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Haha there isn’t any weight doping in the the races. I could check later but I would think the average weight is between 80-85 kg! Which isn’t unreasonable really I would think.
robbo as I'm currently downsizing my weight (lol) how much loss so I need to let you know about? What I mean is, I know 1kg won't change the handicap but xoes, say, 5kg etc?
When I put my nose to the grindstone I lose weight pretty fast... Keeping it off is the real challenge.
New team colours for Tuesday
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50304444751_ae0614d6d6_5k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50304444751_ae0614d6d6_5k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2jDeqQX ]2020-09-04_11-25-44[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
@poopscoop sorry I didn't reply earlier. I would think you would need to change the w/kg equation buy at least 0.1 w/kg to make a difference so I would guess you would need to lose a few kgs at least (depends what your ftp is).
Nice cast weeksy!
I made the mistake of increasing my FTP to 234W...when you get the opportunity please can you adjust my handicap?
Cheers
All done cheers. You just lost 1.5 mins though! 🙂
Robbo on the subject of increased FTP I got the Congratulations uplift notification message at the end of the race last tuesday, i was too busy trying to suppress vomiting and passing out that I didn’t pay attention to the number.
However that was over a shorter ride, what felt like an equally hard effort this Thursday of an hour and quarter Hilly race I was back down again at 243w.
I guess over roughly a 30minute race I can push myself to reach an higher average than I can realistically sustain for nearer to an hour so taking the ftp over such a duration may not be a good measure.
so should I change for the balance races or leave it as it was?
I wouldn’t worry too much. Ftp is only the measure on one day. Some days you will ride better some you will ride worse. Unless you are doing some amazing training and increase your ftp by 20% I don’t think it will make too much difference. A few watts here and there can be the difference between a good nights sleep and a bad nights sleep.
No arguments here. I doubt any if us are anywhere near our FTP from Zwift, I'd say more are 10-15w either direction depending how their form is.
Ouch, wish I took it steady now...I’ll probably still end up with no points though
Cheers for sorting it
Unless I have reason to doubt the data, such as a ride I did last year on a nearly dead 4iiii battery that suggested I could win the TDF with ease, if I improve my FTP based on 95% of my best 20mins that figure becomes my new estimate for the next six weeks (unless I improve on it).
It's very rare for my 95% 20mins figure to be anywhere close to my actual 60min figure, after Thurs test there's a 41W difference (269 Vs 228).
The 283W average for that effort was far from a perfect FTP test, it was part of a ~8.5 mile loop with a ~340 foot hill in the middle of it with several ramps, so my power effort was all over the shop.
But for now, having just started doing 5min+ intervals again after letting my abscess heal, it will have to do as an FTP estimate.
@kirky72 Embrace your new 95% 20min FTP estimate! 😆
Just a reminder to all that in 24 hours time you will likely be a couple of minutes up the climb! Will post tomorrow about the rules but no changes to the first race. Seen a few people seem to have been doing some recce rides of the route!
Lol I've not. Although I did do some up bits today
Tomorrow is team building at the back for me.
I’m going to have to give this one a miss. The whole house is down with kids-back-to-schoolitis. Covid tests were negative at least. Shame it’s the hilly one!
I won't be callibrating my trainer just before the start this time!
To get my excuses out of the way early on, I had a chain fail, stem knee interface on Sunday.
What FTP reduction for bruised left knee? I'm probably fatter and more wheezy too.
Based on my last ride on Sunday I reckon I've overestimated my ftp by about 100 watts. Either that or I'm ill as my numbers were hopeless.
Will give it a go tomorrow but expecting to have to climb off half way up the climb for a lie down.
Just done a ramp test and FTP is up to 276W, sadly I suspect that might add some time. Dumb ass!
I've just got the trek emonda... Nice! And stuck the dt Swiss wheels on... climbaroonie ready!
DrP
What FTP reduction for bruised left knee?
Lol I broke my hand 3 days before last weeks event. If you're not in plaster, you're not injured
Lol I broke my hand 3 days before last weeks event. If you’re not in plaster, you’re not injured
Depends, are you on a hand bike? 😀
Under 12 hours to go so I assume you are all busy carb loading, double checking your brakes and stretching. Will attempt the same start format as last week. I have put my wife into the race (although she isn't racing) so if my account crashes out I will still be able to send messages. Hopefully I have solved that problem though. I have two back ups as well.
