TheKillerPenguin

Cat Cancellara?

hack

I think FIGJAM status is reserved for a select few. Many others take the modesty route because, well, I guess they're stupid.

Ygduf

where have you been. CDR has been KING of reverse e-wang. 40mph sprints on AP 95w.

globecanvas

Also, obviously, reverse e-wang isn't "self deprecating modesty," it's straight up bragging.

globecanvas

Does this qualify?

shovelhd

It doesn't show power like the analysis tools I use show power. The peaks and averages are the same numbers, but there's not enough granularity for me to be able to draw definitive conclusions. Maybe you get that if you subscribe to Premium.

shovelhd

I know I am a badass and I don't give a **** what you think about that.

mattm

But there has to be some kind of relation to actual placing; anyone can lose on a tiny amount of power...

mattm

There's always someone bigger/badder.

Cat 2's look up to cat 1's. Average amateur 1's look up to winning 1's.

Winning 1's look up to domestic pros.

Domestic pros look up to euro pros.

Neo-euro-pros look up to veteran euro pros.

Veteran euro pros look up to winning veteran euro pros.

And they all look up to Merckx.

So unless you're Merckx, might as well keep the golly gee thing going!

Ygduf

I was in the shop yesterday for them to change over chainrings for me on the tt bike and re-epoxy the expander plug that came out on the rough TT course. Was talking about the scoring ****ups at topsport, upgrading, etc.. when they guy asked me "so, you might be pretty good at this then?"

It was hard to answer. "I guess?" I think is what I went with, but the real answer is that I just try really hard with a lot of persistence. I feel like most anyone could do it if they really wanted and were willing to commit the time.

mike868y

self deprecating humor is the only humor i've got.

Doge

When rider is not being posted about primarily by themselves or a relative.

furiousferret

I think its important to gloat, maybe not publicly, but at least when looking in the mirror have a little bit of self respect and confidence. I've learned that no matter how many short fallings I've had had as a cyclist, a lot of people still think what I do on the bike is a big deal. The cycling world is such a tiered system that it gives everyone a chance at some glory, so do what you can in that bubble and don't ruin it by downplaying your achievements.

mike868y

my claim to fame is getting 2nd in a collegiate c crit and 2nd in a collegiate b road race. been all downhill since.

happybday29475

Incorrect.

Ygduf

you literally just cut out the part of that statement which makes it a generalized opinion to make it something you can disagree with.

anyway, you're wrong. @mattm is a sprinter with an average sprint power profile (at best!), mediocre FTP, but really good timing, wiles, and experience. I have no sprint, a decent ftp, and moderate experience and wiles. therefore when I say "I FEEL LIKE JUST ABOUT..." you can't really say "incorrect" because in reality I certainly feel that way. I'm not lying.

*edit - this reads more disparaging of Matt than I mean. It's just if you believe the numbers talked about in here, the real-world numbers he and I experience in actual races are a far cry.

happybday29475

The essence of good arguing tactics. I must admit that you are correct. However, I feel like you should feel differently.

Exhibit A
So @mattm has "really good timing, wiles, and experience"... but not everybody has or can learn good timing or wiles; these talents are certainly part of the whole package, and not everybody is described the way @mattm is.

Exhibit B
I've been a hard-training and very disciplined cat 4 for a number of years. I've seen people move through quickly; people that started after I did, that trained less hard, and are now 2's. I think it's a safe assumption that their ultimate ceiling is a bit higher than mine.

Exhibit C
I know a coach who coaches juniors with ambitions. With training to a certain CTL, the power-weight ratio trends can be compared between other aspiring juniors, and, well, 50% of your friends are below average.

Conclusion
I think that your rise to cat 1 has happened through a boatload of hard work...as well as through possession of more than a small amount of aptitude.

hack

I wonder how people categorized themselves before powermeters and watts/kg?

Ygduf

cat 5,4,3,2,1

gsteinb

persistence shouldn't be underrated as a key to success though. ***most*** people lack the ability to be persistent.

TheKillerPenguin

There is truth to what the Fudge says, I've yet to see anything really approaching my max power numbers in training while racing. Presumably this is because in training you softpedal to your stomping grounds and recover between efforts, and in a race you don't get to do that before the hounds are unleashed. A savvy individual that knows his limits will understand how to ride the lightning and go at the right time, and this is the difference between a strong rider and a good racer.

Ygduf

that's fair enough. my first question would be "how many races do you do each year?"

I will still hold to my opinion, maybe rephrased that many more people *could* do it than *do* do it. It's a ton of work for sure.

TheKillerPenguin

I think Cat 5 came after the first power meter!

Ygduf

cat 5 was the old cat 6!

TheKillerPenguin

*snap*