Yeah that's what I'm thinking Robbo, lets see who shows interest and I'll get it set up.
If only a few of us in rubber band then I might not do meetup view, as it will be more interesting with other riders around on the course.
So anyone else joining the 25 laps of the volcano in the morning?
afraid I can't ride sat AND sunday..got kids and OH.. can manage a few hours on Sunday for Surrey Hills...
@kirky72 fancy the PRL full sometime? Before the nice weather comes..?
MAYBE... next sat perhaps??
Start at like 7am, be done with ease by lunchtime??
DrP
I’ll most likely join you guys at the volcano tomorrow but most likely just to ride and hour and half fasted and before the kids start to stir. Wife’s working so can’t get out for a real ride but may need to limit the time as I have a new nasty lump developing. Going to switch my saddle to a firmer one but with a cut out for the delicate areas.
Likewise next weekend the mrs is off so I’ll probably get out if the weathers good. However @drp I would be up for the PRL full weekends of 13/14 or 20/21 either of these as the Mrs is working the weekend so I’m confined to barracks, or at least with the kids.
Let me know if you fancy it for any of those weekends and which day and I’ll leave a day or two beforehand.
I’m still up for Surrey hills this sunday.
Still no sign on the Tacx E-Thru axle I ordered at the end of Jan and most places still saying 3-5 weeks delivery. It's been great not using my new trainer!
Despite me piping up with asking about long rides.
I'm going outside. As much as anything because the trails are drying out and theres not much wind.
That and I managed a virtual 100 miler last week and the limiting factor was preparation and footwear, which really hurt me than they should.
@kirky72 Might see you in the morning then. Will be a very steady pace - perfect for a fasted ride.
WRT your saddle, I have no first hand experience but a lot of Zwifters advocate the ISM Adamo. Strange old design but I can see how it might suit some people.
@kirky72
13/14 i've got the kids, so can't really commit more than 90 min to a trainer session....
The 20th March should work OK.. I'd be keen for a nice early start..like...7am.... would that work for you???
DrP
My calve popped again, most likely just a strain, this time only 1km into a run. It felt okay today which marked exactly a week from the same injury last week so thought I would test it out with some more cushioned running shoes. Should have left it longer to recover.
So ice pack tonight and I’ll try in the morning with you guys and hope the steady pace doesn’t irritate it too much.
Sticking a selle Italian x1 with a pretty large cut out on the turbo bike tonight and see if that helps.
#Drp 20th should be fine, I think 7.30 is realistic if that’s okay and even then I’ll probably start fasted and just eat something ahead of the first climb and then at normal intervals thereafter. May need a couple of convenience breaks at some point. We can call it as we go or say at mile 35 and 70 or after the climb on a specific number of laps eg 4th and 8th. Or just call it at the time.
I’ll join you in the morning oopnorth and Robbo.
I’m hoping to get out on the push bike if the weather is kind and by the looks of things it’s going to be dry with not much wind tomorrow.
See you in the morning Neil!
Cheers guys for this morning.. it went quick and was a good pace...enjoyed it.
Another badge done! 🌋
Yep cheers. Just 25 times up the alpe and that is Zwift done!
Just a PSA. If you are an Apple TV user and use the companion app to connect more than 2 Bluetooth devices don’t update to the latest companion app version. It seems to have broken the link between the companion app and Apple TV as a bridge device.
Cheers guys for this morning.
Dr P going to do the Haute route in the morning the lovely Quatch Quest again.
Just me and kirky today eh!
DrP
@DrP rest day today hit all my targets for the Month yesterday.
Suspect I won’t be Zwifting much till April unless I get the FulGaz challenge rides done early. 🙂. Believe they have sorted the invisibility bug so next time I group ride should be visible 😂
@robbo1234biking good to know on the companion update I’ve not done that yet, but have updated the app on ATV worked fine, so will hold off doing companion.
I'm curious about this having been sent an alert by the couple that run Struggle Events. not used the RGT platform before but if gets anywhere towards looking like and feeling like the climbs or Malham and Park rash it would be superb. Very hard but superb.
@kirky72 I’ve not used the RGT platform the event looks good though just had a look.
