Cycling data analysis

I am a geek with an obsessive cycling hobby. I like to see data to help me answer fitness, performance, and training questions I may have. Analyzing workouts and races are an interesting part of the hobby for me.

After a few years of evolution from just looking at my speed during a ride to using a most if not all the data from my Garmin Edge 705 I now use a bunch of different software products. I hope to find the One software to rule them all, and SportTracks is coming close, but other software has better ways to display some of the data. WKO+ is known to be superior software but it doesn't do it for me.

Garmin Training Center

The first software installed once I purchased my Garmin. I analyze heart rate, elevation, cadence, grade, on the same chart. I can also use a map displaying where a data point was captured, letting me know where my max power was recorded for example.

I use Garmin Training Center to create, plan, and upload workouts to my Garmin. Unfortunately I cannot manipulate workouts with power. I end up either manually editing the workout XML file or using the Garmin Edge 705 for those workouts.

Courses can be uploaded to the device using Garmin Training center as well. Courses cannot be edited through this software.

Connect.garmin.com

This is the online version of Garmin's software, but is really a compliment to Garmin Training Center. You can review rides with graphs and a ride map, make them publictly visible, and set up goals which I don't use. There is also a nice "player" that allows to replay the ride, watching some of the data captured change as the ride progresses.

Month view of training

PowerAgent 7.4.5

Once I got a PowerTap I installed PowerAgent and got accustomed to its available data. I do not use the latest PowerAgent software because it has trouble with "My Documents" folders pointing to a network location which I happen to have set up at home. PowerAgent allows to import Garmin TCX files directly from my device. One feature is reviewing my peak power records.

Another nice feature is selecting an arbitrary section of a ride to view its data and chart details.

On the activity summary I can view the current activity against my peak power records as well as effort distribution with power and heart rate.

SportTracks

SportTracks - with plugins - is the closest solution I found that gives me the data I have become used to in one place. Plus the much desired ability to trend fitness over time by calculating and graphing TRIMP (training impact), TSS (training stress score), and TSB (training stress balance).

SportTracks does many things well although differently than the other software. Some drawbacks:

• Cost. $39 for the software, and each plugin I use wants $ to unlock full features.
• Peak power. Although a peak power report is available I haven't found a way to compare a given activity against my power records.
• Effort distribution. I haven't found a power and heart rate distribution for a given activity. Maybe another plugin.
• The Garmin plugin is buggy. It allows to manipulate workouts, if I can get it to work long enough.

Benefits

• TSS!
• Plugins. Nice to have community improvements.
• Probably many more. I haven't used this software for very long.

5 mile pass

My first A race of the season, my third mountain bike race of the season, and my fifth race of the season. The plan was to win. That's why I trained since November.

I am tired of saying that plan didn't work out again. I played catch up from the start line, never catching anyone. Again.

I am consistently in the top five finishers yet have been unable to get the win. I consistently fail to hang with the fastest group at the start.

This race was interesting in its time trial feel. Although there were plenty of climbs and technical areas there was nowhere to rest behind someone and take a rest. It is so easy to pass that its full gas the whole race.

There were definitely a few spots that I performed faster than others, partly due to my leaving my brain at the start line, and partly due to pre-riding. I distinctly remember one blind fast left turn where I zoomed by someone on the second lap, the awesome bobsled section where people actually got out of my way (yeah, on race day), and even walking up that ridiculous 34% grade, choosing to walk on the right side where everyone else chose left.

I haven't looked at my numbers yet but I don't feel I could have gone harder overall. I keep analysing and hoping I can find that key to be on the top step.

I got passed by 3rd place for the last time at the beginning of the second lap just as I started eating shot blocks. That seems to be a pattern. Maybe I should learn to spit it out, cover the attack, and try again later.

I kept that guy within 1/4 mile but couldn't reel him in. With two miles to go I saw him walking up a climb and thought I would catch him, but he looked back, saw me, and started running up the hill, jumped on his bike, and the next time I saw him he was feet from the finish. THAT is what I need. Somehow to muster some strength on demand.

I recently read a headline wondering if the Shleck brothers lack that killer instinct. I don't want to be that guy but I feel that way. Bah.

I climbed well. I stuck with everyone I climbed with and passed a few. I feel I descended well, again catching and passing. I finished relatively strong, given that I definitely felt weaker on my second lap. Did I have anything left? Sure didn't feel like it. Overall a good performance. I feel strong. The next 3 weeks should be interesting.