I Did Exactly What My Garmin Told Me For A Month & This Is What Happened

Always one to just jump on his bike and go, we sat Blake Samson down and told him to get some more structure to his rides. Enter Garmin, ever ready with workout suggestions personally tailored to you, we suggested that Blake follow the suggestions on his Smart Watch and Bike Computer for a while... always one to take things to extremes, he followed them to the letter for 6 whole weeks! Let's find out how he got on.
In association with Garmin
Subscribe to Global Mountain Bike Network: gmbn.eu/subscribe
GMBN T-Shirts, Jerseys & More! 👉 gmbn.eu/NewWinterKit
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook! @globalmountainbikenetwork & sign up to the GMBN newsletter: gmbn.eu/newsletter
Submit your content to our uploader: upload.gmbn.com/ we love to check out what you have been up to and may feature it on the show!
Thanks to Garmin, Blake gained 8 whole watts in just 6 weeks, and if it wasn't for having to present videos and other such nuisances getting in his way he thinks he would have gained a whole lot more! Have you thought about following your Garmin's advice? You'll definitely reap the benefits of your own, wrist or bar mounted personal trainer!
Watch more on GMBN...
📹 An old classic, check out our Air Time Challenge: gmbn.eu/GarminAirChallenge
📹 Watch our GMBN Features - gmbn.eu/GMBNfeatures
📹 Watch our weekly show, The Dirt Shed Show - gmbn.eu/dirtshedplaylist
🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound
Murmansk Underground - OTE
The Great Unknown - Hampus Naeselius
Backchat - Xack
Stick Together (SLCT Remix) (Instrumental Version) - Elijah N
Maverick - Ooyy
I Swirl - Ruzer
Beats of Burden - Molife
In the Name of Love (Ooyy Remix) (Instrumental Version) - Ooyy
Different Days - Chill Cole
Gingerbread House - Ava Low
Boom Ting - Focality
Flute Alors - La Boucle
Spin for Me (Instrumental Version) - Flux Vortex
Intrusive - T-Shirts & Sweats
Lift Off - Killrude
Humbot - Wave Saver
Fields of Scotland - Trabant 33
UCT - T-Shirts & Sweats
#GMBN #MountainBiking #MountainBike #MTB #BikeLife #Cycling #GlobalMountainBikeNetwork
The Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community - and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.
GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond.
Every day of every month, our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily video that include:
Adventurous and entertaining features
Mountain bike skills coaching
Technical advice and guidance
Mechanical know-how to keep you rolling
A place for the riding community with our weekly Dirt Shed Show
Thanks to our sponsors:
Canyon Bikes: gmbn.eu/Canyon
Nukeproof Bikes: gmbn.eu/nukeproof
Orbea Bikes: gmbn.eu/Orbea
Park Tool: gmbn.eu/ParkTool
POC helmets and eyewear: gmbn.eu/POCsports
Crankbrothers Pedals: gmbn.eu/crankbros
Shimano Footwear: gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoes
Dainese Protection: gmbn.eu/Dainese
Ergon: gmbn.eu/ergon
Vittoria Tires: gmbn.eu/Vittoria
FSA: gmbn.eu/fsa
e*thirteen: gmbn.eu/EThirteen
Spank: gmbn.eu/Spank
Topeak: gmbn.eu/topeak
Garmin: gmbn.eu/Garmin
Muc-Off - gmbn.eu/Muc-Off
Komoot: gmbn.eu/Komoot
Worx Power Tools: gmbn.eu/Worx
KZbin Channel - gmbn.eu/GMBNsubs
Instagram - gmbn.eu/GMBNIG
Facebook - gmbn.eu/GMBNFB
Twitter - gmbn.eu/GMBNTW
GMBN Shop - gmbn.eu/gmbnshop
GMBN Tech - gmbn.tech/subscribe
EMBN - embn.me/subscribe
Leave us a comment below!

