Newbie Powertraining Questions: Cycling Peaks vs New Power agent

[Rob Havemeyer]

To all:
I'm new to power training with a recently purchased Powertap. Only 2 rides.
I'm 39 and this summer was my first season racing. Ended the season pretty well with a number of top 5 places as well as my first win last month.

My biggest questions are:

1. Has anyone usd the new power agent software and compared it to cycling peaks? +/- 's
2. Where can you find more complete information on using all of the functions of cycling peaks (ie set up work out comparisions etc.) without attending a seminar ?
3. In your opinions what is the best guidelines or information to effectively set up my winter/spring training program. I don't mind working the training program details out myself but after I perform my critical power tests. 20min LT test plus establish CP.2 CP1, CP6, CP12 etc. What then ? It seems that between Joe F. and others much of the training program needs to be based on current fitness level/expected type of A events (road races,crits,TT's) and time to those A events and of course areas of weaknesses. I'm just at a loss for how to approach winter/spring training based on what seems like alot of general guidlines out there. Who has experienced a similar situation and how did you manage to develop your program? What things should I avoid and what advice do you have?

I'm sure there is a fairly big learning curve to really understand whats going on week after week. But I'm just at a loss as to the interpretation of the data (TSS,CTL,ATL) and how to best utilize that infomation to improve my fitness level and performances in races.

Thanks in advance

 

[hammonjj]

As far as the Poweragent software goes, if your a mac user, it sucks. It crashes often and is difficult to use; this coming from a man who does user interface design for a living.

If I were you, I would suggest going with the cycling peaks software.

There is a book called "Training and Racing with a Power Meter" or something of that sort. Very good info. Doesn't really assume much about your current fitness.

 

[Alex Simmons]

You could consider engaging a coach who understands all this stuff.