Zwift, my journey, my weight and my fitness.

Just completed first race this year and that was tough. Road to ruins was my road to ruin after xmas excess and a couple of weeks off the bike. I was in B group and going nicely, first up the big climb and cruising well but then the continuous 2/3% gradient just sucked the life out of me about 2/3rds of the way round i just fell out of the back of the group. Lack of riding time and having to do it indoors when its 20c plus it was a pretty fast pace sapped me and i fell back and just TT’d painfully to the finish. Having reset my ftp to zero a few weeks back, this race put it to 281w so it was deffo a quick race. New ftp test in April so hoping to build fitness to then to see if i can beat 310w of last year.

Top work buddy!

I don't know how you can be first over that hill and not win the race! Every time I've done that course the winner is in that first group. I'm left dying in the second group.

I bloody hate that map

Firstly, regarding the Android Zwift events problem

Thank you for reaching out!

This is a known bug affecting Android users that we are currently working on fixing.

Expect a hotfix patch in the very near future.

So i jumped on the WBR 1 lap flat... in B...

Went off hard as you'd expect and hung onto the B's mostly.... It went as you'd expect really. I hung on well up the small inclines putting out 4ish w/kg and then down into the village/sprint, under the banner in prime position and then BOOM ! Up the hill they destroyed me... just insane... 6.5+ for everyone.... I was left floundering with 1 other guy at 4ish again and they just blew us away. I tried to break earl from him, but i didn't have it in me... he caught and passed me with 200m to go.

Power was decent, pace was decent... just missing that killer climb.

Shocked to see 6/17 on the results, thought i was further back than that in honesty.

Well done weeksy - decent, that

lucky i found you when you were knackered 😀

I'm still miles from B though. As you're aware, they've got them 500-600w bursts at will almost, I can sometimes kick for 10s like that, but after 10s I'm done. Along with their ability to hold way higher flat power than me.
Good thing is, I know what I need, bad thing is, it means dropping 10+kg.

That’s not a bad thing, that’s a hard thing.

Actually, I need to lose 11kg, that feels pretty bad :-/

Although that’s at the limit of what I’d want to lose, any more is too much.

I think I could easily lose 15 without it being too much, even that would only take me to 80.

First job is to get shifting the Xmas/winter stuff and get down to where I feel I ought to be. That's going to take till at least March I guess.
After that, we'll see.

weeksy, I don't think many of them mash out 5-600 watts for any long period - they may be on 6W/kg but might only weigh 70kg, so 400 or so would do it for some of them

I reckon you'll be wanting to beat 'em up on the flats, even downs - just to see what they've got in terms of pure power with no weight factor. Might not be so frisky on the climbs after a minute or two of you riding at even 4 w/weeksy 😉
And it'd be great interval training too !

It's a good point... Looking at the actual W produced by the guys around me, i'm bang on the money for actual power, 296w for yesterdays, the guys around me (ahead of me actually) were 281, 288, 300, 320... So i'm in the right ball park power wise. But i'd need to be 400 for a good few mins to scare them i rekon. Even with just a bunch of 5-6 chasing.

I'll get there... one day. But i was happy with hanging on mostly yesterday, just hanging in and getting the legs and HR working again, i've had a few weeks of Z2/3 to get the KMs in for the target i'd set myself, so wasn't really pushing things along.

Not sure on the plan today on Zwift... There's nothing really that jumps out at me as far as an event goes. 16:55 with KISS AT base may be the one, but that's generally at a pace that's too high for me and right up at my FTP, which i wasn't planning on doing today.

It's a shame in some ways that CVR doesn't allow rest days in that context. It would be nice to jump into a D race for an afternoon, even bailing out on the sprint in the last KM for example. But then not losing points for it all...

Hi Everyone

Total newbie here, after some advice.

If I buy a Tacx flow, get a zwift subscription and hook up my laptop (with a dongle?) I'm good to go? I'm just looking to improve my fitness rather than a structure plan at the moment, so is it possible to enter races with people who are similarly out of shape? Getting dropped by everyone would be pretty demotivating...
Cheers.

[quote=weeksy ]
It's a shame in some ways that CVR doesn't allow rest days in that context. It would be nice to jump into a D race for an afternoon, even bailing out on the sprint in the last KM for example. But then not losing points for it all...

do group rides count on CVR?

is it possible to enter races with people who are similarly out of shape? Getting dropped by everyone would be pretty demotivating...

There’s 4 race categories to choose from A,B,C, and D.

Most cyclists with a modicum of fitness should be able to hang in their with Cat D. Helps to pick a well subscribed event as it increase the chance of finding a similar ability group.

so is it possible to enter races with people who are similarly out of shape? Getting dropped by everyone would be pretty demotivating

The simple answer is.... it depends...

