Zwift, my journey, my weight and my fitness.

I'm planning on doing tonight's 8pm KISS ride, sat low D cat again 🙂 Not aiming to improve on the last one, just looking to get a bit better at holding a steady power for the duration, rather than spiking and knackering myself every 10 minutes.

If I beat another 30kg sub 10 year old I'll be delighted.

If I beat another 30kg sub 10 year old I'll be delighted.

Awesome 🙂

I may get my 8 year old on soon just to give you an incentive 😉

I was really pleased to get DQ'd from a D race and forced to move up into C's, it was a badge of honour for me to move to C

Also planning to do the Kiss Cat D race at 8pm, hoping to do better now I'm clear of man flu and it's a flatter course.

Was thinking KISS, but 8pm is a bit late, so thinking the ZTR Tuesday night worlds at 6:30. It's the mountain 8 course, which I've only ridden once in full, so will make a nice change. Cat D for me, so hardly in-it-to-win-it 🙄

Last race I did was a couple of weeks ago, so we'll see if I've improved. I was top end of D, so with any luck it'll be time to move up soon.

scaredypants
It can't only be the uk where real-world progression happens by getting results and points. I don't really see why zwift couldn't do the same

Riders may be stuck in particularly cats indefinitely losing incentives. Equally someone may attend a random race with minimal people and win, meaning they're put into a cat that they shouldn't be in? Just a thought.

I've started a discussion on strava for the 28 members to share what rides they'll be doing today on zwift.
Shall try to remember to do one daily if folk want, or is it annoying? 😆

Got the turbo set up in the work gym rather than my office now so was able to get in a sneaky lunchtime race! (KISS Americas AM) Finished pretty much in the middle of C which I was pleased with!

Something weird happened with the race distance timer though, I don't know whether it's the iOS app (my first race & only 2nd ride using it) or something more general... the distance to-go counter never changed - the progress bar did but wasn't accurate i.e. it still wasn't full when I sprinted through the finish gate! Thought I might've ballsed up as there was no indication the race had ended (and everyone else carried on going!) but looking at Zwiftpower the race did indeed end then & I got the position I had when I passed through the gate. Anyone else had this?

I'm now watching this thread quite avidly, so although I'm not racing (yet), it'll be nice to meet some of you virtually.

On the FTP test, do you guys usually use the Zwift one and, if so, is it any good? I've got tomorrow evening planned as "FTP test night" after the little one's in bed, and it'll be my first proper FTP test for years, but I'm debating whether to go for the Zwift one (and, if so, any pointers on making it as accurate as possible?) or whether to watch the Sufferfest "Rubber Glove" like I did last time.

I'm not sure why the FTP test is needed. Zwift will update your FTP based upon your 20 mins average anyway after a ride (assuming you better your previous FTP), so what's the point of the FTP ?

Sure, you can use it to work out your traninig zones for power... but you can do that anyway after some rides as it's worked out your FTP anyway.

I had the opposite yesterday, distance was going down, but no blue bar at all.

@weeksy

My FTP only got modified after KISS (D) race the other week. I'm now doing workouts most nights to improve the FTP (I think its working 🙂 ) and there is no FTP adjustment. Perhaps races/group rides and just riding along (> 20 mins) causes it to trigger.

I did the Zwift FTP test before doing a race to make sure I entered the correct cat, I couldn't be bothered with being DQ'd nor getting dropped.

It's a good setup and made the 45 mins fly by (all be it with 20 mins of pain).

I tried the FTP test last night, tried to hold 200W but I was being a bit optimistic and blew up after 10 minutes. Back to the drawing board 🙂

I did the Zwift FTP test before doing a race to make sure I entered the correct cat, I couldn't be bothered with being DQ'd nor getting dropped.

I had the opposite yesterday, distance was going down, but no blue bar at all.

Nopes, on the Laptop as usual.

