Sufferfest Questions

[Bathroom_Security]

Hi, I got Sufferfest to try out, its hooked up to my Wahoo Kickr Core

I started the 4DP prep and the first test is a cadence drill. About 90rpm which builds and decreases, I set my FTP to 250ish which it was last year on the Kickr at least.

I find it too easy, is that because its a cadence drill? I just keep spinning out in the highest gears (50-11) and find it quite hard to not exceed the required cadence with the flywheel or whatever its called seeming to carry speed. 8 speed on the snotter bike probably doesnt help.

Going to try out another workout, maybe its the cadence drill, maybe theres something wrong? FWIW it works on Zwift and some other programs I got everything setup on ANT, Wahoo Cadence on the crank, HRM and the Kickr as the smart trainer and power meter thing. Its on ERG and I can feel the minor adjustments being made, Its just really easy.

[Harpoon]

The Cadence Drills session isn't about killing you. I've just looked back through my workout history for this session and the last time I did it in April my HR peaked at 145bpm, which is Z3 for me IIRC.

If you really want to suffer, fire up Nine Hammers... Or, my personal most hated is The Shovel as I'm not a sprinter.

Edited by Harpoon on Tuesday 27th July 21:09

[MrBarry123]

Omnium is the nearest I’ve come to being sick on my turbo.

Also, if you’re a reasonably proficient cyclist, I wouldn’t worry about the 4DP prep. I’d just warm up a little and get straight to it. And you can always adjust the 4DP metrics for each session anyway.

Edited by MrBarry123 on Tuesday 27th July 20:41

[m444ttb]

It doesn’t sound like you have an issue. ERG will hold it to the power which unless your max cadence is really low is pretty easy when you’re spinning out.

[Bathroom_Security]

I'll check those out thanks.

I just did the one called taper and that was a bit better actually but no music and video for some reason but I can definitely feel there was more resistance. Still felt like a crap workout though so may just skip to the 4dp

Just chose the prep series for the sake of getting used to the app. Plus everyone gushes about how hard the 4dp is so I figure I could make use of that prep series.

[MrBarry123]

4DP is as hard as you make it as it’s on level mode rather than ERG so you can’t really prepare as such. But yes, it’s hard if you really push yourself, which is what you should aim to do.

[_Hoppers]

I'm not sure if I had the same problem you're having, but when I first used Sufferfest I found the workouts were far too easy so had to increase the metrics manually. I tried doing the quick FTP test and that was way too easy too. I ended up doing it 3 times before it gave enough resistance for me to complete the routine properly. After that all the workouts gave me a proper session! As a first time user I assume it needs to work out your level of fitness for it to calibrate the workouts effectively? Maybe try doing the quick FTP test?

Edited by _Hoppers on Wednesday 28th July 09:37

[Bathroom_Security]

I cranked the ftp up to about 260 and it felt OK on that taper test. I'll keep experimenting with it

[Dannbodge]

Bathroom_Security said:

I'll check those out thanks.

I just did the one called taper and that was a bit better actually but no music and video for some reason but I can definitely feel there was more resistance. Still felt like a crap workout though so may just skip to the 4dp

Just chose the prep series for the sake of getting used to the app. Plus everyone gushes about how hard the 4dp is so I figure I could make use of that prep series.

The 4dp isn't that hard.
It hurts more than a normal FTP test for sure but it's certainly not worse than some of the workouts.

I would do a quick ramp test or the 2 x 20min workouts and get a feel for what your ftp is from that, you can always stick it in slope mode and adjust the resistance using the number keys.