It's killing me but..........

RapDaddyo

Target? How about >100W?

Sillyoldtwit

RD, I've just taken a closer look at your calculations. It all sounds fine but I can see that things could go awry because I have no idea how the figures would work out for my Sunday ride. Not having a power meter, I have no idea how you calculate your figure to be added to the week total (TSS). I assume the power generated will fluctuate all over the place depending on the terrain. Or do you just take the average for the ride?

Btw, have put off looking at "go a fraction faster" pedals until tomorrow, so if anyone else would like to make a comment before I take the plunge or not..............

RapDaddyo

I'm guessing your Sunday rides are ~85%FT average. You can use 1.20 TSS points per minute for those and you'll be in the ballpark.

Remember the old Michael Jordan Nike ad, the one with Spike Lee? "It's gotta be the shoes!"

Sillyoldtwit

Thanks RD, will calculate using 85%.

Thinking of riding barefooted as I was born without shoes! Will keep you posted.
Tyson

RapDaddyo

Seriously, not all shoes are compatible with all cleats. I would choose my shoes first and my cleats second. The pliability of the uppers makes a huge difference, especially in the first month or so. My shoes (uppers) are so supple I hardly know I have them on, yet they are extremely stiff in the soles.

Sillyoldtwit

Checked out all the shoes yesterday, Nike, Addidas etc. etc. Guess what, I have to agree with you RD, the Sidi were the most comfortable. They didn't have my size so have ordered a pair. And I think I will stick with Look pedals which Im used to.

And Frenchy I'm ending the Arms Race right there! Unless I win the lottery of course. I might just go for a 5000 dollar bike. Just to look good, not for improvement. Oh and a 50 dollar carbon bottle cage.

RapDaddyo

One thing you might want to look into is tires. There is a huge difference in rolling resistance of tires (e.g., 20W difference from best to worst) and some of the highly regarded tires such as Conti 4000s actually have lousy ratings. Check out the data here http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-1503651.html. If it were me, I'd probably go with one of the Vittorias or the Vredestein Fortezza Tri Comp (not on the list). Tires are cheap weapons in the arms race.

Sillyoldtwit

Strangely enough RD, I arranged with the LBS to do a service on my bike (wheel balancing etc) and replace the tyres the week before the Century. Thanks for the advice. I always rode on Vittorias in England. At the moment I have Hutchinsons Top Speed made in France.

Geeez! I've just checked. They're the worst!

RapDaddyo

Not to worry. It's only 20 watts and we all know how easy it is to put out an extra 20 watts, right?

Sillyoldtwit

Reading the link carefully though, one interesting statement stands out.

Quote:

In general terms, the total drag of a cyclist will consist of 80% tire rolling resistance and 20% wind resistance at 10 km/h or 6 mph. At 40 km/h or 25 mph the numbers will reverse, with total drag consisting of 80% wind resistance and 20% tire rolling resistance

I guess I'll just have to keep my speed at above 25mph!

RapDaddyo

In that case, you should get the 700x23c tires rather than the 700x25c tires. Now, let me guess. You think I'm kidding? Nope. It matters, at least to us math types who want to overcome as little unnecessary resistance (of all types) as possible. But, then, I guess you non math types don't worry about such stuff as you fly by the seat of your pants. Hey, I think you should ignore this data and go by "feel."

Sillyoldtwit

On the contrary RD, I found that link very interesting and I'm really annoyed with the guy in my LBS for putting those crap tyres on the bike when I bought it. I'll sort him out when I go to pick up my Sidis.

Just one thing RD, that's the second time you've had a sly dig at my "fly by the seat of my pants" philosophy. Instinct, intuition, call it what you like, vis-a vis endurance in sports is not something that one can employ after 1 day of training or competing.
I had 25 years of running/racing all distances up to 30 miles. You learn through experience how to pace yourself. I never once bonked.except once I got cramp in the calves at 22 miles in a marathon while running comfortably (salt deficiency)
For me it's the same for cycling; If I count the time when I was 15,
I've done 6 100 milers, 3 (not 2) in the last 2 years or so. Again I didn't bonk.
I'll agree with you that perhaps I'm cycling below my capability on the Sunday rides through not having a power meter. But I'll tell you something, I bet I'm not far in out the amount of power I'm generating.
When I finish the Sunday rides, I wouldn't want to do another 10km.
Be it 50km, 70km or 93km, I reckon I pace it just about right.
If I were racing, I'm sure I would need to be more precise so as not to burn myself out on a climb for example. But there you go!
Having said all that, I'm not anti-power meters, but can get by without bonking for the time being, or to be more exact - until my wife loosens the purse strings.

RapDaddyo

Okay, no more cracks about your "seat of your pants" philosophy. But, usually when someone says they can manage their intensity of effort by "feel," it tells me one thing -- they haven't ridden with a power meter yet. Most of us who ride with PMs know better -- we suck at managing our intensity of effort by feel. I tried once to ride at a specific target power without looking at my power meter. It was hilarious. I wasn't even within 25W, and that was after a couple of tests so I knew I was underestimating my intensity. There's a post around here somewhere by Andy Coggan about a TT he rode on the day after a long flight and a really hard RR. He said he felt terrible and there was no way he could ride at his usual power, but that his numbers were right on target and completely different from how he "felt." Our bodies lie to our brains.

Sillyoldtwit

OK, we agree to differ slightly at the moment. Let's leave it there.

I have just read the whole thread:

CAN CYCLING LEAD TO A REDUCED LIFE EXPECTANCY?

RD, you were conspicuous in your absence. Do you have no view one way or the other on this topic? At our age I think we are possibly more qualified to comment than some of the contributors.
I don't know about you, but I plan to continue cycling (well) well into my seventies.