@zilog6128 I was expecting that response and it does work perfectly with Zwift. It is my PC and home network system that has issues.

@DrP Gone with a Neo2 SE from Wiggle as they are doing it at a good price. My OH uses a Neo v1 and loves it.

I was expecting that response and it does work perfectly with Zwift. It is my PC and home network system that has issues.

Neo2 SE

Nice!

I've Neo too, and think it's baller....!
Really realistic power, rapid ERG changes...and does cadence and power and control on one BT channel...

IF you find your cadence isn't too accurate (as the sensor is on the left side, and detects the crank) you can contact garmin and they send out a metal thingy that clips to teh crank..

DrP

Mishmash not bad, I think some of the trepidation is sitting on the bike for and hour and a half but it does pass quicker than expected.

I find the worst thing on anything over an hour is the boredom!
For me a decent podcast takes my mind off it for about an hour or so then after that it’s just a case of grin and bear it.

What goes up, must come down... Done. That final 9 mins at 60rpm is a right old grind!!

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Just Orange Unicorn left for me this week, probably Sunday late morning.

Is it worth doing FRP tests in the middle of these programs? I read somewhere it’s good to do one every 4wks, so on a 12wk course should we do 2?

Paul.... set the alarm and join us at 0830 on Sunday!

That's LATE buddy!

Then you've the whole day!

DrP

Is it worth doing FRP tests in the middle of these programs? I read somewhere it’s good to do one every 4wks, so on a 12wk course should we do 2?

Do you enjoy pain? 🤣 The plan has a built in increase in volume/intensity, so unless you feel your FTP is wrong at the start, leave it alone! Plus you get the nice big FTP increase with the built in FTP test right at the end.

Paul…. set the alarm and join us at 0830 on Sunday!

That’s LATE buddy!

Then you’ve the whole day!

DrP

Will see what I can do! 😁

Out in the real world for a spin Sunday morning so won't make the meetup. Did Orange Unicorn earlier. Can safely say I'm glad to have it behind me 🙂

Morning all,
Returned from holiday yesterday. I did complete all of week one and really enjoyed it. The bike I’d recently bought for my Kickr wasn’t set up correctly, gears not indexed and other problems that would be an issue if I rode outdoors, so it went to LBS whilst I was away. I collected yesterday I took along the Kickr to check the gears worked perfectly on that too and it does.

Need to get everything set up again today and will attempt one of the week 2 workouts and another tomorrow. Any recommendations on which two workouts I should do?

I can’t do meet ups on Thursday evenings or Sunday mornings. These are the only two times in the week I can’t do, lol, but hopefully there’s a meet on another day in future so I can join in.

Is there a list of all the STW members who are doing this training plan? Would be good to see a list of us each week showing who is along for the ride and their status, i.e. ‘still going’, ‘quit’. Presumably you/we can see this through Zwift/Strava?

Orange Unicorn done

Third interval was tough.

Stupid Zwift update has broken my Apple Watch connection again so got to see if I can merge heart rate data to the existing workout later

@stumpymark

Join the strava club (link in early pages) to see who's still going!

DrP

Just done the Halvfems one, found the high rpm stuff rather tough! Might have to nudge the training bias down a few percent tomorrow morning.

I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make it for the group ride tomorrow.
We’ve not had any power or phone signal at home since yesterday lunchtime, the only reason I can use STW is that I’m sat waiting for a takeaway in a village nearby and they’ve got mobile signal 😂

If it’s fixed through the night tonight then I’ll be there. If not I’ll try and make the next one!

A few days off the bike, running instead.

What Goes Up tonight, I'm finding the slow cadence drills really hard to stay anything remotely smooth in - pedalling squares really.

Unicorn tomorrow. Can't wait (for Monday).

I'm up for the group ride tomorrow if an invite can be thrown my way 👍🏼

Edit - Cheers DrP

Joda..I THINK I've just sent you an invite....

Looking forward to tomorrow! Catch you ask in the am!

DrP

👍🏼👍🏼

Wassup party people.... you all had your porridge and cawfee..... 😅😅🤣

Nearly time to Rock and/or roll!

See you on the starting line...
Remember...
DONT pick a workout... join the meetup, THEN pick orange unicorn!

DrP

Another one I've missed. Will need to do it later in the day.

Another one I bailed on.

Still, 40 minutes riding I’d not have done at all if it wasn’t for DrP organising the meet 😃

I need to be more realistic about where my fitness and ability is at the moment.

Still going to leave the programme going and will join group rides when I can but will drop the ftp right down to make them more manageable whilst getting my cycling legs back.

Orange Unicorn: done.

That was tough, really tough but I finished it! I did drop the percentage down for the last set but that strangely felt too easy so put it back up for the last two reps. Definitely wouldn't have completed it without the group and DrP's encouragement.