[@MG-iu1sn]

I'm a road bike dude for the most part. But this guy is such a good presenter that I can't help but watch this channel

[@Bakerboy0123456789]

Get over to the dark side! Better scenery No cars no potholes on skinny rims - fun climbs and mega fun descents -- it’s a no brainer

[@zaccowling1772]

Blake is just better

[@Daffy0208]

...... walk towards the light!

[@yellow6ird]

Come & join the dark side.

[@bludog4657]

Right there with you

[@dcasandman]

Dude makes want to get out and ride everyday. So positive.

[@bludog4657]

Totally

[@MariusTheDude]

12:14 yes Blake, thake a chill pill, you can learn from that cat how to do it.

[@KeironStarr]

A bit of appreciation for whoever deals with the audio on these videos. That jungle track thrown in around the 4 minute mark was a stonker

[@Saschaascha]

Blake: "I do exactly What My Garmin tells me for 6 weeks" a few days in Garmin: "Step it back go slow just 1hour" Blake: "I will shred the complete day" Would be better to call the Video: I read what my Garmin told me, but did the opposite ;-)

[@MateHegyhati]

So true, but still a very entertaining video :-)

[@Crazyfistsful]

Exactly this 😂

[@SXsoft99]

Loved the min 12:00 when you had the cat in the background chilling

[@jabehauber]

12:22 Kitty! Rolling on the ground, glad to see Blake home.

[@williammorris7895]

That was a real push at the end! I don't really think this 6 week test was particularly useful for what was trying to be tested though, the training suggestions were ignored on too many occasions 😅 Don't take it the wrong way though, I love Blake's contribution both to this channel and to the sport - Awesome ride and all-round great dude 😊

[@michaelbatey348]

Agreed and I also believe if you listened too your u watch, which Blake didn't you woukd be lucky too maybe 3watts difference.

[@TwistedTriggerEnduro]

Around the 18:30 mark it becomes obvious what it takes to make greatness. Glad the watch knew what to do and you could make it happen. Epic!! 💪🔥

[@workslippers770]

I love that Jungle has made a comeback. Tune at 4 mins is a banger haha

[@patrickgrounds2157]

Should be titled "I disobeyed my Garmin for a month and this is what happened"

[@mylesmackey2430]

6 days of recovery… that actually makes a lot of sense now. This past summer I rode my first enduro race series and after the final race, I was dead for a solid week afterwards!

[@idiotninja]

I'm doing my first this summer (if it doesn't get canceled again...) and I'm dreading the time off the bike after XD

Since i'm not racing anymore, not using any kind of device for cycling was one of the best decisions i made. I don't even know how fast or how far i'm riding, let alone heart rate and other stuff. Just hop on, keep pedaling and do what i feel like doing. To me, this increased the freedom i get from riding.

[@dystopiaisutopia]

Wow. So what.

[@mariannmolnar4133]

P

[@rupedog]

Like when we rode as kids...pure. sweet

[@nawowas8818]

This attitude doesn't help Garmin at all.

[@choanlpoto]

If my ride are not recorded I did not ride.

[@Milessongs]

Blake is just fantastic! Whether he is riding through the Welsh backcountry, braving the Megavalanche on his HT, or brilliantly mangling the English language in a normal dialogue, he’s an inspiration to my MTB life! Rock on, mate!

[@tomalleeson4573]

Blake, great job. Really enjoyed the effort and detail. Excellent presenter. Thank you very much Blake and team.

[@brookegravitt4117]

Blake continues to one of the best things about GMBN, KZbin, and planet earth

[@Seppster58]

Got my Blake fix for this week. I love this channel and Blake is the best presenter for sure. I have been sucked into the dark side too and just purchased a nice Orbea Oiz H30 for next season. Can't wait. Been on a Hardtail for many years and replacing an old worn out Giant. Thanks again to GMBN for another excellent video.

