Forum menu
Zwift meetups and s...
 

Zwift meetups and social rides ?

Posts: 6947
Full Member
 

Intermediate groups would prob work best, but you're getting to a level of organisation, and level of effort (1 hr on the rivet) where we could all just enter a real H&H zwift race? I mean don't get me wrong, it's fun to throw down against fellow STW zwift heroes - the battles will be legendary, our names ring out, but it's meant to be a bit of a social meetup at the end of the day.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 2:28 pm
Posts: 432
Full Member
 

I'd rather stick with same groups and give it a go. I honestly think we just need to get the hounds organised and working together and harder.

Weeksy - you posted about a 300w+ average 30 mins race you did recently and Dog pointed out he was way off his TTT power. DangeourBrain got dropped trying to help the back and Gary can usually get on the front more - fact is we underperformed last night.

We gained more than two minutes in the last twenty minutes - but by then the chase group was down to three of us.

The Hares did well last night - but we made them look good.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 2:32 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

but it’s meant to be a bit of a social meetup at the end of the day.

Very much agree.

It's a good ride out to do the H&H here and there but I, personally, don't want to be doing them every week, if nothing else it's s far too much like bloody hard work for a social!


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 2:33 pm
Posts: 28712
Full Member
Topic starter
 

If i'm honest, i prefer the sprint fest format on Richmond/London Classique...

But....

I'll arrange whatever the masses want of course.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 2:37 pm
Posts: 12888
Free Member
 

^^^ yeah agree with that. 2 groups is easiest, just need to tweak the formula. Also/alternatively, there was a crit race the other week that 4 of us raced in after it was posted on here, that was good fun, great to be able to work together against other riders on the course, some more "team" entries into regular zwift races would be great IMO

I also like the sprint interval lap thing (as you can optionally take it easy for a lap lol)


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 2:38 pm
Posts: 28712
Full Member
Topic starter
 

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 🙂


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 2:44 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

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


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 2:55 pm
Posts: 28712
Full Member
Topic starter
 

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.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 2:57 pm
Posts: 12888
Free Member
 

would be hilarious if we had a swarm of bees for the tues one next week lol


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 2:58 pm
Posts: 8201
Full Member
 

How long is 8 laps of crit city? 20mins?


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 3:00 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

15.7k, Took me 21mins when I did it.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 3:05 pm
Posts: 28712
Full Member
Topic starter
 

Roughly Nixie yeah, 21 give or take.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 3:06 pm
Posts: 2809
Free Member
 

Yeah just a fraction over 20mins in cat c.

Edit: ^^^^ so we're agreed on about 20mins then!?


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 3:09 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 3:13 pm
Posts: 71
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 3:22 pm
Posts: 2809
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 3:42 pm
 J-R
Posts: 1179
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 3:51 pm
Posts: 28712
Full Member
Topic starter
 

LOL poor Phil, even being socially distanced on Zwift 🙂


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 4:05 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

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


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 4:07 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Daft question if you don't mind my asking actually Phil, but what is your zwiFTP?


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 4:08 pm
Posts: 432
Full Member
 

I just checked - it's 330


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 4:16 pm
Posts: 28712
Full Member
Topic starter
 

Impressive mate, impressive.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 4:19 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

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)


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 4:22 pm
Posts: 432
Full Member
 

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!


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 4:24 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 4:29 pm
Posts: 28712
Full Member
Topic starter
 

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.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 4:37 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 4:46 pm
Posts: 2809
Free Member
 

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...


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 5:11 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

gotta try and remembering cornering and braking…

I'm out of the steering habit but breaking I still do when trying to catch on


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 5:15 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 5:17 pm
Posts: 1136
Free Member
 

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!


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 6:28 pm
Posts: 299
Free Member
 

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 🙂


 
Posted : 20/05/2020 7:04 pm
Posts: 299
Free Member
 

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


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 8:24 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 8:38 am
Posts: 1136
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 8:40 am
Posts: 4202
Full Member
 

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?


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 9:32 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 9:40 am
Posts: 1136
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 10:04 am
Posts: 299
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 10:12 am
Posts: 3008
Full Member
 

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


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 10:29 am
Posts: 4202
Full Member
 

3 sisters sounds good to me!


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 10:33 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

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


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 10:36 am
Posts: 1136
Free Member
 

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


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 10:42 am
Posts: 4202
Full Member
 

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!


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 10:44 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

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.


 
Posted : 21/05/2020 10:49 am
Page 40 / 112