Zwift meetups and social rides ?

Advance notice - after the latest update, in a meetup/race today Zwift crashed after finishing the distance - for almost everyone in the event, windows, ipad and ATV.

This was a meetup as we used to run them, with a 'go go go' shout.

Other meetups have been reporting this on the zwift forum.

This is either a generic issue in the current release or a problem with the load at zwifts server end most likely.

@slowpuncheur yes these def class as junk miles I think!

Didn't realise you were all on the 9am Volcano ride too until I saw a few of your messages pop up in between the talk about what constitutes a mountain in the Nederlands! I was only doing a gentle ride anyway. hovered around the 1500 mark out of 3500+ so well into mid-pack but just cruising until the KOM.

There was some speculation on the in game chat about the update meaning less avatars were visible to help it run smoother. I went from low 400’s to low 500’s in about 5 minutes then back to high 300’s just before the climb.

GPLlama mentioned it in his update video yesterday, the servers struggle with keeping track and letting every user see more than 500 riders at the same time, especially since the TDZ events are getting 3000-4000 entries on single events. They've limited it to you only seeing 150-300 depending on your computer's graphics capability, it was particularly noticeable in the pens where there was an empty gap between the front and my group 2/3rds back. Seemed to cause some issues with placings round the volcano too at points where you could see the riders on other roads on the same ride. I went from 1400 to 700 to 3000 and back to 1400 in the space of a few seconds!

My guess would be that they are stressing the servers massively right now with loads of new users and everyone stuck inside, I read they've nearly doubled their user base in the last few months and everyone is on there more often too. I've certainly noticed some crazy-large numbers on the screen for Zwifters on compared to this time last year!

Thanks @reluctantjumper that's really helpful. I'm not too bothered about placings so it's a small sacrifice to make for more stability all round.

Might join you in the morning @robbo1234biking for some non-junk miles;)

Yeah was a little wierd with the position numbers this morning but let's be honest it was only to keep a track of each other and maybe join if possible.
As I was riding I kept experimenting by dropping to the back of my group and then pushing to the front and it was often a difference from 100 to 200 positions at times but there didn't seem to be that many in the group.

Bottom of the volcano I seemed to jump 100 places as some of you have also mentioned.

Pace was good though and it took me 1:02 for the full ride. Didn't want to gun the whole thing as I was conscious of tomorrow's SS workout which are getting harder every week. But happy with the Alpe time and I didn't even feel to be at my limit, so more to gain.

See you all during the week, either tomorrow or Tuesday...looking forward to the crit.

Cheers guys for the workout this morning. Good motivation to have others and the chatting makes the time go very quickly!

3 x 13 mins is the plan for next Monday!

Those wacky position numbers on the tdz stage 5 rides include...riders in the other categories, who are in different worlds! Zwift is weird sometimes.

What are people's thoughts for TDZ ride 6 on saturday.. 0900...?? Insbruukring 4 times..
i.e legsnapper 4 times!!!

DrP

Looks at last minute invite

Looks at beer in hand

Scratches belly, farts, drinks more beer

I’d be tentative for TDZ 6 I’ve not done any of the rides as yet of TDZ, not a fan of laps, but it’s a short course might be interesting, be like a HIIT session with the step climb 4 times!

Update...daughter has Ballet online at 0945, so gonna do the 8am Innsbruk on saturday....

Also... I may be enjoying Zwift a bit much.. I got some art...!

DrP

Innsbruckring at 8am on Sunday you say? Now I'm tempted. I was thinking about a race on that course on Friday morning but partly because I had forgotten about the hourly opportunities to ride it in the TDZ.
Edit - have you drawn the new roads onto your poster @drp like Trump with that hurricane?

Also… I may be enjoying Zwift a bit much.. I got some art…!

EDIT: ah I see it's the official Zwift Insider one!

have you drawn the new roads onto your poster

Nah, I got it printed AFTER they'd released the new routes/updated the map...

Yeah; the official ZI one.. I got the PDF printed in the UK rahter than posted from US..
Was about £17 for the print, and £155 for the framing!!!! BUt I like to use a little local place, who use special non-reflective glass so teh prints look great!

DrP

Looks great DrP! Might get one for the pain cave once I've completed it.

I'm thinking of doing the 9am TDZ shorter loop, the France RGV, on Saturday but I may also do one of the others on Sunday if there is no Sunday Hills

Any plans for Sunday?

