New power meter user and configuring PMC

[ruleof72]

I am a new power meter user and have had one for all of 10 days I have been playing around with WKO trying to learn as much as possible. The amount of information is almost overwhelming but I can see that if I follow a plan it will help me improve. Since I have so little data is the PMC going to be applicable for me or will I need to wait until I have months and months of data?

If the PMC is valid, what is the "best" way to configure it? What values should I use as starting points and when should I change them? I'd like to be able to get some use out of it since I am in the middle of the racing season. Any thoughts?

 

[frenchyge]

Welcome!

Any thoughts?

Yes. Read this: http://www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com/power411/performancemanager.asp

and this:
http://www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com/power411/performancemanagerscience.asp

while you're waiting for your copy of this to arrive in the mail:
http://www.amazon.com/Training-Racing-Power-Meter-Hunter/dp/1931382794/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-4292062-7109652?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180548828&sr=8-1

Enjoy.

 

[ruleof72]

Welcome!


Yes. Read this: http://www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com/power411/performancemanager.asp

and this:
http://www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com/power411/performancemanagerscience.asp

while you're waiting for your copy of this to arrive in the mail:
http://www.amazon.com/Training-Racing-Power-Meter-Hunter/dp/1931382794/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-4292062-7109652?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180548828&sr=8-1

Enjoy.

I have "the book" and it is great. And, I have read the articles on cyclingpeaks. All good information. I guess what I am asking is how have others configured PMC at the very beginning of training with power to get halfway "accurate" results since I don't have much data yet. Will 10 days of data be valuable or do I need to wait a bit longer?

 

[acoggan]

I have "the book" and it is great. And, I have read the articles on cyclingpeaks. All good information. I guess what I am asking is how have others configured PMC at the very beginning of training with power to get halfway "accurate" results since I don't have much data yet. Will 10 days of data be valuable or do I need to wait a bit longer?

You probably won't really learn much until you have a least a couple of month's worth of data.

 

[gregkeller]

There is no definite way to start using the PMC. As to starting values you could probably guestimate your current CTL, then let the PMC do it from there. I wrote up a pretty simple explanation of things on my blog, if you are interested you can check it out here.

http://www.westwoodvelo.com/showthread.php?t=963

goes along with some questions a teammate asked about his PMC at this link.

http://www.westwoodvelo.com/showthread.php?t=958