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I had quite a few PR’s on the race from Tuesday, good workout that one. Bit peeved to be missing the next 2 and not being able to ride at all during the week is going to be a pain.
Think I was 1 min faster up the Epic today compared to 2 weeks ago, which wasn’t too bad I suppose.
0730 start for next week will be a test to see if I can make it.
1 minute is good! Another of those will see you sub 30 won't it?
I have a feeling of impending doom about next weeks ride....
You guys must have been flying up the epic today. Like I said in the ride i was 2 minutes faster than last time with a 29 minute climb...so God knows what time you guys were doing.
My best is 28 minutes i think.
I was going for a PB today as I have been riding well this week but didnt mention it incase I didnt have the legs on the climb! I chose a climbing bike specifically!
Mega is not as bad as the four horsemen. There is a lot of joining up fairly flat parts that you can sit at 200w on and recover whilst still making good progress.
There's no way I'll be hammering my way up hills next week. I plan to pace and enjoy it.
I've put an invite out for The Uber, I've done the Mega earlier in the year revisit 🙂
The Uber is only a little bit further 🙂 It will be Social Pace or I won't make it to the end! I like the challenge of it though, be my longest ride ever if I do it.
I might jump on a climbing bike tomorrow. Not sure how long I will be on, I dont think I'll make the full ride as my legs are feeling tired and I don't want to destroy myself for Tuesday and the rest of the week. I'll go for the hour and see how I feel at that point.
Red wine dependant of course....
I think I have done a 26min up there earlier on this year after lockdown 1.
Its a case of putting it all there on the mountain in the race, knowing when you hit the top it’s all finished.
Giggsmaster. Even if you can’t make all of the last 3. With the new sign up method we need to show Zwift how popular it can be. If we can get stw as a club on Zwift in its own right it will open doors hopefully for all of us.
Didn't make it this morning, slept in and had "chores", going to grab 30 minutes now, but will aim to join Oop North's ride in the morning, up for Mega, maybe Uber Pretzel next week, I think.
Signed up for the meet-up. Should be good to go if the wife and two year old behave themselves!!
Any idea of an approx time? 4 hours?
@bigyim when I did The Mega it was 4 hours so I'd say that's about right.
Cheers giggsmaster.
Bigyim - should be about 4 hours I believe. We did four horseman in just under and I think this will be a similar time. Splits should be smaller. Will work out a couple of rest/reset points on the route before hand.
Forge - it isn’t the distance it’s the great big hill at the end that’s the problem! Guessing you will hit 140km as you will take the free km on the descent from the alpe afterwards!
Do you guys do chat on there with discord etc or just suffer in silence?
it isn’t the distance it’s the great big hill at the end that’s the problem!
That is my problem with the Uber, that hill, it nearly finished me on the four horsemen and the Uber is much longer. I'm just not ready to go up it again right now 🤣🤣🤣
@Bigyim we usually text chat through the companion app...still plenty of banter which keeps us going.
Yeh for four hours you can listen to music or podcasts etc rather than anyone’s heavy breathing on discord!
@robbo1234biking - The Alpe isn't the best ending and it's not that long since we last did it so I get that it's not something to look on positively 🙂 I probably will take the free KM on the way down though I'll see how I am feeling as not ridden that far or long indoors or out!
I did a big ride today 58miles and 6400ft of climbing on the other app so there is extra distance and the a bit more climbing but I think if I get the pace right early on and eat well during the rides should get it done.
I am also not riding now till Saturday as need to do some running next few days and then have two clear days rest but will have had a week bike rest, so that should help too, I am actually looking forward to it as a personal challenge really, I might make it I might not but going to give it a damn good go 🙂 but I need at least 73 miles to hit my mile target for the Month so there is that to aim at too.
Do the Pretzels both finish at the top of the alpe?
No mega pretzel doesn’t go up the alpe or radio tower. Uber pretzel ends on the alpe
Hmmmm.
Good ride today.
Have signed up for mega next week - all the talk of Uber pretzel made the mega look doable 😀
Cheers for this morning guys. 3 hills was enough for me today...I'm surprised I made that many the way the legs felt first thing. I finally burned them out going up box hill.
Hope it warm well and you got the badge if needed.
Might do an easy spin tomorrow if I feel ok...or maybe just take a day off.
Have a good Sunday!
Enjoyed that, thanks for organising. Maybe it was the 30 min lactate shuffle workout I did yesterday or the switch to the Trek Emonda bike, but felt pretty good today, going back up Fox Hill at the end was a bit of a shocker though.
Sat here now and its a rather nice morning outside, think that was 10 days in a row on Zwift, must get out more (once I've got the working from home badge...)
Cheers all. I already had the badge so when the meet-up length was wrong it didn’t take much to persuade me otherwise!
Second day in the row the length has been wrong. If there is a long lead in I don’t think the companion app is adding the lead in to the length of the meet up. Something to bear in mind!
Yep. It's a glorious morning here as well. At least when I do get out I should feel the benefit of some hard zwift rides. Why is it that I say to myself I'll take it easy today, but never do?
Gonna do a 30 mins soft pedal tomorrow to flush the lactate out before Tuesday.