I am doing the 9am RGV but going to cruise with the group I think and not overdo it.

I am up for Sunday Hills. Trying to think of a route.

Innsbruck UCI course is an option but is pretty short - can’t remember is a achterbahn is to long?

Or triple loops in London?

Any other suggestions?

I'll ping out a Sunday Hills invite Robbo....

I'll have a think about a route and send invite tomorrow..
0830 start as per....

DrP

I rode Achterburn a few days ago at an easy pace (171w) and it took 2hrs solo

Big foot hills??

Righto...
How about another trip to NY... MIGHTY METROPOLITAN... another 2 lapper....

40km all in, with no killer hills, just the brief NY KOM each lap, then a few rollers as we make our way around the park.. should easily be done under 80 minutes...

I'll ping out invites!

DrP

NY again? Don't you think there is enough pointless pain and suffering in the world?
As I understand it, the cia makes people do laps of zwift's NY whilst they're being debriefed in gitmo if the water boarding didn't work.

Does the New York route have a badge connected to it?

I’m hoping a rocker plate arrived sometime soon so I can alleviate a bit of discomfort over longer rides. I’ve ordered one that’s specific to the elite directo and is just sized to fit the trainer on rather than while bike, so shouldn’t take up as much space.

It’s a pedalville, which i think are just knocked up by a chap at home but look decent for £90 and as the part sets are £55 without the wood it’s not worth the hassle.

Report to follow once fitted send tested.

I Would certainly be interested in a link and review in due course kirky.

I'd ne interested in a review too Kirky, as I'm looking at rockers and have the direto also.

NY...meh...not sure I can be bothered with the hateful glass hill again so soon. I might go challenge myself on the Alpe or something.

Hmm.. not much appetite for NY it seems!

There IS a route badge attached @kirky

DrP

How about a bit of Surrey hills so we get a recce of Keith hill (Leigh hill reverse) before race 6?

Disclaimer. I also need Surrey Hills. That or Bigger loop make for a decent 30m hilly ride but not sure if it’s too much for everybody on a Sunday.

In fairness @drp I'm not sure what my weekend looks like but I'll be looking for a bit more climbing in whatever I get up to.

Planning alpe possibly on Saturday at some point ti get to this week's climbing total then probably quatch quest or something on Sunday as I'm foolishly wanting to be on 2000m a week of climbing through Feb.

Somewhere in there Mrs brain wants to get a walk in too.

Yeah, don't change for me either as I'm not fully sure of my plans yet.

At some point I want to try break the hour on the Alpe, but I'm not sure if that will be this week, or ever!! It will be a decision on the day if I feel ok for it, mentally and physically.

OK, I'm happy to change to a bigger/ different ride!
Big foot hills...
Or a Surrey Hills route....!

DrP

Surrey Hills is a nice route - I'd be up for that on Saturday maybe?

sorry the company is Pedivella not pedalville

Anyhow this is a link to their website however it’s a poor site, a bit clunky to say the least when it comes to viewing products and prices let alone placing an order.

https://www.pedivella.com/

this is an eBay link to the directo version, they seem to make them for most trainer types.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293561262797?ViewItem=&item=293561262797&v=1&utm_source=unp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=RT000090&utm_unptid=&ppid=RT000090&cnac=GB&rsta=en_GB(en-GB)&cust=&unptid=&calc=5e70f0166ba7d&unp_tpcid=null&page=main:email:RT000090&pgrp=main:email&e=cl&mchn=em&s=ci&mail=sys&appVersion=1.28.0&xt=104038

the finish looks a bit basic but he leaves them like this do you can paint to a colour of your choice if you wish, more importantly the mechanics of them appear to be good.

Just wish mine would hurry up, ordered Tuesday.

@kirky72 Is there any difference in getting a full rocker to the half versions? I'm guessing the front would just pivot on its usual block, I had it in my head that I would need a full one for the whole bike to sit on.

I thought the rocking action would be beneficial on the front too when out the saddle but I might be wrong, I've not actually tried one.

I've just picked up a full length Lifeline rocker plate - I'll be using it for the first time in this evening TTT!

Could be interesting at that price. Not to big either. Looks like he makes them to order kirky!

@dangeourbrain are you trying to confuse things by saying Surrey Hills on Saturday?!

I cant commit on Saturday or Sunday yet - may be going out for a walk with the family on Saturday in the morning as we have tickets to go to a National Trust place gardens but we are due more snow so that might not happen. I will fit in a ride on Saturday and Sunday but want to get the TDZ route done.

