Ok. Got a powermeter this fall and have a couple of months worth of rides. I have read Training with Power and understand the concepts presented. I understand the Powercurve, zones and which are aerobic and non aerobic in nature. Like everybody, I want to move my curve UP. Mine is relatively flat. Last year I rode more than I ever have. Im not a racer and I averaged 6 to 9 hours a week. For the year, 5300 miles with several one week breaks during the training season and reduced riding after Sept. I know its not "serious" by racing standards but I guess you would say serious by recreational cyclist standards. This was my third year of riding at this volume. This year was pretty similar to last as far as average speeds and efforts (using a HR).
My powercurve confirmed my suspicions about my ability or lack thereof. Low FTP but I can ride close to FTP forever. Not a climber at all. Confirmed by low FTP (most climb at FTP). I used that 34 rear because I have too. Curve in general is flat. My rides are seemingly high in Intensity when related as a percentage of FTP. Im pretty sure the FTP is accurate as anything above it quickly raises the HR and puts me anerobic.
Looking at a powercurve , logic tells me that your Vo2 max wattage has to be higher than your 20min. So in theory, if you have low Vo2 wattage, you are gonna have low 20min FTP. What I want to know is how are they dependent. Does training in the Vo2 zone specifically increase FTP? Or the other way around? Longer interval training at in and around FTP create increases in FTP and Vo2. Do you have to create the "headroom" with Vo2 specific training before optimizing training for the longer FTP effort?
Its our offseason here. Outdoor riding time is reduced. I have a trainer. Since I am on a reduced volume, Ive kicked up intensity. Going after Vo2 intervals and Tempo on rides of an hour. Longer rides outdoors at Tempo.
Thanks for the replies
My powercurve confirmed my suspicions about my ability or lack thereof. Low FTP but I can ride close to FTP forever. Not a climber at all. Confirmed by low FTP (most climb at FTP). I used that 34 rear because I have too. Curve in general is flat. My rides are seemingly high in Intensity when related as a percentage of FTP. Im pretty sure the FTP is accurate as anything above it quickly raises the HR and puts me anerobic.
Looking at a powercurve , logic tells me that your Vo2 max wattage has to be higher than your 20min. So in theory, if you have low Vo2 wattage, you are gonna have low 20min FTP. What I want to know is how are they dependent. Does training in the Vo2 zone specifically increase FTP? Or the other way around? Longer interval training at in and around FTP create increases in FTP and Vo2. Do you have to create the "headroom" with Vo2 specific training before optimizing training for the longer FTP effort?
Its our offseason here. Outdoor riding time is reduced. I have a trainer. Since I am on a reduced volume, Ive kicked up intensity. Going after Vo2 intervals and Tempo on rides of an hour. Longer rides outdoors at Tempo.
Thanks for the replies