I am doing this starting tomorrow V-Lejog I’ve filmed a couple rides for the platform and the real ride vs virtual rides is close, on the road ride I did there is no more than a couple minutes between real and virtual. I’ve also ridden the Long Mynd route virtual and real and again was really close time and feel wise on the climbs for example.
We’re very lucky to have such a choice of indoor cycle platforms, this last year it’s been very welcome!
Any meet ups planned for this weekend?
I’ll probably venture out on Saturday but a steady Zwift ride Sunday morning would be good.
I am going to dip my toe in the Absa Cape Epic Series.
It does feel like they have copied our STW Race Series in a way though (TT on MTBs in Bologna anyone?!)
https://zwiftinsider.com/absa-cape-epic-2021/
Doing the Whole Lotta Lava route at 8.30 Saturday morning.
I'm also booked on the 8-30am Cape Epic ride on Sunday, it's the only day I can do it. I am looking for something to do Saturday if anyone has any rides planned or options?
Alas.. nothing from me this weekend as cycling to the OH's, and the turbo is a bit heavy to drag along!
Might have a look at the Cape epic races, but the only stage 1 I cutie do is 1730 on Monday. Vvv little chance I'll be back from work by then.. oh well
DrP
@Drp, any further thoughts on a day of big routes, pretzel, Uber and Quatch quest in one day or did you come to your senses. It would be a good idea I think to pick two or three which are most dissimilar although some repetition is unavoidable.
Regarding the PRL, I’ve had a rethink and the 21st would be better as I forgot 14th is Mother’s Day.
@kirky72 ... I can't do the sunday 21st.. could do sat 20th?? would that work?
NO date in place for "pretzel sunday" as yet... just figuring out holidays and childcare patterns at the moment!!
Mayby the weekend of 10th/11th April?
DrP
Do you need a half decent pc for fullgaz @forge197?
I'm coming up to a year on zwift, recently got the tron bike, 2 route badges left, think I might try another platform just for a change. Anyone made this sort of change recently and can recommend something that worked for them?
@Garry_Lager - I run it on AppleTV will run on other Apple Devices too, the PC variant needs Win10 and 8GB ram minimum. I’ve not used the PC version so not sure what it’s like but always download rides before doing them saves a lot of pain, I run mine from a NAS.
I run both Zwift and FulGaz I’ve done over 2 years on FulGaz now and 10 months of Zwift, I couldn’t just do Zwift, I do the odd solo ride there but mainly the group stuff, but I do solo ride a lot on FulGaz albeit at the moment there is an event with a zoom session open and post ride chat on the group page. You can setup group rides but would need discord for the chat element there is no companion app for example.
This morning I rode the Long Mynd and also a short road ride in the Lakes, tomorrow Across Dartmoor and then too Holme Moss.
Thanks Forge, that's v helpful. My laptop might struggle with that tbh but I can prob sort something out there.
Any Sunday morning group action this week at all?
@drp, yes Saturday the 20th is good for me, Mrs is working and as we discussed the eldest doesn’t tend to rise for a feed until 1 or 2pm and she can look after herself.
It was funny actually I didn’t realise you had gone as I climbed up Leigh hill again last Sunday and had just described how the eldest gets up late, then has her face in phone for a few hours ends up having lunch at 2 or later then spends what’s left of the day when she’s finally dressed complaining that she doesn’t have time to do all the things she had planned, a run or walk, gymnastics in her air track, homework a shower. I prefixed it by “she”
This random guy replied “so you met my ex wife then?” I replied I guess that she’s the ex? He went on from there.....
#funkybaj, if you are still with me after all that. Lol. I will probably be up for something around 8.30/9 tomorrow but fairly steady after a 70 miler today.
Fancy a lap or two of one of less hilly french routes, 4 sprints.
I’ll ping an invite out later but not sure I have everybody if many at all.
Kirky... sounds like a plan...
I'll put it in the diary... 0730 on sat 20th...
DrP
I’ve sent an invite for tomorrow morning, not sure if there will be any takers. If not I’ll join a steady group ride somewhere, there’s a coffee ride around Paris that looks suitable.
@funkybaj I’m not following you or vice versus so couldn’t invite you. If you follow me then I’ll add you to the invites.
Thanks for the invite @kirky72. Heading outdoors in the morning though. Have a good one.
I wont make it either - enjoy! Doing the Cape Epic ride at 08.30. Will see if I race it or take it at a more sedate pace. Don't want to destroy myself for Tuesday night.