Not a fan of new York either but don't change it because of me.

I got a sterzo smart yesterday so I might play on repack ridge or do one of the future works races with steering allowed.

We need a report @phil56, pros and cons, as that lifeline one was the one I was looking at until Kirky posted.

I'll not be buying one for a few weeks.

@robbo1234biking not deliberately trying to confudle things...

I want about 1000m more this week which would fit nicely with Surrey is all. I could do with ticking off about 1500m or so on Sunday so that I've not got too much to clock up in the week.

Also Sunday is looking like being a walk in the real world so I'll end up in trouble if I book something in first thing. As a result what ever I get up to will need be done ad hoc.

Why the desire to tick of virtual climbing metres? is this a new challenge you have set yourself?

I’ve just picked up a full length Lifeline rocker plate – I’ll be using it for the first time in this evening TTT!

@phil56 give yourself a bit more time to set it up if you haven't already! Took me a while to get it balanced (the pump & adapter they include are pure shite, my pump didn't even work & the adapter broke when I was tweaking it the next day 🤣 )

Why the desire to tick of virtual climbing metres? is this a new challenge you have set yourself

[s] Well, if we're ever allowed to travel again I'm supposed to be doing a race in the alps come summer and thought having a bit of suffering in my legs before I turn up might help. Some of it is uplift but I think it worked out at about 800-1000m a day of unassisted climbing for 4 days. [/s]

[s] They won't be remaining entirely virtual, once the weather and lockdown improves I need to get some chunks of descending done too but at present there's no better way to tick them off. [/s]

I'm an idiot and need to practice...

I use a Pedivella rocker with Wahoo Kickr Core, pretty basic compared to some other rockers but it works for me. I just replaced the front wheel block with a bit of wood the same height as rocker plate to allow front wheel a bit of extra movement.

It doesn't really pivot around a fixed axis like some but is more of a flexible platform allowing some free movement. I never had comfort issues with Zwift but just wanted to try the concept out for myself. Hard to pin point anything in particular, sprints feel nicer with a bit of movement underneath you but would just say it generally makes things feel a bit nicer all round and more akin to real life riding.
Sorry about the mess but this is how I have it set up atm..

[img] [/img]

I’m an idiot and need to practice…

Fair enough.

I have a Mountain Mayhem entry for this year (well carried over from last year) but I cant see it going ahead still. it was cancelled in Feb last year due to insurance reasons and with them not opening schools until March I don't think they will have time to organise it.

That thought was also in my head but I had some reassurance by watching a few videos etc. The most efficient setting is medium softness, too much rocking becomes counter productive for saddle soreness. I don’t think the side to side swaying effect is as dramatic as you might think so hopefully not to much lateral movement on the front wheel.

My other query is about how much more raised the front block might need to be and the resulting stableness. Apparently the rockers not that deep and some people don’t even use a front block and simply adjust the saddle angle, I don’t think I would like the feeling of being pitched forward.

I’ve had a flat front tyre, a 38 cx tyre, so once a stick a tube in that should help lift it 7 or 8mm. So I’m thinking new set up will be thin yoga style rubber Matt under the rocker and trainer, then my thick rug that I’ve been using under the bike and front wheel, tyre inflated on wheel block.

In any case it should stop the effect I’ve been getting when sprinting or climbing out of the saddle with effort of gradually edging the whole trainer on top of the rug from the far edge of the room until I’m hitting the tv unit with the front wheel. This also has the effect of slowly moving out of reach of a nearby unit housing my phone, snacks and extra drink supply’s.

I have a Mountain Mayhem entry for this year (well carried over from last year) but I cant see it going ahead

I've a suspicion I'm going to end up deferring again but it won't do me any harm to work on the theory I'm going.

I'll be happy to finish last, so long as I manage to complete it I'll be chuffed.

(it's really not my sort of thing, my entry is the MTB equivalent of a 3am drunken ebay purchase)

@zilog6128 - thanks for the advice, maybe I'll leave it for this evening then and get used to it over the weekend

I tries a diy rocker plate using tennis balls (just trainer and rear wheel as above) and didn't like it. Found it lowered my power for some reason, maybe by 6-7%? Was cheap and cheerful but tried various numbers of balls to increase stiffness etc. but sacked it off in the end. I'm sure those using vibration dampers and with fore and aft movement will be loads better.