[@duaneleroux5956]

This has been so insightful! Biggest take aways from this for me is that you don’t need to go all out 100% on every ride, and that even a short 50min ride counts. Well done Blake, and thanks

[@Kavrecki]

New to mtb. Trying to learn as much as i can. Naturally watching all of your guys vids and absolutely love them. You are beautiful people!

[@BIIIKES]

Welcome! I started this year as well. Documenting my progress on my channel 🤙

[@dolphin-studio]

thats great welcome to the community! What discipline of MTB are you interested in?

[@BIIIKES]

@@dolphin-studio staying with the rubber side down for now, haha

[@dolphin-studio]

I recommend you to get you started download strava and start doing some easy trails in your local area. Get yourself a rigid bike and flat pedals that will help you build a very nice skill set. When you get to clips and full suspensions you'll be way ahead.

[@believe8263]

I've watched thousands of hours of MTB videos but Blake's adventures are so interesting.

[@yokaiofwater]

Really appreciate this, thanks Blake.

[@RichieD088]

Always great watching Blake ! 👍

[@traildogisla]

A useful improvement and definitely could see that really was a max effort! Nice one

[@gunny6517]

Great Video, reinforces my SELF challenge of trying to do the same thing! I just ordered the Garmin XC200 pedals (thanks Blake for that one!!!)…. 🇺🇸

[@rupedog]

Well done Blake on keeping ur lunch down after that second ftp... judging by ur muscle shakes etc. afterwards, u really went for it!

[@Mark_Tishman]

Man, that was a real drama at the end. Very good video!

[@dzastafahrai]

This is good, was really interesting to see how garmin suggests when ride and when rest

[@clermontcouture6326]

Great job on your part. I find it hard to slow down as well most times. Keep up the good work. Love that winter jacket, was kind is that?

[@MightyFireL]

12:15 looks like your cat's Garmin said to rest forever.

[@bigmikeshooter]

Very interesting . Bravo from Greece Blake...

[@jeffeversole291]

Nice work Blake

[@BlakeSamson8]

Cheers Jeff

[@MrEtienne6657]

@@BlakeSamson8 Do you know if it is possible to follow the same kind of training taking into account effort and recovery without the need for headunit? Just with the SmartWatch and the chest band? If so, with which model please?

[@jto-mtb]

That was very good information. I haven't used a computer in about 7 years. In 2014 i stopped tracking or training with any goal. However i kept on racing Bike Marathons. I did this to reduce stress. I only road when i felt like it. Distance and intensity was determined by how i felt. Interestingly, i beat my best time in one of my favorite races (Eiger Challenge) by over 10 minutes. It would be interesting to do an early season comparison. One GMBN rider trains with the Garmin and another trains by following his gut feelings. I have to say, after watching this video, i kinda want to get a computer again and see what happens..

[@Bullitluna]

I totally agree, I stop using my Garmin watch for tracking my rides, because every time I went out I was trying to beat my time and one time I nearly caused an accident. So after that I decided not to race just enjoy the ride.

[@peglor]

Use a watch rather than a head unit as then you get all the benefits of heart rate monitoring on and off the bike and multisport logging (The newer watches can measure wrist heart rate while swimming too), but you still have to make the effort to look at your watch if you want to see how you're doing rather than having it front and center on your bike, so you can forget about it until you actually want the information. If you put the Garmin head units in power save, the screen turns off until you touch it or a button so you get the same effect (And much better battery life). Garmin touch screens are more or less unusable in wet conditions and merely annoying and slow in dry conditions, so button only setups like the 530 head unit or the Fenix/Forerunner watches will eliminate the overwhelming urge to smash it off the ground in frustration if you ride in wet conditions regularly. The battery life on the head units drops off noticeably in cold conditions too, while body heat keeps the watch warm enough the battery doesn't seem to be affected noticeably at all.

[@Bullitluna]

@@peglor I have Garmin fenix 3, I didn't look at my watch while riding, I would ride as fast as I could and examine my afterwards and take a mental note as to were I could improve.

