Crikey - this is taking things pretty seriously. Good thing you use an alias, your AUK membership could be at risk ...
Ramp tests and VO2max tests I'm familiar with; type of fuel used is another level of sophistication. How did they test for this?
Haha yeah, indeed. TBH there are a few reasons for it - I'm getting old (36) and have never made the most of what I have got so why not try and get the best out of the time I have left, several years ago I overtrained (different sport, not cycling) and now I am so aware of the risk of doing that again I think I have gone too far the other way and am actually too easy on myself, plus, I like being told what to do
They wired me up with a mask on that measures the gas emissions (O2 and CO2) so the RER could be calculated
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory_exchange_ratioOh and I had to fast before hand. 3 WHOLE HOURS of no eating. It was HELL. Wasted away I did. But the step test itself was fine. Gentle, increase in watts every three minutes until it was clear I was on carbs. Good warm up for the ramp test which was horrific!
Where did you have that done and how much was it?
I always feel like I'm just sort of flailling around, and not making the best of what little time I have to train, it would be nice to get somebody to say "Do this and you'll get the best results"
I've been using Tom Kirk for the coaching
http://www.customcyclecoaching.co.uk/ - he has been brilliant. He was recommended by a friend of mine so there was some bias in my choice (although I didn't know him personally), however, I am most impressed with the feedback he has given and contact. The training plan is really excellent and has really taken into account my other commitments and the MTB side of my riding too.
The test was done with Tom at
http://www.racefitconsulting.co.uk/ based at Oxford Brookes. University set up, so all the right kit available. I was a little nervous as didn't know what to expect. I'm tempted to retake the test at the end of the summer to see if I have made any improvements as this is really the first year I will be properly training for cycling fitness rather than just muddling along trying to get MTB miles in on social rides.