I definitely do better in the races when I've had a light week before. This series, I've also done better when I know it's only going to be a short race.
Whether that's just coincidence, or science I've no idea 🙂
I've NEVER done a proper training programme before.. Pre turbo/zwift I would jsut ride my bike(s) hard and fast, and use that as training!!!
I did do a bit of training with the Zwift Academy stuff. I guess if I were to properly focus on a training programme, I could improve weak spots in my riding profile. But like @Nixie, sometimes it's fun just to ride..even on zwift!
Now.. I'm not saying I'm getting far too into zwifting, but I just picked up my newly framed art today... It's massive! (A1 size)!
DrP
Pft, it doesn't even have a list of badges you can tick off.
That's on a printed scrap on my fridge!!!
DrP
OK, I have video highlights for you all. Quality isn't great but you can just about make people out...8 short videos in total, in chronological order, mainly (but not exclusively) from the very front:
1. Here's the first early split at the front of the race. @nixie and @paino were both caught the wrong side of the gap, as @phil56 pushed the group on. It comes back together, but an early indication of things to come at the front?
2. This made me laugh - nearly the whole front group dropped a feather on the climb. Those without mention it in their race reports above! This is also the moment @paino powers to victory for the sprint points. That strings it out, and it would never fully come back together.
3. The aftermath of that moment - @munkeymadness, @jonno, @crazyharry and @oblongbob were the ones tailed off when the dust settled from @paino's aggression on the cobbles. The lead group getting smaller...
https://youtu.be/Ba3myaFp5L0
4. Further back, @robbo1234biking (and his magnificent beacon, which was visible from everywhere, all race!) takes a massive pull on the front of a big group. It all kicks off at the cobbles when @jimdubleyou surges ahead, leaving it all strung out. @mahowlett counters, and initially only @straightliner and @drew could follow...
https://youtu.be/hIUmqQYqkag
5. ...but some of the others did get back in touch: @nick, @v7fmp, @funkybaj and @snotrag all regained contact and their group eventually ploughed on ... but without @robbo1234biking, @zilog6128 and @bails
https://youtu.be/JVYqwSb8dOw
6. One group further forward, it seems quite cooperative and @dandasbike would like to make clear he isn't a vegan! I'm sorry I didn't get better footage of you guys:
https://youtu.be/68oiPJtPlvE
7. The lead group get towards the business end of the race. This bit starts with @kirky72, @drp, @phil56, @benman, @j-r, @w00dster, @danielcbaron and @nixie still in contention as the group makes relentless progress through lapped riders, with @nixie either chilling or struggling towards the back, before making his big but unsuccessful effort at overhauling @paino's time up the cobbles. The gap that opens comes back together with @phil56, @kirky72 and @drp leading the chase... but @j-r never makes it back across.
https://youtu.be/Fw-s7WGsn1c
8. And finally, with minimal editing, the finish. 2+ laps of constant aggression, mainly from @benman, who goes several times, each time eliciting a response from the others. The number of chasers slowly shrinks until he makes his decisive move by (sneakily? zwiftily?) surging off around @robbo1234biking and @zilog6128 at the top of the final time up the cobbles:
https://youtu.be/4SDMmp2eaZg
Great race you lot. I'm not doing this again, I'm riding next time.
That’s on a printed scrap on my fridge!!!
I hope you have your kid's list of chores next to it and each of you gets a star when you tick something off 🙂
Thats quite entertaining. Also my power numbers weren’t too bad at all just got the start wrong! For the next series I don’t think we have to have a ride leader so I can dump the yellow beacon. It is rather conspicuous.
Also interesting to see @dangeourbrain dying in multiple feeds!
Nice work. Will watch those later. 👍
Don't know about @Paino but that gap in #1 was deliberate on my part. Lap 2 was always going to be the best shot at fastest lap. That gap was about giving myself the advantage. As soon as I was across the line it was time to get back into the group (actually screwed this bit up and started moving forward too early). It worked in the first race of this series as I was the last through the gate of the lead group that time. Almost worked this time except I failed to notice @paino's position.
so I can dump the yellow beacon
No Robbo, you need to keep it so I know exactly how near you are! I could see you at various points on last nights race and it helped 😀
I love Robbo's beacon - I hear a choir of angels every time it comes on screen !
