Quadrant analysis... what the?

Since acquiring my power meter a few months ago, I think I am only just scratching the surface of its usefullness.  Something I have recently come across is the "QA" graphs on Training Peaks.
Basically it is a graph of pedal velocity and pedalling force, and helps to show you where you were at with a particular workout.
It can help determine whether you are training correctly for different types of cycling events, and then further improve upon your neuromuscular power and your cardiovascular fitness.

There are 4 areas on the graph:

QI: High Force and High Cadence- An example of this would be sprinting.
QII: High Force and Low Cadence- An example would be steep hill repeats, big gear intervals and a lot of Mt. Biking resides in QII as well.
QIII: Low Force and Low Cadence- An example would be a recovery ride or just an easy ride around town.
QIV: Low Force and High Cadence- An example would be a Criterium or fast pedaling drills.

As an example, if you, or your coach, set you a particular training program for the day, once you have downloaded your data, you can review the QA graph for that workout and see if you targeted the correct QA "zone".  Was your recovery ride really all in QIII?  Was the workout that was designed to help improve your criterium racing mainly in QIV?  Was the workout that was designed to help improve your climbing in road races mainly in QII?  Retrospectively via QA on Training Peaks, I can now see that with my workouts from Nick's training program over the last few months (http://www.cadencecycling.com.au/), they are putting me spot-on within the zones I need to improve upon.  Maybe I will be ready for that race early next year after all!

Share The Road 2011

An amazing experience it was during 2010, the Amy Gillett Foundation Tour for 2011 is only a few weeks away. 

This year the foundation has chosen Tasmania as the location, riding through areas such as Launceston, the Tamar Valley and Mt Roland from Nov 17 to 20.  Although I can't partipate this year, I will be supporting the riders in spirit, as they ride to promote safe and responsible road use, by both cyclists and motorists. 
Some of the riders returning for the challenge from last year (and even the year before) include: Felicity Dales, Duncan Murray, Matt Dimattina, Steve Hodge, Tony Gaudry, Andy Sheats, Carla Ryan, Rochelle Gilmore (and Rachael Kininmonth and Margaret Grant as part of the super support crew).

So take a moment to think about donating towards their important and worthwhile cause.
http://www.amygillett.org.au/sponsor-a-rider