Remember race to the blue banner - the meetup distance countdown is accurate in this respect - it is just under the level indicator bar.
STW Series Rules/Information
1. This is a handicap race series. The race will be a mass start with the handicap applied to the results at the end of the race. Your handicap can be found at link a few posts back.
2. Any bike is allowed – choose what you think best suits the course. Also wear what kit you want. Traditionally we have worn the bumblebee for Zwift meetups on STW so if you are unsure that would be a good choice.
3. Race starts – as the meetup function is being used we will have a rolling neutralised start. Once the meetup starts I will gently pedal at about 100W. You should adjust your position to congregate on me (I will be very visible with a bright yellow beacon if you haven’t used the meetup function before). As soon as everyone is in a swarm/peloton I will type GO GO GO which will appear across everyone’s screen – then race how you want!
4. Race finish – the race ends when you cross the blue banner. Make sure you race until the blue banner not any other finish lines/sprint line etc on course. Because meetup view is being used this may be a few hundred metres past a sprint line or similar. It is clearly visible on both the map, the distance countdown on the top bar and in view on the screen. Once you finish you will get a results screen displayed. Once this happens you can choose to leave the game, cool down etc. I will stop short of the race finish to remain in the game (my time isn’t counted anyway to any points finish) and provide encouragement and ensure everyone gets across the line (I might just be last anyway!).
5. Results – I will publish the results on the forum within an hour or so of everyone finishing. There will be the overall results. Top 3 from A, B, C and D and then the handicapped results. Points for the series title (and prizes) will be based on the handicapped results. Zwift Cats are based on the cats from Zwift and the FTP and weight you provided me so might not match historical data in ZP etc.
6. Points – points will be awarded for 1st through to 30th so the series will award consistency and hopefully give everyone an opportunity to score results.
7. In game comms – It is a meetup so only messages sent in the race will be seen. I will prob type some messages etc and reminders for encouragement during the race but feel free to join in with any banter, let us know you have fallen of your turbo, the cat has run through the spinning rear wheel and got its tail caught in the chain, you need another frozen sausage etc!!
8. HAVE FUN AND ENJOY YOURSELF!
I'll be bringing the banter too.
Especially if anyonr is behind me on the road !!!
Am I too late to the party?
What time does it start?
@dknwhy - If you want to join in message me with you FTp, weight and Zwift username. You will need to follow me to get the invite. It is at 7.30 tonight.
Not sure where to put stuff now, so i'll use Robbos thread 🙂
My best time up the KOM is 28:45 which was in a WBR race and an overall time of 51m55s for what i assume is the same course potentially. 245w average.
I'm thinking 200w will be more likely tonight with me being on team-duties
Terrifyingly, the fastest STWer is on 17mins 41, so 11mins quicker than my time ! wow
I've not been on a bike for fun or training for bloody months so this might get me off my arse if i can get the kids in bed in time!
I've just followed you Robbo, not sure what my FTP is at the moment though but i'm about 78 KG at the moment :/
the fastest STWer is on 17mins 41
Who is this? I need to not chase them on the climb!
Churchill, not sure if he's racing.
Ah, not a name I'm familiar with. Still I guess at the sort of w/kg that must need they wouldn't be hard to spot, if only as they will disappear across my screen like doc brown's delorian
Unless i've missed someone above him, Phil56 is our series best up there in 21:46
As far as i know, the others are not racing.
337w average !
nixie and Charlie are both very rapid and I would expect to beat Phil's team.
Waves, 19:06, It was a day 2 years ago where I felt so good, I actually remember it though 🙂 I'll be nowhere near that now
Well hopefully I have both legs for today's climb but I still forsee me propping up the results board today. Aim is for a sub 30 climb but I'm not sure that it's going to happen.
virtual/handicapped or on the road ?
Main thing for me is not to kill myself by trying to keep up with the rapid ones before we even hit the climb!
