Using analyticcycling.com to train with power

ridiculous said:

I am wondering for all you people out there training with power... I was looking at analytic cycling.com and had a question about using it to train with power for people who don't have a powermeter.

Say you are doing intervals in a closed course and you are aiming to hit a certain power. You can plug in your desired power, weight, etc. and analyticcycling.com gives you your speed. Does that mean that if you can hit this speed as your average speed for one lap on the closed course, you are hitting whatever power you inputed?

I am assuming that slope is 0 since whatever fluctuations up or down on the closed course eventually levels out to net gain of 0 (since you are coming back to starting point). Am I correct to assume this?

Does this work? Can you train using this method?

On a side note.........anybody know what is around a proper frontal area for a rider of about 5'3"-5'5'" both in the drops and on the hoods?

Just for reference, I do stack of training on one such 3.8km circuit. Power required to ride an average pace varies significantly depending on the conditions on the day and my set up. For non-PM riders, I give them approximate lap times which will usually simulate power range for them.

x min/lap +/- 15 sec approximates Level 5
y min/lap +/- 15 sec approximates Level 4
etc
but they will only ever approximate an average power.

See article on "Critical Distance":
pezcyclingnews.comdefault.aspOpen ↗

You could also use a standard hillclimb (with know gradient) to greatly negate the variables since gravity is the overiding force on climbs, plug your data into analyticcycling.com for a power estimate.

ridiculous said:

I am wondering for all you people out there training with power... I was looking at analytic cycling.com and had a question about using it to train with power for people who don't have a powermeter.

Say you are doing intervals in a closed course and you are aiming to hit a certain power. You can plug in your desired power, weight, etc. and analyticcycling.com gives you your speed. Does that mean that if you can hit this speed as your average speed for one lap on the closed course, you are hitting whatever power you inputed?

I am assuming that slope is 0 since whatever fluctuations up or down on the closed course eventually levels out to net gain of 0 (since you are coming back to starting point). Am I correct to assume this?

Does this work? Can you train using this method?

On a side note.........anybody know what is around a proper frontal area for a rider of about 5'3"-5'5'" both in the drops and on the hoods?

There are better ways of achieveing the same results. Let me ask you, are you prepared to spend about 5-6 hrs/week on a trainer?

ridiculous said:

Does this work? Can you train using this method?

I'm not sure if you've lurked here long enough to understand the subtle difference, but what you're describing is more akin to training *by* power (as opposed to with power). IOW, you're simply using a power approximation to set your zones, or tell you how hard to ride for any given workout. While a direct power reading does provide some advantages (ie, instantaneous, independent of environment, etc.), using HR, perceived exertion (PE), or even avg speed on a known course will do nearly as good a job in such a limited capacity as what you're considering, and would be a lot simpler.

What you're suggesting could work, but I think you're adding a layer of complexity that's not really providing any benefit. If you just like to tinker, however, then it might be enough to help keep things interesting. 🙂