Aerobic fitness takes decades to develop

Training
105

So, to summarise, somewhere between 5 & 12 years typically.

106

Iā€™m shooting for 5hp/ton

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107

But the point of this thread is to discuss aerobic fitness gains. And the point being made is that W/kg as a metric is a poor proxy for aerobic fitness. If you want to measure W/kg, go for it! But letā€™s not confuse this thread with more ā€˜W/kgā€™ talk!

Watts to HR ration might be a better one perhaps. Or TTE at zone 2 level of efforts perhaps?

But as has been pointed out already by others, aerobic fitness can be difficult to measure or quantify as it can be demonstrated in so many ways.

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108

W/kg over 5 minutes is a good measure of aerobic fitness. Tracking this metric across time would indicate aerobic gains or losses.
Holding kg fixed, increase in W indicates an increase in aerobic fitness.
Holding W fixed, decrease in kg indicates aerobic fitness.
Itā€™s imperfect as all measures are, but I would not classify it as a poor measure. Tracking HR holding watts fixed is probably better over a long time horizon, but HR has its own limitations in shorter durations. For example, HR seems to be suppressed with heavy fatigue as opposed to indicating an improvement in aerobic fitness.

109

Well, it took a week but I read the whole thread.

And my very incorrect takeaway is that once Iā€™m 90, I will finally have a chance at beating those pesky 14 year old prodigies in the town sprint for the stop sign.

Futureā€™s lookinā€™ pretty lit.

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110

Iā€™m 43 and have been riding bikes for 10 years, but I have been riding in the winter and training more consistently only for 5. My ftp does not seem to improve dramatically but my speeds seem to be going higher. I think itā€™s got to do more with experience and pacing than being stronger. Also, I seem to be getting better at the wattage for my zone 2 HR.

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111

I am in the same boat. I think there is a skill to riding that we dont quite realize. I can ride faster now with less power. Pacing, better positioning, etc

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112

Yes, better descending, better aerodynamicsā€¦ Thereā€™s a lot to consider, not just power

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