(just did a crit race on there, so I can at least empathise with the pain reported above. Can confirm that FIVE ghosts, 1 burrito, 1 aero and 1 feather is not a happy haul, especially when your whaaats are as low as mine were. I'd have been minced in your race)
@nixie think we had the same agenda. In fact, when I saw you back off before the start of lap 2 I knew it! All I had to do was catch the lead group to eliminate the time gap, as I’m pretty sure you did. The feather PU made my mind up to batter the climb on lap 2. Couldn’t hold the power to the line but just about did enough to hold on over the rollers and finish ahead of, well, you just about.
Thought as much 👍. I was pissed as the times came up and I realised you'd done the same thing. Completely missed you were in a similar place to me at the end of the first lap (was expecting you to be in the lead group).
Must have learnt from the best! You did kind of let the cat out the bag the other day when you said you had a plan! Lap 2 was the obvious time to launch/fall back slightly. The gap made the perfect draft in the lead to accelerate up the climb-didn’t know if you followed or not but kept a close eye on the times!
I think part one of the nice things with this series and the extra chat around it is learning new tricks and sharing ideas/tactics.
I didn't try for the sprint on lap 2 as I wanted to go hard down the hill and try and pull a lead. I did notice the time though and thought it would be difficult to beat.
Next week I think I'm going to try something different to the rest of the series and go back to the London flat tactic.
there wasn’t much sharing of the workload last night. If it wasn’t for you and Wellock I would have been lapped.
@Paino LOL! Whether you led or not it helps when there is a couple of extra bodies in the group so when I have had my stint at the front I have a wall of bodies to hide beind whilst I catch my breath. Makes a big difference. Your support, even if unintended, was greatly appreciated!
Thanks for uploading those Adam. Very interesting and pretty scary numbers being put out by the big guns! I've said it before: those avatars' faces don't give us a clue about how we're feeling. I'm always surprised when someone I'm riding with says they were hanging on/knackered. It's like riding with Quintana. I reckon Zwift should introduce a power-up showing 'health' of your competitors. If anyone's kids play Minecraft you might know what I mean.
I reckon Zwift should introduce a power-up showing ‘health’ of your competitors
DrP is making 3 swears per minute.
Nixie is at two.
Dangeourbrain is no longer able to swear or use gear levers.
Phil is reciting hamlet but his iambic pentameter is beginning to slip
Those videos are excellent @savoyad. Thanks for posting. Although I have to be honest, my avatar seems to be putting a lot less effort into this than I was. Think I need to have a stern word...
I think the MTB animation exacerbates the feeling that everyone else is just cruising along while you are close to death in these races. I felt more tired watching than those avatars made their real life riders seem.
It would look rather unpleasant if you had to ride through a shower of sweat, if the avatars reflected the profusive sweating of the real riders.
@DrP Is your Big Foot Hills meetup on Sunday banded? Thinking of joining but also want to follow a workout whilst doing it.
It's not banded, no.... Also, not sure if you can join a meetup AS as workout if the 'leader' doesn't make it one.. I May be wrong..
Also..turns out I need Big foot hills as a route..! Winner!
DrP
On group rides you can select to do a workout even if the leader isn’t and you can all do different workouts. It is different for proper Zwift events but the group meet-ups work this way. Trouble is that you might quickly fall of the back of the group and once you are a certain distance away the group chat will stop working.
Just as an aside: when on Zwift outside of the races does anyone else automatically look at everyone in an MTB to see if it's one of us? Maybe it's just me but there seems to be an awful lot more people riding MTBs around the last week or so!
Ah, cheers robbo....
Feel free to do what you want in the ride! I guess most WON'T be doing a workout...
I'm tapering down my efforts this week, ready for next Sunday... so 70k will be a nice ride with you lot..
Gotta figure out how to fit in tdz 7 AND the stw race in somehow too!
DrP
@robbo1234biking Please reduce my weight to 80.4Kg (or 80Kg if you round) and adjust my handicap for the next meeting.
Thanks @n0b0dy0ftheg0at will update before posting the handicaps tonight. Any other updates before this evening?