[@ohne_speed]

12:14 Cute chill cat! :)

[@roypeterka]

That was great. Anyone who has done the FTP tests can relate to Blake’s misery, but I will never do them without fans cooling me down.

[@Legacy40k]

And not long sleeves.

[@MrBig617]

Agreed. Seeing him do that in long sleeves without a fan was making me nauseous.

[@marick791]

I couldnt believe he did it without out a fan! I think he would have got a lot higher FTP then that!

[@tomnutting3836]

Nothing makes me want to do an FTP test again 🤣😅 and seeing them on KZbin just reinforces my decision 🤣🥳 Love watching Blake, a legend as always thanks team!

[@johnthompson8148]

So cool, and so unexpected, to see my local trails on there. Nice vid mate.

[@johnthompson8148]

but re. the tech side of it the takeaway is "go for a 1 hour 205W ride 5 days per week". LOL

[@ajack6521]

12:15 Someone is happy to see you back, hahah

[@bunnybike3606]

Glad I found this video as well, I didn't know Garmin offert that feature as well. I'ved already activated a plan and will try it out soon (still have alot of snow around here and ice-I don't really like indoor riding;-)

[@olivierhiers4224]

Great Job, i think the 8 watts are a great improvement, but like everything this is only part of the story. I am pretty sure you PMA, your overall curve, your Vo2 max and you feel on the bike are much better than before the 6 weeks. Thx for sharing, and i ll use your ftp footage with my wife, she always look at me and ask if it is "normal" to be on the verge of throwing up... On a different topic, if around Wisconsin USA, i ll be happy to organize a jump clinic with Blake ! that would be really awesome !

[@joegoddard3436]

Think you guys should do a video so we can meet all the pets across GMBN!

[@jamiewall2536]

Wow, looks like you really pushed yourself there, plus still making excellent content for the channel still, well done

[@andreasjager979]

Ftp of 225 W and base ride at 205? This is more like a sweet spot workout. Did I miss something?

[@leemtb]

you know youve pushed hard when you can see the steam coming off of your back! good work dude I hate that feeling ✊

[@juditpapp3090]

At 12:14 your cat was adorable! Nice video though, thanks for the entertainment!

[@dennistate9951]

Great video mate

[@mtblover]

Well done!!!

[@monique_ridemtb]

Very cool content. i should try it out... get some base training done!

[@dirk1296]

So much Orbea on this channel....wich i releay love to see. I ride the Occam and i couldnt be any happier.

[@willian.direction6740]

Just got a Edge 530 working and it's great. Won't be following its heart rate advice too closely due to my pace maker but great device all the same. Thanks Blake for this video I like the rest and recovery function too. Cheers Will ..

[@stinkyfungus]

There are settings for that you can set up in Garmin connect - and it will push your customised HR settings to the computer when it syncs. Right now, your HR settings are default for your sex, age, and claimed fitness/activity level. Which obviously are compromised due to your pacemaker. If you set it up right, it will base your recomended HR zones on whatever your doctor recommends should be your safe max effort. Where does your HR data get to the computer from?

[@peglor]

Get some good medical advice on training with a pacemaker. The chances are, if it's the usual situation where the heart occasionally fails to fire electrically for part of the heart beat, there's likely no medical reason you can't train using the Garmin guidance as normal. If you have tachycardia or some structural issue with your heart then training with a heart rate monitor and upper heart rate warning might actually be essential. Do not take advice on it from the internet - talk to someone who knows your full medical history about it.

[@willian.direction6740]

@@peglor Thanks Mate Fully up to "speed" with what happens to me and I have a warning set on my Garmin below my maximum and just ease off at 135 bpm. But still want to cycle rather than sit home, exercise is much better for me I think as does my Heart doctor. thanks bro.

[@stevek8829]

@@willian.direction6740 I have not gotten reliable warnings from my Garmin Instinct on max hr. It goes over without warning.

