HR Zones analysis

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  • Siim_S
    Siim_S Posts: 37
    I've found the easiest way to see the distribution between zones is to use Sportlyzer (.com). Their system can automatically sync the data from garmin connect and then provide you with nice data about the percentage/time spent in each zone.
  • Trev The Rev
    Trev The Rev Posts: 1,040
    Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:
    Trev The Rev wrote:
    Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:

    That is not the case in my (considerable) experience - pacing on a bike is quite tricky for newer riders to get right, and many other sports that people may have come from either have the more consistent resistance feel of running or swimming (which you don't have on a bike), or are more sprint/ballistic in nature (e.g. football, netball) where pacing isn't as important.

    And when I check the pacing of those who race time trials, guess what the #1 mistake made is?

    How many times have you let riders go ahead at the start of a hillclimb, only to overhaul them halfway and leave them in your wake?

    Pacing is a learned skill in cycling. And one needs to learn that the sensations one feels actually change, even though actual effort (power) doesn't.

    Pacing is a learned skill and if you learn it by numbers you will become reliant on numbers. Many riders can pace very well indeed without a power meter, even time triallists and they have done so for decades. A power meter is a great tool in the right hands, there is no need to brainwash people into believing you need one to train & race or need one to pace correctly.

    Pacing is a skill, it is sad to see that skill being lost. You do not need a power meter to pace properly but you do need a brain, preferably a brain that can understand what the body is telling it rather than one that can only look at numbers and follow orders.

    Power meters should be banned in races anyway.
    I have not:
    1. sought to brainwash anyone
    2. said pacing is not a learned skill, nor suggested it's something good time triallists don't already do well*
    3. suggest one can't learn to pace without a power meter or "numbers"

    so don't put words in my mouth.

    Computers of all types are banned in all track races (well having a visible display is banned - you can still record the data).


    * indeed I demonstrated this very fact in my discussion paper on time trial pacing optimisation where I quantitatively analysed the pacing of riders from pro tour to club amateur level - the most successful TT riders pace very well (as one would expect)

    Alex, can you post a link or email it to me at trevtherev@ymail.com?

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