Well my no alarm plan was scuppered but the sun was out and no hangover so I went out into the real world instead. Plenty of horrified looking roadies on the way home was explained when I saw my reflection and discovered I closely resembled this chap
Cheers for this morning guys and waiting, the last climb up fox hills for the badge was hard.
I thought you went well for doing 68 miles yesterday Neil!
Cheers see you Tuesday
@DrP. The ride is on Saturday and has you pending on the invite list. Can resend if it isn’t working
Ah, yeah..seen that..
Abort abort... I can't make saturday I'm afraid... Anyone up for a worokout session on sunday AM at all?
Maybe one of the ZA ones?
DrP
I'm going to ride with you lot on Saturday. Not the whole thing... but I will encourage the kids to lie- in (*), and make it least up and down the reverse epic KOM and maybe a bit further.
(*) not a totally reliable strategy...
I think I'll rest Sunday, the legs will probably thank me for it after the Mega.
If you are doing the ZA workouts, go for number 7, it's a bit more hurty than the others, it's the only one that got me really feeling sick, the others are pretty tame.
The Uber is proving as popular as I expected.... LOL
I am now on day two of pre-ride rest, Chinese Carb Load scheduled for tomorrow night and another rest day tomorrow so will have had 3 days exercise rest and 7 days off the bike, don't think I can do more than that to be ready physically.
I'll check the Zwift app tomorrow as companion says there is an update.
Good luck to those of you doing the Mega P it's a good ride, another epic Zwift ride.
I won't be riding Sunday planning a recovery walk and a bit of car washing.
Good luck with the Uber Forge!
9 strange people currently signed up to do the Mega tomorrow morning! See you bright and early 🙂
https://zwiftinsider.com/route/the-mega-pretzel/
There are 3 naturally spaced rest/regroup points on the course at the top of the main climbs (Epic KOM x2 and Volcano) so that will be the aim.
Its a good route to get the 100km badge on if anyone is hunting that one as well!
Time to start eating!
How long are you anticipating for the two? Mrs brain is no longer out for a bimble tomorrow so my previous laissez-faire approach needs revisiting.
If not, had you any thoughts for Sunday DrP?
3.5-4 hours for the mega depending on how well we work together between the hills (i.e. if we ride as a group it will be less effort and faster!)
Yeah I can't see 4 hours going down well.
Good luck with the big one Forge, hope it goes well.
Brian, pretzel took us 3 hours so I would expect up to 4 hours for this with the extra twice around the jungle that this has.
So fuelling plan...am I allowed to eat everything in sight today? I also need to stock up on riding snacks
Join for the first hour or so Brian?
Pretty much oopnorth yep!
Morning. Good work on the TTT last night for those who did it. I assume a rest day today? I ended up doing a 5 mile run last night and wading through knee high water - which was all a bit 'real'. At least if it was Zwift they would have made a tunnel:)
I agree about the stops at the top of the 3 hills (must remember not to wait til the decent to hit A) but don't forget the jungle climb. A bit of soft pedalling at the top there should keep us together though.
I guess usual rules apply, take your own speed on the hills and regroup at the top. I'm not going for any speedy accents on this one (not that I ever do! 🤣) just chilling so I don't burn out. The plan is to finish, not break records.
Join for the first hour or so Brian?
That'll go one of two ways. I'll either be a bit miserable at not having d done a proper ride* or I'll hang about for "a little bit longer" until I've been on 4 hours and I'm in trouble.
*Obviously it's not a proper ride but there's something about that magic blue banner.
@Dangeourbrain Why not just think of yourself like a Stannard or Tony Martin, domestique deluxe, pulling the group around for the first hour before the race gets televised? The armchair viewers won't appreciate you but the true cycling fans greet you with a knowing nod of appreciation;). You can pull off the front after an hour, chuck your bottle to an adoring fan, pull the radio earpiece out and soft pedal your way into the weekend...
Good luck with the Uber and Mega, would love to join you but planning on opening first beer about 4pm and carrying on until the early hours.
Good luck with the Uber and Mega, would love to join you but planning on opening first beer about 4pm
They're starting fairly early - you'll be finished long before 4pm
I'm toying between a real MTB ride or Zwift, TBH... I haven't ridden with my usual buddies for ages (as we ride Tuesday pm!) so may ride IRL... will depend on if it's tipping down on the Southcoast...
DrP
They’re starting fairly early – you’ll be finished long before 4pm
Im assuming its today and therefore the hangover that will be the issue!
I haven’t ridden with my usual buddies for ages
That'll be because you're only allowed to meet one buddy at a time silly. Don't blame Robbo, just because we've never seen him in the same room as bozza doesn't mean they're the same person.
Im assuming its today and therefore the hangover that will be the issue
Easy solution to that is don't finish drinking until after zwift tomorrow. No hangover and I imagine it'll make the Pretzel more fun too.
Thanks for the Good Luck, I expect The Uber to be between 5 - 6hrs in total, I've Pie and Chips at the end to look forward too as motivation 🙂
I'll get on the uber with you forge, at least part of it if you want some company? I'm coming off a cold so the Alpe at the end might not be on the cards for me, but prob OK to ride most of it.
