What w/kg or FTP needed for 3 HR Argus?

[azikara]

Fellow cycling addicts:

 

I'm doing my second Argus and I'm curious to know if anyone has any data from their previous sub 3 Argus that they'd be willing to share. I realize that conditions my vary and it depends on your group skills etc. But I'm trying to get a ballpark estimate of average watts per kilogram for the entire race. Or, if you did not use a power meter during the race but train with one, then what is your FTP in w/kg? Mine is currently about 3.8-4 and I'm trying to figure out what kind of time ishould be shooting for.

 

Thanks

Tristan

[Willehond]

Tristan, your w/kg is a lot less important than you start group! I easily managed a sub-2:50 (on a perfect windless day!) in the VA bunch. Easy going. My w/kg was about 4, if that means anything to you, but wind conditions, crashes, the heat, your start group and punctures will play a much bigger role in your time. The Argus is not a timetrial it's a big group ride.

[azikara]

Hi Willie,

 

Yes! I agree. I started in T last year and UGH! it was a 3:40 TT for me. I never got any help from anyone. Every time I bridged to the group in front of me I found they were going too slowly. So I had a very tough time of it. I've never felt so lonely in a group of 28,000 people!.

 

So this year I am in E. My time was better than half of this group last year. My FTP was quite a bit less than it is this year so I was hoping for a good time. I think there will be a small-ish group at the front of E that will push hard enough to get close to 3:00...but you never know. As you pointed out, wind etc has a lot to do with it.

 

You say you are 4 w.kg. Is that your threshold one hour TT power?

 

Thanks

Tristan

[Woofie]

Tristan

Are you running 3.8 - 4 as your sustained power or is that your peak power output?

 

If that is you sustained, then if you are in the right group then you will be capabile of doing it.

 

However, most "A" group (elite) riders have a peak power output of over 5. Our top local elites around 6.

 

But with that being said, a ppo isnt the make or break of a race.

Your ability to stick the sweet spots and race "cleaver" at the end of the day will count more in your favour than being a bit weak on the PPO score.

 

Just go out there and race as hard or enjoy the day as hard as you can.

 

No use speculating times, cape town is always unpredictable when it comes to the argus.

[Lucky Luke.]

I think there will be a small-ish group at the front of E that will push hard enough to get close to 3:00...but you never know.

 

 

In 2007 we had good weather and I did 2:54 from E - 4th in the group - no boyes drive. Add 3-4 minutes for Boyes - means you are cutting it fine even with good weather. There will be strong guys at the front of the bunch who will go for a sub 3, but not as many of them as stronger bunches.. so it's a bit tougher from E than those groups. The bunch will split at Smitswinkel - be near the front.

Edited February 18, 2011 by Lucky Luke.

[riaanb]

The bunch will split at Smitswinkel - be near the front.

 

This is so true!

[Guest Bpayne]

Our top local elites around 6.

 

 

To run upfront in SV you need 6-6.5 Top local elites are are from 6.1- to 7.1. There are however guys trying to run with 4w/kg in SV and Elites and that is the problem with PPA making the old seeding system for Elites and SV a huge issue cause riders where riding when they didnt have the capabilities to do so.

[LazyTrailRider]

Off the topic: I'm amazed at how many non-professional riders are willing to splurge on crazy-expensive wattage measurement equipment, when this equipment will probably only ever contribute to a 2% difference in performance.

 

I'm just saying. If it's your thing, then by all means go right ahead!

[Bike Mob]

7w/kg is like TDF threshold man...if the okes are pushing 7 then they will ride away every day.

 

Somehow i think the power manufacturers are pulling the wool over everyones eyes, just like the clothing makers are labelling 36" waists a 34"

 

Sure some are accurate, but 7w/kg and even over 6 is like an 70kg guy pushing 420w for an hour!

[JasonW]

To run upfront in SV you need 6-6.5 Top local elites are are from 6.1- to 7.1. There are however guys trying to run with 4w/kg in SV and Elites and that is the problem with PPA making the old seeding system for Elites and SV a huge issue cause riders where riding when they didnt have the capabilities to do so.

 

Rubbish. Top SVs have FTPs of 5 - 5.5 w/kg

[JasonW]

Off the topic: I'm amazed at how many non-professional riders are willing to splurge on crazy-expensive wattage measurement equipment, when this equipment will probably only ever contribute to a 2% difference in performance.

 

I'm just saying. If it's your thing, then by all means go right ahead!

 

Really? Its actually the non-professional riders who benefit more from power meters as it gives them a chance of training scientifically without the need for a coach. The power meter doesn't "contribute to performance" anyway its just a measuring device. However its a much more useful and accurate measuring device than using a HR monitor or RPE.

[Minion]

Off the topic: I'm amazed at how many non-professional riders are willing to splurge on crazy-expensive wattage measurement equipment, when this equipment will probably only ever contribute to a 2% difference in performance.

 

I'm just saying. If it's your thing, then by all means go right ahead!

By allowing me to have more focused training during my limited free time, my power meter improved my performance by around 10% - significant. I did, however, make the effort to learn how to use it properly.

[LazyTrailRider]

The power meter doesn't "contribute to performance" anyway its just a measuring device.

 

Hence my using the term "contribute"... All inputs aimed at improving performance are contributors to it (like training, diet, equipment preparation, mental focus, etc), whether the input is direct or not. Measurement is an indirect input to training, which is a more direct contributor to improving performance.

 

The point is, the equipment is insanely expensive for the net performance gain most riders will ever be able to extract from it.

 

EDIT: ...(but so is most bike equipment, including the suspension on mine. I guess it's just my perception that a powertap setup is relatively speaking one of the most expensive bits of kits you can add to your arsenal. If you derive enough benefit from it to justify the cost, then good for you!)

Edited February 18, 2011 by Martin Hattingh

[Lucky Luke.]

Rubbish. Top SVs have FTPs of 5 - 5.5 w/kg

 

Those are the numbers I would estimate too. Elites up to 6 - very few above that and those that are not by much.

Edited February 18, 2011 by Lucky Luke.

[azikara]

Thanks for the input guys.

 

As for ROI on power meters: I don't know what money has to do with it. We all buy what we choose. You're not here to council me on how to budget my spending. People spend far mote on bikes, wheels etc. That comment is pointless because we all have different buying power. I like numbers. I like facts. I like to measure stuff. How about riding without your bike computer? That's a weird comment.

 

As for the numbers, my FTP is around 4. I have not measured PPO if that is the ramp test you're talking about.

 

There's an easy way to look at the REAL numbers. In WKO+ they have charts divided up starting at World class pros for FTP, 5 min, 1 min and 5s power. Anything over 6 w/kg is world class FTP. Our top domestic elites in the states are around 5-5.5 category 1.

[Guest Bpayne]

Rubbish. Top SVs have FTPs of 5 - 5.5 w/kg

 

PPO or FTP? PPO I know of a good few SV that are pushing 6.5w/kg. So before you talk **** yourself lets get on the same page.