Just got to get through the next week now, hopefully I'll manage all the sessions this week too.

Top stuff all...and remember.. something is better than nothing!

That was tough in the last interval.. but we did it!

Off to Brighton on the train with the kiddies now 🙌🙌😎

Enjoy your Sunday all....Will pop up some ideas for next week's workouts later today!

DrP

Thanks for the ongoing motivation DrP - it's helpful and appreciated!

And I bought a fan - wow, what a difference that makes. I can highly recommend this if anyones looking:
https://www.cleva-uk.com/products/vacmaster-cardio54-fan
10% discount with the code CLEVA10

@twonks What do you make of the Neo 2 SE and what did it replace?

My Direto's resistance went to 11 a week ago, my easiest gear now does z3 at my usual high cadence!

I'm trying to decide on that Neo 2SE deal, or the Saris H3 and MP1 rocker bundle for £850 at Halfords.

@n0b0dy0ftheg0at From the little I've used so far, the Neo2 SE is good.

My decision to buy it was largely based on stupidity if I'm honest. Stupid because there is nothing wrong with what I had (still have), I just lost the will to get it all working correctly. It has been fine previously for 4 years, although not used for more than 30 minutes at a go for the last 18 months.

The Neo 2 SE appeared on a Wiggle search one morning when looking over offers, and as mentioned in this thread I'd had a few issues with the existing set up messing about and dropping out - so I bought it on a bit of a whim.

I'm not disappointed by any stretch but I read the reviews for the 'Special edition' version slightly wrong. I thought it featured the later magnet arrangement of the 'T' version. It doesn't, it is basically a old design Neo 2 with the axles of the 'T' version for more compatibility.

Sounds just like Tacx wanted to get rid of old stock, and found a way to do it in the SE.

As said though, it works very well and solves the main problem I had with my old system that was communication or other hardware based.

Now it is a AppleTV running Zwift, connected through ethernet cable to the router and the ATVs 2 BT connections to the Neo. One for Neo takes care of the trainer and cadence (built in) and one for my HR strap. Now I've sussed the ATV remote, control is great and all is now good.

Previously I used a Wahoo KickR v1 which although is a great trainer and tbh doesn't feel much if any different to the Neo 2, I was fed up with software and BT connections dropping or my PC freezing on Zwift. All that is gone now.

Also have an inside Ride rocker assembly thing for the KickR. This was imported at great expense by me and works really well but I ended up locking the steering and just using fore and aft movement, of which there is a few inches in either direction.

The steering to lean function is somewhat odd but great for core stability as you basically have to hold on or you will fall over.

Hope this helps and apologies for derailing DrPs thread a bit.

Orange Unicorn today too. Tough.

Had to drop the resistance on the last set on the 2m min intervals to 80%, but put it up t 110ish on the 30 sec intervals to finish - still had top end power but lactic was setting in quickly...

Would have bailed on the program by now without knowing others are doing it...

Orange Unicorn done
Third interval was tough

It certainly was. Not looking forward to Yellow next week.

No derailing!
Having good kit helps with workouts!

I've a tacx neo 2t and I will say, it's ruddy fantastic!
It has a few degrees of sway, and it's SOOOO accurate... yeah it's a pretty penny, but one of the best riding investments I've made.

It sticks to the ERG wattage like glue!

I know people have had issues with the garmin warranty if it breaks, but I've had no issues..

DrP

**** you, orange unicorn.

Jeez that was tough. 🥵

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Had to pause for a min after the 1st set to get food and a water refill, went through 2x bananas and a pack of haribo during the ride!

Hmm, orange unicorn didn't feel as tough as I was expecting, certainly less so than red last week. I still had to take 90 seconds out between sets 3 & 4 to, errr, let the cat into the garage, then back out again.

Hadn't been on the trainer for a few months prior to this, or the road bike- wondering whether my body and mind are adjusting back up to the effort of constantly spinning/not freewheeling, and that I  might be best to adjust the ftp up a bit from it's current pitiful level.

Cadence on my kickr core is a bit erratic, might have to hunt out the sensor and fit that, it's very difficult for me to hit the right count on short intervals, one second I'm way over, then under, not sure what's going on. One of my legs is a bit buggered, wonder if my uneven power output is confusing things.

Not looking forward to Yellow next week.

Wait till week 4 and the Purple Unicorn, that nearly killed me, had to press pause for 10 secs or so after a couple of the last intervals. 🥵

The longer ones really do get to you with fatigue towards the end

but I suppose that's what's it all about.

Didn't mind Orange Unicorn too much, it probably resembles my normal riding of just grinding it out. It's the peaks and sprints that get me.

Looks like I've got a bit of DOMS after this morning's workout.

