Originally Posted by quenya .
Don't worry nobody really cares where you got your chart. I have, according to trwpm 2nd ed, high cat 2/low cat 1 FTP and 5 min power, along with cat 4, minute and 5 sec numbers. That maybe averages out to a strong 3. Perhaps I can TT with the cat1/2s if I focus on lowering CdA. But, if I'm in the pack on the finishing straight, even with decent position I don't podium against nor cal 4s let alone 1s
Who are these cat 1s that have never won a race? I find it hard to believe that there are "a lot" of them. Can you name a few dozen registered USCF cat 1 roadies who haven't won a single race?
The 2 guys I used to ride with had not won a single race when they became eligible to upgrade to Cat1. That is the best I can do for you. I suspect the USCF could get that answer for you. (Are there about 1000 Cat1 racers? A "few dozen" seems like more than "a lot.")
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While you might not care where I got my chart, there seems to be not much difference between what the two charts claim. There is a lot of discussion on the internet about the charts. Some people think that any FTP above 6 is questionable. Beyond that many people make claims that there should be large gaps between Cat3 and Cat2 and also between Cat1 and Pro and neither chart indicates a gap.
But 300w on one chart and 330 on the other is pretty within much measurement and sampling error and chart making simplifications..
I could suggest that you read training peaks article that indicates what your disparate power numbers mean and how to train to make them more normal, but I don't know what your goals are so I will not make that suggestion.
You might review the training peaks article that discusses tactics relative to power numbers. Your power numbers will get you to Cat1 (if that is what you want), You seem to have enough power to get upgrade points. Not enough to win, but enough to get points. You just need a plan. But again I don't know what your goals are. But if you do get to Cat1, perhaps you could do it without a win.
I only know how to get people who want to be Cat1 reach that goal. I have no idea how to get people who don't want to reach that goal get there.
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58 out of the last 60 days I have put in 50+ miles. Feels like time to get it up to 62 miles a day. Retirement is so nice. Lots of time. Lots of money.
A fellow in tennis shoes and toe clips passed me on a climb today. I was only doing 250w. He was cooked at the top. I just continued on for the last 20 miles of my ride.