I started trainerroad 6 weeks ago. I’m overdue for a day off and somewhat fatigued, but I thought I was up for my ride tonight. Guess not, ended up quitting half way through, which was a first for me. I just didn’t have the energy for rapid numerous repeats at 150 percent ftp. Using virtual power, so not sure if power accuracy was a factor or I simply was not up for the task today.
Accuracy could have been a factor. I played around with Trainerroad for a few weeks comparing their virtual power to my powertap and I didn’t find consistency throughout the power curve. It might read 40 watts low at threshold, but was 70 watts low at 120% of FTP. I did a workout that had some repeats at 120% and had I been using virtual power I would have blown up.
I tried 3 different trainers and the most accurate one I found was the Cycleops Supermagneto Pro if I had the trainer on interval setting and Trainerroad on road setting, but it was only accurate above 200 watts. It was spot on though. Once you went below 200 watts it was way off.
I’m only on week 2, but it definitely keeps me honest! Before TR I would only get nervous/ excited about certain run sets and the occasional swim marker set. Now the bike is in my mind!
Accuracy could have been a factor. I played around with Trainerroad for a few weeks comparing their virtual power to my powertap and I didn’t find consistency throughout the power curve. It might read 40 watts low at threshold, but was 70 watts low at 120% of FTP. I did a workout that had some repeats at 120% and had I been using virtual power I would have blown up.
I tried 3 different trainers and the most accurate one I found was the Cycleops Supermagneto Pro if I had the trainer on interval setting and Trainerroad on road setting, but it was only accurate above 200 watts. It was spot on though. Once you went below 200 watts it was way off.
Thanks, I’m using a Cyclops fluid 2. My FTP based on virtual power and the 20 minute FTP test is 195. Tyndall has a ton of 15 second intervals at 150% FTP (292 for me) with 15 second breaks. I died about half way through the second set. I did a 4 week base plan and I think I’m in week 2 or 3 of a build plan. The build workouts have been somewhat hard, but manageable, until today. I’m guessing it was at least partially fatigue, ability, and the specific workout, but virtual power accuracy may have also contributed.
I was on a Fluid 2 when it was reading about 40 watts low at FTP and 70 watts low above FTP.
ETA - my FTP is 285 so it was reading about 40 watts low around there and closer to 70 watts low when I was getting up over 350. I think it was 20-30 watts low around 200 watts. So based on that, if you were trying to do repeats around 300w you may have actually been closer to 310-320w. I did find it to be consistent workout to workout so you can compare workouts.
I started trainerroad 6 weeks ago. I’m overdue for a day off and somewhat fatigued, but I thought I was up for my ride tonight. Guess not, ended up quitting half way through, which was a first for me. I just didn’t have the energy for rapid numerous repeats at 150 percent ftp. Using virtual power, so not sure if power accuracy was a factor or I simply was not up for the task today.
it happens man. I had to bring down a workout by 5% on Sunday cause I was just too gassed. the first two 9-minute Over-Under intervals (95%/105%) toasted my legs so I stopped and dropped intensity
I think we’ve all been there, don’t be discouraged by it. In regards to Virtual Power, a few things to stay very mindful of in order to maintain consistency are the tire, tire pressure, spindle tension, and skewer tension. Any small changes with these can lead to a different reading, but as long as you’re careful you can keep VP pretty dang consistent.
Virtual power will probably lag a bit behind actual power as well since it’s based on wheel speed and not actual power readings. Normally it wouldn’t make much of a difference but for short intense intervals it might.