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some more “team” entries into regular zwift races would be great IMO
DEffo.... i'm more than up for some short distance Zwift racing with other STWers. Despite the fact you dropped me last time, i still really enjoyed it 🙂
some more “team” entries into regular zwift races would be great IMO
DEffo…. i’m more than up for some short distance Zwift racing with other STWers
There's an 8 lap crit city on Friday at 17.45...
Or a 14 lap one next Tuesday at 18.20 which would make for a remarkable fit with what would be normal Tuesday social timings
not if i have to do the TTT tomorrow. I can't go flat out for both that's for sure.
I'll happily do either depending on how many are in for TTT.
would be hilarious if we had a swarm of bees for the tues one next week lol
How long is 8 laps of crit city? 20mins?
15.7k, Took me 21mins when I did it.
Roughly Nixie yeah, 21 give or take.
Yeah just a fraction over 20mins in cat c.
Edit: ^^^^ so we're agreed on about 20mins then!?
Edit: ^^^^ so we’re agreed
Years of spending too much time on STW teaches me one thing: if you think that you've misread something.
Happy to switch to hounds - but i agree with Zilog that I would be hanging on with the hounds and not able to add much fire power to the chase. At the end of the day its all just riding to me - so happy to do whatever suits most people.
Don't think the way it was set up last night that the catch was on the cards.
I reckon give it a try with 3 groups, logistically it's not any harder to organise and it should help, I know I'd be better in a middle group unless it was a really hilly route.
the thing is, if the hounds are effectively just soloing it behind 1 guy, and the hares are working together, even Phil can’t close the gap as demonstrated!
Weeksy: I agree, but not sure there’s much alternative,
I agree too - but perhaps the answer on the flat is 3 groups: A - yesterday's hares, B yesterday's hounds except Phil, C - Phil. Start with 2.5 minutes between groups, with B trying to catch B and keep ahead of C, and C trying to catch A and B. That would mean group B are actually racing rather than doing their best to hold onto Phil's wheel while he does the work.
On hilly routes we could do something similar but split the groups by W/kg rather that W?
Footnote: I was amazed to see Phil was doing 330-350W on the front, while I was just able to draft him at around 240-260W. But 8 minutes from the end I backed off for a few seconds to let Gary get my wheel after he'd been on front around Sloane Square and Phil got 20m ahead - and that was us dropped.
LOL poor Phil, even being socially distanced on Zwift 🙂
Phil got 20m ahead – and that was us dropped
It's amazing how fast you loose ground once you do, I think it's the sticky draft thing combined with the delay on the trainer. It's also why it's so bloody easy to over shoot.
You seem to be keeping up fine at about 30% off, you slacken off 2 W and that's it, whoosh, you're gone. by the time you've seen it, reacted, the trainer has caught up and zwift actually starts to speed you up you've been out the back for 5 to 10 seconds, it's a huge lump and you're still not actually moving at full speed despite putting in 600w
Daft question if you don't mind my asking actually Phil, but what is your zwiFTP?
I just checked - it's 330
Impressive mate, impressive.
I bet he eats eat shredded wheat.
That's not as much higher than mine as I expected to be honest, though having been a bit stalkery at your numbers for yesterday your output is much more stable than mine (which is a text book bell curve)
Guys - there are plenty on here who are way quicker than me - I weigh 87kg, so I can't match the likes of Mooman or Kelvin on the climbs. And I'm repeating myself, but normally some of last nights riders can stay with me no problem.
I wasn't trying to pull off the front last night to start with - in fact a couple of times I dropped to help others get back on. I only pushed on once it became clear we were losing Hounds and still not making much progress!
Guys – there are plenty on here who are way quicker than me
It's actually a good thing from my point of view, you're certainly more consistent than me. Even if I'm matching you on pace you seem to sit "stable" a lot better than I.
Given your power seems to stay fairly even, I had images of you sat up, doing the times crossword whilst running at 50% effort, probably having tea with the vicar.
That you're at a significant % of your ftp suggests I need to work on form at least as much as if not more so than actual power and it'll likely pay more dividend.
Also yeah, moomin is quite sprightly.