I have avoided telling you I've had another stupid FTP increase up to 286w as I'm not going to make it on Tuesday anyway (loaning my turbo to a mate so he can try Zwifting for the first time). Will watch on Dr P's YouTube though.
Speaking of....
Might be using a different streaming software..OBS Studio...
Will see!
DrP
OBS is what I've been using, seems to work alright.
Handicaps for Tuesday are live. If your name is in yellow then you have either reported an FTP increase or a weight decrease this week.
I've got an FTP increase to find on Zwift somewhere so I'll get that over tomorrow when I can dig it out. I don't expect it's a huge change though!
@ivandobski on the main Zwift page where you select the world etc click on the training tab and then select any workout. Your ftp as set by zwift will then be in the bottom right corner.
Cheers, it's gone up to 265w - if I can find another 32w I'll be back to where I was in mid-December!
I think there must be quite a few ftp increases that you e not picked up on Robbo, of the top of my head I recall seeing more than those.
Wowsers, never thought I would get so close to some of those top A handicaps when we started the first series.
Not been able to join in this series, so looking forward to this one and see what all this MTB lark is about.
How long will the race take tomorrow?
Around 40 minutes at the front.
Glad I did a short moderate effort recce using the MTB just before dinner, I'd forgotten how rolling this course is... Must remember to dial back the slope feel from 100% before tomorrow night!
Evening all. Slight update for tomorrow night.
Sprint points will only be awarded for the fastest sprint time. There is no official lap of seaside sprint so I am unable to get data to award points.
See you tomorrow evening. Looking forward to it. Should be a good one. It is a fun course with some rolling terrain.
It is a fun course with some rolling terrain.
The esses are not "fun" 😛
Yeah they are 😃. Show you tomorrow 🤮.
So race day. I saw Phil had a recon race on the course last night - not sure if anyone else has?
Are you racing as an A now @phil56?
The fastest times on the sprint are likely to come on the last lap because of the course layout. This is one of those rare occasions that the finish line is the end of the sprint so there should be a mad dash to the line. You come onto to the sprint via a brief downhill as well!
nope! Looking forward to this as never ridden the course before!not sure if anyone else has?
Never ridden the course - these rolling bits sound a bit like hard work! I looked at the profile on Zwift Insider & it looked largely flat. Is it going to be one of those deceptively knackering courses.
I am looking forward to it after the poor effort I mustered last week!
I might dangle a piece of cake from the back of the garage door to encourage me to ride faster... 🙂
Yes it's deceptive, plenty of places to get worn out and places to hang people out to dry after a big effort. IMO fastest sprint will only come on the last lap if the groups are big and the pace hasn't been too hot. I think it's more likely to come earlier.
@robbo1234biking I entered the B cat, I didn't know until afterwards that Zwiftpower had bumped me up to A minimum.
It's ironic - apart from the odd recon ride the only racing I've done this year has been the STW Winter Series, where I can't make any real headway into the results - but my efforts have now got me bumped up!
The rollers are kind of like those from last week's crit....just higher.....and more of them....
Regrettably no race for me today - just had to have a wisdom tooth out [which was a nice surprise for the morning] and under instruction to the effect of "no vigorous exercise" for at least 24hrs.
I'm still without my trainer. Maybe I'll be back next week 🤔
Congrats on the upgrade @Phil56. It is a blessing and a curse isn't it?
You could have asked the dentist for a blood transfusion at the same time?!
Laughing gas or Tramadol more likely..
You could have asked the dentist for a blood transfusion at the same time?!
Yeah I'm not sure if the performance enhancing benefits of novocaine but in the upside I'll be lighter now, so it's got some benefit I guess.
Good luck for tonight all, i'll be watching some/all of you at various times during the race, but as i've said before, racing at 7:30pm just isn't for me. I'll be doing a race at 13:25 with the Crit after doing some rowing
@weeksy what rowing workout are you doing? Something specifically to complement the cycling? Used to be right into it (intervals mainly) but haven't used my rower for years now! Also have you seen the people who've bodged their rowers into Zwift?! (Apparently they've been working on integrating it official for a while too!)
what rowing workout are you doing? Something specifically to complement the cycling? Used to be right into it (intervals mainly) but haven’t used my rower for years now! Also have you seen the people who’ve bodged their rowers into Zwift?! (Apparently they’ve been working on integrating it official for a while too
Nothing too crazy or structured, Even though i've cycled a lot it's never really seemed to do much in terms of weight. Now a lot of that is of course down to me and a rubbish diet, but i'll struggle to massively change that, so Mrs Weeksy was chatting about something other than cycling/walking for herself and we decided to get a rowing machine.