Muke looks like a decent set up and good to know it’s working good for you. As I said movement wise apparently not rocking too much is better for the backside. I watched a video of this tech nerd analysing pressure points and degrees of pressure over the saddle during various degrees of movement from rigid to soft/lots of movement and the sweet spot had a modest amount of movement. The joys of lockdown.

I completed the three sisters route (badge) earlier, going steady on epic and hitting volcano a bit harder, got a new pub at 7.39 around 30/40 sec improvement. Felt a little knackered 5 minutes in and lost power until the final steeper part of the climb so expect I can get nearer to 7 minutes riding volcano kom on its own.

Only a couple of hilly rides from the Tron bike, way overdue as I’ve probably done the required climbing x 3. however I didn’t know you had to select the challenge I presumed it would be tallying it up in the background and would automatically be awarded.

Hopefully get out for a short ride tomorrow but still toiling with the moral issues of doing a 40/50 mile at the moment.

Maybe a rest or jump on the tdz Saturday and join you guys on Ian’s ride on Sunday morning.

Confusing ourselves here aren't we!!

So I believe a few of us are doing the TDZ ride in Innsbruuk at 8am on Saturday.... I need to start at that time to be done by my daughter's zoom ballet session!

Then sunday I've popped in a longer sunday hills... Big Mountain loop.... join for as long as you have spare I guess!

I've just jumped off the turbo.. Did a VO2 workout for an hour (as well as ticking off teh Serpantine 8 route)..then as i rode past the AdZ turning I thought I'd give the first few corners a go at 100% trainer setting...I got a bit carried away, and just rode the whole thing at a lowish power/HR in prep for next Sunday... stayed at HR <140, and power about 215/220.. got up in jsut under 62 minutes, which bodes well. Didn't feel i was stressing myself at any point, which is positive.
I'm definitely going to need to stick on the 30t cassette though... 34/28 isn't quite low enough!

DrP

That sounds promising for your Everest, shows how light you are compared to some of us getting a relatively good time taking it steady at 215/220w.

If you can stick a nine to ten hour day on and off the bike I think you’ll be fine.

shows how light you are compared to some of us getting a relatively good time taking it steady at 215/220w

Very light!! I will have to do around 290w to break the hour, which is pretty hard for a big bloke 🙂
I might have to wait until you are dying later in your Everest attempt to match you up the Alpe

After Robbos torturous VO2 workout this morning (thanks Rob it hurt!), I decided to jump on the 8am crit with boost straight after. Knew it would be tough, I was going to ditch after first lap cos the legs were really tired...thought I'd push on and the boost helped on the hill to keep me at the front.
Managed to hold on until the last lap but one guy went off like a rocket at the beginning of the lap and no way my legs were going to catch him. Kept it going and held onto the group until they started to pull away on rollers...a half hearted sprint got me to third.

2nd on ZP, fast guy was not legit. I need to try one on fresh legs and try to get the win, its achievable.

See, told you! Nice one @oopnorth. Maybe try one of those anti-sandbagging crits? It would have slowed the flyer up and made it a better finish I guess.

@DrP what is your zwift username so i can follow and hopefully get an invite to sundays ride

@slowpuncheur I was hanging on at the end and had to really push to make sure I didn't lose the group, another guy started his sprint in the middle of the rollers and I couldn't quite get to him before the line, it would still have been second at best.

Good fun tho, I quite enjoy the crits but I'm not in the same level as @weeksy. I dont know the best way to save energy, etc, yet.

I'm not at the same level as Weeksy either so don't worry about that 🙂

I did OK yesterday but faded at the end of lap 5-6 and got dropped on the rollers just before the last lap and then cruised a little for the final lap.

https://zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=1596179

My HRM is broken at the moment and doing ridiculous things which doesn't help me, i'd rather leave it off completely, but then if i place, i get a DQ.

@karnali .. if you search "DrP STW" I should come up...

Cheers

DrP

thanks will do, I may try for teh tdz 8 am tomorrow and see if I see anyone

@oopnorth - well done for digging in & joining that crit race! Must have been tough after the workout.

Thinking about it, I might look to enter one of those crits semi-regularly. Seemed to hit all of my weak points in one race event 🙂 so would be a good fitness tool, I think.

The workout was great this morning. I went back in the house buzzing with energy (well, until I got to the stairs anyway).
It really is a great kick-start to the day.....and dunno if you've noticed there's very little mention of the early hour these days - just get up & get on!!