That’ll be because you’re only allowed to meet one buddy at a time silly. Don’t blame Robbo, just because we’ve never seen him in the same room as bozza doesn’t mean they’re the same person.
LOL! True dat!
Might be riding local with Pictonroad of this 'ere forum... He doesn't do 'internet riding' like I do!!!
DrP
@garry_lager, that be good just jump off when you’ve had enough, I don’t think I’ll be at fast pace 🙂
LOL! True dat!
Might be riding local with Pictonroad of this ‘ere forum… He doesn’t do ‘internet riding’ like I do!!!
Say hello from us
@forge197 Steady pace sounds sensible - I'm a bit slow to get going on these early morning rides (one doesn't gun an 18 wheeler up a big hill from a cold start), so if you wouldn't mind waiting for me at the top of the epicKOM radio mast that would be good. Once we're over that, though, I'll have my legs under me and we can ride whatever tempo feels right.
This just turned up as we were running low for Santa on Xmas eve. Would be rude not to check it tonight for him so tomorrow may be a disaster 🤣
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I've purposely not bought alcohol for tonight, instead I bought my first bean to cup machine, so I'll be messing with that! Expect me to be wired tomorrow morning...that may be a good thing 😉
Oh dear. If you're going to crash and burn, may as well go down in style I suppose.
My vocation brewery order turned up this week as well! Will restrict myself to one!
instead I bought my first bean to cup machine, so I’ll be messing with that
Despite what the name may kg lead you to think, it's not for heinz baked.
Oh and whilst messing around don't put dried garlic in it.
don’t put dried garlic in it
Errr...no intention of doing...did you???
Not me, not mine.
Child and April fool.
The taste never came out.
All the interesting ways children find to be expensive eh?
@garry_larger I will do that on the top of Radio no problem.
Thanks guys for that...tough but satisfying! I think that will be the last long badge I do...legs are dead and I'm about to consume the contents of the fridge....once I can get up and move! 🤣🙈
Thanks for helping me round...would have been tough as a solo ride.
Enjoy your weekends
Has anyone attempted stairs yet? Oh lord....ouch!
Really enjoyed that guys. Tough route and certainly couldn't do it solo. Enjoy weekend all. Pie and chips for lunch here - going to be lots of calorie replacement this afernoon.
Well done all. That jungle bit went on bit didn't it? Someone said it was easier than 4 horsemen and I think that's right. Uber is different gravy though. Will be trying out the Tron bike on Tuesday🙂
Well done on the Tron achievement Paul! Now you have to decide on a colour to match your kit Hahaha 🤣🤣
Cheers all - another one ticked of the list! Wasn’t too bad but didn’t enjoy the jungle section. Legs came back to me after that.
Good work on the Tron Paul!
2 more big ones left...
No Robbo...no..no..no
So its uber pretzel or full PRL for Christmas hols then 😉
Thanks @Garry_Lager for joining us, that is one tough ride and one I don’t plan to repeat. The final climb nearly had me, my 5th time up the Alpe but had to stop a couple times which I don’t normally do, to regroup mentally as much as anything to tell my self I could do this as well as a short rest., the last five miles were brutal. Glad I had rested and prepared not one for tired legs....
The bit on the flats takes it out of you more than you think then that climb. 88.79 miles all in, with the roll down the hill at the end, and no I wasn’t going to make it a 100 I was done 😂
Hope the Mega went well.
Strong riding lads, feels good to tick off these long rides.
Got on the uber with @Forge197 this morning - great riding with you, thks for putting it up. Wasn't sure how I'd get on but felt fine mid way so decided to complete it, way easier with someone else there.
Felt pretty good up to around 3.5 hrs or so but then just started to struggle with turbo discomfort - not a total surprise given my preferred zwift experience is a 4 lap crit race. Like not tired as such but my knees and feet were sore and it started to feel hard with the Alpe looming. That said it wasn't the absolute death march I feared - definite gut check needed first few hairpins but settled around 2.5 WKg. Could sustain this and felt like you were at least making progress, topped out in 76mins pretty wrung out.
Defo get a group of willing participants together for this one if poss, would make all the difference as there's a lot of flat / rolling terrain in the middle.
It was pretty tough but not stupidly so. The hills and therefore efforts were well spaced out for recovery. that is apart from the Volcano and the epic, if I realised I wouldn't have put such a dig in on the volcano climb. I got a PB by about 30 seconds.
enjoyed getting off the bike at the end.
Some big distances popping up in my feed today. You are all mad.
Thanks for having me along for the early climbs on the mega this morning. It's so much better riding with others. And seriously well done to you all pushing on to finish the mega pretzel. Watopia can still be tough without the alpe...
We saw you, @garry_lager and @forge197, flying down the epic as we ground up the reverse. Too fast to see us wave.
Massive kudos to Forge and Garry! I don't know how you did it! That is an epic ride and one I won't be attempting for a while...if at all.
I'm looking forward to some easier weekend rides from now on...20km or so will do it 🤣🤣🤣 My legs seemed to give up at 50km, so it was just sheer perseverance that got me through the last half.