Originally Posted by koffee brown
Well, aerobic power IS VO2 max, and it's clear that VO2 max is increased by power training, NOT endurance rides.
I think we're having dueling terminology here, the dividing line between aerobic and anaerobic being a bit fuzzy. I consider "aerobic power" to be the maximum power one can produce for 20 minutes. This is most strongly predicted by the lactate threshold, not VO2max. VO2max is more predictive of 3- to 5-minute power.
Using these definitions, the most productive way to increase 20-minute power ("aerobic" power) is with tempo rides and LT intervals of fairly long duration.
I still don't have a good grasp of the beneficial adaptations of endurance rides, other than they can be "fun". And I don't think I'm alone.