Looking for an estimate of my average power
02-01-10, 02:56 PM
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Looking for an estimate of my average power
I'm looking for a rough estimate for what my average power is and hoping that somebody here with a powertap and a similar build can help me out. I'm 5'10", 146lbs and riding solo on my usual training routes I average 21mph over 30 miles and 450ft of climbing and low wind. Can anybody help?
02-01-10, 03:03 PM
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It is unlikely you will get a reasonably accurate power number that way. Too many variables.
02-01-10, 03:17 PM
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02-01-10, 03:24 PM
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why?
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02-01-10, 03:46 PM
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I like this one better:
https://www.noping.net/english/
But again the question is why? Any calculation you make is just not going to be accurate enough to be useful for training purposes.
If you have a power meter, power is obviously a very useful matrix.
If you don't have a power meter, a heart rate monitor, or perceived exertion are going to better guides than an extrapolation from a on line calculator, or a buddy's power meter.
https://www.noping.net/english/
But again the question is why? Any calculation you make is just not going to be accurate enough to be useful for training purposes.
If you have a power meter, power is obviously a very useful matrix.
If you don't have a power meter, a heart rate monitor, or perceived exertion are going to better guides than an extrapolation from a on line calculator, or a buddy's power meter.
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02-01-10, 03:49 PM
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:facepalm:
02-01-10, 04:21 PM
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02-01-10, 04:29 PM
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I would suggest you try and crank up your wattage more. Your power to weight ratio makes cyclists look bad. My girlfriend on her beach cruiser cranks out more power (and I know b/c I put a powertap on it)
02-01-10, 05:08 PM
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02-01-10, 05:57 PM
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I'm looking for a rough estimate for what my average power is and hoping that somebody here with a powertap and a similar build can help me out. I'm 5'10", 146lbs and riding solo on my usual training routes I average 21mph over 30 miles and 450ft of climbing and low wind. Can anybody help?
02-02-10, 01:00 PM
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The reason that I ask is becasue I race mtb but do a fair amount of training on my road bike. People frequently mention typical average power to weight ratios of sport, elite & expert riders (using average power output). I usually finish in the top 20% of my races in the sport class, so I was just wondering roughly where I currently stood powerwise to determine if my technique or power is my current limiting factor so I know where to focus my efforts for this season (since I have limited training time).
02-02-10, 01:41 PM
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The reason that I ask is becasue I race mtb but do a fair amount of training on my road bike. People frequently mention typical average power to weight ratios of sport, elite & expert riders (using average power output). I usually finish in the top 20% of my races in the sport class, so I was just wondering roughly where I currently stood powerwise to determine if my technique or power is my current limiting factor so I know where to focus my efforts for this season (since I have limited training time).
Anyway, if you can't get hold of a powertap, drive out to the mountains, find the steepest, knarliest hill you can find, and do the math. If it's steep enough (over 10% maybe?), the wind/rolling resistance is fairly minimal.
02-02-10, 01:58 PM
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The right power means absolutely nothing in the wrong context.
For all intents and purposes, power can be substituted by ANY (repeatable and consistent) arbitrary numeric representation on effort that removes nearly all outside variables from the equation (i.e. just the rider and machine efficiencies). Even in that case, it's only a tool to measure performance, structure training and measure improvements.
In simpler terms, riding without power is like working out at the gym without knowing the weights... the only reason to tout the weights (like 300 lb bench) is just to flex nuts.
It has no real meaning without reference.
For all intents and purposes, power can be substituted by ANY (repeatable and consistent) arbitrary numeric representation on effort that removes nearly all outside variables from the equation (i.e. just the rider and machine efficiencies). Even in that case, it's only a tool to measure performance, structure training and measure improvements.
In simpler terms, riding without power is like working out at the gym without knowing the weights... the only reason to tout the weights (like 300 lb bench) is just to flex nuts.
It has no real meaning without reference.
02-02-10, 02:23 PM
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The reason that I ask is becasue I race mtb but do a fair amount of training on my road bike. People frequently mention typical average power to weight ratios of sport, elite & expert riders (using average power output). I usually finish in the top 20% of my races in the sport class, so I was just wondering roughly where I currently stood powerwise to determine if my technique or power is my current limiting factor so I know where to focus my efforts for this season (since I have limited training time).
To start to do what you want, you'd ned to do a field test, and even then there are too many variables to get an accurate result.
Read Training and Racing with Power https://www.amazon.com/Training-Racin.../dp/1931382794, and if you want the make the most of limited training time you really should consider getting a power meter.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
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