I think that'll be a story for many. It's a question of how much you can gain from group as to how much you'll tire if you go too hard.
Personally i think a good tow will gain you 30-40s on the lead in.... Will a rider lose that through being too high in the red, i'd say yes, and more. For me, i'd play it at sitting at below FTP by about 15% on the run in, maybe even 20%. Then around FTP up the hill... quick recovery and then pinning it down the back. But the back will be s much about who's with you as much as anything. 2 riders or 3 pushing on down the hill i think could make up a minute on a solo easy, maybe even 2 mins by the finish.
I'm trying to think of a way i can do it so i can see both my power/riding as well as watching others. Maybe i should join as my lad via the iPad so i can scroll through people in crowd view etc... would be fun, but if i'm payin too much attention to them i'll forget to pedal myself.
Continuing the conversation from the other thread, yes @robbo1234biking that is what I was doing yesterday, and I concluded that lightweight frame and fairly aero wheels seems best.
Somebody was asking about the course, it is rather hillcentric, involving a chunk of riding to power/TT.
Sector 1 - 2.5km flat
Sector 2 - 1km up 1.6% grade
Sector 3 - 7km up 5.5% grade (unduldulates between 2-12%)
Sector 4 - 6km down -6.7% grade
Sector 5 - 3km almost flat
Sector 6 - 400m up 7% grade
Sector 7 - 800m down -4.2% with 3rd quartile 2% upkick.
Sector 8 - 1000m flat
Jeesh... the tactics on teh road are serious aren't they!
I've onlyy really raced MTB (single speed XC, or enduro) in which you kinda wanna 'get away quick', then it's all up to YOU (legs and mind)... no draft in XC really..
On the road it's PROPER - I fell out the pack last race, and simply couldn't catch up...
I guess teh flat/slight climbs will be pack based, then the climb will separate the groups...
Will be interesting to follow!
DrP
Unless i’ve missed someone above him, Phil56 is our series best up there in 21:46
@mahowlett is in there at #4 with 19:06 and I'm just behind him at 19:20.
I'm hopeful for better than that today. That was day 2 of a 5 day series nearly a year ago. My times on the similar profile Forward KOM have been stronger this year so fingers crossed.
I guess teh flat/slight climbs will be pack based, then the climb will separate the groups…
This route tends to go as a bunch till the motorway round about, starts to stretch on the gentle slope immediately after and shatter when the bends start.
Phil56 is [s] our series best [/s] up there in 21:46
And I need to make 15s on him 😞
I’m trying to think of a way i can do it so i can see both my power/riding as well as watching others. Maybe i should join as my lad via the iPad so i can scroll through people in crowd view etc… would be fun, but if i’m payin too much attention to them i’ll forget to pedal myself.
That is what I am doing via my wifes account to try and give a bit of commentary across the race. Will see what I can actually do though and if I can manage that whilst riding. There is no pressure on me as my results don't matter but if I get into the race I may forget to mention it.
@twisty - thanks makes more sense now. I was thinking that was quite some effort from you to do that far on the turbo. Mind you it is quite a commitment in any case for that level of detail!
I’m trying to think of a way i can do it so i can see both my power/riding as well as watching others.
You can watch others will still riding. Could use companion app to keep and eye on your output.
My daughter's first week at school and she's only doing 2.5hrs a day, so I've got 3 days off to look after her.
Race prep so far today has been:
Wash car
Spend 90 mins on my hand and knees weeding
Bouncing on trampoline for about 30mins
Just eaten 3 cheese twists for some mid-afternoon carb assist.
Gonna try harder to stay with a group at the start this time.
There was a Zwift update a few days ago, so anyone who's not been on since last week might want to get set-up early to allow the update to do it's thing.
Excuses in early. following a hilly 4700ft MTB around Hebden way on Saturday I tried to keep my legs moving with a blustery road ride around the trough of Bowland yesterday.
Just taken the dog for a shortish walk and struggled to get back up a small hill to home. Legs are like lead so I’ll be having a 15/20 easy leg turner before hand to try and loosen the buggers up. can foresee me hitting the wall going up the KOM tonight.
Looks like there’ll be some good tactical riding, good luck all.