Thanks for the invite but I’m going to try and do the Vatternrundan Mega Pretzel at 7.00am
Cheers for the invite, kirky.
Got a sore achilles at the moment. If it's better in the morning, I might join in. Otherwise gonna have another day's rest.
If there are no takers and you cancel, no problem I'll perhaps head out on the road.
@kirky72 I am also on the cape epic at 8-30am. If I manage to finish in time I'll try join you for a while but if you want to do another ride just do it...like I say I may not finish in time.
@kirky72 I am following you so did get the invite, thanks. Unfortunately the kids have decided they want a walk outside this morning so I’m going to miss the meet and will ride later instead.
No takers so cancelled I’m thinking of jumping on 9am breakfast club around the same douce course.
Enjoyed the Cape Epic race this morning. Got in the front group of about 30 until the bottom of the climb. I slowly slipped of the back of that group but didnt get swamped like I expected to by lightweight Cs.
https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=1795460
Came in 35th on the road and 4th in ZP so pretty close to a podium! Interesting to see someone else try a MTB series. Dont think I will make the next two of the series but will do the last one next weekend. The last race of the series is on the Serpentine 8 course and can be ridden next Saturday or Sunday so you can do a recce for the STW race series!
serpentine 8 is tougher than it looks, feels like at least 60% of it is climbing.
Speaking of which.. I've pinged an invite out for this week's Sunday Hills..
2 laps of serpentine 8! 40km.. Nice!
Hop on a MTB and see you on Sunday!
DrP
Anyone fancy some short flat tomorrow lunch?
12:20. All cats off at same time so a big hang on type effort needed!
I nearly jumped on that Weeksy but had an electrician around and he didn't leave in time.
So jumped on the 4.30 futureworks crit, for a quick spin and double check if the FTP increase gained during the last series was a freak blip or peak, never to be repeated.
The B class was crazy fast from start to end with a very large pack that was still around 16/18 riders right upto the end. I finished 8th buy only 1 second separated 1st to 10th. I timed the sprint finish a little late, causing towards the back of the pack on the undulating downhill I planned to sling shot to halfway in the pack and then draft through the remainer.
the first part of the plan went okay but 6 or 7 guys had gone with am early big effort of the front so once I passed 5 or 6 there was a small gap with no draft and I ran out of road to catch them. starting 50m earlier I would have had a chance.
323watts average effort so I'm probably not far off but I suspect can only muster this over shorter races.
https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=1866356
pretty sure the Alistair Brownlee was racing in the A cat.
ps.i tried to find the other zwift thread which folks used to discuss their rides in. After surfing 4 or 5 pages of threads I didn't come across it so guessing we are just dropping everything none Tuesday rave series or TT in here now. is that right?
I reckon so... keeps this thread active..
I mean, it seems the only social ride going on now is the Sunday Hills?
So worth listing races and other events in here too!
BTW @kirky72 .. did you see there’s a Zwift organised PRL Full ride this coming Saturday!
Shame we can’t make it!
DrP (Now has the Tron bike!)
323 is impressive mate! I'd fancy a try in B to see what I can hit overall.
Even though I don't often win C, my power is up and down with the ebb and flow of the race. My 20 min power I think I could raise, it's my 2 min power I struggle.
I didn't ride, I did a row instead.
I may do the 8:45 am for a crit though tomorrow
I may do another crit tomorrow around lunch, I find I’m totally knackered shortly after but don’t effect later the same or the next day too much.
#DrP congrats on the tron and yes it’s a shame we couldn’t do Prl Saturday with a large group however I’m not sure how they all stick together when you need a convenience break.
Also I shouldn’t be troubling you with my ailments next time, I picked up some medi derm pro on advice from a pharmacist and it’s hit the spot (almost literally) took effect after just a couple of days. Still need to change my saddle back the harder ones not going to work for me for longer rides.
https://zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=1870811
p4 on the road, which was P3 in Zwiftpower. Race went well, i tried a few splits as the pace wasn't high, one almost paid off, we lapped 2-3 riders just after the rollers and 2 of our group had been trying to split it on the rollers for 2 previous laps, so i pinned it over the top and down the cobbles, a group of 4 of us pulled 3s on the rest, but we only held it until the end of the lap as they closed us down. I thought we were going to get away.
