realbdeal wrote:
Hey Cody, your blog was one of the first I started following as an example of how to enter and what to expect in the pro triathlon world. I'm hoping to get my pro card by the end of this year. Thank you for being so transparent! In your power file you linked here it says your average cadence was 80rpm. Is that what you normally ride/what you shoot for? Or do you not think about it. I've noticed that my 'comfortable' cadence is climbing higher and higher but I'm not convinced that I should be okay with 93-95 during a race. Am I overthinking it or does cadence go into your race planning?
Thank you, I'm honored!
80 rpm is a pretty typical cadence for me. I wouldn't have been surprised by a lower number. I do steady endurance rides (220-230W) in the 65-80rpm range depending on the route and fatigue levels. My 70.3 races are usually 78-85 rpm. Going back several years to when I was much weaker on the bike, my average cadence was always 90-100 rpm.
My view is that average cadence is a red herring in triathlon. I would never try to hold a specific cadence during a race. In fact, it's not even displayed on my computer. I wouldn't be concerned by any athlete with a cadence falling somewhere in the 70-100 rpm range.
As I wrote earlier, I did prepare for the inevitable cadence fluctuations that occur during a race. I think there's some value in occasional high and low cadence work, particularly for athletes who mostly ride indoors. It's easy to lock into a narrow cadence range on the trainer.
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Last edited by:
Cody Beals: Aug 23, 18 4:19