Since the methodology of calculating AI FTP has changed, I’m wondering if beating the AI FTP from last year with the new AI FTP would indicate progress. In other words, will I be coming in the season stronger this year?
Whether you have the complication of the AIFTP or not, FTP is pretty flawed as a progress metric.
Surely this is a perfect use of the power records chart with some appropriately set seasons or date filters?
Compare your power curves. That’s reality.
Right, that makes sense. Thanks guys!
That is a good question, sure would be nice if for each data point from the past that included a ‘AI FTP Detection’ in your Account History/ FTP history would also now include ‘new AI ftp detection’ . As it is a summary of your training ability and fitness to some extent all wrapped up by the opinion of the AI machine.
Looking at graphs on season match relies on matched length efforts that were similar effort… or matched workouts done while under a similar fatigue load. Just cuz you did a 4x9’ same/similar workout… you are just doing what was prescribed. One might be ‘hard’ and one ‘very hard’’ or higher/lower power… but that RPE is based on prior efforts and where it was in your plan (after recovery week or at end of 4wk block!). But either way they were not full out TT efforts, they were at expected levels based on FTP.
Similarly TR says I am a ‘steady time trialist…’ type of rider… well… that is probably because all of my training rides with power are prescribed. How will it ever know my ability to ride a 1 to 5min full gas effort now that I don’t do Zwift Racing? My Coggins power ranking curve or TR power ranking is based on 6wk or Season training planned/executed workouts…. not my ability to do 5sec, 1min, 20min power. Feel like having a good coach, very experienced cyclists, OR….TR AI… review my training year over year and giving its opinion shines a better unbiased light.
Comparing power records makes sense for some, but the whole beauty of AI FTP is the ability to track fitness without doing max efforts. I almost never do max efforts, so the power curve is really not helpful for comparisons. My power curve is primarily filled out with intervals where I’m doing the effort 3+ times in the same workout.
This is actually the root of my question. I didn’t do the same race series this year as last year on zwift so my power records last year are influenced with race efforts. I have a slightly better AI FTP YoY but then the basis is different.