rubiksoval

When I first started riding I would do 2-3 a week, and up to 4 in the summer months. There was just so much to try and take it all the time.

Once I had been at it a few years, I cut that down to 1-2 race-like rides because there was just so much coasting/soft-pedaling in most rides I didn't feel like it was an efficient use of training time.

Now I might get in 1-2 group rides a month because it's just harder to carve out the significantly longer time block needed for a group ride.

rubiksoval

However, when examining the potential for going super -TSB post-ride, it's useful to consider FTP and the advertised w/kg of the ride and how terrain may play into your PD curve. Manipulating CRR and CdA through equipment choices and/or adjusting pack position can allow for sufficiently less FRC-type efforts, just as staying OTB could provide a bit more stimulus if needed. Ultimately, if your plan on TP calls for Z2 but your IF is 1.1 with an NP-buster type ride, you've probably overdone it.

Koyote

This post should come with a glossary

Koyote

See, there's this thing called a "recovery day."

WhyFi

I tried to tell him on the first page, but pearls before swine...

Koyote

Oh, sure...I droped the hamer and dialed it up to 400w.

Bald Paul

What, you've never seen Cat 6 racers in a paceline?


Or is that 6 Cats in a paceline? I get confused.

genejockey 

What, and drop into the little ring?

Hermes

When I started training for racing, I did my coaches’ Sunday group ride in NorCal. That started at Canada /92 and went to the coast and back. He would be in a van following us with support and coaching. I avoided the other group rides per coach’s request - too dangerous versus the benefit.

Spectrum is a 40 mile 2400 feet of climbing unstructured ride that picks up riders as it continues along its route. There are sprint points but there is no “winning” Spectrum. Beginner racers always think everyone else is a sketchy rider or that fields are sketchy. It may in fact be true but the person making the observation is the one that is sketchy and lacks experience to know what is really sketchy.

Why would Cat 1s want to ride with you? It is a fair question not trying to insult you. I want to ride with racers who have similar goals, skills and experience - no beginners. You have to ride / race with the beginners.

See comment above on Spectrum. If you race, you must start in the Cat 5 field. I get that you do not want to crash but there is no alternative. And the real races are different from Early Bird activity. There are a numerous, excellent cat 5 racers in actual cat 5 races that have excellent pack skills. Ride with those guys if you can at the front and or breakaway and drop the pack. And if you think you are an A caliber rider, dropping a Cat 5 field should be easy for you.

“A” riders are born and not made. There is only so much one can improve through training. IMO, success on the bike in competition is about finding ones niche and entering those events whether races or other types of rides where one has a competitive advantage.

GhostRider62

No, I'm a rightie.

LarrySellerz

Probably gonna stay away from crits or road races and just do the safer group rides (spectrum is dangerous but not as dangerous as a race) and just race in alleycats because I'm good at dodging cars. The cat 1/2 guys do training group rides (spectrum, noon ride, morning ride, penvelo, valley ride) where anyone is welcome to join, so I can ride with them by just showing up to the rides.

WhyFi

This seems like a totally sound risk mitigation plan.

tomato coupe

Yep, sound logic.

Koyote

As has been suggested many times already: if you want to ride with the Cat 1/2 riders for more than the first few miles (until they drop you), you might want to do some more structured training. You're not going to get faster through osmosis.

genejockey 

This. The guys who are leaving you for dead are doing other kinds of training besides group rides. You don't train for a 40 mile group ride by riding a 40 mile group ride.

genejockey 

"Your logic is sound - mere sound."

LarrySellerz

I just need to deal with this watt/kilo thing and then I'll be good to go.

big john

I recommend dialing it up to 6 watts per kilogram.

Hermes

Everyone is a rock star on the A ride during warmup.

He has a lot of opportunity for structured training where he rides.

LarrySellerz

I'm buddies with multiple national champs and 1 former world class rider, and some of them do group rides pretty much every day. Their zone 2 is huge though and they can probably stay in it while im in zone 3 or 4. Just showing up to the group rides is honestly pretty good training, not optimal but I should be able to finish them all if I stay consistent. I wouldn't be the first person to get good by just doing the group rides without any real structure.

genejockey 

If they're on a recovery/endurance ride, and you're doing tempo/threshold, then you're not really training the same as they are, are you?

downhillmaster

Are you implying that planning to do anything isn’t a thing?
Because you are either doing it or or you’re not?
Odd that you would feel the need to point out something so obvious.
I am planning on having a few cocktails later today.
I guess by your logic maybe I won’t end up having them though because I planned it?

GhostRider62

If you can do 1.1, your FTP is wacked and the Zwift police are coming PDQ

Koyote

I’m not surprised that you are confused.

Mojo31

Turn it all the way up to 11.