Our first hurdle of 2025

[@greghavener9373]

All of the structure and discipline of your training is great, probably necessary for professional racers. Feeling good and enjoying yourselves is important to your career goals. You've seen it when it goes bad, a racer sacrifices everything for a winning year and gives up riding. You two have a great season lined up and you will be ready for consistent top finishes! Syd and Macky provide much more for your sponsors and your audience than you may think. Thank you! The scenery for the test could be worse, lovely New Mexico!

[@damiancooper3403]

I ride in rotorua and my son did the inaugural Volcanic Epic. I have watched all your videos so can safely tell you that you won’t even need to pre ride the trails…they are beautiful but way easier than you are used to. And the stages are much shorter than you normally do too. All the best

[@heyangst6159]

Have a great season.Keep working hard.

[@AllanDownunder]

Fair dinkum you two are fun to watch. Thanks for all of the hard work you do in riding and producing the videos you share!!! Love your work. 😀😀😀😀

[@mnswamp]

Nice video. FTP tests are great to make sure you aren't going backwards, but unless you do it in a lab on the same equipment, there are too many variables at play to worry much about a rounding error's worth of difference. You could find 10 watts in the difference between last year's bike and the new one. Congrats to you and your support team on a great season - it's fun watching y'all.

[@BrianKlausen]

Even the error margin on the equipment is something like 1% depending on brand - that's a few watts at the FTP numbers we're talking here. And then we haven't even talked about difference of temperature of the different test days (if any?) and how much the body can put out into the legs vs. keeping warm, how hard cold dry air is to breathe in vs. more humid warm air and so on and so on. In short: a few watts is well within margin of various errors, variability of different factors etc. Fuzzing too much over the numbers are definitely a bit of a dangerous path to go on mentally in my opinion. But you still need them to guide your training at this level - so it is a bit of a mental game to balance.

[@celestialemissary4934]

No. If you are using same powermeter fpt should be the same on different bikes but your time/distance will not be. That is why something like tires are important to get more speed for same watts But tbh I dont really do ftp tests. I know where I am just from pushing local segments on strava

[@BrianKlausen]

@@celestialemissary4934 no piece of equipment will measure exactly the at all times, under all conditions. There's a reason why metric standard units are stored in temperature controlled rooms etc. Even just machinist gauges will measure differently at different temperatures. A power meter in a crankset or in pedals, is a combination of a g-force sensor for counting revolutions, and a strain gauge that measures deflection/deformation of the material whereby it measures the force applied. Multiply the force measurement by the revolutions, and you essentially have power. But since the material measured - and the material that the strain gauge is made from - changes its properties to some degree depending on circumstances, you will get variation and inaccuracy - it's enevitable. What I don't know, is how much error margin is there, and what we don't know is to which extent the tests that Syd and Macky are comparing, differ in circumstances like temperature, humidity, etc. - but there will be some difference. It's just a matter of the number of decimals - and 1% may or may not be more than reality. The point is: you don't really know for certain at these levels, so you shouldn't get hung up on a watt or two.

[@topcat304]

wind

[@topcat304]

I tried to do a 2x8 minute FTP test on a 1 km steady hill @10%. Usually the same spot has a steady headwind, which is great as you can then pace/ hold back as needed. Unfortunately on the day I did it, there was a tailwind. The course was actually too short now, I made my fastest times and reached the top too early. Point, watts are a measure of the restance that the slope of the land +/- wind puts on you. Now finding the right gear for the conditions influences power but also speed.

[@thewisconsingravelcyclist]

Gravel races in 2025? Would love to see it!

[@timfarness9949]

You two had a great season last year. Plan for a great year ahead.

[@jakesnyder4567]

Syd’s dad on the e-bike gives me hope of someday riding again.

[@SHWELL11]

Appreciate your content and your vibe!

[@timbillingham2550]

You both would crush some gravel races.

[@saulm9794]

Great effort it's nice to learn from you guys. 👍

[@jeffk433]

Good video. I thought the numbers being similar to last year actually was really good with Syd having improved watts/kg. AND the longer chilled riding period means you have had more recovery - healing time to support the training ahead. Well done.

