tuesday 17th October 12:17

[NatAsp]

Question for anyone who trains with power. What numbers do you go by in term of your power PBs?

I've been speaking to a lot of people of late who claim to hold say 400w for 10mins, but when you question them on it, it turns out it was up a climb.

I think most people myself included can hold higher numbers when climbing. For this reason I always go by what I can manage in a TT scenario otherwise I feel like I'm lying to myself! Plus my zones would be totally inaccurate unless I was permanently riding uphill.

Interested to know people's thoughts on this.

[E65Ross]

You should be able to ride the same power on the flat as you can up a hill; but it's easier, in general, to psyche yourself up to smash it up a hill than a flat (or downhill).

My 5 minute power PB was done on a flat section where I wanted to work really hard.

[NatAsp]

E65Ross said:

You should be able to ride the same power on the flat as you can up a hill; but it's easier, in general, to psyche yourself up to smash it up a hill than a flat (or downhill).

My 5 minute power PB was done on a flat section where I wanted to work really hard.

I have been training with power for a few years, and can consistently push higher numbers up climbs @ exactly the same heart rate. Or at the same power I'm around 3-5bpm lower. This is a well known phenomenon but not one there appears to be a clear scientific answer to. It was discussed here - https://cyclingtips.com/2013/09/climbing-and-time-... but I don't think the conclusion the guy comes to is correct.

I'm sure there are plenty of people it doesn't affect (yourself it seems) but there are lots it does.

[okgo]

NatAsp said:

Question for anyone who trains with power. What numbers do you go by in term of your power PBs?

I've been speaking to a lot of people of late who claim to hold say 400w for 10mins, but when you question them on it, it turns out it was up a climb.

I think most people myself included can hold higher numbers when climbing. For this reason I always go by what I can manage in a TT scenario otherwise I feel like I'm lying to myself! Plus my zones would be totally inaccurate unless I was permanently riding uphill.

Interested to know people's thoughts on this.

They should not be that different. And all zones have enough flex for it not to matter.

My best ever power has been on the flat.

[Sandersports]

okgo said:

My best ever power has been on the flat.

Probably done in a race isn't it ?? Uphill is mentally easier to judge a big effort , in the same way a race scenario aids the brain into pushing the body harder for longer.

[poll250]

NatAsp said:

Question for anyone who trains with power. What numbers do you go by in term of your power PBs?

I've been speaking to a lot of people of late who claim to hold say 400w for 10mins, but when you question them on it, it turns out it was up a climb.

I think most people myself included can hold higher numbers when climbing. For this reason I always go by what I can manage in a TT scenario otherwise I feel like I'm lying to myself! Plus my zones would be totally inaccurate unless I was permanently riding uphill.

Interested to know people's thoughts on this.

I've found the problem was 'mostly' in my head i.e. I could hold 'X' Watts on 5 min climbs regularly, but found it difficult to get anywhere near close to X' Watts for any length of time on the flat. I then started doing 5x5 min intervals on my commute, aiming to hold my regular 5 min climb power, and found that if I concentrated I could do it.

[Sandersports]

Thats the thing ... A lot of riders are strong enough to push the watts round at 75 cadence doing 12mph ... But not fit enough to do it at 100 cadence doing 30mph ... Its the big difference between a weekend worrier banging on about PB power and a racer that talks about wins and losses.

[Usget]

I think it's a position thing. I can definitely hold higher watts for longer going uphill.

[Usget]

Sandersports said:

Thats the thing ... A lot of riders are strong enough to push the watts round at 75 cadence doing 12mph ... But not fit enough to do it at 100 cadence doing 30mph ... Its the big difference between a weekend worrier banging on about PB power and a racer that talks about wins and losses.

But 400w is 400w whether it's at 12mph or 30mph and whether it's 75rpm or 100rpm, no? So there must be another variable.

[NatAsp]

Usget said:

I think it's a position thing. I can definitely hold higher watts for longer going uphill.

I think this plays a massive part tbh. I was looking at this - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237038700...

Which supports anecdotal evidence but suggests that position could be one of factors behind it. Hence why it doesn't affect everyone, especially those who are well adjusted to riding in aggressive positions.

I previously thought there might be more to it but perhaps not.