Correct settings for cyclocross race

[bitasuite]

Hi

I'm a new user and tried my PP on a cx race today. Could someone give me an idea if this file looks ok? The race was an hour, of which I was around threshold hr for pretty much the whole race. The reason I think the power may be off is that my TSS on TrainingPeaks was only 61 - I would expect it to be a lot higher (around 90?).

Also, my file in Newton shows my warm up too. Is there a way to tell the PP that you are starting a new ride?

Many thanks in advance.

[Velocomp]

You've got your rolling resistance set for a road bike (0.0042)...not a cx bike (0.007). So, your watts are somewhat low (about 10W low).

I've adjusted the profile for the higher resistance of a cx bike. Modified profile is attached.

You have set your FTP to 302W.

On the hill repeats you are doing about 280W average, for 90 seconds. However, your hills show very high power for about 20 seconds, then resting, then more high power. This is very hard on your body (normalized power on your climbs is about 400W).

Overall, your style is to "ride hard", then rest. A more even amount of power would likely benefit you.

You would do better to hold a lower but more constant level of power for the entire hill climb.

[bitasuite]

Hi John

Thanks for the quick response and the coaching tip! I think the periods of rest are likely the more technical sections of the course - i.e. towards the top of the climb was a wooded area with lots of roots so it would be difficult to put out a similar amount of power here as on the grass below. I think you do have a point though - I definitely need to pace myself better as my lap times are as consistent as my competitors.

Also, is there a way to start a new ride on the PP (my warm up and race were on the same file)

Thanks again.

[Velocomp]

You can't restart the PP ride file, but you CAN separate the race part of the file with the Isaac command "File/Split File at Cursor..."