In the final sprint i went too early arguably, had a drafting van and went at 500m as that's how the cards fell and saw me in the best position to attack.
Didn't quite work and got passed by 2 riders for the line. Damn.
Good race though and felt OK considering how knackered my legs are.
jumped on a kinetic cruise and sprint ride around Richmond flats late this morning. Managed to muster a couple of semi decent sprints that saw me 12th on the leader board but seconds behind the leader.
Then jumped on a futureworks crit race around Dolphin after 10 minutes recuperation. Cat B was razy as ever and every lap was a 310w plus effort, fastest lap I averaged 350w.
the lead bunch moved around a lot and I was up and down within it but it stayed pretty large with about 20/25 riders right upto the end. The zwift gods weren't smiling and out of 8 laps I had one feather and one aero, the rest were ghosts, burrito, truck and the steam roller.
I had the steam roller for the last two laps, whats the odds on that, which offered no respite. I was towards the rear of the bunch down the rollers and thought I could draft along it, but again left it too late.
Rather ironically but not unsurprisingly after the earlier sprint sessions I could muster one. Finished tenth and again there was a second or two between first and 20th. Averaged 318w so a little less than yesterday.
Time for a gentle recovery ride if any tomorrow morning then jump on the Sunday hills before the Mrs wakes up to be showered with Mothers day gifts and loving attention from the kids.
Good write up Kirky.
Well done lads, I'm getting them crit itch again but can only do certain times...I need to keep my eye out for them
Let us know when you fancy I mate, I'll play most days, well, unless it's sunny as I'll be outside.
Sunday works though.
Are we still on for Sunday Hills
I am. there seemed to be 4 or 5 marked as attending.
I am in the midst of an event on another app 208 miles in 13days and 21287ft of climbing so far.... going to do 3 stages of that tomorrow (or at least my plan might do 2!) that does mean next Sunday I should be around for a Sunday hills 👍. As the last two stages at on the 18th and 25th and I am ahead.
Have a good ride tomorrow.
Cheers see you in the morning Kirky.
I'm in for Sunday hills tomorrow morning, it's been a while since I attended
What time is the Sunday hills ?
Karnali..do you follow me?
DrP
Mountain bikes too!
DrP
Sorry guys I'm not going to make it...I've been roped into the mothers day prep with the kids, helping with breakfast etc. Won't be finished on time.
I hope to get on later today but it may not happen.
Enjoy, I was on the serpentine yesterday with the Cape event, it's a good course.
Cheers for the ride this morning sorry for being so slow did a race on the Achterbahn yesterday and this mornings crit took more out of me than I thought hope it didn’t spoil the ride.
see you Tuesday evening.
Not at all Neil. Was a good tempo pace until the last climb when I got chucked vigorously out the back door! Will try and join again in the future 👍
Anyone fancy joining a ride of Ven Top on Saturday morning?
Caveats: I am planning on doing a 90 min workout. This will prob get you 75% of the way. Because I am doing a workout I am going to put the rubber band on.
If you want to join let me know and I will send you an invite. You can still free ride or do a workout. But if you are going for a timed ass want this may not be for you. Something like this would be ideal.
@robbo, myself and DrP are still planning on the PRL a full on Saturday morning, I’m not expecting there will be many wanting to join us as it’s not high on anybody wish list unless they are route badge hunting.
Just back from the shortest version, around 43 mile, of my regular local loop. I normally see how I feel after a while and add something on the middle or end to extend the length however today I felt like I’d done 60/70 miles after only 25 and towards the end I felt and looked like Matieu van der poel did at his race win finish on Saturday.
At the moment outdoors I’m feeling more and more tired, not hitting any PRs unless I haven’t ridden it for years and generally feeling les fit and strong with every ride. I think I’m suffering from general fatigue, most weeks I’m riding 7 days or at least 6, some days it’s just an hour or so fasted steady ride but I probably need to reign it in a bit.
Normally ahead of a hilly century ride IRL I would taper off the week before so on reflection I think I’ll take a few days break or an easy ride amid two days rest in preparation for Saturday or it might be more painful than it should be.
So I might do one of tomorrow nights crits and a fairly gentle spin on Thursday and that’s it.
