Powertap - first session

lloydy75

I've got a Powertap coming next week and I'm interested to see what first sessions people recommend to get some numbers to work on over the winter.
I had a good season this year doing TTs from 10 upto 12hr and just had a couple of months spinning easy but intend to pick it up a bit now.

Thanks in advance

DaveyL

What software have you got to analyse the data? I would recommend WKO+ but others may be along with other recommendations.

I would just ride for a month or so with the PT on board and not worry too much about your power. Upload the files after the ride and check them out and you will start to see a few things about how you ride.

Get a hold of "Training and Racing with a Powermeter" by Coggan and Allen. This is basically a must-have if you want to understand how to use the PT. Brilliant book.

Then you can have a go at doing some tests to set zones, and come up with a training plan for your season goals. (The book will help you do this).

And check out Alex Simmons's blog and the Google wattage forum - great sources of info in addition to Alex's many helpful contributions on here.

Bronzie

Another pretty useful introductory guide is:

The Road Cyclist’s Guide to Training by Power - Part I: An Introduction by Charles Howe

available to download free here
http://www.freewebs.com/velodynamics2/rcgtp1.pdf

chrisw12

This is exciting, another power new boy joining ranks and being part of the gang.

I had mine in June and this is what I did and tbh I think it gave me a nice progression motivational and learning curve wise.

First week I just rode around on my normal rides, got into the habit of downloading the data and looking at it, making sure that everything was working ok.

The week later I did my first 'proper' 25 tt of the season so I had a pretty accurate ftp figure. I also started doing 2x20 on my local hill getting data I knew I could consistently repeat later.

After a few weeks of learning and messing around with the data I then bought WKO+ to start looking at the more global features of training with a power meter.


The key piece of data to get is your best hour power (FTP) I'd strongly suggest you do some searching about this and in particular read Alex's Blogs.

Keep us posted on how you get along. I'd be very interested to see how you use a power meter to train and race a 12hr as imo there's not much written on it and that's what this season's all about for me.

lloydy75

Thanks for the replies, I've already had a look at the links which have been very informative.

Chris, I know I mentioned doing the 12hr last season but it's not on my list for 2010, I'm afraid someone else will have to do the research on that distance!

Pete