In theory, your calculated FTP 'should' be higher from a stand alone effort than from a >20minute Zwift race. Basically, you are aiming to finish the 20minute effort exhausted- like literally not able to stand up. If your best 20minute effort in a Zwift race is anything other than the last 20 then chances are you had more to give.
In practice of course, it takes a lot of motivation to do a good crisp test so the race may give you a higher figure anyway (even if it's still a little lower than you could do).

I hate the Zwift test- the warm up doesn't suit me. I generally get the best stand-alone test from Rubber Glove too.

Was thinking KISS, but 8pm is a bit late

Been lurking on this thread for a while having got Zwift and my 'dumb' trainer now setup with a speed/cadence sensor.

Joined the Strava group and think I'll have a go at the ZTR race at 6.30pm. Only done one race so far which was a four lap ride with only the last lap being a race (SZR Joy Ride I think). Basically watched everyone disappear into the distance at the start and spent the lap burying myself trying to catch anybody! Must start faster it seems!!

Ooof that was some hilly stuff going on today. Almost threw up a kidney at one stage. Then as I was flagging not too far from the top, my turbo threw a hissy fit and was stuck on 77w. I had to get off the bike, power it off and back on. Of course I'd lost all rhythm then and was just rubbish after that, but still it was a good hard climb and plenty of effort.

Of course this means no race tonight as I'm totally knackered now. Along with needing a rest day tomorrow. Phew.

Get the power on hard as the clock ticks down, don't start from 0 pedalling

Do any of you follow a scheduled training plan (from a coach)???

If so, how do you tie it in to zwift?

I have a turbo session scheduled by my coach this evening but it doesn't really match any of the zwift event rides.

What intensity/duration/spec are you looking for Gazhurst?

So basically...5min Z1 WU, 10min Z2 then 3 x 10min at sweetspot with 5min recoveries taking me to the hour

If I didn't want to use Workout mode, I would probably select Fig8 course, use ocean boulevard as a warm up and then do Reverse KOM hill repeats as the intervals. Should be about ten minutes each.

I tried the FTP test last night, tried to hold 200W but I was being a bit optimistic and blew up after 10 minutes. Back to the drawing board

Yeah, I did very similar. The second it hits the big 20 minute block I exploded. I tried to sneak down through the gears, it raised the braking on the turbo to compensate.

I then stuck it down to a slightly more sensible 164 or something (doing the short test), which was much more doable. Not sure why I bothered as it was pulled to 194 after the first race. I doubt I'd do the FTP test again, it really doesn't motivate you at all.

In real world terms, my current fitness equates to not really having done any riding in the last year. Last time I went to Cannock Chase I pushed up the big hill 🙁

I dont mind using the workout mode...I just wondered if people substituted anything in their schedules for events/organised rides in zwift

I personally find I test better if I can't see a live wattage or HR.

I find racing so dynamic that I use it instead of pretty much any interval work. Sometimes I'll set myself a HR limit and end up sitting in with the groups from the back of a race Cat then attacking climbs or sprints etc.

Attacking, there's a concept. I just try and hang on mostly!

Inspired by this thread I treated myself to a T2240, joined the STW Zwift group and had my first proper ride last night.

I have been ill and have barely been on a bike for 4 months. My heart rate is too high, so I was really attracted to having a fun way to get on my bike and stay at home. It's reassuring that if things start going wrong I can just stop and lie on the sofa. There is no way in the world I would have risked going for an outside ride.

I managed an hour and three quarters. Not racing, just pedalling around. Rode just over 50k which I was quite happy with. Sadly my heart still got too high (Strava has me at nearly 18 mins in Z5) so I am going to need to slow down more and I will have to avoid the races for the time being. However I felt great this morning for having had some enjoyable exercise and am going to be riding regularly.

