The official TrainerRoad thread

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  • Kevo27
    Kevo27 Posts: 95
    Did Stage 2 the other day and had to give in, are you all running at 100% or are you going lower in the % effort to finish the course.
    I hate not managing to complete it but energy and power just dropped, would it be possible that my FTP is at too high a level?
  • Hollow-legs
    Hollow-legs Posts: 142
    I am leaving it 100% ftp,,,,I have made a bo-bo ,,i have only 15 hours to complete stage 3 ,lucky i am off work tomorrow and thursday ,,so i will have to play catch up and do stage 3 at 9.00am tomorrow morning ,then try and do stage 4 later in the evening :shock:
    Unlucky that i have some right knee pain at the moment,,,after stage 2 then commuting this morning :? I am a little peaved off if i have to withdraw from the tour due to injury!

    Update tomorrow whatever the outcome will be?
  • ChrisSA
    ChrisSA Posts: 455
    Doing them all at 100% so far. I'm overdue an FTP test though..

    Day#3 done. New bests for 5s & 10s power :)
    My Blog!
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  • gavt0333
    gavt0333 Posts: 95
    Doing them at 100% FTP but I got a rest day in on Monday. It's easy to engineer rest days as Trainerroad days last over 48 hours. I'm swithering as to whether to complete stage 4 & 5 today or 5&6 tomorrow. The TT looks tough but so does stage 7! :shock: Opinons?

    and MarkP80 the worst thing about turbos are literally how much of a PITA they are! Almost bought some chamois cream for the first time the other day if I had been slightly more of a girls blouse :mrgreen:
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    gavt0333 wrote:
    Doing them at 100% FTP but I got a rest day in on Monday. It's easy to engineer rest days as Trainerroad days last over 48 hours. I'm swithering as to whether to complete stage 4 & 5 today or 5&6 tomorrow. The TT looks tough but so does stage 7! :shock: Opinons?

    and MarkP80 the worst thing about turbos are literally how much of a PITA they are! Almost bought some chamois cream for the first time the other day if I had been slightly more of a girls blouse :mrgreen:

    Don't skimp, especially on the turbo due to the nature of it... less mobility.. more heat leading to.....
    If you want a cheap alternative to Assos .. udderley... Ozone try this
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aquamax-AQU010- ... ds=aquamax

    With you in spirit but have some key races coming up, one on Saturday, so a huge chunk of turbo is not what I can cope with at the moment.
  • Bokoshoko
    Bokoshoko Posts: 20
    gavt0333 wrote:
    Doing them at 100% FTP but I got a rest day in on Monday. It's easy to engineer rest days as Trainerroad days last over 48 hours. I'm swithering as to whether to complete stage 4 & 5 today or 5&6 tomorrow. The TT looks tough but so does stage 7! :shock: Opinons?

    4 & 5 I reckon - Stage 6 and onwards profiles are not viewable yet, 4 & 5 give you known quantities. 4 wasn't too bad and you could avoid the KOMs and sprints and it would be pretty comfortable. 5 looks friendly.
  • Hollow-legs
    Hollow-legs Posts: 142
    Well did two stages today ,completed both 3 and 4 :D Did stage 3 this morning at 10 am ,,then did stage 5 hours later! Really felt it in legs for stage 4 ,although this is a easy stage ,I struggled to at the 2 and 3 min climb intervals ,my legs felt so heavy ,gave it my best ,gave it my all ,,,finished ..but then after I finished I thought could I given it a bit more ,but I was just looking to get the stage done and dusted with the least possible damage.

    Still have a bit of pain in my right knee ,hopefully should get better after a full rest day from cycling ,no commute tomorrow!
  • ChrisSA
    ChrisSA Posts: 455
    Good effort Hollow-legs.

    Did all the sprints and KOMs today. I favour high cadence but I'm trying to do some big gear work here too. 5, 10, 20s & 2m bests today :)

    Looking forward to tomorrow's 'rest' day.
    My Blog!
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  • markp80
    markp80 Posts: 444
    Well, you've all got bigger cojones than me, cos I've been doing them at 95% and I've found that a struggle TBH.

    Chapeau gents!
    Boardman Road Comp - OK, I went to Halfords
    Tibia plateau fracture - the rehab continues!
  • colinsmith123
    colinsmith123 Posts: 579
    Struggled through stage 4 this morning. Struggled to get up the stairs at work today. Struggled to stay awake on the train home. Hoping I will not struggle to start stage 5. It is taking its toll!
    Live to ski
    Ski to live
  • markp80
    markp80 Posts: 444
    colinsmith123 wrote:
    Struggled through stage 4 this morning. Struggled to get up the stairs at work today. Struggled to stay awake on the train home. Hoping I will not struggle to start stage 5. It is taking its toll!
    It's not just me then!

