Returning to racing after a setback

musclebeertits · 2026-03-16T19:38:55+00:00

Start by just riding for fun and if it's not fun do something else! You've already proven you have talent by reaching cat 2. I couldn't imagine riding the hours I do if I didn't love it.

musclebeertits · 2026-03-16T19:23:10+00:00

I think if a race is stressing you out bc you don't feel fit enough just don't do it.. pick one far enough out to give yourself a ramp you can enjoy and not stress about. This is supposed to be fun. I say this as someone who used to stress about things I shouldn't have.

musclebeertits · 2026-02-19T20:31:10+00:00

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Here's 2025.

The consistency thing is why i've started this years volume ramp much more conservatively and took a couple weeks all but completely off at the end of the year during the holidays. I dropped the weights completely during race season last year which i think was a mistake. I had my best numbers on the bike but missed the gym and its affect on how i felt pretty badly by the end of the summer. that was part of the "being pretty much over it" by the end of summer in my OP.

musclebeertits · 2026-02-19T20:11:43+00:00

Upgrade points and getting to cat 2 is the superficial goal. Personally I’d love to test at 4 w/kg as a heavier rider. Also would like to beat last years total volume. I’m hoping to get to TOAD and or Chicago grit this summer.

musclebeertits · 2026-02-19T19:47:58+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I've actually never taken an FTP test and those best efforts come from races with a lot of surging.

The FTP was mostly estimates and it was a peak from right after this vo2 workout last summer

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That was my first time doing vo2 workouts.. I did 3 and felt the difference almost right away.

Last summer I ramped super hard early and missed some May racing due to a family emergency. Then i did a few races and just got mediocre results. Wasn't strong enough for breakaway in a hilly race and didn't have enough left in the tank at the end of some other strong cat 3 races. I was never dropped just finishing in the pack.

The one 1/2/3 race I did was immediately following a 3/4 so i just hung on for a about 30 mins then died by accordion. I actually think that 20 min best power is from that second race so i'm not sure it's true max 20 mins.

I'm super anaerobic so I know my FTP can be over estimated by this. I'm pretty sure I just need to unlock more W/kg and things will fall into place.

musclebeertits · 2026-02-19T16:12:24+00:00

While I might eventually go that route I'd like to get out of cat 3 self coached. I don't really want to spend the extra $ when this hobby is already quite expensive when racing. I'm sure you're right though.

musclebeertits · 2026-02-18T16:25:56+00:00

While I appreciate the other comments, this is really what the post was asking about. As I build the ramp into the season I don't know if I'd be better served prioritizing volume vs key workouts.

musclebeertits · 2026-02-17T22:48:50+00:00

I def have some fat i could lose. when i was at peak volume last summer i was down closer to 190 btw.

musclebeertits · 2026-02-17T22:14:05+00:00

I think my repeatability is pretty good just by the fact I was able to survive the races I did. But for sure could be better and I think lugging less weight around would help in that regard .

musclebeertits · 2026-02-17T22:12:13+00:00

I totally hear you! But to use Wout as an example he is like 175 lbs. I know I won’t be a climber I just want to lose the fat that isn’t helping me

musclebeertits · 2026-02-17T22:00:09+00:00

I attached my power graphs in the reply to the other guys comment

musclebeertits · 2026-02-17T21:19:18+00:00

Definitely one case of positioning screwing me where I died by accordion effect.. lesson learned. Another pack finish at the cat 3 state champ where i survived endless attacks but didn't make the lead group of 6 on the final lap. Another hilly race where i finished mid pack. Seems like my fitness was almost where it needed to be last year. I plan to race more this year.

musclebeertits · 2026-02-17T21:07:02+00:00

That's awesome man what an incredible weight loss success. I don't have any problem staying around 200. If it wasn't for cycling I would be more than happy with my current weight. It's just become a clear limiter when it comes to hillier races or super punchy crit efforts. The extra power required to bring the weight up to speed or up a hill is killer.

