Cycling Workouts: Discussion/Encouragement/Sharing/Banter

[YMFB]

Smart turbo

I do have an elite roller, but I found it tricky to stay on. The outdoor bikes are probably the bigger problem as I am used to switching all the time. I use the gravel bike for commuting and the roadie for longer rides

 

[Norry1]

Power pedals -

 

[Legs]

Except for smart bikes, nothing will be as good as a good wheel-off smart turbo, which means either getting used to switching your rear wheel on and off, or buying a cheap, dedicated turbo-only bike.

I'd steer clear of Elite turbos.

 

[HLaB]

Last night the trains were messed up yet again and when I got home I decided to skip my VO2max workout and watch the TdF highlights instead. Tonight was originally planned to be an Endurance ride following the VO2max workout, but given I’d skipped it I fancied something a wee bit more and fired up Trainer Road's workout suggester (TrainNow) which gave me a Sweetspot workout Monitor -1. As an aside I p’tured at the weekend and it didn’t seal with Peaty’s, so I cleaned the tyre out and put Orange Seal in. It seemed fine (sealed 1st time without mess) but I kept it local and headed down to Conington. No real surprise the road was closed at the little walled bridge, last week 16.5m artic that got stuck on the airfield road would have damaged it getting out. There was just enough room for a bike to get through. I probably should have had a longer warm up though

 

[HLaB]

My Thursday group ride never happened so I did my scheduled workout down at Conington Airfield, a bookended under over session ( Izaak Walton -2). They’ve put even more cones down and it was even tight for a bike at least the loop was nice and quiet. My LH power meter seemed to be all over the place in the blustery conditions or maybe I just wasn’t smooth enough

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[Norry1]

My Thursday group ride never happened so I did my scheduled workout down at Conington Airfield, a bookended under over session ( Izaak Walton -2). They’ve put even more cones down and it was even tight for a bike at least the loop was nice and quiet. My LH power meter seemed to be all over the place in the blustery conditions or maybe I just wasn’t smooth enough

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Hey HLaB, do you find TrainerRoad increases your fitness and do you track this?

 

[HLaB]

Hey HLaB, do you find TrainerRoad increases your fitness and do you track this?

Yes, especially when I was training at a higher volume a few years back. I use TR AI FTP detection to give a broad indication of fitness. The way their model works looks at all your recent rides whatever the intensity and uses AI to detect your FTP. So you don't have to do a ramp/20mins test. When I was training more I saw the results in my TTs too.

 

[Norry1]

Yes, especially when I was training at a higher volume a few years back. I use TR AI FTP detection to give a broad indication of fitness. The way their model works looks at all your recent rides whatever the intensity and uses AI to detect your FTP. So you don't have to do a ramp/20mins test. When I was training more I saw the results in my TTs too.

I've been disappointed with my racing performance/results this year (and last year to some extent) and have decided to cease my Coaching arrangement (not blaming him, but hard to justify the cost and dedication for the level of results I'm getting) so thought I'd try TrainerRoad for a bit and see if I like it.

I've set up a Plan - but one question - if I look at TrainNow - it suggests a totally different workout to the one that is due in my plan. Any idea of the rationale?

 

[HLaB]

I've been disappointed with my racing performance/results this year (and last year to some extent) and have decided to cease my Coaching arrangement (not blaming him, but hard to justify the cost and dedication for the level of results I'm getting) so thought I'd try TrainerRoad for a bit and see if I like it.

I've set up a Plan - but one question - if I look at TrainNow - it suggests a totally different workout to the one that is due in my plan. Any idea of the rationale?

My results improved a fair bit when I left my coach and went with TrainerRoad; I hope you find similar. Train Now suggests the best workout on a current day based on your back history but doesn't look forward. Whereas, a plan builds forward to a specific target or targets and gets you in the best shape for that. AI is rather good now too, and it'll tweak your plan as you go on depending on your recent history. Simple analogy, if you're worn out it'll lower workout intensity, but if you're acing workouts/ rides it'll increase the intensity. Good luck 🍀

 

[Norry1]

My results improved a fair bit when I left my coach and went with TrainerRoad; I hope you find similar. Train Now suggests the best workout on a current day based on your back history but doesn't look forward. Whereas, a plan builds forward to a specific target or targets and gets you in the best shape for that. AI is rather good now too, and it'll tweak your plan as you go on depending on your recent history. Simple analogy, if you're worn out it'll lower workout intensity, but if you're acing workouts/ rides it'll increase the intensity. Good luck 🍀

Ah, that explains it well, thanks. The TrainNow suggestion today is a hefty VO2 session which is what I instinctively feel is what I need at the moment, but my plan had a Steady Endurance - which makes sense in the context of building to a future event.

As it happens, I'll do a mix as I'm going to do a Hill Climb tonight but will go over early and do a Tile grabbing ride at mainly Endurance Pace

 

[HLaB]

First workout in a bit, Ive been too busy enjoying group rides, a recovery one (Jumba Kang) round the Connington Airfield



Despite the temperature (even the feel like 28deg C) my arms and feet were freezing (the legs and body were fine) in a strong wind!

 

[HLaB]

First proper indoor workout for a while. I did a few outdoors workouts at the start of summer, then did group rides for a few months instead. Tonight was showery though and after other folk pulled out, so did I, and done what had adapted into my plan, a low level threshold workout (Dumala). I was quite glad it was low level as it was way to hot in my pain hall. I think I was probably touching on VO2max a few times. As expected though it’s raised my estimated VO2max by 1 though.

 

[Norry1]

I've been doing TrainerRoad for about a month now and have to say I'm quite enjoying it.

TR set my FTP massively below what I was working to with my coach but it felt about right for turbo work. I've always been about 20W lower indoors than out.

I like the Progression Levels feature as this gives some positive incentive/encouragement and visible progress.

The Endurance/Sweet Spot work feels more productive on the trainer as there is 100% "Time under Tension" so whilst the Watts are a bit lower I think the stimulus is higher.

AI FTP detection raised my FTP by 5W a couple of days ago and hopefully that trend will continue.

Not done any VO2 Max or Anaerobic workouts on TR yet, but they get phased in as of next week. Will report back.

PS, I like the TR Forum as well and noticed that @HLaB is a frequent poster