You've both talked me out of racing today now 😀
Need to try and be able to give a bit more tomorrow in the TT, so am taking today off and spending it in and out of the paddling pool with my lad.
You’ve both talked me out of racing today now 😀
I would say have a beer instead but I assume drinking in the paddling pool is like drinking in the bath.
New bike day tomorrow so will be giving the TTT a miss I'm afraid and riding in the real world for the first time in months - gotta try and remembering cornering and braking...
gotta try and remembering cornering and braking…
I'm out of the steering habit but breaking I still do when trying to catch on
I'd be up for any number of the possible hare and hound variations having not done one before but also quite like the idea of mass descending on a Crit City race as well.
I'm loving the different STW meetup factions that are happening right now, so many options....
Hare & Hound / Crit City Tuesdays
TTT Thursday's
Commute Club a few mornings a week
Sunday Hills
Something for all...great work those organizing!
Agree @oop north good range, I’m not big on the race element though enjoy the detail that’s going on in the thread, Sunday Hills ensures I do hills as sometimes I don’t do enough of them, committing to a ride is helping get some in, and looking forward for my first commute ride tomorrow.
Good work from the organising committee 🙂
I was cutting that fine, up early bit of food, warm up, the clock on the radio in the gym is obviously a bit slower as I had what I thought was three minutes yet it had started when I jumped on the bike, tried to catch you but couldn’t sustain the pace to do so, but I’ll take a sub 30min 11.4 mile ride as my commute.
Now a lap of Harrogate Street Circuit on Fulgaz
Have a great Thursday hope you had a good commute
Yeah, it's a shame you can't join a meetup after it's started, or would work well on some of the longer routes.
Real Harrogate in the sunshine for me now.
No morning commute club from me tomorrow but...
If anyone fancies joining me for crit club instead, 17.45 8 lap crit city to finish the week and earn those bank holiday bets. I can't send invites but I'll see anyone who fancies it there.
I decided to take an alarm gamble this morning, I didn't set it...if I wake up I'm in, if not then it's a rest day
I woke up 7-15am, just as you finished! Haha
Hope it was good.
Wasn't feeling it this morning. Poor nights sleep 2 nights in a row with the heat I think. But still got up and did it and wasn't too bad. Legs feel a bit more alive now.
Got a 1hr 30 min trainerroad sweetspot workout tomoz lunchtime, and then a camp out with the 6 year old and watching the new paw patrol movie so I wont make crit city.
Anyone doing Sunday hills?
Anyone doing Sunday hills?
I will be but unsure on route choice this week. I fancied doing something awful as I've the extra day to [s] sit round doing nothing [/s] recover but I'm aware I'm likely the only one of that opinion.
I'm up for Sunday hills I think...but an early one so it doesn't encroach on DIY time. Something like 8am or 8-30am.
I'll throw 3 sisters in the hat...a challenge but not too crazy??
I'm also having thoughts of tomorrow's virtual commute being an Alpe attempt...I think I've lost my mind...
This is turning into hill week.
I felt ok other than I pushed a bit harder to try and catch the others so a faster ride than I had planned, good ride and it was quite warm too!
Tomorrow is running, Saturday I am doing Watopia Pretzel as part of the last stage of Tour For All joining the 9am Group ride, that rules me out of doing something more extreme (4 Horsemen) on Sunday as I don't think I'll have the legs for it.
Sunday is TBC for me I need to see if I can do a outdoor local cycle on Sat PM that would free up Sunday. Royal Pump Room 8 route would probably be my sort of Sunday Level this week.
I will be but unsure on route choice this week. I fancied doing something awful as I’ve the extra day to sit round doing nothing recover but I’m aware I’m likely the only one of that opinion
I'm staying away from the Zoom bar this Saturday so I can join you on Sunday. Up to the mast always feels pretty awful, I prefer the Alpe lol
3 sisters sounds good to me!
I’m also having thoughts of tomorrow’s virtual commute being an Alpe attempt…I think I’ve lost my mind…
Indeed, that sounds extremely foolish for a 40ish minute start to the day, but you know, if that's yer bag fill yer boots.
I'll even give you a "ride on" if you're done in less than 45...