[@DocHolliday3841]

That FTP at the end..wow.. How incredible such a fit guy like Blake Samson could push himself that hard. I respect this man, please take care of yourself Blake.

[@bustatron]

Pet the kitty!

[@andyb5012]

Well done mate good video

[@MH-YouTube-Controlled]

Michelob beer sponsoring your vlog at my end, I'm quite sure that wasn't a key part of your training. 😉 Great test. ✔️

[@Bobbleoff]

Just got a bar in watch. Gonna try the training programs in the new year

[@anoneemouse4516]

Haaaaaaa. Go for it Blake !!

[@trailbikesforMormons]

Beautiful Bikes 🕺

[@theguzziman]

Bestest vid in a while 😊

[@SpeedBoosted136]

Something isn't correct here: his FTP was 225 and BASE training means end of zone2 which is up to 175watt, but the watch tells him 205-210 watt which is Tempo and not Base at all 😉

[@Jan_Arends]

I was wondering the same or his FTP should have been around 325 watts; Maybe mistaken the numbers…(and then decreased to 233 😜)

[@SpeedBoosted136]

@@Jan_Arends actually - it's a Show and Ad for Garmin. Just think - energetic Blake, with his weight, that riding a lot and it's his life, shredding like crazy and WTF of 225 with his weight? Nahh.....he would be stop to breath, but he competes and riding all the time. In case that it's HIS garmin(there is a chance that even this one staged), - his true FTP above 300. Anyways - all of this is show, that 90% people see as a "real action", ahah. That's the world we live on and these are people that live on

[@ZeeTso]

cat at 12:20 took all the chill pills :)

[@antoniomiguelmm205]

I missed you today guys 😀

[@joellevg3698]

Great video

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Blake talking about FTP and structured training is a bit like Mr. Ashton‘s nightmare video. But we can learn from each other (even from the roadies) and all bikes are beautiful.

[@TheDustyShredder]

Looks like it's time for me to save up for some Garmin gear. I've been off my custom built/painted bike for most of this pandemic, so this might actually be the best thing for me to get back to where I used to be in terms of fitness. I used to be able to be on the saddle for 4-5 hours laying the power down on multiple climbs, and now I can barely do an hour on the flats without running out of energy.

[@dystopiaisutopia]

Blaming the pandemic for your lack of exercise is pretty lame

[@charlesrobinson6444]

Blake's cat at 12:15 - XD Clearly not as intense as Blake!

[@zsanterre]

I like how you euros all like DnB

[@dorkysaur]

Sweet tech.

[@nikolaell]

Was wondering why deleted this video yesterday, super useful when you work with Garmin enviroment devices

[@uavr1286]

Enjoyable video Blake, but I think you could do with a fan for your Zwift set up?! I've found overheating affects my power output noticeably. Also, not sure the results for your FTP tests are 100% comparable as you seemed to go much harder on the second one. Dont know if you've done them before but my experience has been that it took doing a few before I could pace it right.

[@321ooo123]

I found that having a fan blowing makes a dramatic difference in heart rate and power output. I will also guess that the bulkier you are, the more effect it will have (heat transfer through the surface, heat generation in the volume).

[@user-rc9ff5gc8i]

12:14 Garmin says stop and pet the cat.

[@nathanchernoff9478]

Nice!

[@pbenjlo]

You need a big fan blowing cold air on the HT Blake. You could attach one on the wall.

[@Niftynexuss]

"I Did Exactly What My Garmin Told Me For A Month" proceeds to do almost nothing the watch reccomends lol

[@jefferypark4218]

Between Blakes FTP test and Richs 24-hour trail run, I am wondering if GMBN is trying to off you guys.. P.S. Trail-Cat chillin' :)

[@Superteastain]

Dude that is really interesting.

