I've got a powertap wheel coming sometime in the next week, as I'd like to start training with power. I'm not really interested in racing at this point, just want to be able to quantitatively increase my performance with the aid of power numbers (I find that at times I'll overexert myself and tire myself out long before the end of a ride, I'd like to be able to know when I'm doing that).

I don't really know the first thing about it though. From what I gather, I'll need to perform an FTP test to calculate my power zones. Is it really just as easy as "ride for 20 minutes as fast as you can"? I'm trying to find an ideal piece of land to perform the test, I figure I'll need a long country road with no stop signs or traffic lights, and probably a slight incline so that I'm forced to continuously pedal the entire time. Any other suggestions? As an admittedly undisciplined rider I'm also worried that I won't be putting out my max effort; I've noticed that when I bike solo my rides are always much slower than when I ride with the club (more than drafting would account for); I'm pretty sure being with stronger riders forces me to ride faster than I otherwise would on my own; does anyone have any tips for forcing yourself to exert a maximum effort for a continuous 20 minute timeframe?

Thanks!