The obvious answer was a Concept 2. But with used ones way out of warranty doing £800+ we put some bids in at £700-750 for ones ending close enough for us, but they all went up over £800.
We thought about hiring one, but that's £80 a month at the moment which seems a bit ridiculous.
So we ended up with https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/V-fit-Tornado-Air-Rower-Rowing-Machine-r-r-p-390-00/151058378853?epid=1312710763&hash=item232bc7f065:g:~ZwAAOSwc6ZcWVuG
One of these, which is a cheap and cheerful (sort of ) version. It's a little 'short' for me in the context it doesn't allow stroke lengths quite as long as i'd like, it's also quite a difference in power/speed/time compared to a concept 2, i can row 500m splits on a concept 2 in 2min 10 for 10km, this is registering me closer to 2min 30. But as long as it's consistent to itself, it doesn't really matter.
Everyone has used it since it was put together on Weds night, the boy did 10km on it yesterday in 3 split sessions.
Back in the day when trying to get down from 20st i used the rower a fair bit and i think it gave a bit more of an overall body conditioning and a different type of workout compared to cycling. I'm also hoping it helps a bit with leg fatigue due to using different muscles than cycling every single day.
Once i get used to it, i'll also integrate some kettle bell work in with it too.
Regrettably I'm out this evening too. Suddenly having some migraine related issues which seem to have flared up following last Saturdays STW crit, feeling very heavy headed and spaced out since, so I don't want to get sucked into racing and cause further problems.
Have a good one, all the best!
I'll be at the start probably. Tinkered with the tacx and it's not grinding now.
Might just cruise so it doesn't crap out again.
I'm out, moved house this week and turbo is 'somewhere'. No chance of finding it this week I dont think. Enjoy!
Regrettably I’m out this evening too. Suddenly having some migraine related issues which seem to have flared up following last Saturdays STW crit, feeling very heavy headed and spaced out since, so I don’t want to get sucked into racing and cause further problems.
Oof... read the other migraine thread on here posted a few days ago..it seems EVERYONE is getting them at the moment..
I had a migraine saturday eve (took a triptan) and again Sunday eve (again, another triptan)..felt like a zombie yesterday..could barely focus and function at work. I was on the verge of pulling out from today, but have woken up feeling a fair bit brighter so will give racing a go tonight.
Not sure what's going on in the world (bar the obvious!) to cause everyone to be getting more migraines.. My OH had a terrible headache too.
Prob a combination of WFH for most, the stress of home schooling, and the fear that COVID isn't going away anytime soon??
Anyway, heal up doude..
DrP
Thanks DrP, sounds similar to your symptoms.
Could be down to bad hydration prior to the race or going out too hard, but yeah, felt crap ever since. had it before with a ramp test where I had a bit of acute pain in the head at 400w. Could be a BP thing...
Anyway, best to rest and see how it pans out, only chilled riding for me this week.
Definitely feeling Zombie today.
Sorry to hear about all of the dropouts this evening - especially those suffering with illness/injury/ailments!
Hope you all get on top of them soon.
As DrP says, I do wonder how much of all this is down to the continued working from home, home schooling, being stuck inside etc.
I think people's mental health & general well-being is taking a real battering.
Yesterday I did the Robbo workout at 6:45 but then spent over 10hours sitting in my home office to make up enough hours to enable home schooling on a Thursday. I didn't go out & the furthest I walked was a few steps around the house - I have noticed that stress levels seem to be rising and it is hard to see the end to all this.
Hey @oopnorth. That sounds pants. It's the right thing to do though. One of my colleagues has suffered more recently than normal as well. Frustrating but your body has a habit of telling you when you need recovery not stress.
Prob a combination of WFH for most, the stress of home schooling, and the fear that COVID isn’t going away anytime soon??
That's a good point. It can easy to view the exercise as the issue but life stresses can have a massive impact on that. This lockdown def feels harder than when the weather was nice etc.