Three sisters looks like a reasonable plan, I'll pop that in for an 8.30am start again, looking at the route that should see us done for about 10 I think which Works well for me.
double check the invites. I'm feeling foolish/masochistic this morning
I got 2 invites??? One for 7am as well...
I accepted on the 8-30am
Oh and no way I'll do the Alpe in 45 mins...I'll be lucky to do it in 70 haha
Yeh good luck on the early sunday ride dangeourbrain! I will be there for the 8.30. If you have done the alpe before I might even stay with you for the first minute of the kom climb!
Indeed, it's a bit of an annoyance road to the sky isn't available for a group ride to be honest as the extra drag for TF&I probably won't fit well with meeting you all at half past.
Knowing my luck I'll be 3 yards from another set of gloves when I'll have to switch over.
I need to check on plans but might be up for 3 sisters on Sunday, although I won't be troubling 1.5 hours.
We can let everyone go their own pace on the KOM / other hills as we did last Sunday, then a regroup at the top for descents and the flats in-between? No point doing a group ride if we ride alone for it all 🙂
Let me know if you want an invite hoppy (and your zwift name, I can't find any "hop" in my followers list, bear in mind I can only add you if you're following me)
You've invited me, I'm the Welsh one.
Could well be up for Sunday's Three Sister's depending on the weather. If it's looking nice I might risk venturing out into the real world...
You’ve invited me
Ah, good.
I’m the Welsh one.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh, yeah, about Sunday.... 😉
Hi - can you send me an invite for Sunday. I am following you - Andy Robinson STW
Whoo hoo. I'm not doing the alpe on my own.
I can't think better of it on Sunday now can I?
I've already done the Alpe once this week !
Think of Sunday as the opportunity to do the reverse KoM.
That's a thing in zwift.
What’s the score on Sunday?
You doing both events Danger?
I was sure there was a commute tomorrow too but can’t see it anymore.
I've not put a commute up for tomorrow - I've signed up for the 17.45 crit city though if you fancied joining me. Done 80k today and Friday is also circuit training day so I think just the race will do me.
Happy to put one on if there's a few folk want to go and if I get up and join you all the better
Yeah Sunday I'm planning a gentle bimble up the alpe then three sisters. Because I'm an idiot really.
I've put tour of fire and ice in as a group ride as there's no option on road to the sky in a group, given I've only allowed an hour and a half for it though if any one does fancy it I'll suggest we all just pitch up and do road to the sky instead.
Hmm, tempted by either of the Sunday routes.
62 minutes was my last ride up the Alpe (Strava segment) so 90 minutes all in should be doable.
Yeah I'm on a similar time up the alpe solo, and whilst ideally I'd like to try and pip under the hour on the alpe but not this week. Whilst I think I'd be happy enough with 60 min up and 90 min total to do ToF&I, after that, I don't think I'd want to be doing another 40k and the same again climb wise, road to the sky at least cuts a few k of the start.
Sorted I think my weekend ride logistics I will join the 8:30 Three Sisters ride, I'll give the Alpe a miss at 6:30, I did sneak a sub hr on it this week which was nice.
See you virtually on Sunday 8:30 - Bee kit I assume? I'll make sure I am dressed appropriately.
I'm going for an Alpe PR in the morning....I hate that hill and I really want to get under the hour at some point.
My PR is 70 minutes so any improvement will be good, I've felt good climbing this week so I want to see if it's the same on the Alpe.
I'm sure I'm going to regret it as soon as I start...
First time I've ridden it on Zwift, didn't keep track on the time was a nice surprise when I crossed the line I settled into a tolerable pace, also there are some respites on the climb where the gradient lessens, I've done it a couple times on Fulgaz it felt pretty similar.
Historically I'd been the rider at the back on the climbs but since indoor riding I've got better at hills, still some anxiety at the prospsect, I am already thinking about the 4500m on the Saturday ride!
Good luck on the PR challenge for the Alpe.
Good luck Craig!
Mrs brain just used the eggs I had pegged for my breakfast for pancakes so I think I'll be popping to the farm in the morning so an am appearance from me tomorrow is unlikely.