If you do the KISS First base race, that's techincally D only, catagories are ABCD D being the lowest power/performance. However that depends on how 'out of shape' you actually are as to what's likely to happen in the race. The answer you'll find out really when you do a couple of rides and you can work out your FTP (it's done automatically after a 20 mins ride) and if you come here and say "My FTP is 200 and my w/kg is 2.5" then you'll be OK to jump on a D race, you may not win it... but you'll get to 'race' with others for sure.
If you come on and say "My FTP is 100 and my weight is 100kg, giving me a w/kg of 1.0"... Then i'm afraid you'll struggle to get other riders to race against.

IMO if you're a regular rider in the real world, MTB or road, you should be around the 200w to start at a minimum.... You'll soon find ouy.

Others who have the Flow will be along to answer showtly. But i'm guessing you'll want an ANT+ dongle from Amazon etc.

do group rides count on CVR?

Nope, just races.

I was thinking of a group ride today, but nothing really suits my timings.

I buy a Tacx flow, get a zwift subscription and hook up my laptop (with a dongle?) I'm good to go?

Different to my set up as I don’t use a dongle, but assuming your laptop is up to spec that should work. I found I got better responses to what set up I wanted by starting a specific thread. Sometimes these questions get lost to easily on this thread.

you can use an ANT+ dongle with the flow smart, or use the mobile link app as a bluetooth bridge. needs to be on the same wifi network and works pretty reliably. chews up battery though, particulary in map view so either needs to be plugged in or fully charged.

^thanks both.

Hi Everyone

Total newbie here, after some advice.

If I buy a Tacx flow, get a zwift subscription and hook up my laptop (with a dongle?) I'm good to go? I'm just looking to improve my fitness rather than a structure plan at the moment, so is it possible to enter races with people who are similarly out of shape? Getting dropped by everyone would be pretty demotivating...
Cheers.

I've got the Tacx Flow and it's hooked up via dongle. I'd definitely recommend you get a USB extension cable so that the dongle can be positioned right next to the turbo.

Other than that, a heart rate monitor is useful too. I use the Wahoo Tickr.

If you sweat like me, invest in the biggest fan you can afford too.

I've got the Tacx Flow and it's hooked up via dongle. I'd definitely recommend you get a USB extension cable so that the dongle can be positioned right next to the turbo.

Other than that, a heart rate monitor is useful too. I use the Wahoo Tickr.

If you sweat like me, invest in the biggest fan you can afford too.

I'd guess so, yes.

This is the bargain extension cable I bought, if you're interested. I tried it the first time without and it was constantly dropping out.

[url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DX5C94Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ]Amazon[/url]

6 days riding on the bounce for me, Only 120km or so but just not enough rest/sleep.

I think i'm going to do the 2for1 @ 19:55 if anyone else fancies a gentle 2w/kg spin before my absolutelydefinitelyarestday tomorrow (it was supposed to be today but I ended up riding into the office)

Funnily i was thinking about the 8pm TT race... 19:55 ain't showing here ?

[img] [/img]

Confused... not showing on my list... If it's on... i'll be up for that instead of the TT race as i wanted a more gentle/longer one ideally tonight.

Oh... that was 18:55 i was looking at... LOL

I'm in then 🙂

I have a desk fan too

I've finally got Zwift all set up on my iPad - only had a very quick play but very impressed. Looks to be just what I need to get motivated.

Hooked up to my Kinetic Road Machine with the smart dongle thing and all looks good (lovely trainer btw for anyone looking for a turbo - good price and supremely well built).

Will no doubt be hooking in to some group races once I've got my fitness from zero to a bit 🙂

I'll give you a week before there's a massive floor fan in there !

I rarely do the fan, you end up with hypothermia and can never get warm again.

Can anyone enlighten me on what is going on in ZwiftPower? I entered a WBR 4-lap race a couple of days ago and the initial result right after the race showed me finishing in bronze position in Group C (where I entered). Now I have been removed from the filtered result altogether but am placed in silver position in the unfiltered result.

I know they don't allow zPower users to win a category but why are they removing all zPower users from the filtered result altogether regardless of finishing position? I use a HR monitor and am linked to my Strava account as well. I would ask ZwiftPower direct for an explanation but don't have a Facebook account.

Best off joining [url=

WBR[/url] on Facebook and asking there as it'll most likely be down to the race organisers not ZP that long after the race has finished.
They are a friendly crowd on there and lots of the posts on their group are people asking why they have been DQ'd and they either sort it or give thorough explanations as to why.
Edit: missed the bit about not having FB, sorry.