[@user-uh6cl3gb7z]

Any chance of a tracklisting?? Tune at 17.30mins drops sweetly

[@MattSwain1]

I’ve never looked at this function for cycling because as someone who runs, I’ve found that despite having years of my data, it appears that my Fenix 6 doesn’t know me at all. It routinely suggests runs at a pace well in excess of anything I’ve ever managed

[@benfulford3943]

Maybe you are much more capable than you realise! When I used to run, it's predictions on what times I can run at were pretty good. I managed to beat some as well

[@jonathanzappala]

I find it to be bang on. The race prediction times now on my FR 745 are true to what I run, compared to my FR 935 that did not have this coaching. It would say I could run a 5k about a minute faster than I ever could. I don’t do what it says most of the time, but it’s a good coach. I believe it only uses the last 4 weeks of runs, not all time data.

[@mtyota]

which garmin watch did Blake use? thank you GMBN and Blake

[@JeremyDawesJezweb]

So the pattern is if you go hard then have a rest day or a chill ride? Seems reasonable but life gets busy so fit in a ride anytime you can!

[@federicomarmolejo1952]

That was great blake, laugh so hard at 18:14 "that was horrible" , what BPM do you used?? thanks

[@BlakeSamson8]

It was tough dude. I’m using the Garmin pro Heart rate monitor

[@MrEtienne6657]

@@BlakeSamson8 Do you know if it is possible to follow the same kind of training taking into account effort and recovery without the need for headunit? Just with the SmartWatch and the chest band?

[@tmreyno]

Blake Samson Skill of a Pro Mind of a Sage Charisma of Bruce Lee More fun than a barrel of monkeys

[@nedtaylor7891]

quality well done bud , so fault you were gonna barf

[@vipergtsrgt1]

I wish I could ask Blake how he feels about his level of fitness now vs. 3 years ago. In 2018, Blake did a base FTP test on GCN and got 247w. Now after 6 weeks training, he gets 233w. I assumed with all the hard, fast riding we see Blake doing on the channel, he'd be much higher now. I also wonder if it could come down to the calibration of the two trainers.

[@pld468]

Maybe he's light. 233 W for 60 kg is not the same than for a 90 kg guy. Also, he's probably not used to FTP test. As stupid as it sound, you can get better at FTP test without being fitter.

[@enxxmp]

could be because he didn't recover properly and carried too much fatigue into his FTP test.

[@321ooo123]

3 years ago Blake was 3 years younger.

[@stevek8829]

Watts generated is a measure that rider weight is irrelevant to. If weight is asked it's only to compute performance on a trainer. If I measure a motorcycle's HP on a dyno, the dyno doesn't care about the engine's weight.

[@321ooo123]

@@stevek8829 the weight does matter, though. If you are bigger (heavier), you generally can produce higher wattage - as your body is accustomed to carry the extra weight. That's why there are weight categories in sports.

[@skidaddledude1997]

I have Garmin watch and garmin connect but I can’t find the training software you used, what is it?

[@Richardglendenning]

This should be titled: "I barely ever did what my Garmin told me for a month and this is what happened"

[@jnaoe]

The DnB got my like 👍

[@jeanyluisa8483]

I use my Garmin for navigation only. If I would exactly do what it tells me, I would have starved while riding in a circle many times.

[@anttipirttimaki9694]

Please note that by using a garmin heart rate strap you can get vo2 max after every ride and ftp from rides with enough time spent on each power zone.

[@jcnbw01]

awesome! Side note: doing an FTP test is like smelling something really bad; you hate yourself for doing it, but can't wait to see somebody else go through the same thing XD

[@bencallaway7819]

This tech is pretty nice guys

[@kellymorris10342]

Is there a list of all the Garmin units used? I'd like to check them all out and see the options available. I'm due for upgrades personally.

[@daanvanderelst190]

His headunit is a garmin edge 1030 plus and his watch is a garmin vivoactive 4s i think ( i am not 100% sure) but those are the top of the top. If you are looking for a headunit for your mtb the garmin adge 830 has a mtb option. I personnaly have a normal 830 but if i have to choose again i would get the garmin edge 530, it has the same options as the 830 but just with buttons instead of a touchscreen.

