Ftp??

AirRescueScott said:

OK....new Powertap, and only a cat 5 here, but a very serious cat 5. Help me out here, what's the FTP and how does one acquire this?

You already have an FTP - Functional Threshold Power. It is easiest to think of FTP as a measure of the maximum power output (usually measured in Watts) you can sustain for long periods - generally the standard used is power output for 60 minutes. The higher your FTP the faster you can go (assuming all other factors are the same - weight, aerodynamics, terrain, weather, bike set up etc).

What you probably don't know is what your current FTP value is. What many riders do is first establish what their current FTP is and then seek to improve on it through training.

For definitions on FTP and more go here
cyclingpeakssoftware.compower411Open ↗

and a stack of information and resources listed here
trainwithpower.nettrainwithpower.netOpen ↗

and FAQ here
midweekclub.capowerFAQ.htmOpen ↗