Tis a question i was wondering yesterday too matey.

I had a guy yesterday i battled and lost in a race to the line Michael Schiffarth (C) He's showing as not there in results, but is in 'unfiltered' but for the life of me i don't know why. He was on a smart trainer... He didn't exceed Cat limits.... etc.

I rarely do the fan, you end up with hypothermia and can never get warm again.

Planning to dip my toe into the zwift market, mainly to recover from illness over the last two months.

Can currently get the Tacx Flow from Halfords for like £150 with BC discount and vouchers from work. I have the Garmin 520 on my Domane and my iPad for the app, will i need anything else?

bigger lungs 🙂

bigger lungs

One thing I'm trying to fix after a chest infection and only having 1/4 lung capacity from what i should have 🙁

I rarely do the fan, you end up with hypothermia and can never get warm again.

When it's cold I have the heater on as well as the fan (when warmed up!) Just feels wrong not having the airflow, plus I think it makes me overheat no matter how cold it is!

I'm just looking to improve my fitness rather than a structure plan at the moment, so is it possible to enter races with people who are similarly out of shape? Getting dropped by everyone would be pretty demotivating...
Cheers.

Weeksy- if he hasn’t clicked the new terms and conditions yet then he will get filtered out of the results.

I’ve given up chasing w/kg and regularly looking at my weight. Watts trump w/kg for the riding I want to do.

If I do hit my old goal of 4w/kg, I’d rather it was 360/90 than 320/80- it will get me a lot more points 😉

Thanks for the advice the other day folks I will look to add some gradient in settings.

orzafkawi - Member

Can anyone enlighten me on what is going on in ZwiftPower? I entered a WBR 4-lap race a couple of days ago and the initial result right after the race showed me finishing in bronze position in Group C (where I entered). Now I have been removed from the filtered result altogether but am placed in silver position in the unfiltered result.

I had this problem and checked with ZP. First point they made is the filtering is driven by the race organisers, rather than any of their rules.

With WBR, they filter ZP riders out of A and B completely and also from the podium of C.

So 4th place in C is the highest finish that will keep you in the results now in WBR.

Phil

I had this problem and checked with ZP. First point they made is the filtering is driven by the race organisers, rather than any of their rules.

With WBR, they filter ZP riders out of A and B completely and also from the podium of C.

So 4th place in C is the highest finish that will keep you in the results now in WBR.

Phil

That doesn't seem quite right either Phil. I just checked the results for two mates who didn't finish anywhere near the podium in C and both were filtered. I would say all zPower users are being filtered but bizarrely occasionally a few aren't. There just seems no rhyme or reason to it.

I just go with the unfiltered result now anyway. You enter group C and no matter how hard you ride you can only win group C. Seems fair to me. No arbitrary promotions or DQs. The Live result also shows first over the line irrespective of group etc. (including some strange times admittedly).

https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=35329

I may just copy and paste yesterdays race in here 🙂

I did try and hang in longer today and just about managed it... I had 4 guys around me at the hilly bit after the bridge, i held onto one of them but the 2 others gapped us. We were all in the same bunch though just before the bridge, which is great IMO, it means at London i should be able to hang in the Bs. But at watopia the slight incline beofre that is where the strong Bs pull out.

Into the rollers i held with my new riding buddy but we were 4s behind the 2 guys ahead and didn't look like closing. Riding buddy was holding 3.4w/kg so i just sat in his wheel on the rest of the roller and into the descent to the line... .saw the 300m marker and sat, then 225 i kicked, he tried but we were evenly matched apart from the fact i had the jump on him, so i held him off by 6m.

299w weighted power, i can't argue... it's right up with my best ever powers... But that kick up is just destroying me. Looking at the results the winner of B and the rest of the top 10 were in the bunch i was happy in... Well, i say happy, i was 170bpm and dying... but dying OK 🙂

Ah well... Keep trying... rest day tomorrow.

Nice riding Weeksy, that just confirms you are deffo a B rider, you were 1 min quicker than the fastest C riders (C winner is clearly not a C). Those stats are impressive and i reckon that would be faster than me so i shall do my best to avoid you in the 1 lappers 😀

I did a 4 lap reverse hilly route today and it was jolly hard work. I lost the A group about 4 miles in as i wasnt concentrating so i was in a group of B riders who were vying for silver and bronze as 1 rider was still with the A group. Pretty tough going and 1 rider kept dropping off the screen and reappearing in front of us which was incredibly annoying (happened about 20 times). Anyway i was soundly beaten in the sprint and ended up 5th

I saw your result on ZwiftPower earlier weeksy. Some great power you are pushing out there.