Something that has bothered me for a while and I can’t seem to address or fix is getting more aero and increasing the average speed on a ride. I’m large at 6’4" and 185-190lbs, but have fairly decent flexibility. On average my endurance-paced rides (@ 190-210w average power) are around 17.5-18 mph …

[image] anthonylane: I’ve noticed that many smaller riders with FTPs that are 30-50w lower are dusting me in average speed on our local terrain at any given wattage. I’m also a bigger rider at 6’0. We’re in the minority and we pay attention to the guys doing similar watts/kg while going fast…

Its all about the weight to power ratio in this case… yes you can get more aero… but at the end, you are a tall person… it will take more power to carry you… For context… I am “5’6” and 155… I have done 50 miles with end average speed of 20 mph with average power of upper 170s (coldish weather th…

From the sounds of where he lives in MN, and where I live, it sounds more like Watts-to-CdA ratio.

Maybe a combination… Mentally I compare riding bikes with cars… Mustangs (big people with high FTP) Miatas (smaller people, smaller FTP) I know the Mustang will be faster, but it will also use more energy and effort to get to the same speed… Not sure if this make sense… but thats how i rational…

[image] QuittingBikes: By the way, do your routes include stoplights or any other kinds of slowdowns? Yes. It takes me 30-45 min minimum to get outside the city and avoid lights. Lots of slowing down, and speeding back up.

Checkout this analysis I did on my first 2021 group ride about 2.5 months ago: [image] Riding into a headwind Training re: scenario #4, luckily the two guys in front and one behind me had power meters. Here are Strava power graphs of riders 1-4 pacelining on a ~4 min / 1.5…

Just went back to my last “fast” ride which was a gravel race a few weeks ago. 19.9 (we’ll call it 20) mph average over the course of 53 mi. However, I bounced many physiological checks to pay for this “speed”… [Screen Shot 2021-06-09 at 12.21.38 PM]

gravel will require more power, as with some of the roads around here when the road gets really rough and I either need to up power or let speed drop.

[image] bbarrera: 1st and 2nd wheel are about 5’ 6" and 135-145 lbs, basically what I call small wiry guys on Tarmacs with mid aero wheels that are naturally very aero. Interesting to see what kind of air you were catching 3rd wheel. I’m almost always in the same boat during a group ride. I g…

[image] Joelrivera: Its all about the weight to power ratio in this case… I’ve been under the impression that unless it’s a sustained climb power:weight is far less a factor than sheer watts. To your point though, I push a lot of wind, so wattage and body size are a big factor. I think what …

Becoming more aero, and faster

Training

bbarrera June 9, 2021, 5:21pm 19

Checkout this analysis I did on my first 2021 group ride about 2.5 months ago:

1st and 2nd wheel are about 5’ 6" and 135-145 lbs, basically what I call small wiry guys on Tarmacs with mid aero wheels that are naturally very aero.

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Becoming more aero, and faster

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