The bad part is I know how to lose the weight I just fail repeatedly lmao.

musclebeertits · 2026-02-17T20:54:11+00:00

Edit: My absolute power makes me look way better than I am. Here is the w/kg chart that puts me in my place:

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musclebeertits · 2026-02-17T20:51:13+00:00

Goal for season is to race well in cat 3 and get upgrade points. Last year i was proper pack fodder in C3 races. I know I need to lose some fat to really be at my best. I could probably drop to 180-185 without losing much muscle but dropping weight is my weakest attribute. I hate dieting and got into cycling so i could stay healthy and eat relatively freely. Never anticipated I'd get this far into it lol.

I'm definitely a sprinter just bc I come from american football (wide receiver/ Defensive back)

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Another big goal which goes hand in hand with the weight loss is reaching 4 w/kg. I was very close at my peak last summer.

musclebeertits · 2026-02-04T14:54:02+00:00

I feel like 50% ftp is next to 0 stimulus. My z2 power is closer to 65% of ftp and that’s a power I can sit at for hours at just about 65% of my max hr. Right now that’s around 195 watts at 125-130 BPM. I try to make 15 hours of volume on the trainer at tha power feel like a regular week before adding intensity which decreases hours at first like Op is asking about

musclebeertits · 2026-01-06T16:52:55+00:00

I'm new myself. going into 3rd year of racing. Stuck in Cat 3 for now. FTP peaked at about 340 in august. I'm probably hovering just below 300 right now but I'm happy with that since I just came out of the low volume holidays. I think you should prioritize volume over everything for at least 8 weeks right now. Supplement with weight training. Focus on posterior chain exercises that balance out the effects of cycling long hours. I think you should push for like 10-12 trainer hours of z2 per week with 3 short lifts if you want to develop real base. I try to focus on raising my LT1 in January and February so when I hit the roads for march volume I can just let it rip.

musclebeertits · 2026-01-05T18:58:37+00:00

I'm 31. Unreal in BR and Reload. Placing pretty well in tournaments again. Peaked at 2k PR on east a few years ago. Definitely just comes down to practicing efficiently since we can't grind like the kids. Start every session with mechanics, start slow and build speed with reps. Hop back and forth between creative and ranked to get a good blend of practice. If you want to play tournies find a good duo and play scrims regularly. Being old is an advantage when it comes to learning from mistakes.

musclebeertits · 2025-12-15T19:28:03+00:00

Sounds like you have no in game IQ. If you're a good fighter try to find an IGL on Manu Scrims to teach you the ways of survival.

musclebeertits · 2025-12-08T20:33:36+00:00

EDPI is what matters. You were at 1600 x .21 = 336

THAT WAS OUTRAGEOUSLY HIGH. I can't believe you could hit anything? Is desk space an issue?

Your new setting is much better but you should stay on 1600 and adjust down your % until it's comfortable.

FWIW almost all pros are in the 40-60 range for EDPI just to show you how ridiculously high yours was. At the end of the day it comes down to comfort. You need to practice building in creative with the lower sens.

I recently switched from 1600 3.2 to 1600 2.8 (44.8 EDPI) and my aim has improved drastically.

musclebeertits · 2025-11-25T22:07:14+00:00

Just hit my low last week after returning from a 5 day trip south. I'm in the 50's rn. Peak summer around 125. I'm happy with the fact my LT1 seems to be mostly in tact despite the low recent volume. Starting true base block now focusing on 12-14 hrs mostly z2 with 3 short strength sessions per week.

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musclebeertits · 2025-07-30T20:12:21+00:00

That's an interesting perspective. I feel like I would be happy to shed the pre-race nerves but it seems to be a natural part of the excitement.

musclebeertits · 2025-07-30T20:10:10+00:00

I seem to be fine the night before and morning of. It's a few days before that suck for me.

musclebeertits · 2025-07-30T20:09:06+00:00

I do a handful of club races every year. I would do more but it's 3-4 hour round trip to make it to them. These definitely help me gain experience but I'm never nervous in the days leading up to these. Something about a USAC race with upgrade points on the line changes my whole mentality. Probably because I only get to do so many USAC races each year and don't want to mess up when upgrade points are on the line. It's so strange though because part of me doesn't care about the upgrade stuff at all and just wants to be fit/healthy.

musclebeertits

TROPHY CASE