Ive been overly worried recently that if I don’t ride everyday, my weight which I’ve worked hard to bring first under control over Xmas and then down since then, would creep back up. I’m under 79kg now when I’ve weighed towards the middle of the day and 78 or less towards the back of the week and a baby early morning weigh in. Aiming for 75kg or there abouts for Mid May.
@kirky72 how long is prl and what kind of time starting and rough wkg average?
@karnali, not 100% confirmed yet but I expect 8am start. Most likely around 2.5/8 turns at pulls, a little more up box hill but as there’s 11 times I for one would like to keep it around 260/280w that would be 30/40 less for the same speed for Ian not sure for you as I don’t know your weight. Whatever we will regroup wait at the top and then descend and do all the flat again together and repeat, repeat, repeat you get the idea😀
If we leave it so we see every body else we should get some help from time to time.
Ta I'll let Ian know if I want an invite when I know what day plans are for sat, but I'm hopeful for a few loops at least.
@kirky72 I'm gonna do VenTop on Saturday to tick that badge off. If family things allow I'll join you and the Dr for a bit afterwards, to return the favour when Robbo and I did it in December. I think you might be right with fatigue. Fasting at anything above recovery efforts can be counter-productive and shouldn't be more than 90 mins.
@karnali you presence or help will be much appreciated for no matter how many laps.
@slowpuncheur I’m sorry to have to come clean and say I didn’t turn up that day to help you guys put but if you can make a few laps on Saturday that would be ace.
I’m going to do a few laps of Ven top every week or two just to condition myself to horrendous amounts of climbing.
@kirky72 ah stuff you then!😀
Probably try and get there about 9.45 ish. Having support is useful just to break the monotony of repetition.
I've pinged the invite out to @kirky72 for an 0730 start...
I imagine the first lap or two will be about 230 ish watts, to warm up..
Prob settle at a slightly higher power for the climbs, but as it's a long ride, it won't be a sprint..
I'll be riding to Brighton after a well, so need to keep a bit in the tank!
DrP
Ps.. kirky hasn't accepted the invite yet!
Just accepted Ian, I didn’t notice it before.
A little early so I’ll probably just eat a banana and a bar of something during the first lap.
See you then.
Depending how I feel after Ven-top I'll also try join to give you guys some moral support. I failed when I tried with Robbo and Paul, only managed 6 laps but there is other opportunities and I will do it at some point.
Good luck chaps
@oopnorth I tried to reply to your message dire try but my reply was too long so posting here. it may also be that others are rocker curious.
thoughts on rocker pedivella, turbo only plate, not full bike rocker.
I think it may be only a verybslight benefit over a shorter ride say an hour to two.Howeve since using it I don't seem to be getting the same peranium pain that was building to the point of also being in discomfort off the bike.
ironically I havent really down any 4 hour plus rides since getting it so Saturdays PRL would be a good test.
it definitely reduced the feeling of being 100% rigid and only respite coming from getting out of the saddle. as no matter how slight you are rocking and distributing forces a bit more.
again really tough to guess what percentage less pain or much further I could ride with it as there's soamy more variables such as how many rides or miles in a week plus any other areas or pains from another activity.
I would say other than the initial ride or two getting used to the feeling more so climbing out of the saddle I cant really see any cons at all. the only slight one might be it still moves about on my laminate when laying the power down but I plan to staple some cut inner tube around the edges to add more grip.
I m achieving the same top end watts climbing and sprinting and maybe sprinting better as I've hit a few prs recently but again impossible to 0in point.
ill let you know for sure after Saturday. a good result is feeling the same or no worse than you would doing s century outside. before the rocket despite the miles coming much quicker and easier it was definitely harder on the backside than riding outdoors for a similiar duration.
also there's no lack of movement in it being a rear only plate propping up the front wheel on a block and elevates thich rug.
Thanks for the feedback @kirky72 it's appreciated. It will be good to hear how much difference it makes on the PRL, I'm sure it will benefit after a number of hours.
I have seen a few reports where there is a drop in wattage when using a rocker, which was a concern, but it doesn't seem the case for you, so that's good.
I'll keep thinking on it. Thanks again!
No watts seem to be where expected when I can muster and effort that is.
Best time up the alpe was using the rocker. Averaged around my ftp on a few recent 8 lap crits.
maybe I should take it off and wee if shoot up again.