, I am already thinking about the 4500m on the Saturday ride!
By heck man, what are you riding? I assume not zwift? Worst I could find on that was the uber pretzel at 2355m
Opps typo it's 4500ft 🙂 still thinking about it though.
I will be in June attempting a 1478m then a 1785m climb which is about 10000ft be the most I've tried in a day, its climbing both sides of the Stelvio Pass, as supposed to be doing it for real in June (well one side from Bormio) but that is on FulGaz.
I’m going for an Alpe PR in the morning….I hate that hill and I really want to get under the hour at some point.
Well I didn't get under the hour, but I got my PR...64 minutes so 6 minutes quicker than my previous. I'll take that!
I was just coming to corner 1 at 60 minutes so I'm getting close.
Climbed a total of 3524m this week and still have 3 sisters to do on sunday. A big week towards the tron bike!
That's a decent improvement on your PR and a decent weeks climbing with more to come 🙂
Good work. 64 minutes is a good time.
Good work Craig. I am doing the Mountain 8 route at lunchtime although I am using ERG mode at the same time to do a workout whilst ticking of some of the routes. have already done that climb once this week although this includes the climb up to the radio tower. I hope I don't hit that section on a rest interval - it will be a slow ride if I do!
I don't mind the KOM too much, it's just that last radio tower that's the killer. Good luck Robbo!!
We all have to hit it Sunday...eek!
@dangerourbrain
I’ve signed up for the 17.45 crit city though if you fancied joining me.
I've just signed up for the cat c race, which one are you doing?
B.
I’ve just signed up for the cat c race, which one are you doing?
Weeksy and I are in B, there's you and CT in C
I'm still very much open for discussion on tonight. It's pizza and beer night and after last nights TT and a 50mins outdoor ride earlier, then throwing in a jump day tomorrow and family ride, i'm not sure tonight is a great plan.... but it's tempting.
but it’s tempting.
Not as much as pizza and beer.
My main purpose in racing tonight is it absolutely justifies a day off tomorrow. After what's effectively been a half and half TTT ITT on Tuesday, TTT last night and crit tonight I imagine a day with my feet up will be welcome.
Should be good, hopefully I've some legs left after yesterday!
We got rain forcast Saturday - so looking at doing the 12:15 3R Tick Tock Flat Race.
Its my favourite course to race. Pretty much flat and fast, with just the one little effort to try and drop the hanger-ons .. anybody else entering?
Final Stage of Tour For All for me tomorrow, good luck in the race.
What category you doing Mooman?
Did Surrey Hills this arvo and probably going to try to do Sunday Hills but a flat blast might be on tomorrow.
Have you done that one before Moo? Does it tend to stick together in bunches seeing as it's a pan flat one?
Also if any of you fancy an Alpe PB there's a evening race up at 1845 on Monday I'll be doing. (Come on Brain you know you fancy two days on the trot)
Whatever your previous I can guarantee riding it in a race context will give it a bump.
kelvinshuffle
Member
Have you done that one before Moo? Does it tend to stick together in bunches seeing as it’s a pan flat one?
I have, with a mixed category start it fairly quickly broke up into a few decent sized groups with minimal opportunity to split or get ahead of them and ended up with a sprint finish.
Yes raced it a few times. It always starts very fast .. and you really need to stay towards front and not get caught at back the first 5k .. it typically eases up with the inevitable big surge on the little incline to catch out those napping or hanging on at back .. the last lap will not ease up much from the incline; sprinting isn't my thing, so I typically stay with front group until final 300m when the stronger riders sprint past me.
Group B for me.
Hope to see other STW named there.
I couldn’t really decide between Three Sisters and the Alpe Sunday.
So I did 3S this morning, and will try and keep up with Danger on the Alpe tomorrow.
(Come on Brain you know you fancy two days on the trot)
I really must get out side with my mountain bike this weekend (it became apparent on my ride home on Thursday that by virtue not riding off road for months I have lost all my limited ability and I'm now riding like a bag of spanners).
Its likely that will be Monday so we'll see, certainly not signing up yet!
Nice one Piemonster, quite a hilly weekend for you.
How was 3 sisters?