    MarkP
    Boardman Road Comp - OK, I went to Halfords
    Tibia plateau fracture - the rehab continues!
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    Excuses, excuses, excuses... it seems it's just work, work.. work..

    Started with good intentions, but started late and have failed to catch up..

    So, it seems I'm doing every other for this (poor effort) tour..

    Stage 1
    http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/317924

    Stage 3
    http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/320600

    Stage 5
    http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/322027

    Have done them all at 100%, but now using Virtual Power rather than PT, and although I'm sure I have lost fitness and have kept by FTP the same, have found these easier than the Suffer Tour. I am also using Virtual Power (PT is now on the road), and think the Virtual P is over estimating... unless of course, I've done the minimum amount of exercise, but gained power over the last few weeks!

    Anyway, although not fully engaged this time, trying my best to complete as much as possible. I think ideally there needs (for me, on my second 'tour') a little bit more flexibility with the timings.... think an extra 24 hrs would do it.
    Simon
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    Decisions, decisions.... Hot sunny weather..

    - TR Stage 6 Suffering
    - Pleasurable ride in the sunshine
    Simon
  • daveyok
    daveyok Posts: 69
    Anyone know if FTP is automatically calculated by doing Sufferfest Rubber Glove?

    Cheers :D
  • NUFCrichard
    NUFCrichard Posts: 103
    Just popped my Trainer Road cherry by doing the 20 minute test. Can't say much more than ouch!
    I am using Virtual Power on Elite Arion Mag rollers with an amended wheel circumference as they say on their forum. It is really great software, even if my FTP wasn't quite what I was hoping for at 258.

    I have looked for the hour of power workout on TR but can't find it. Does anyone know if it has a special name or something?
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    NUFCrichard wrote:
    Just popped my Trainer Road cherry by doing the 20 minute test. Can't say much more than ouch!
    I am using Virtual Power on Elite Arion Mag rollers with an amended wheel circumference as they say on their forum. It is really great software, even if my FTP wasn't quite what I was hoping for at 258.

    I have looked for the hour of power workout on TR but can't find it. Does anyone know if it has a special name or something?

    TR call it Needham as their version of HoP
  • gavt0333
    gavt0333 Posts: 95
    So as we come to stage 8 how is everyone feeling? I don't think I have left a single muscle untouched and am having to drink ever greater quantities of coffee to maintain a semblance of normal life and to be able to rise from seating. I shall be taking 3 days off the bike till Wednesday as every time I get back on it my immediate inclination is to get straight back off again and go sit on a comfy seat that isn't some ridiculous hard, rubbing affair. Respect to those who get on a bike every day for 25 or so days. You must literally have refined chamois leather down there to be able to hack it. :P
  • colinsmith123
    colinsmith123 Posts: 579
    Really looking forward to finishing stage 8 tomorrow and then it'll be over. A few days rest combined with PROPER recovery rides, then to find out if it was all worth it with an FTP test. Hoping (nay praying) for something close to a 10% increase. And then on to the best bit, the pain cycle starts all over again, joy!
    Live to ski
    Ski to live
  • Bokoshoko
    Bokoshoko Posts: 20
    Just wrapped the 8 DC up, the final stage was a nice workout and dispelled some of the demons from yesterday's stage.

    Overall I think TR did an excellent job, I've "enjoyed" every stage, grabbed 25 odd PRs and found the whole experience pretty rewarding.

    3 days off then probably some mucking about on the MTB before FTP retest - judging by the TT trial I can expect an improvement which is great.
  • ChrisSA
    ChrisSA Posts: 455
    I'm done! The last sprint was an exercise in futility, watching the power number decrease. I really enjoyed it, in the sick hurting kind of way, and also looking forward to an FTP increase.

    I'm back running next week after a layoff. This week (M-S) has been almost 8 hours cycling and 2 hrs swimming, so no cycling next week.

    Looking forward to my next 10mi TT too.
    My Blog!
    Twitter
  • gavt0333
    gavt0333 Posts: 95
    I'll be doing an FTP at the end of the week. I think my body will require a bit of a break before though! I thought overall it was excellent and I actually watched my power go up a bit during the week, apart from stage 7 where I felt I did well just to hold at a little over what the computer asked of me. Can't see it hurting my riding at all though. Properly sore today however :)
  • colinsmith123
    colinsmith123 Posts: 579
    Absolutely cracked in two, half way through stage 8. Completely fell apart, struggling even to attain recovery pace for the rest of the stage.

    This is possibly the hardest training session I've done in a long time and think the guys at TrainerRoad got it absolutely spot on for those that completed it.