About 4pm I suddenly got a very sore left leg with a small amount of cramp for good measure, making it hurt to move but also twitching at the same time. I usually just walk that thing off for a minute but this one came on while I was underneath my project car.

Removing a brake line.

With only a few inches of spare room.

And no way of getting out easily.

So I spent a minute or so making all sorts of random squeaks and groans while my leg twitched hard enough to rhythmically whack my knee and shin on the exhaust bracket.

Which is a sharp bit of steel.

With a pointy bolt for good measure.

I eventually got out from underneath the car and managed to stretch it out and it went away but I now have a nice collection of small bruises and the imprint of a 12mm spanner in my left side!

I'd better get a damn good FTP increase at the end of this 🤣

Worst zwifting injury I've heard of there 🤣🤣🤣

DrP

So, what's the plan for this week?

I'm going to leave the 1hr 45m of pain that is going to be yellow unicorn until the weekend...

Might I suggest that amalgam is a good candidate for a midweek group ride?

@twonks better to set FTP lower and see how you get on. My 20 min FTP was quite a bit lower than what I managed on the ramp test and I went with the 20 min one, think I'd be really struggling if I'd used the ramp FTP number.

I think a sunday morning unicorn again would be good. Agree that Amalgam for a midweek group looks good, easier for me to squeeze the 1hr ones in around other stuff.

My week this week is going to be a bit messy/lacking as i've the Brighton Half on sunday, so not keen on killing the legs at the weekend!

I'm going to do Ham sandwich later today (Monday, about 1600)..
Then it's the last STW zwift race on Tuesday...

Would a group Amalgam workout suit Thursday eve?

Then I MIGHT do Novanta on friday eve..then rest for the half....

I guess if most want to do unicord at the weekend, I'll have to pass on that one... I can create the meetup at a time that suits, just not turn up!!!!!

DrP

Novanta done, not bad either. I'm off on holiday on Saturday so will be cramming the lot in by Friday hopefully. I'm also trying to work out of I can fit week 4 into one and a half days when I get back 🤔

Can you choose an area to ride and then do your workout? I've been to France the last two sessions and I'm trying to finish off the wahoo challenge. Somewhere with elevation would be nice.

I’m also trying to work out of I can fit week 4 into one and a half days when I get back 🤔

No! 6 or 8 hours between workouts...
Plus it won't help you.. you'll just break yourself!

I've just did ham sandwich....
Oof... the mid intervals at 405 watts were a killer....
Drained the legs so I had to drop to 90% for rep 2,3,4 of the final bit!

Good one though!

DrP

Just about to start ham sandwich now.

Finally caught Covid so I'm out for a week or so until I fight this off

Really disappointed

You won't be able too, there's a minimum time between workouts, 8hrs or so.

Thursday is good for me for a group ride.

Can you choose an area to ride and then do your workout? I’ve been to France the last two sessions and I’m trying to finish off the wahoo challenge. Somewhere with elevation would be nice.

Yes

Yep I've been ticking off the routes on watopia on each session, just the big ones and a couple of tiny small ones to go!

I'm loathe to miss any,and week 4 is only 3 workouts with one being pedalling drills. I'll see when I get back, snowboarding for a week isn't exactly laying off the legs.

week 4 is only 3 workouts

but one of them is the Purple Unicorn 😈

Oh fiddlesticks 😂

What have I done. Somehow managed to go from my nice reliable (hardware wise anyway) KickR trainer to a new Neo 2 trainer (sending back) to a new Tacx Neo Bike.

Should be here in a few days and set up shortly after.

Idiot - now with no spare cash for the inevitability of a ‘real bike’ major expensive fail now I’ve spent my bike fund.

why have you sent the neo2 back!!!!

DrP

@DrP I was going to swap it for the ‘T’ version, as I wrongly thought that was what I was getting originally.

However the full Tacx bike also solves a couple of other issues and importantly frees up some room space so I took a plunge. It also has the internals of the T spec Neo so all good hopefully.

Ham Sandwich done this afternoon. Strangely enjoyable though, which is worrying me slightly 🤣

new Tacx Neo Bike

Coming from Wiggle. Crc have it slightly cheaper oddly enough, but happy to keep my spends with Wiggle.

Ham Sandwich done this afternoon. Strangely enjoyable though, which is worrying me slightly

I wish. I've just finished it tonight. After about 25 years of riding on a turbo I can barely recall a single second I actually enjoyed.

Ham sandwich also done! The middle ham was quite enjoyable (ish) but yet again the fatigue really set in on the last UO... Phew!

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Invite for Thursday eve (1830) gone out...
AMALGAM... bit of a mishmash workout thus one, but good at pushing you to hold your FTP for 2 ten minute slots...

If you haven't got an invite, shout out!

