Originally Posted by Trsnrtr

Good explanation, Heathpack. You're right on.

My tri-friends make fun of my low FTP and then struggle to keep up with me on group rides and windy roads that require high power in short bursts. I, likewise, have struggled to keep up with them when we've let them float off the front for too far before the chase ensues.

Also, I surmise that heat build-up in stockier large muscle-types (me) is why I can generate a higher FTP on the road than on a trainer no matter how many fans I use.

At my age, I prefer FTP indoors and LTHR on the road combined with cadence. By using HR and cadence, I can monitor stress over time and prevent over-tiring myself which is a goal of mine so that I can enjoy daily riding as a life-long passion instead of specific events.

In other words, I want to improve or maintain over the Winter and spend the next 7+ months enjoying the Nirvana inducing spinning of the cranks.