Wind analyze feature.

[GWPOS]

Just a quick question on the analyze wind feature under the tools tab in the IBike 3 software. Should I be using this feature after doing rides to get an accurate power number or does it only work properly if I do out and back rides? I noticed when I did a ride and test to establish my new FTP that if I used the analyze wind on the entire ride file that there was a 5 watt difference compared to the raw data. I did not use the IBike "fitness test" to do this, just did a ride/warmup and then I did my 20 min FTP test via a scheduled interval.

[coachboyd]

For *most* looped rides on calm days, the average ground wind speed under tools->analyze wind should be within +/- 1.0mph. Of course, not all loops are good circles and you can spend a lot more time in head and crosswind and that would affect the average ground wind speed..

If all of your rides are, for example, ~+1.8mph, then we'd want to look at your wind scaling and if that needs to be adjusted.

You can't automatically assume a 0.0mph average ground wind speed for all rides, and adjusting it as such would throw off your data.

[GWPOS]

What if I took just the up and back section of the ride, the part I did for my FTP test and then did the analyze feature. Would this give me an accurate reading ?

[GWPOS]

Also, then how would I go about making sure I get the right number to figure out my FTP out of the 20 min TT I did during this ride? Here is the file just in case that matters. Also I went back and looked at other rides and they all seem to have about "-.03"- "-.09" in the average ground wind. For some reason the day I did my FTP ride the numbers came out a little bit more off than that. I don,t remember it being to windy...then again I was more focused on the FTP test than anything else. Thanks again coachboyd for your time...

Clint

[coachboyd]

Everything looks good with this.

The reason why for this ride you were showing a -1.1mph on the average ground wind speed is because you were climbing with a tailwind. There were times when the tailwind was a bit stronger than the speed you were going (example 10mph tailwind while climbing 8mph). The iBike can only see 0mph of wind entering the unit.

Because this usually only happens on climbs, the wattage will hardly be affected if at all. Almost all of your wattage on a climb is used to overcome gravity, the slight discrepancy between wind speed with a tailwind while climbing is barely noticeable, but for this ride if you were to go and zero out your average ground wind speed, then you would be overcompensating and elevating the wattage in error.

By the way, you had some very good pacing for this fitness test. I know, especially going up a climb, it can be easy to overcook it to start off. You did a good job of maintaining a stead wattage throughout and even raising it at the end of the test. One thing you may want to try is a few more leg openers before you start the test, like some 5 minute efforts at just below your fitness test wattage. I see the one effort, but adding a couple more will build up a little bit of lactate acid so that when you start the test you have a buffer built up.

[GWPOS]

Thanks for looking at my ride file coach boyd. This was my first FTP test on a road bike and I just wanted to make sure I was looking at good numbers.

As of late I have been working hard on pacing during my rides, but I agree I should have done a better warm up. I have this issue after a recovery week that my HR will go anywhere from 8-10 beats higher than what it would do during a workout in the middle of base/build training so I was mentally fighting that during warmup for this ride.

So back to the ride file, I would guess that I should use the 310watts -%5= 294/295, am I right?

Thanks again for the tip on building up some buffering, I will definitely try it on my next test. Should I re-test every 4th week or 8th week? Thanks....

Clint

[coachboyd]

That's why power training is so much more valuable that HR based training. When I first start back riding in late October after my break it takes a good month or so until my heart rate has stabilized to the point where I'm holding the values I see the rest of the year. Example is that on a climb I will sustain high 170's and I usually don't see that until the very end of a hard race during the season.

Yes, the 95% of your 20 minute power is a very good estimation of your current FTP. Some people like to have it nailed more precise, but I don't think it matters that much to have it accurate within 5 watts. If you are doing your intervals at 290 or 294 you will still get the benefits of training with power.

I would say re-test based on feel. If you feel like your FTP has risen more than 10-15 watts, then you will want to have your zones re-done. So, if those intervals start feeling easy to you, go re-test.

[GWPOS]

Thanks......Have a GREAT NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Clint