This means you can easily compare your test results with those of other riders as in the table below. It adds four additional, imaginary, riders (all the same weight as me) to my data showing their wattages by zone and rating them according to how they compare with the population as a whole.
Zone
|
Time
|
Alex
|
Bernie
|
Chris
|
Don
|
Me
|
|
2
|
Endurance
|
5
hrs
|
259W
Very
Good
|
180W
Moderate
|
175W
Moderate
|
245W
Very
Good
|
212
Good
|
3
|
Tempo
|
2.5
hrs
|
280W
Very
Good
|
238W
Good
|
210W
Moderate
|
273W
Very
Good
|
269
Very
Good
|
4
|
Lactate
Threshold
|
1
hour
|
335W
Excellent
|
269W
Good
|
231W
Moderate
|
295W
Very
Good
|
301
Very
Good
|
5
|
VO2Max
|
5
mins
|
370W
Very
Good
|
340W
Good
|
340W
Good
|
362W
Very
Good
|
373
Very
Good
|
6
|
Anaerobic
|
1
mins
|
592W
Good
|
657W
Excellent
|
641W
Very
Good
|
608W
Very
Good
|
485
Fair
|
7
|
Neuromuscular
|
5
secs
|
1080W
Moderate
|
1042W
Moderate
|
1530W
Excellent
|
1233W
Very
Good
|
748
Novice
|
Each rider is clearly very different.
- Alex is a typical “time triallist” not particularly good at short efforts but getting stronger as the going gets longer.
- Bernie is a “pursuiter” with a huge turbo so would make a great 1k rider or short hill climber.
- Chris is a “sprinter” very much stronger in Zone 7 but finding long distances tough.
- Don is an “all rounder” very good at everything but not best at anything
The four categories above are known as “power profiles”. A useful first step after testing yourself and getting your personal numbers by zones is to find out what sort of rider you are and how you match up against others. (An internet search for “power profile chart” will give examples of the information you need to do this or check out my post here https://bahzobsblog.blogspot.com/2020/06/world-class.html)
The result can stack nicely with setting targets. You may find that you are just a few watts away from the next classification upwards. It can be rewarding to set yourself the challenge of moving up a level and then succeeding.
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