[@MrEtienne6657]

@@daanvanderelst190 Do you know if it is possible to follow the same kind of training taking into account effort and recovery without the need for headunit? Just with the SmartWatch and the chest band?

[@jonathanzappala]

It’s in the latest forerunner’s, fenix’s, edge 530/830/1030. The FR 245 or edge 530 would be the entry level. I think it works without power but I’m not positive. The watch already has HR. It works with all power meters not just garmin.

[@donwinston]

I ignore my Garmin's "recovery" advice. Most of the time it appears it thinks I just finished the Tour de France after a two hour hard ride. It sometimes tells me my recovery time is three frigging days! (But I like it when it tells me I have the fitness of a 20 year old, true or not)

[@basengelblik5199]

You could have the fitness of an 18 year old ;-)

[@inarafideles406]

You said to activate it you must have a power meter. Is it possible to do bike training based on heart rate only using Garmin Coach?

[@andrei0525]

Was actually excited about this…until i heard the part where you need the power meter pedals and a gps HU…those 2, with a compatible watch, which i‘m guessing is a fenix, are getting close to 2k€…that‘s more than my bike

[@dystopiaisutopia]

You don't need a Fenix lol. I got an Instinct for $100. Get a used 520 on Ebay for $100.

[@agg25gga]

The power pedals will still cost you at least £600 single sided. You can now get the top of the range 1030 + head unit for £320 on eBay new though, from Italy

[@MrAdambinnie]

Dude get a fan for Zwift 🤣

[@roybaty8550]

Blake will you be reviewing your Megawatt?

[@cb6866]

Thanks Blake...and off camera Nick "the motivator " , do you think the gains would be more if you were able to strictly follow the Garminator ?

[@tonykasunic1]

Blake's FTP must be higher than 225 in the beginning.... The test must have been off, Blake seems hella more powerful then the test stated.

[@backroadcyclist]

My thoughts too. Just a setup for showing Garmin's results...

[@matthewjackson5515]

FTP is a very poor measure for what Blake mostly does. His neuromuscular and anaerobic power figures are probably comparatively higher. Only road 25 mile time triallists really care about ftp. It's not super relevant for other types of riding and especially not for mtb.

[@backroadcyclist]

@@matthewjackson5515 as I ride mostly XC and Gravel, and go for the occasional KOM hunt (uphill, 10+ minutes), I beg to differ .... 😉

[@matthewjackson5515]

@@backroadcyclist even then, I'm willing to bet that you ride very few sustained efforts of over 15 minutes without significant power changes. Vo2 max, anaerobic power and ability to recover from repeated efforts well over ftp are probably more relevant for you. Maybe I'm totally wrong. But I think that if you look at your data (if you ride with data) you'll find that the things I mentioned above are bigger determinants of performance. It's not that ftp is unimportant, but that it's one possible measurement in a whole suite of measurements. Although many cyclists believe to the contrary, there are very few cases where it's the main determinant of performance.

[@backroadcyclist]

@@matthewjackson5515 I guess - as always - it depends. Most of my KOM are in the 5-15 minutes range. So there's of course some point to your focus. However, if I do VO2max Intervall training my FTP goes up. In that regard I find Blake's FTP still strangely low.

[@dingusmagee3326]

Blake really kills it as a presenter, he would *actually* be as good, if not better, than some of the current TG hosts

[@danielhicks5031]

Was the percentage he said about his right foot compared to left saying 70% of his power comes they his right foot. All the numbers is cool and stuff but I would like to know my right foot vs left foot power

[@wimjilson9867]

Great video Blake, you should try the ramp test for FTP - I reckon it would suit you better, also get a massive fan man for the Zwift sessions! Looking forward to seeing how the van build is going.