[@CaptainT8TR]

Ugh. I’m with Mackey. I hate FTP tests. Currently in the doldrums of winter so mine was indoors and I did a ramp test. Essentially the same FTP for the last 3 years, but each year I get better. I end up changing my FTP number for my indoor workouts, because in most cases workouts done based off of my FTP are a little too easy.

[@JustJake77]

Second breakfast?!?!? What about Elevnsies? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper?

[@flynbenny]

Glad to know I wasn't the only one who heard "second breakfast" in Billy Boyd's voice

[@ianwood6864]

Hi you two, I wish you two a very happy new year in 2025. From Ianwood ❤❤❤

[@JoshuaMarcAragon]

You're a New Mexican. Where's the green and/or red chile with that burrito? It's good for an extra 10 watts.

[@andrewnorris5415]

Love the visuals on the ride and nice music. Sunlight makes it pop. BTW I got thinking if you want to do well at mega avalanche this year, you likely have to improve the downhill skills more than the fitness. You clearly have great fitness. Your DH skills are great. But elite DH skills are important to get a win I reckon? The start too as we know!

[@Team81MTB]

Good test you two. One thing you may want to consider on this test is you did it on the road. It's hard to get a huge improvement on the road because your gains are on the trails. You're faster than last year because you're faster on rocks, roots, technical climbs and decents. All the aspects of mountain biking, not particularly road riding. I'm willing to bet that your PR'S would be faster on trails. Great job and thank you for all you do. The best season yet is coming up. Go kill it!! 👍👊💪

[@BrianKlausen]

So much truth here... it's not the highest watts that win the race - it's the highest average speed. Watts play a role in getting the highest average speed, but it is not the only factor - particularly for mountainbiking.

[@troutjunkie7330]

The outside conditions will change your speed greatly. You can have identical weight, gear, watts and be 20 second faster than previous run. Wind direction, temp, humidity, road moisture content, all make huge difference. Would have to test inside on track to really compare if you are simply more efficient

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Okidoke.

[@BrianKlausen]

It was a bit unclear to me, but I think the "we are faster" comments, refered to generally being faster in races, on trails, etc. over the season. Not specifically covering more distance in the 4 and 20 minute tests. Obviously even the incline would change that greatly and you'd have to perform the tests in the exact same stretch of road. Don't think these guys are not aware of this :).

[@sydandmacky]

​@@BrianKlausen you are correct! We were faster across the board in 2024 and obviously race results are kind of hard to quantify so you want the field test to show improvement, but as Mike reminded us, it really doesn't matter if you are showing the improvement on race day. I also PRed the Strava segment by quite a bit which I did mention in the video, but I'm aware that there are a ton of factors that could have contributed to that (wind, etc).

[@PhilandErika]

Volcanic Epic - you'll need to do some riding on dirt trails to get used to the track surface before heading to Rotorua.

[@seankelly299]

Great coach

[@Nuclearfissions]

Love the music! Gotta love some good sax. Lol

[@bikingwithemily1109]

Happy new years 🥳

[@Zyzzyx42]

Do I see a ride with Amanda?! Excellent! I found her ride videos when I was looking for ride videos of Glorieta so I could show my friends what the trails are like there and why I want to go back.

[@Magoo71]

Keep it up you two.....I'm looking forward to another great year from you guys.....Are you guys gonna do Downieville this year?

[@sydandmacky]

Unfortunately they moved it to the same weekend as Breck Epic, so not this year.

[@Magoo71]

@@sydandmacky Thanks you guys for answering me! Maybe next year!

[@MrMax0159]

Have you guys considered the LTGP? MTB backgrounds seem to do very well compared to road ones

[@Tntdruid]

My test is riding the European Diveded 7500 km 👍🎇

[@TM-ev2tc]

Both of y'all need to make New Year's resolutions.

