Hi,
OK, I’m just gonna put this out here.
I am not new to cycling, but I have had some time off. I used to race at a pretty high level in fact internationally, but it’s been a long time. I bought a Pinarello F8 last summer🥳
When I was racing and training, it was all about RPMs and heart rate. Learning this (new to me) FTP and wattage is a “thing”.
Add on the software and smart trainer … well you see where I am going.
It took me a week to figure out my Wahoo Kickr was in ERG mode. 
Where to start? Ramp Up Test in Erg or not?
Any other advice is welcomed!
Thank you ,
Janice
If you know how to pace a 20 minute max effort at your present fitness, I would not bother with the ramp test, just do the standard FTP test. If you’re unsure, start with the ramp test and get a number you can work with. Ramp test I would do in ERG mode, standard FTP is a self-controlled 20 min effort so ERG mode isn’t used for that part of the test.
A standard ramp test in ERG mode should give you a decent baseline number to play with.
If you don’t reach the 250W 1min interval, while seated and doing 70+rpm cadence, it might be worth trying the lite ramp test a few days later. IIRC the interval steps are +10W, rather than +20W, which will be more significant if at lower 1min intervals.
With practice, standard 20min FTP tests get easier to judge what you’re capable of.
Another option, once you have an idea of your capabilities, is to join TTs on Tempus Fugit and do a “negative split” attempt. Start ~25W+ below what you think you can hold for 20mins and every ~5mins, decide if you could go into a higher gear to increase power output. If you misjudged conservatively, you may find you can do the last ~2mins of the route way above threshold.
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Thank you Paul
Thank you for this information Steve
Zwiftinsider.com will help you with a lot of your questions about Zwifting.
Thanks Mark!
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