The Wattage Thread

[okgo]

There is no point though, the forces involved are small so it doesn't really matter if one is slightly more dominating than the other.

[Magic919]

I presume Okgo is responding to some other thread.

[okgo]

No, your bit about training it out. Many coaches say it doesn't really matter how you turn the pedals round, just that you do...

[MadDad]

The chap who did my testing more or less echoed okgo's sentiments, whatever is causing the issue I have managed to train myself to work around it (without consciously knowing I had an issue). The reason for training it out would be to have a nice even pedal stroke and conform with the sausage/peanut principal.

As my output is 50/50 it is more an issue of vanity than power output, we have made a few subtle changes to bike setup so it will be interesting to see if it has made a difference the next time I sit on the Wattbike.

[Magic919]

I suppose the general point makes some sense, but at what point can a person liberate some more power by using different technique? There must be a point at which the pedalling technique is just very inefficient. Maybe where that point lies is up for discussion. It's interesting.

[ALawson]

Assuming there is no back pain, potentially trying to change the action could I suppose cause another issue.

[MadDad]

ALawson said:

Assuming there is no back pain, potentially trying to change the action could I suppose cause another issue.

Yeah, that is a bit of a concern I had - the reason for fettling the position was more to do with numb bits on longer rides than the pedal stroke. The chap who did the test/fit was very much of the 'if it ain't broke don't try to fix it' school of thought, while a bit odd it's not broken!

[ALawson]

I had a fit recently to see if it would assist a lower back pain, it was a Xmas present but before having it done I had some Physio and then survived Teide in Tenerife. Tight and short quads vs loose glutes.

Three days before the fit I tweaked a partially ruptures ACL and fully ruptures MPFL ligament knee. The knee was ok during and immediately post fit, middle of the following weak another tweak and there was some swelling on the knee. I took 4 weeks off riding and it appears ok ish at the moment.

Still not sure if a some small changes during the fit caused or aggravated it but I am now taking it easy!

[Ponk]

Did my club's reliability trial today. Started off in the gold group with the intention of seeing how far I got before going pop.

Averaged 220w (and 22mph) over the first 25 miles, rode in the gutter for a bit with a few others before finally going bang pretty spectacularly. Averaged 170w (and a measily 16mph) over the last 10 and crawled up anything approaching a gradient.

Already starting to see the benefits of riding with power. I can see from my curve that I was more fatigued than I thought (did a steady 50 yesterday) as I would have expected some improvements in 5-20 minute power as I was going well for the first hour.

https://www.strava.com/activities/258378407/overvi...

[nammynake]

Had a good ride yesterday but no power meter to quantify it.

Went out with the club guys that race and covered 60 miles at 21.4 average, the first 40 flat/rolling in a chain gang at 23 mph average with the final lumpy 20 miles done solo at 18 mph after the group split (small group of 4 pulled away, the remaining 10 or so that had dropped off the changing I managed to stay away from).

Winter miles seem to be showing their benefit...about time. Got my first Crit (4th Cat only) in a fortnight. Probably won't suit me at 63kg but I'll try to hide in the pack and see what happens (probably an almighty crash).

[Ponk]

nammynake said:

Had a good ride yesterday but no power meter to quantify it.

Went out with the club guys that race and covered 60 miles at 21.4 average, the first 40 flat/rolling in a chain gang at 23 mph average with the final lumpy 20 miles done solo at 18 mph after the group split (small group of 4 pulled away, the remaining 10 or so that had dropped off the changing I managed to stay away from).

Winter miles seem to be showing their benefit...about time. Got my first Crit (4th Cat only) in a fortnight. Probably won't suit me at 63kg but I'll try to hide in the pack and see what happens (probably an almighty crash).

There an impressive average. Where's the crit? I can't see you having a problem if you keep your wits about you and stay near the front.

[nammynake]

York circuit. 30 mins race. Our club is running a practice crit session next week, so I'll at least have a feel for the kind of efforts involved.

[Sandersports]

For those that train with Power & Heart Rate and split between indoor & outdoor training this article will make a lot of sense and put your mind at rest.
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/trainin...

[JEA1K]

nammynake said:

York circuit. 30 mins race. Our club is running a practice crit session next week, so I'll at least have a feel for the kind of efforts involved.

I train once or twice a week in the winter on the York circuit and will be racing there. Very flat and can be affected by wind ... one tight-ish hairpin where most of the action (crashes!) will happen ... hard efforts will come out of the hairpin.

[bert11]

okgo said:

Don't panic, it was likely broke when you opened the box. It's done you a favour by stopping g altogether, refund for something else is in order

Seriously though, what happened?

Purchased Sept '14 had been working fine, but last week on one ride it started massively over reading (1000W up a 5 min climb) and calibration number was 4095 instead of 890. Changed the battery but no joy ...

Its gone back to Evans Cycles ... which reminds me I need to ring them to find out what's going on

[BMWBen]

okgo said:

Sandersports said:

cant believe im referring to a Cycling Weekly article.. but this explains it well http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/fitness/training/de...

Since they ran a picture of me last week, they're the new gods of the cycling print world

But yes, generally a week off and you'll start seeing decline.

Only half the story though - what about the week of missed gains?

[okgo]

BMWBen said:

Only half the story though - what about the week of missed gains?

Sadly for most people what you can lose in a month vs what you can gain is not a level scale!

[anonymous-user]

BMWBen said:

Only half the story though - what about the week of missed gains?

Well what about 3 weeks, that's what I am working with. A week away working, then a week off sick then a week of apathy.

TBH I am bored of looking at the drop in 'fitness' and really cannot be bothered at the moment. On one hand I feel guilty about pissing away all the work I did over winter but on the other;

1. It's freezing
2. I don't get paid for cycling
3. Much work is taking place on the house which is taking up my energy
4. Maybe I will start to look forward to riding again instead of constantly 'training' for 'xyz'

[Grandfondo]

If you have been training really hard to boost your power then it's quite possible a week off might actually be beneficial.

[okgo]

Grandfondo said:

If you have been training really hard to boost your power then it's quite possible a week off might actually be beneficial.

An easy week for sure, but certainly there is never a case where having a week off totally is a good thing unless you mentally need it (which I can see might be the case for some people).