[@austinjacob99]

Hey I did an ftp test on Wednesday (for New Year’s Day) and ended up at exactly the same as Macky! …We’ll just ignore that I was at sea level 🤫… lol

[@calliemtb]

Very interesting peek into Mike's thinking. PS: was it just me or did the "on-hold-forever-music" seem to be a droll reference to how interminable 20 min at max effort feels?

[@Todd_Gack]

A lot of experts here. Good job guys

[@jonoharper4729]

Exactly what I was thinking 🙈

[@hope2someday691]

Love the thumbnail !! Caption: Cyclists melting down, over handlebars.

[@peterellis4262]

It sounds a little like Macky has a rapid adaption rate. Time off? Body slacks off. Working hard again? Body steps up.

[@danhutjens8328]

Curious why the second breakfast was more protein than the first? I would’ve thought the reverse order for those might fuel you better for an ftp test.

[@sydandmacky]

The first was actually quite protein heavy as well (protein powder plus low fat Greek yogurt) so I'd say they were fairly similar in turns of proteins and carbs

[@NikB-u5q]

Why not doing a lactate profile instead? Probably less sketchy that the classic FTP tests.

[@TechAssuranceATL]

Hey Macky, love the black vest; can you let us know what brand and where from??

[@sydandmacky]

It's actually a jersey, even though it does look like a vest over a jersey. It's the Primal Alitios Men's Black/Green Long Sleeve Vertos Jersey (www.primalwear.com/products/black-green-alitios-mens-long-sleeve-vertos-jersey?variant=39832739184720) My go-to all winter!

[@TechAssuranceATL]

@@sydandmacky Thanks Macky! going to their site, I did see they also have winter vests...Love the Content that you and Syd put out.

[@Jan-Cort]

Are you changing to dji ? There was a dji mic on the couch when calling coach mike :)

[@sydandmacky]

We've been using the DJI Osmo pocket 3 for almost a year now. Love it, but weren't as into the Action, so we're sticking with the GoPro for POV.

[@ff2e]

Either of you guys consider trying shorter cranks?

[@sydandmacky]

Have them on the Enduro and e-bikes. Like them there for the pedal clearance. Haven't felt and need to go shorter on the XC or road/gravel bikes though 🤷‍♂️

[@stevenkilleen8149]

What floor did u guys use in ur garage gym thinking of doing something similar

[@sydandmacky]

They are the Race deck tiles

[@stevenkilleen8149]

@sydandmacky do u know where u got them Amazon? Are u happy with them i am setting up my garage very similar too yours

[@sydandmacky]

@stevenkilleen8149 they were actually in the garage when we got the house, but they're these ones as far as I can tell: amzn.to/4fOcQLN

[@wenjtu]

So you did a FTP test at 9000ft? So your 320watt at elevation equates to 375 watts at sea level. So then your FTP is around 357 watts.

[@timtaylor9590]

What kinda fry pan is that?

[@sydandmacky]

Misen

[@cypriano8763]

imo, gaining on the watts side of the watt per kilo equation is less realistic than losing weight. great numbers tho considering you where nearly at 10 000 ft.

[@FiguringOut50s]

I know you know this.... You can't "fail" an FTP test- that's like saying "you're failing being Macky." It is what it is- it's just data and there are too many variables to worry about if you were faster, slower, more watts, etc... That being said, I dread them and completely tie my self worth to the as well ;)

[@SkiRidesMTB]

Drink every time they say "Field Test"

[@martinschwartz7342]

Your dad has shown me that if you are not racing, ebikes are the best.

[@tomgroenbeck7620]

I'm wondering how accurate these power measurements are. As we learned in physics class in high school or college, every measurement has a tolerance. Measuring voltage, current, frequency, or distance is usually very accurate. But I remember the first bicycle computers in the 90s that were supposed to measure altitude. While they were quite expensive, the same location would always yield vastly different readings. I'm wondering how accurate these torque sensors are, so by multiplying this value with the crank rpm would give you the power. And since your torque isn't constant over one revolution, you would need to measure many times and then calculate the integral over all the values. But in summary, since you performed flawlessly last year, I wouldn't be worried at all.