Fit-test

Today was a cold snowy day outside, so i had my first fit-test on the bike for this year. I have not done one of these since last May where I recorded a new best. I do this test to see where my fitness levels are on the bike compared to the same time of last season or seasons before. I also use this test to see how far away I am from my peak levels and how many minutes or seconds I need to cut down to win certain races. My uncle has a basic idea of what times I need to produce to perform at certain races throughout the year.

The test is a 10mile time trial that contains 4 climbs and the steepest of which is 5%. Since these tests are always done on a compu-trainer so the conditions are as accurate as possible, the 5% grade on the compu-trainer is not the same as 5% outside. It roughly is 5% higher give or take. The average watts is also a little under as compared to outside. But when I did this test last year about this time I recorded a 30:07. And when I tested again in May at around my peak, I recorded a 27:52. This was a all time low since I started cycling, which made me very pleased. My uncle's best time is 26:17, so I was still a long ways off that pace.

Today me and Nate Hoiness did the test. He has been training with me since the new year and will continue to all through the season. It was his first ever fit-test and after a month of training with me, he scortched the course with a 29:17. Very impressive, showing that his fitness level is very good at this time! I warmed up while he did his test and so I then hopped on and recorded a new low of all time for me, even when I was at my peak last season, which was the best shape I had ever been in. I slayed a 26:59. I was very happy with the result and my uncle estimates that I need to cut off about 2 min, give or take a couple seconds, to win the Peaks to Prairie time trial. He estimated me in the top 10 as of right now. These predictions are based apon past years times and the times he has put out on the fit-test and his results in peaks as well as mine.

So all in all I am very happy with my results and I will test at least once more closer to the Peaks to Prairie to know where I might stand and where my fitness level is. Thats all for now...I have uploaded 3 new pics from the fit-test today. Check'em out http://twitpic.com/photos/nateweston