Training & Nutrition - Training with powertap

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View Full Version : Training with powertap


Goku
06-08-11, 10:17 AM
Hey all,

I will be getting my powertap hub and rim tomorrow and I just bought the book "Training and racing with a power meter" by Hunter Allen & Andrew Coggan. It's nice they show you typical workouts but what I was wondering you chain them to make training programs. Do you guys have tips or ideas where I can get programs to improve my training?


GirlAnachronism
06-08-11, 12:35 PM
Read this book next: Cyclists Training Bible (http://www.amazon.com/Cyclists-Training-Bible-Joe-Friel/dp/1934030201/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307558043&sr=8-1).

ericm979
06-08-11, 01:41 PM
Read this book next: Cyclists Training Bible (http://www.amazon.com/Cyclists-Training-Bible-Joe-Friel/dp/1934030201/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307558043&sr=8-1).

+1000


Goku
06-08-11, 09:12 PM
+1000

HAHA Ok I get the point! I'm clicking "buy" now! Thanks guys!

hooligancyclist
06-08-11, 11:37 PM
Check out the google wattage group. Andy is a frequent contributor there and Hunter goes there often too.
http://groups.google.com/group/wattage
You'll have to ask to join the group. It's very much worth it.

Goku
06-13-11, 07:34 PM
Thanks a lot guys!

hooligancyclist
06-14-11, 08:48 PM
Some people say the program that comes with the Powertap is fine, but I've seen what that program can do and it is very much worth it to buy WKO+. I am very happy with it and the terms used in that program are used throughout the industry, and that is because WKO+ is the gold standard. Try to keep your eyes on the road too...a little safety is important. I know I had my eyes stuck on my watts for the first month. Sometimes it is better not to look at your computer, you can surprise yourself.

Goku
06-14-11, 10:01 PM
Thanks hooligan!

Drew Eckhardt
06-15-11, 11:11 AM
Some people say the program that comes with the Powertap is fine, but I've seen what that program can do and it is very much worth it to buy WKO+. I am very happy with it and the terms used in that program are used throughout the industry, and that is because WKO+ is the gold standard. Try to keep your eyes on the road too...a little safety is important. I know I had my eyes stuck on my watts for the first month. Sometimes it is better not to look at your computer, you can surprise yourself.

Golden Cheetah does the same things, has more long term metrics, and implements Chung's virtual elevation model for CdA/Crr estimation. It runs natively on Windows, Mac, and Linux. As of 2.0 you were limited to Skiba's power metrics which are built around critical power instead of FTP and use an exponentially weighted 25 second moving average instead of a 30 second moving average although people have added Coggan's metrics. The numbers from Skiba's XPower derived metrics are nearly identical to Coggan's NP based metrics, although you may be more likely to have an accurate CP which can be pulled automatically from ride data than FTP with a current test. Golden Cheetah is free.

Playing with Golden Cheetah and the 15 day WKO+ free trial would be prudent if you're a windows user.

hooligancyclist
06-15-11, 01:17 PM
Great advice. I did not know of GoldenCheetah before I bought my SRM and WKO+. There is some talk of it on the forums and it sounds like a good product. I see that some people use both programs as both have something unique to offer. Me, I'll just stick to one ;-) There is only so much I can look over a file and not lose interest.

Golden Cheetah does the same things, has more long term metrics, and implements Chung's virtual elevation model for CdA/Crr estimation. It runs natively on Windows, Mac, and Linux. As of 2.0 you were limited to Skiba's power metrics which are built around critical power instead of FTP and use an exponentially weighted 25 second moving average instead of a 30 second moving average although people have added Coggan's metrics. The numbers from Skiba's XPower derived metrics are nearly identical to Coggan's NP based metrics, although you may be more likely to have an accurate CP which can be pulled automatically from ride data than FTP with a current test. Golden Cheetah is free.

Playing with Golden Cheetah and the 15 day WKO+ free trial would be prudent if you're a windows user.