cadence importance

[Crankin]

When I first got a computer with a cadence function, my cadence was consistently between 74-77. The only time it went higher was when I didn't feel good and I was pedaling like crazy in a low gear to get "done." Last winter I did similar training as described above. During the summer, I noticed my average cadence is now in the low eighties on a more consistent basis. On the road, I tend to use the easiest gear possible for what ever terrain I'm in and now that easier gear is a higher one. However, like Knott, if I feel like I'm in the happy place while I'm riding, I really don't care what my cadence is!

[Alex]

Gnat,

I'm using CTS. (It was a Christmas present.) There are things I like and things I don't. I think individual satisfaction depends quite a bit on the coach to whom you are assigned. I switched coaches after the first 6 weeks because my first coach missed two of our weekly prearranged telephone calls in a row. (The stated reasons for missing the calls were lame, too.)

The CTS website has good videos to show you how to do the various drills and the online schedule is handy. It's nice to have someone analyze my Garmin data and to tweak my schedule as needed. I do like having a plan for each workout and I like that I don't have to come up with that plan!

I'm curious to see what sort of improvements I make. DH is doing Mark Allen online training for tris and he's very happy with that.

Alex