Micro rests during L4 intervals

holli

I was about to say the same. Dropping power by 10-20W could be enough.

I have "breaks" when riding off the saddle for 5-10 secs every once in a while but my watts won't drop much. I should try some other saddle to prevent certain numbness.

__________________
Pain is just weakness leaving the body.

otb4evr

Piotr,

I disagree.

I don't think it is an "inability", so much as it is a "choice".

About the "serious lack of form" comment: I guess if you call 85 peak CTL, an average in the mid-70s and over 23000 TSS points for the year as lacking form... OK You are entitled to your opinion...

We have seen the same pattern, regardless of wattage or interval length, over the past year. The intervals are always done on a set of rollers and the breaks are short; 5 - 7 seconds.

They typically happen every 4 - 7 minutes; right were a cyclist would typically stand during a ride outdoors.

Peter, my thought, initially, was the same as yours. I didn't want him to get into a pattern and have it affect his racing. Since he never does any time trialing and he has done hour long climbs during his longer rides without these mini-breaks, I stopped dwelling on it. It has never shown to be a limiter during his racing, as well...

Jim

Spunout

Long intervals are boring. He may be standing on the pedals to relieve saddle pressure, stretch ankles and hamstrings, back, etc.

I suspect this won't happen in a competition situation, on a long climb or a TT (sounds like subject is not a TTer....which is fine).

peterwright

Jim - I agree

In this case it is by no means an overstated FTP or a lack of form. This is an elite / semi pro rider who regularly performs at a level that backs up my FTP and has also completed a 60 min TT at this level.

In his races he always has the highest economy rating of all my riders - often at 23-25% time spent not pedalling, so it is a pattern in his riding that certainly helps his racing rather than hinder it.

I think it is a lack of focus and a need to change position etc.

Peter

joemw

3 x 20 @ FTP is an exceptionally difficult task. In my experience it's nearly impossible to do if the FTP setpoint came from a race effort. I'd try to bring the AP down 3-5% for the first two reps and then ramp up a bit on the last one if anything is left.

Piotr

I that case he simply needs to learn to ride continuously. Have him do 1 hr non-stop tempo rides until he's more confident or better yet, use a fixed gear... that'll teach him. If this lowly cat. 3 can ride tempo indoors for 2+ hrs without stopping, so can your boy.

__________________
blog

otb4evr

Maybe you can explain the issues, from a physiological point of view, with these micro rests and how they are hurting his possible improvements.

Do that and I promise you I will get on his a** about them...

Jim

Piotr

I didn't bring it up as a problem, now did I?

__________________
blog

rr9876

But are they really hurting his improvements? I don't know the answer to that question for sure, but my thought, based on some stuff that I've read and also my personal experience, is that "micro rests" are a great way to relieve some of the mental stress of long threshold intervals, while still providing nearly the same physiological benefits.