I think the suffer score is sorta dumb myself. Would be easier to calculate a TSS score from heart rate and estimated LTHR. Oh Strava...
Jacob T.
I get Epics somewhat frequently and my max HR is set at a probably unrealistic 190 bpm. The difference is that you are a lot fitter than me, so even when you are crushing it, your HR is relatively low compared to mine. As John says, it's not a very useful metric.
Brian T.
Ah, I was wondering if that is why my rides are never labeled epic ... I have my max heartrate set at 198, which I see about once or twice a year. One of these days I will ride 300 miles or something and finally get a ride that is labeled epic.
Jacob T.
It's easy Brian. Just lose a ton of fitness and get your teeth kicked in on every ride like I do. Simple.
Terry H.
Or get your threshold HR within a few percentage points of your max HR. Takes a lot of training but it's possible. Suffer score puts too much weight on max HR when it should be the rider's threshold HR (or threshold power, but that opens another can of worms). Enjoy!
Josh B.
Hi Brian, am registered for this one and wonder which bike to bring. 21lb 26er hardtail vs 25lb 29er full squish? I've never ridden in Alabama and wondering if it's smooth enough to get away with a hardtail comfortably. Thanks for pre ride info!
Brian T.
I rode it on my 29er hard tail, but there are parts of the skyway "road" that I wish I had full suspension. The singletrack and the fire roads leading to the skyway definitely do not need full suspension ... so it may be a toss up about which is best ... sorry i can't be more helpful!
Josh B.
That's helpful, thanks! Doing this the day after ITU Worlds since we're in the area that weekend anyway. See you at the start line
So, my question is this - do all the people who get "epic" for their suffer scores set their max heartrates to something crazy low? No doubt in my mind that this ride was epic - course analysis, photos, videos here - http://toonecycling.wordpress.com/2012/02/18/skyway-epic-plus-alabamas-newest-cat-2-climb/
I think the suffer score is sorta dumb myself. Would be easier to calculate a TSS score from heart rate and estimated LTHR. Oh Strava...
I get Epics somewhat frequently and my max HR is set at a probably unrealistic 190 bpm. The difference is that you are a lot fitter than me, so even when you are crushing it, your HR is relatively low compared to mine. As John says, it's not a very useful metric.
Ah, I was wondering if that is why my rides are never labeled epic ... I have my max heartrate set at 198, which I see about once or twice a year. One of these days I will ride 300 miles or something and finally get a ride that is labeled epic.
It's easy Brian. Just lose a ton of fitness and get your teeth kicked in on every ride like I do. Simple.
Or get your threshold HR within a few percentage points of your max HR. Takes a lot of training but it's possible. Suffer score puts too much weight on max HR when it should be the rider's threshold HR (or threshold power, but that opens another can of worms). Enjoy!
Hi Brian, am registered for this one and wonder which bike to bring. 21lb 26er hardtail vs 25lb 29er full squish? I've never ridden in Alabama and wondering if it's smooth enough to get away with a hardtail comfortably. Thanks for pre ride info!
I rode it on my 29er hard tail, but there are parts of the skyway "road" that I wish I had full suspension. The singletrack and the fire roads leading to the skyway definitely do not need full suspension ... so it may be a toss up about which is best ... sorry i can't be more helpful!
That's helpful, thanks! Doing this the day after ITU Worlds since we're in the area that weekend anyway. See you at the start line