FTP Testing? When To Let It Fly. Training Chats...

Doing the 20 minute test, or a ramp test, often? Some coaches test a lot, some don't. Some think your best will come during the test, others don't. Race efforts? Sometimes...  I like the dress rehearsal aspect of testing, especially for athletes that don't toe a race line very often, but the best numbers often come when you just feel amazing in the morning before the ride happens.   So when do you just rip it? Have 4 x 10s or 3 x 15s planned for the day, and feel amazing? Maybe that's a great day to let it fly! The maximal efforts are good, but don't do this all the time, as you might decrease the effectiveness of the other intervals, but less-so in threshold work than say a VO2Max effort.  This also might be really beneficial to understanding how your body feels. And at the same time, sometimes you don't feel great, but the watts oddly flow!  (The threshold effort that I was referring to was a Maximal Effort Day! JUST RIP IT!)