FTP W/kg - which weight are we talking about?

[Fat Boab]

Numbers will be higher on a hill and you need to sustain the number on flat 

 

But a 1 hour consistent hill, if you have one handy (!), would presumably do?

[Frosty]

Then what will be? 

Here are some answers from others - answers that matter:

 

Getting your FTP is not even the biggest issue here. 1. Its what you do with it (FTP) that matters.

2. Do the TT on the same road and similar conditions to measure improvement.

Remember, FTP is not some number for bar room talk, 3. it's a number that you use to do intervals at the correct effort to maximize your training.

 

[shaper]

There can always be a bunch of reasons why something can't work, or isn't exactly perfect, but we do the best with what we are given and have at our disposal don't we.....

Agreed, as you tried to highlight earlier... is subjective and as long as you do your tests in the same manner and on the same PM... then the numbers are consistent and relevant for you.

[jcza]

But a 1 hour consistent hill, if you have one handy (!), would presumably do?

 

I've always been told that gradient must be < 2%, my guess would be that it would be similar to TT effort. 

 

If you don't have FTP configured you can use highest NP (normalised power) for one hour from a race which would be a starting point. 

[Underachiever]

It says I should get off my fat arse and loose 5 kilos

snap

 

And I don't even own a PM.

[Fat Boab]

snap

 

And I don't even own a PM.

 

Money saved! (Just like if you have HR monitor instead of a PM......)

[L46]

I've always been told that gradient must be < 2%, my guess would be that it would be similar to TT effort. 

 

If you don't have FTP configured you can use highest NP (normalised power) for one hour from a race which would be a starting point. 

 

 

With respect, the power meter on your bike does not take the gradient of the road into account, it measures the torque etc. applied to the cranks (depending on what power meter you use).

 

The gradient of the road makes no difference to your powermeter.  (Converting the Watts to Watts per kilogram brings the gradient aspect into consideration where lighter riders will then move faster uphill applying the same Watts as a heavier rider)

 

What you need is a road where you can put down a relatively constant effort without free-wheeling on a downhill section for example. "Flat roads" tend to have some downhill sections where most amateur cyclists tend to "loaf".  In theory you should be able to apply the same power on a flat road or on a hill climb, although most amateurs can't.  Therefore to come back to my earlier post, use the same road and similar conditions for measuring your own improvement and don't care too much about what other people say their FTP is.

 

EDIT: Typo

[Frosty]

So, if this maximum 1 hour average power is higher than your current FTP, then you have a new FTP! 

If your max 1 hour power is higher than your current FTP, it could be your new FTP, but... it can also indicate that your FTP is wrong (too low). Hence the reason for testing on a regular basis, when you are training to peak for a specific event, or multiple peaks in a season.

 

Just don't over complicate it - it's actually a simple process.

[Vetplant]

I'm bored. Can we rather use this energy to speculate whether the wind will blow at CTCT 2018? Seems a much better waste of time...

[Fat Boab]

I'm bored. Can we rather use this energy to speculate whether the wind will blow at CTCT 2018? Seems a much better waste of time...

 

Energy....time. Powerful stuff

[jcza]

With respect, the power meter on your bike does not take the gradient of the road into account, it measures the torque etc. applied to the cranks (depending on what power meter you use).

 

The gradient of the road makes no difference to your powermeter.  (Converting the Watts to Watts per kilogram brings the gradient aspect into consideration where lighter riders will then move faster uphill applying the same Watts as a heavier rider)

 

What you need is a road where you can put down a relatively constant effort without free-wheeling on a downhill section for example. "Flat roads" tend to have some downhill sections where most amateur cyclists tend to "loaf".  In theory you should be able to apply the same power on a flat road or on a hill climb, although most amateurs can't.  Therefore to come back to my earlier post, use the same road and similar conditions for measuring your own improvement and don't care too much about what other people say their FTP is.

 

EDIT: Typo

 

I go with what the coach tells me but I will find out why. 

[mecheng89]

I'm bored. Can we rather use this energy to speculate whether the wind will blow at CTCT 2018? Seems a much better waste of time...

Beautiful contribution to the discussion here! 

[Jewbacca]

It says I should get off my fat arse and loose 5 kilos

Set them loose when you lose them?

[Barend de Arend]

With respect, the power meter on your bike does not take the gradient of the road into account, it measures the torque etc. applied to the cranks (depending on what power meter you use).

 

The gradient of the road makes no difference to your powermeter.  (Converting the Watts to Watts per kilogram brings the gradient aspect into consideration where lighter riders will then move faster uphill applying the same Watts as a heavier rider)

 

What you need is a road where you can put down a relatively constant effort without free-wheeling on a downhill section for example. "Flat roads" tend to have some downhill sections where most amateur cyclists tend to "loaf".  In theory you should be able to apply the same power on a flat road or on a hill climb, although most amateurs can't.  Therefore to come back to my earlier post, use the same road and similar conditions for measuring your own improvement and don't care too much about what other people say their FTP is.

 

EDIT: Typo

 

Uphill roads also have harder and easier sections.  If the gradient changes often, you need to continuously change gears.  For FTP, consistency is best.

 

Small changes are just par for the course.  The wind will change, or trees will shelter you on some parts and not others.  It's not possible to control all the variables.

 

Just a note: (all, or almost all) power meters will be fooled once the gradient is steep enough.  "Steep enough" is something > 15%, though.  The reason is that they need rotational velocity to turn torque into power, and on very steep climbs (or very low cadence), rotational velocity is no longer constant.

[Veebee]

This weekend will be my first race with a PM.

 

All my testing was done indoors on a 20min test, which I just use for interval workouts.

 

I've never been able to come close to my FTP number on a road ride, even on a hard 1 hour session.

 

Will just continue using it as a training tool, and race by feel. Certainly not gonna hold back on a 100km bunch ride if the PM tells me I'm going to hard. That means getting left behind and coming home with a slower time.

[SwissVan]

Set them loose when you lose them?

I'll send them your way