North Wales is just the same. Shame really as most English footy fans always want the home nations to do well
Lol? You're kidding right? Living on the border of England and Wales (and living in England as a Welshman) you couldn't be further from the truth. Quite regularly saw abusive banners at the sides of the road during the 6 Nations & World cup. Maybe not last year but certainly most of the preceding years.
Guys in the know... Would it be possible to raise my FTP over winter by 20% to over 300w?
Got in in my head as a target FTP and now can't shake the idea... Realistic or not?
Totally depends on your situation as most have suggested. Certainly if you where ~250W while mostly riding adhoc without any structure or aim, yet with some good base miles to then suddenly launch into a structured training plan, you probably would. If you've been riding with some structure and threshold efforts already (sounds like it) then probably not. But there's no harm in trying! What's the point of an aim/target if it's easy to achieve?!
Improving capability to ride near or at threshold for greater periods is another short term goal to consider and as a byproduct should yield some increase in FTP.
This.
I mean, basically if you've not really ridden TT/Threshold efforts, but been doing plenty of riding (and enjoying efforts) then you should see some quick progress. You can certainly train yourself to ride a good FTP test.
What about a trainer only? Or would it be a trainer with a power meter fitted still?
You can do it with a 'dumb' trainer with speed & cadence sensors, as there are programs to calculate your 'power' from such a setup. Zwift, Trainer Road, Sufferfest etc - nearly every platform will work with that setup and they all have FTP tests in (or their variation of - Sufferfest).
For the majority increasing volume (generally) and moderating intensity so that you don't end up in a hole as a result, training a little intuitively if you will, pushing yourself at times but not the extent of being unable to recover, should yield a gain.
Benny you should become our nominated OcUK Forums Cycling Coach!
To be fair the majority of riders who first start looking at training plans are low on volume and intensity, so they see huge gains when they first start including workouts which work on both of those.
@NoNameNoNumber coming from Ironman probably has a balance of both, but I'd say intensity will probably be much lower than most of us? The ole' Tri 'problem' - saving some legs for the run!
Me on a personal level, I've dropped quite a bit of mileage, but continuing my commuting with quite a bit more intensity with some sustained longer efforts - with the little one here in the mornings I'm usually running late and then 3 afternoons a week I'm doing a
quick paced/threshold effort along a good road to pick him up followed by a
high tempo effort towing him in the baby chariot home. Although I feel like I've lost lots of fitness due to the decrease in volume, the high end I certainly have, but my
base fitness is still quite good - hit a climb yesterday I've not ridden for 3 years and
pretty much rode up it at my old FTP (which when I retest I know will be lower).
Potential noob FTP question...
Should you be looking at power to pace it better whilst riding or do it all on perceived effort of 'balls out'
Again it depends. IF you can go balls out for 10 mins+ and hang on for the rest then go for it. The times I've tried that I've either blown up or got a really poor result. But I'm no TT'er! I usually pace the first 10 at around my previous FTP, go harder the next 5 and then try to hang on for the final 5.
I’m only doing 5-8hrs a week now but must have had some muscle memory, around 300w ftp now and enjoying my riding and TTs, striking a fairly happy medium between training and life.
Your TT results have been superb so wouldn't doubt the muscle memory! Great balance, well done
What’s people’s thoughts on a direct drive trainer
Is it between the tacx and cycleops?
Are there others that are decent? Not looking at the top range ones but circa £600 seems to be able to get you one.
Also would you buy second hand?
Thanks
I'd happily buy S/H but not a Flux. There where quite a few problems with early units. I'd go for the Direto if you can find one at a good price (only slightly more than the Flux). I'm a Flux owner and wish I'd forked out the ~£60 difference when I got mine. Now the difference is over £100 then the Flux is a good unit for the price. If you're seriously thinking about the Direto and happy with the £700 price point then I'd say wait for the KICKR Core (although that will probably drive the Direto price down).
