So I’ve been suffering for a number of years, initially on TrainerRoad using virtual watts on a dumb trainer before switching to SUF many years ago, using the same dumb trainer but with a Stages PM.
This will be my 5th tour and for the first time I’m working through the prep plan. All going well - I survived ISLAGIATT somehow last weekend - until this week when said PM decided to give up. Having tried everything to revive it, to ensure I didn’t miss too much suffering I bit the bullet and ordered a smart trainer which arrived today. I’m now back to suffering! Yay!
So here’s the question - I’m now working with numbers created using the PM. So I need new numbers. So, do I:
swap out a session in the prep plan for another FF?
swap out a session for HM and try to work out the “gap” between old PM and the smart trainer
I’d go for a FF if you’ve got the capacity. Although there shouldn’t be a great deal of difference between the stages and the trainer (compared with using virtual watts), obviously HM will only update your FTP & MAP.
On the other hand, HM won’t kill you and you get to play with ERG mode, and you can make a quick decision about how different the FTP & MAP look and adjust NM/AC accordingly.
I think you should do one of the tests to update your numbers for power numbers generated by the trainer.
I agree with this. Doing HM gives you a relatively easy way of comparing old and new numbers. If they’re close, then you’re good to go. If not, then you can either adjust NM/AC as suggested, or consider doing FF.