I officially started the new cycling season yesterday with a power test. The test is to measure max heart rate, anaerobic or lactate threshold and max power output in watts. Considering the lack of time I was able to spend on the bike the last few month I wasnt expecting much. In the end I was suprised ny the numbers. In the three years I have done this test this was the best pre winter training numbers I have seen, some of them equaled the post winter training April numbers. The only one that was bad was the watts per pound. I suffered on this one because of the extra pounds from the lack of training and adjusting my diet. My watts per lb was 1.67, the best I have had was 1.82. My max wattage really wasnt any higher that time but I was lighter and that changed the numbers. Max watts was measured at 321. the max watts measured here is watts measured in a controled test for fitness. I am capable of much higher but can not sustain it.

It was raining today so no outdoor ride, instead we did week fives exercise for this years stationary training. It was 90 minutes of big gear leg muscle building and was very intense. No excuses for not training because of weather. If anyone else is riding for fitness I encourage you to get a stationary trainer for bad weather. Especially those of you who live in areas the weather prevents winter riding. There are so many exercises that you can do to improve your riding over the winter and never leave your house.

Ok, Damon, this is like, waaaay the heck over my head. You're giving off sparks, that's all I got from this. However, whatever the h*ll it is that you've got going, it's impressive as all get out and I wish you so much success this season! YOU are the godfather! I will send up burnt offerings in your honor! Ride like the wind.

Damon, this actually is great news cause you didn't mention the neck so am I right in assuming that your tolerance is up? I am looking forward to reports of great success for you this season and I hope that you meet and exceed your goals!

Damon, I hope your neck isn't bothering you and you finally gotten some relief.

I am glad you achieved very good pre winter training numbers! Rock on.

I didnt mean to put figures out there that you couldnt understand so I will try and explain what the termanology and numbers mean. I think most here understand what maximum heart rate is, this the hignest bpm your heart can reach in an aerobic or even an anerobic exercise mine is 189 bpm. Heart rate used to be the standard used to measure a cyclist condition,fitness and ability. It was also the most useful number to monitor while on the bike. Now the number of choice is watts output. They have found that if you can track the watts that a cyclist can produce in a controlled setting along with other factors you can actually have a better picture as to how that cyclist is performing, it is a more static and stable number than heart rate. Some cyclist have equipment on their bikes to monitor watts but its more money than I have. The Pro teams actually monitor all their riders from the team cars and can actually tell when a rider is in trouble. And yes the watts here are them same as watts of energy as the device used sends the signal in watts.

Anerobic or lactate threshold is the point(heartrate) that your body quits being able to use up the lactic acid from your muscles. Ater this it builds up and that is when you feel your muscles start to burn. Now if your lifting weights trying to build muscle this is fine but if your are in a long road race or endurance event and your legs start to burn you better hope you are at the finish line because there is not much left in the tank.

Your max heart rate will usually decrease as you get older as this is the way things go. With a lot of us though we have spent so many years unfit that we can actually increase it some, mine has gone from 180 to 189 bpm over the last 4 years but I dont see it going much higher. Anerobic threshold and watts is something that can be improved and is what I am going to try and work on. If I can increase my anerobic number it will allow me to push that much harder on the hills but also alow me to cruise at a higher pedling RPM and higher speed for a longer distance. Add to that higher power output and it mskes me a more complete cyclist.

No I didnt mention my neck as I am waiting to see and give it some more time. But so far so good.

Hope this explains it to you better.

Damon,

I love reading about your cycling life. It is very inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing. I will keep everything cross that you continue to have a quiet neck and that it allows you to reach your goals for the season!

smooches xx