Just managed a 20mph Ave...

[aran20]

Yeah, you're right... Was a bit big headed of me to put down my p.b's on this thread, sorry, but I'm so chuffed at what I've acheived this season and at 41 I seem to get faster as I get older... weird!

I agree power output is the key, but the equipment is so damn expensive. I just keep my speedo on average speed and try to maintain it as high as physically possible. I've always TT'ed this way and it seems to work for me. I did try using a HRM but found it detracted from my efforts as I seemed to be concentrating more on my heart rate rather than the ride/race itself.

Hope I haven't offended anyone.

 

[Chrisz]

But surely av. speed is linked to power output? The higher av speed one attains on a set course/route (consistently) the greater on'e power output? Or am I missing something here?

 

[I am Spartacus]

But surely av. speed is linked to power output? The higher av speed one attains on a set course/route (consistently) the greater on'e power output? Or am I missing something here?

yes you are right.. the higher the watts.. the in many cases the higher the speed... BUT
that same course
nil headwind
20 mph headwind

still gonna attain the same speed?
if you are, then your watts would have exploded upwards.. and if you can do that then your ideal conditions ride you will blitz next time.. but it dont work for me

Again the equipment to measure watts is so damned expensive, we plebs are forced to use other variables such as speed, perceived exertion, cadence, heart rate in order to train effectively.
There are a couple of algorithms to work out power from speed etc but they are done after the event and are 'guesstimates'
http://www.analyticcycling.com/

oh well...back to quality training over quantity

 

[Chrisz]

I entirely see your point there I am spartacus, which is why I said "consistently".

I've done one or two rides to work with a tail wind and reached almost 21mph, but the return journey lowered my overall average accordingly.

I log averag speeds for each and every ride to see if I'm getting faster/more powerful. I als use the lap functions on the comp to see if I can climb the hilly bits faster (start the lap at the bottom by the junction and stop it at the top under the phone wires).

It's the only way I can get an indication of power since I can't afford power cranks etc. either. But I do use HR to measure exertion. Combined with av speeds it seems to me to be a good way of measuring actual improvements rather han wind assisted improvements

 

[I am Spartacus]

The only true test is to put yourself up against others... as I am next week with a crit style race.. sadly I KNOW I am going to get whacked so badly it will be untrue as 'race fitness' is another step up the food chain and t'others will have already 4 months of being hardened to it... so I will be happy enough to hide in the pack even tho the races are 'age aligned'

but the race fee is not much over a bag of fishnchips and I am getting a lift over to it, so I have run out of excuses........................