Thinking about it, I might look to enter one of those crits semi-regularly. Seemed to hit all of my weak points in one race event 🙂 so would be a good fitness tool, I think.

@zilog6128 that's a great idea and count me in. me and Robbo were saying earlier that there are quite a few crits on at the moment but not as many at the weekend, we would need to see what suits everyone. I'm sure we would smash it as a team, we need @weeksy to become our team manager 😉

Good to see you on the rise back Weeksy, I'm sure you will be back to full crit level before long.

I'm all over the idea of meeting up for Zwift Crits, apart from 1pm on a Monday i can do any time at all. Unlike most of you though, i'm very much a 'daytime' kind of rider.

I'm concentrating 50% of my time at the moment on rowing rather than riding for my indoors stuff, need to try and work on overall conditioning.

You should all enter this, a few laps of Downtown Dolphin finishing just in time to jump onto Sunday Hills for a spindown. I can't make it I'm afraid: https://zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=1617536

45 laps! **** that!

14:45 Saturday arvo... Bell Lap, 8 lap.

16:30 Sat arvo.... Dolphin

11:45 Sunday .. Bell
12:30 Sunday .... Dopphin

I'll race any of them 🙂

heck, i'll even race today even though i'm a bit tired.

I agree wholeheartedly with Robbo...I'm dying at 6 to 8 laps 😀

Week days are a no for me as I'm going into work, not at home. Weekends I'll try join most times but prefer mornings or evenings as I'm usually busy late mornings / afternoons.

that there are quite a few crits on at the moment but not as many at the weekend

I'm very flexible this weekend as nothing else set in stone, morning or lunchtime probably better on a regular basis but again probably pretty flexible (although unlikely to want to do a weekend evening, that's beer time 😎 🍻)

I don't mind jumping up to B even though i'll be crucified if it means we can all race together (for 1-2 laps anyway)

I'm not sure you realised I was kidding. That isn't really a race is it, it's some kind of weird group therapy.

88kms on the crit circuit? No wonder there's only 4 entries on ZP! I'll sign up for a short Crit blast on Team STW. Weekends or weekday lunchtimes are best for me. I'm keen to learn the ways of the crit from My Miyagi/@weeksy...'patience young grasshopper' 🙂

I don’t mind jumping up to B even though i’ll be crucified if it means we can all race together

perfect 🙂 i think Danger would get the cone of shame in C though as would Dr P.

I think I've seen some crits where all cats go together, but I may just be making that up.

I'm happy to try a B cat if needed, but it will be purely helping with drafts for a number of laps, I won't be able to hold the front all the way I guess.

Boost is interesting but you need to work out where you are going to charge it as it can take -100w away whilst it charges, that can mean you can lose the group if not careful. I also found out this morning you can double charge it, so it can be used twice before having to redo it, helpful in the last lap where you can use it on both the hill and the final run in over the rollers to the line.

I think I’ve seen some crits where all cats go together, but I may just be making that up.

I've seen a few where it's a free for all yes. But admittedly i feel far more at home in an all C race. But understand that doesn't work for all. We could arguably enter as a B squad in B and a C squad in C if we got enough though.

I’ve seen a few where it’s a free for all yes.

Ill join in if someone decides a time/day to join an event and it doesn't clash with my super busy social life at the moment 😉

14:45 Saturday arvo… Bell Lap, 8 lap.

16:30 Sat arvo…. Dolphin

Pick one.... i'll be about for either.

Saturday
14:45 is 8 laps for Cs or Bs
16:30 is 6 laps for Cs and 8 laps for Bs

perfect 🙂 i think Danger would get the cone of shame

At the moment he's not so sure! (Tuesday would have seen me in C power!)

I've no idea how the cone works to be honest, is it just a graphic thing, does it throttle speed etc?

I've no issue with being dqd here and there if there's a bunch of us racing, that said I don't want to be doing it twice a day.

Cone of shame throttles speed yes.... dramatically so.

My lad had to up his weight from 45/55kg to keep away from the cone of shame.

I did the Newbury Velo crit last Friday (18.35) - that was a free for all, and they didn't seem to care too much about the Cats in the results either

Saturday I am going to do Oban Loop on the other app between a coat of paint on the walls.

Sunday will be tentative based on how I feel after decorating might take a rare Sunday rest day, as tomorrow ride will complete all my month goals.

Then next Sunday we have @DrP vEveresting support ride