another training question

[Cassandra_Cain]

VG - I agree that it is not the same experience watching vs. participating. I would think that is doubly so for more technical events, where technique and approach play a big part. The value of which, isn't readily obvious if one is just observing whereas with a TT, well it is pretty much sustainable power over the given distance.

I realize there is a small weight penalty with the PT hubs, but to train with power and then go into a race strictly on feel seems a bit contradictory. Not to mention you lose out on analysis of your race files and why or how you won, or lost, got dropped, etc...

Nobody I know here that races actually uses PM's. I'm sure there are folks that do, I just don't happen to know them nor do I know every racer in my area.

After just a few rides with the PT I realized how variable, as well as unreliable HR is, and to a lesser extent RPE. As an experiment of sorts and maybe to teach myself to better correlate RPE with power - I'll ride up a hill w/o looking at the PM for a short bit and try to guess more or less what my wattage should be - ditto on the trainer. It is still a work in progress, but getting better.

Anyway, my strengths are ridiculously obvious while weaknesses are painfully obvious.

The cross courses here, at least for the 3 events I've attended, have all been more or less improvised on school yards. I really have no idea if that is indicative of other areas or unique to this region.