    And just like everyone else, some serious recovery time now and an FTP test at the weekend.
    Live to ski
    Ski to live
  • Hollow-legs
    Hollow-legs Posts: 142
    Congratulations to all those that finished the TOUR,,,,All 8 stages ,Well done lads!

    Me! I did a WIGGINS and crashed out of the tour at stage 6 ,the TT ,,,just one stage too far for my body and mind,I managed 46 minutes of the TT stage ,,came to the last two minutes of the TT and i was hanging on ,legs had nothing left,lungs empty,,,I had to stop ,could not find the energy or stamania to get my power back up for the climb at the end,,,I gave up totally knackered .

    The event had caught up with my body big time,,,I had problems with a painful knee ,could not walk up the stairs without using all fours like a chimp :D

    I am annoyed i did not finish the last 2 stages ,,but i know when my body is telling me to rest,,I did better than i thought i would ,went further than i thought,Never worked out so hard apart from the 8 minute tests,,I learnt a lot about my body,,,How far i can push it?

    I have to thank trainerroad for the tour ,it was fun and really motivated me ,I never got any PBs :x
    I stayed off the turbo and TR for the weekend ,today i did "cardinal" workout and i really struggled to hit my FTP it seems i have lost some power or fitness since i completed base 1 plan...At least knee is better and holding out :)
  • NUFCrichard
    NUFCrichard Posts: 103
    I just did Angels on Trainer Road. Would I be right in saying that if you can complete it at 100%, then your FTP is wrong?! It asked for an average of 116% of FTP for the last 8 minute interval. I was under the impression that you could only do 111% of FTP for 8 minutes! Fair to say it isn't easy.
  • handful
    handful Posts: 920
    NUFCrichard wrote:
    I just did Angels on Trainer Road. Would I be right in saying that if you can complete it at 100%, then your FTP is wrong?! It asked for an average of 116% of FTP for the last 8 minute interval. I was under the impression that you could only do 111% of FTP for 8 minutes! Fair to say it isn't easy.

    Possibly but could be other factors like an inconsistent set up, tyre pressure etc. When was the last time you did a test?
    Vaaru Titanium Sram Red eTap
    Moda Chord with drop bars and Rival shifters - winter/do it all bike
    Orbea Rise
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    NUFCrichard wrote:
    I just did Angels on Trainer Road. Would I be right in saying that if you can complete it at 100%, then your FTP is wrong?! It asked for an average of 116% of FTP for the last 8 minute interval. I was under the impression that you could only do 111% of FTP for 8 minutes! Fair to say it isn't easy.

    Don't get hungup on FTP number - some days you are better , some days you are worse.
    If ANGELS felt easy to do , then repeat it again, if still easy , then ok do a FTP re test.
    No Sufferfest should feel easy to accomplish.
    However, you have to fine tune your own ability to gauge perceived exertion - don't lie to yourself basically.
  • fukawitribe
    fukawitribe Posts: 109
    NUFCrichard wrote:
    It asked for an average of 116% of FTP for the last 8 minute interval. I was under the impression that you could only do 111% of FTP for 8 minutes! Fair to say it isn't easy.

    There's a reason it's called The Sufferfest...
  • cotti
    cotti Posts: 96
    Great thread:)
    My Bike http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.cotte ... C00170.JPG
  • colinsmith123
    colinsmith123 Posts: 579
    I did a 20 min FTP test today repeating 8DC stage 6 to gauge whether there has been any gains. I was aspiring for a 15% improvement, but happy to settle for an increase of 10%.

    Has anyone else who did the 8DC re-tested their FTP this weekend and had similar gains?
    Live to ski
    Ski to live
  • fukawitribe
    fukawitribe Posts: 109
    colinsmith123 wrote:
    I did a 20 min FTP test today repeating 8DC stage 6 to gauge whether there has been any gains. I was aspiring for a 15% improvement, but happy to settle for an increase of 10%.

    Has anyone else who did the 8DC re-tested their FTP this weekend and had similar gains?

    Just finished a re-test (about an hour ago) and got 10% increase since the last one. Quite a few variables changed though, aside from plain more miles... amongst other things this was my first 20 minute FTP test (I normally use the 2 x 8 minute one, which probably suits me better), and the first with any real "encouragement" - here in the shape of The Sufferfests Rubber Glove. I'm sure the latter had an effect although I think I missed a lot of it due to having my head down thinking 'breathe in, breathe out' for at least the last 5 minutes...

    All in all I really enjoyed the 8DC, and the Tour of Sufferlandria before that - they seems to suit my psyche apart from anything else... looking forward to whatever's next !

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