I just got done my first successful FTP Test for the season, after a couple of failures due to technical difficulties. The result was a little surprising, but since it’s higher than last year I’ll take it: 282 Watts for the 20-min effort, giving an FTP of 268 Watts.
Now that I’ve had my power meter for a few years I have some data to compare, which I just did, and was pleasantly surprised yet again:
Max Power (20 min)
- Dec 2013: 236
- Mar 2014: 256
- Jan 2015: 263
- Mar 2015: 272
- Jan 2016: 282
This works out to around an increase of 20 Watts a year, so I figure I’ll be ready to take on Thibault Pinault on Alpe d’Huez by the time I’m 60.
If you’d like to try one of these awful tests yourself here’s a helpful little video from GCN.
The Vicious Cycle 
Am I ready for the concomitant funeral expenses if I tried one of these? Probably not, so once again I will do my hard work vicariously. Keep it up Gerry.
If you do it, don’t tell Mrs. TP you got the idea from me.
I won’t be able to talk let alone tell anyone about it.
Really impressive and it’s nice to have hard data like that to follow your progress. I’ve watched a number of the GCN videos before but didn’t realise they had training videos too (for us indoor training guys). I’ve got Sufferfest videos but these are more like a spin class. May have to try one.
I’ve never tried a training video, but probably should. I have too much fun watching pro race reruns!
Great progress. As I age, I’m just happy to improve a couple watts, or just stay the same as the previous year and hope technology will offer a few watts.
I don’t have your decades of being an elite athlete, so I’m pretty sure I have a few more watts in me before I hit that wall.
congats!! I am working on my power slowly and surely
Good luck with it!
wow that is insane… right now i am working on watts per kg.. as i am losing weight and slowly gaining watts so i am happy with that
Good effort Gerry, part I hate with these tests is about 14 mins in and you think “shit, I’ve gone at this a bit too hard”. Keep it up!!
Totally agree, Mark, but for me it’s around 9 minutes. Once I’m past 50% I can start the mental countdown! How’s your season progressing, btw?