Now.. I'll be there, but as I've the Brighton Half a few days later, I'm actually gonna do 90 min zone 2 with you lot! I know I know...cheater! But...

I'll be there for the unicorn next week!

Speaking of which...
Are you all mostly tied to evenings for the group workouts...?
Wondering if there's appetite for a Thursday daytime group at all?

Or... we could do the unicorn Saturday am?

DrP

Back to it now we've finally got electrickery again here.

Completed Novena this morning. Not too bad, a little dull but managed to keep my interest for an hour. I've only managed two of last weeks four workouts then this is my first for this week. Gouging to have to do one a day until Friday then attempt one around work on Sunday to complete this weeks sessions.

I've signed up for tomorrow's group ride and hopefully I'll finally make it to one!

@DrP I'd be keen to do a Thursday daytime ride but it depends on shifts. Evening rides can be a struggle to fit in around either late shifts or early starts.

@twonks Neo smart bike looks the same price to me @ CRC, unless there's a code or something? (Or they've adjusted their price to match Wiggle now!)
Arrrgh, why am I tempted 🤣 Someone else tell me they've got one & that it's terrible?! 😃

I've got the neo 2t, and it's fab...

I dunno if I'd go for an actual bike version 🤷‍♂️

I guess if I had the space I possibly would!

BTW, the neo 2t seems to be reduced in Zwift to £900...

DrP

I dunno if I’d go for an actual bike version

Off work for the rest of the week, Yellow Unicorn this morning, the end of the last UO was tough, had to pause for 20 secs twice. Trying to keep RPM over 110 when already fatigued is a killer. 1hr 45min workouts are zero fun. Done now though thankfully 🙂

Yeah gonna have to make sure I'm properly fuelled for that one, plus have some snacks ready for on the workout!

Thinking about the Tacx bike (or any purpose built erg bike) vs normal bike + trainer, I was always in the normal bike + trainer camp.

The price of full erg bikes is silly tbh as there isn’t £1000+ of ‘extra’ kit in them over the basic trainer.

However on this occasion I have gone for a full erg bike because I fancy a go and like the idea of it being easily adjustable, quieter, easier to use and more ergonomic as a training device.

Clearly I don’t need one, or actually need a new turbo. I’m old, have relative disposable income and really can’t justify another real bike, so this is my toy for the year.

And as said it’s slightly smaller than bike + trainer, especially mine as I have a mtb with wide bars on it. This will mean I can move the room around a bit so I don’t have to step over the rowing machine - another guilty pleasure 😂

Noticed that some of you wanted to do the workouts out of order. Found this for someone a while ago . It may help
Found this link https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13G29M69jJ0tCr5zJuJfKt71suPrdbHhN
From this chat https://forums.zwift.com/t/build-me-up-workouts-independent-of-plan/515639/7

Also why do you choose Build me up.

@kentishman I believe that you can pick and choose workouts from plans with the latest Zwift update.

Thanks that's handy. I may give these a go then.

Ham Sandwich completed tonight - not too bad, although I now have a sore hip 🙁
Hopefully fine by the morning!

Weekday group rides are tricky for me, even at 6.30 Tues/Wed/Thurs as I'm not typically back from the office until 7.30-8.00pm... but I suspect I'm the exception so go ahead without me!

If we could do a group ride once in a while on a weekend morning that would be great. Last Sunday's Unicorn meet-up ride certainly helped me find the motivation to start (and finish!) it.

Nick... Next week I'll plan a Sat am group ride...
As I'd mentioned, I've the Brighton Half marathon this Sunday so taking this week easy...
Happy to put the unicorn for next Sat am... ?

Also.... who's joining us tonight?

DrP

I'm in. Third night in a row but I need fri/sat off.

Saw a notification for zwift companion for a sunday morning ride but not showing up in the app, is that happening?

I'm in for tonight, I'll be doing Novanta Friday or Saturday and then Yellow unicorn on Sunday.

I'm in for tonight...

Also…. who’s joining us tonight?

DrP

Hoping to, will see if I have time after getting home from work.

I've not sent an invite for Sunday 🤷‍♂️

I'm gonna do Novanta tonight as I can't seem to choose a workout OUTSIDE of the build me up plan..
But dropped the level to 75%! Just wanna join the group and spin the legs!

See you in a sec..

DrP

That was brutal, the toughest on yet for me.

Going to sleep well tonight and might have a rest day tomorrow.

Yeah the shark fins in the middle were damn hard, then another 10 mins @ FTP just to REALLY finish you off 🥵

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Couple of pics of the group early on and fresh...

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That was hard going and still got two more sessions to do this week!

I'm without trainer until Saturday when the new one comes, so will see ya'll soon.
Don't want to set the KickR up again now I'm trying to sell it.

Had a Tacx Flux to fix this evening, so sort of in the spirit 😄