For those reporting the race progress bar not updating in real-time, I too noticed that last night race whereas it definitely was working a few nights ago, so I'm guessing they (Zwift) have introduced a bug...
Fortunately, the total race distance is still displayed so I just tracked my personal distance using the rider nearby panel on the right had side of the screen.
Personally, when racing, it's very useful to keep a close key on that part of the screen as you can see whether you are closing in or falling back from the rider in front (and same with the riders behind), and as you can see their W/Kg, you can see when they are weakening or putting on a spurt...
As regards the starts, some racers all categories start at the same time and some are staggered. If it's a mass start the really isn't much point trying to keep up with the A's and B's if you're a D and I think Zwift needs to flag up which category each rider has entered rather than relying on them manually appending both a race series and a category to their last name.

(Oh and congratulations to timid wheeler! You've made a start!)

Back from my daughters nativity play in time. Planning to enter the KISS race in 25 mins.

gazhurst - Member
I dont mind using the workout mode...I just wondered if people substituted anything in their schedules for events/organised rides in zwift

I've switched out my long aerobic TrainerRoad sessions for potting around Zwift. 3 hours of TR watching a movie is painfully boring, but I can potter around Watopia in Zone 2 quite happily. And it's more convenient than going out in the real world at this time of year. There is coffee.

Had a bit of a sore knee last week so gave the cleats a rest and did more mtbing and climbing but back on it tonight with a proper cadence meter.

Couple of q's...

1, does anyone elses tacx flow make weird creaky noises at very very low speed? I only noticed when calibrating it when it failed a couple of times and I noticed the noise ... finally got it calibrated and riding normally was fine

2, Is there anywhere I can read into my ride data to work out how tragically unfit I am and what to expect in 2 months if I do around 30 - 50 miles a week on zwift? I obviously know it depends if I'm doing intervals ect but I'm following their 6 week ftp plan and want a rough idea of where I'll be going by the time it's done. (being impatience and not waiting for actual results basically)

https://www.strava.com/activities/801577627/analysis

Just finished the KISS race. That was painful, was feeling fine until the last 3 miles, the sprint finish between 7 of us was brutal! I didn't have the legs for it...and lost out.

Excuse: Not too bothered as I wasn't going to bother this evening. 😆
[url= ]And my sports drink didn't work....[/url]

3 mile sprint ... on a bottle of red ? Impressed !

the distance to-go counter never changed

I had this on a ride a week ago. Raised a support ticket with Zwift, and they said to raise another one if it happens again. I know some others who have had the same issue so I'd suggest opening a support ticket with Zwift so they have more info on this glitch.

scaredypants
3 mile sprint ... on a bottle of red ? Impressed !

No no, I bonked with 3 miles to go... and there was only 1/4 bottle left..

My distance to go didn't update either, it said the race was 18 miles when in fact it was more like 19?

Zwift feels different on iOS, in fact it feels easier.. anyone else noticed that? I've played around with the settings to no avail...

Yep I noticed the distance to go was bust and then when I reached the 28.9km mark which I guess was the end there was still some left on the bar?
Only my second race, flatter than last time so more tactics needed, I went out far to fast with the first couple of riders, only hung on for a few kms then dropped back in to no mans lands. most of the time there was a group 30s up and one 30s down, apart from a strange bit where one rider (Jennings) jumped from the group behind to in front within a few kms.

It's amazing how much time you can make up on the hill after bridge/sprint and the roller coaster , 30s is only say a 50w increase for 2-3 min.

I pulled back 30s on some riders on the final sprint last night. Made up about 5-6 places in the last 300m

Ah, sounds like the distance thing was for everyone. Frustratingly it did start going down as I started a second lap.

Botched it up, zoomed off the start, hung with the front groups for 15 minutes or so. Totally ran out of steam and zoomed backwards. Still finding my pace a bit, my first race was smoother, although this one supposedly took my ftp up to 219 (from 194). It seems like such a ridiculous metric, when you die straight after the 20 minutes.

well Cat c was much harder than D,my legs pretty much gave up after 30 mins

It's amazing how much time you can make up on the hill after bridge/sprint and the roller coaster