Background: I’m a 60 yo cyclist with 30 yrs of racing exp (6’1", 80 kg). My first “10 speed” bike I bought for $105 in 1974. Been riding ever since, racing since 92. Last 20 yrs averaging 7000-11000 mile/yr. Cat 4, then to Masters 1/2/3/4. Now retired, living in the Philippines and race here about 3-4/month crits and RR’s. (talk about heat acclimatization!! - but no cramps!!)
I love the podcast, appointment viewing on Friday morning for me here for the last 3 years. Started using TR w/power in 2012 (?), just started again since the lock down started.
In watching the Podcast, I come away knowing that the advise and discussion is great, but that I must always make adjustments for my age. I know that everyone (almost) likes to refer to themselves as “average”. And that Nate, Chad, Jonathan and Amber sometimes refer to themselves as average, but really in the big picture, they are in the top 5% of the competitive cycling population. They are all exceptionally talented, focused and hard working…and young.
I would love to see you have a guest who is an older cyclist who can speak to older cyclists from experience. Everyone will be in this boat one day, in that the gains become harder to get, and PB’s are further in the past as each year goes by, regardless of effort, diet, weights (squats, etc.) or motivation.
I know that when I do my Ramp Test and get result of 257 or 247, that I have to knock that down due to my age. I use about a 0.9 factor and set 225 as my FTP, so I can finish consecutive workouts. I can do a workout at 245 ftp, but I cannot get in enough recovery to complete the plan. (I’m on SSBMV1, Rolling RR focus).
And at a set FTP of 245 over-unders feel like over-overs. One thing that kills me in races and hard group rides are spikes over 350 watts (attacks and short hills), I just need more recovery than younger guys. I have found that no matter what I do, I am limited by the a fact I am getting older. The last 3 years have really shown me that, especially since in almost every race and hard group ride, my fellow riders are usually in their 30’s/40’s. And Zwift racing has no age categories.
Also, I have been experimenting with calorie intake over the past months on TR & Zwift races, and find that its nowhere near the 90 grams/hr of a rider with a higher FTP. My work rate, with a low FTP, is much lower that someone with a 375 FTP. Would love to hear this discussed, as it seems to me that calorie intake is directly related to FTP (work rate ability).
Any perspectives for senior cyclists who want to remain as competitive as possible would be of value. I know I’m on the downward side of the curve, and I know what I need to do to “flatten” it, just would like to hear what other competitive old guys are doing to keep as much of their gains as possible.
Thanks!
Ray