Stupidly I forgot to do a training session last night on Zwift so have to do it today, not a hard one but not the best prep for a race this afternoon! Should have 5 hours or so between the two so plenty of time to rest and refuel.
I think people’s mental health & general well-being is taking a real battering.
I know mine is, mentally I'm completely shot and my sleep patterns are all over the place. Physically though I'm in my best shape in years thanks to this race series, the 90-day exercise challenge and Chub Club so it's not all bad. Hopefully when some sort of normality resumes I can make the mental side better and keep most of the physical gains. The physical side is the only thing keeping me going really so even if I was on death's door I'd still be at the start line!
Is it too late to join in on the fun? My new trainer arrived yesterday.
Think I was one place in front of you @dangeourbrain in last nights TDZ shorter ride
@tomnavman ah you were one of the two who popped the aero at the end then? Thought I might sneak into top 20 but when I saw first one then the other pull away with the little blue balloons I didn't see it happening!
I know this is boring because repetitive, but quick shoutout to @robbo1234biking - yes it's just indoor bicycle racing, but this series is also - as we see today, yet again - making a tangible difference to people's well being at a difficult time, and I don't think that's something we can acknowledge enough...(I'll dislike you again later, of course).
haha yes, sorry! I had saved that up for most of the lap to use at the end. I was hoping for top 20 as well, but just got pipped on the line by the other person who pulled away
@savoyad I know I [I]should[/I] be using all my free time during lockdown to become super fit, but tbh my motivation is at an all time low and has been for a while! Except for walking, I can't even remember the last time I did any exercise other than Zwift... and if it wasn't for the original STW meet-ups, the TTT (so well done yourself also, for organising that!) and now these races, I probably wouldn't even be doing that! So it all gets a big thumbs up from me 👍!! 😃yes it’s just indoor bicycle racing, but this series is also – as we see today, yet again – making a tangible difference to people’s well being at a difficult time, and I don’t think that’s something we can acknowledge enough
haha yes, sorry!
No need to apologise! tried to catch you both dashing for the line but couldn't muster much above where I'd been all ride, just no legs left for a good sprint.
Still i'll take a decent pace and no sprint over none of either. I was broadly pleased with my effort last night, was a good steady effort, a reasonable power for the whole ride and I didn't feel like death afterwards so a vast improvement on the last few months and certainly last week's crit!
Totally agree with comments above and the stresses of Covid, etc. I actually am in work but most of my staff are out so ultimately I am doing more to cover certain jobs which would usually be picked up with more staff in, plus one of them has tested positive for covid so I'm now covering that role too, it's hard to get my own work done.
I'm not usually bothered by stress but I think it's beginning to get to me, I had to let staff go in Autumn which was hard when many of them were very competent and valued, but the hospitality industry has really taken a hit this year and all associated businesses are suffering.
The one positive is the Zwift and all the STW activities related to it, it really gives me a buzz and I look forward to all the events each week, so thanks to @Robbo1234biking mainly as he organized the series and the workouts we are doing, plus all you others who have got involved to create meetups or just take part and have some banter...it really helps get through the dark days!
This lockdown def feels harder than when the weather was nice etc.
Indeedy... I'm so bored. I'm forgetting what activities I used to do when I had my kids for the weekend...
At present we jsut watch screens, do a bit of board games, and a short scoot/skate/walk....
So effing boring.. we're all bored and stressed!!
I guess we used to go swimming...play parks... climbing walls... skate parks etc etc...
Meet frineds... Meh..it'll come back..
And YES... tZwift/SWT rides are brilliant in actually keeping me motivated and mentally healthy.
Actually having an 'event' in the diary is really important for me.
The new skills I've learnt (actual training programmes..better pedal technique..how to live stream etc) are all bonusses!
DrP
Is there a Paul S on here or someone who I have missed who want to join in? There is someone signed up on the race but Im not sure who they are! Could be a username that I have missed. No issues with them joining in but want to check I haven't missed something!
@robbo1234biking....
I don't think it's related to your above question, but there was this request a few posts above about joining in...
tomnavman
Is it too late to join in on the fun? My new trainer arrived yesterday.
Thanks @stumpy01 - @robbo1234biking has been in touch on PM, all signed up for tonights sufferfest!