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Zwift, my journey, my weight and my fitness.

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Did my first Zwift race last night, the EVR Europe. Went straight in at Cat C and think I got it right, pretty much bang in the middle, Zwift had me 58th/130 and at 2.8w/kg. I think I may do another... 😀


 
Posted : 03/03/2020 4:49 pm
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thanks beagleboy

will take a look at that - yep I'm just looking to dip my toe into the zwift world.


 
Posted : 03/03/2020 6:12 pm
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scaled
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The goal was to get sub hour ...
managed 300+ watts for the first couple of corners so figured that would be a fun game to play for the next 20 odd.

Yep - thats a good game!

I like the Alpe .. when I do it I try to stay above 260w for the first half, then 300w for as long as possible the second half. Great work out!


 
Posted : 03/03/2020 6:27 pm
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Well done Swavis, look forward to racing you!


 
Posted : 03/03/2020 7:29 pm
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Thanks 🙂
I'll maybe try another tonight, although typically I think I feel a cold starting :-/


 
Posted : 04/03/2020 9:20 am
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pls ignore, just testing


 
Posted : 04/03/2020 9:29 am
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To Weeksy - like you I have a Snap - do you find it noisey - I am sure mine is louder than it used to be - also on your Zwift settings what do you have the trainer difficulty level set on? - also I have issues figuring out how far out to go on a sprint and the best gear /cadence for top end power - it is something I am trying to practice in general riding on Zwift


 
Posted : 04/03/2020 1:43 pm
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1. Noisy, hmmmm dunno, not as i've noticed, but don't have anything to compare it to... I've had 3 Snaps and don't think it's any different than the others.
2. 50% on the slider roughly.
3. I'm still working on it... well, kinda.... i'm now in tapering and massage phase 🙂 3 weeks of easy riding and a decent sports/deep tissue massage a week 🙂


 
Posted : 04/03/2020 1:47 pm
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Wow, that was the funnest race I’ve done so far (not being sarcastic lol)! 20 laps of Downtown Dolphin in Crit City - not raced or even heard of this course before but it turns out it suits me perfectly. 1 ¼ miles per lap, mostly flat but with a short, sharp hill you can sprint up to gain places, followed by a great fun roller-coaster section. And lots of power ups obviously!

All the cats go off together (which I prefer) and the fact that I (as a C) was lapped 3 times by the A and B riders gives some great tactical opportunities- basically time it right and get dragged along for as long as you can keep up the pace!! Pleased that I managed to place better than loads of riders putting out more watts as it showed I had the tactics right

The only downside was that I was sucking the wheel of a fast C cat rider for the last 2 or 3 laps, saving an aero and planning to pip him at the sprint. Only to have him disappear as I begun the last lap! (He’d obviously lapped me previously which I was unaware of). Another thing that zwift could add onto the GUI if only they actually gave a crap about racing!


 
Posted : 04/03/2020 10:34 pm
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In their defence it does show their distance on the right.

But, excellent report.


 
Posted : 04/03/2020 10:42 pm
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Signed up last month being a previous Sufferfest user. Got my 100 mile spin achievement today (on a route that gave 2000mtrs climbing so quite chuffed). Never did 6.5 hrs on any bike never mind a Turbo !!!!!

Hit level 12 so Alpe du Zwift is next on the radar. Must try a group ride and then maybe a race.


 
Posted : 04/03/2020 10:51 pm
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Got up early this morning to do Mountain 8, the reverse Epic KOM. Steep isn't it? That radio tower doesn't get any easier, it just goes on and on...

Anyway it's done, another achievement off the list, I'm trying to tick off routes as I go along and gain levels fast. Not raced for a while so I need to get back into that, unfortunately it's quite limited at 6am, hence I'm doing routes.


 
Posted : 05/03/2020 9:39 am
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Is there a shitload of pros on there at the moment, all holed up in a Hotel in UAE ?


 
Posted : 05/03/2020 9:45 pm
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I expect Zwift might be pro-invaded over the coming months to keep them on their toes while all real world events are postponed/cancelled!

First Zwift for me in over a week and as much as it was nice to finally do some turbo, I was pretty gutted to feel my lungs get tighter as the afternoon progressed having felt quite good this morning, so I tried to be sensible and keep things very steady.


 
Posted : 05/03/2020 10:07 pm
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Did my first race in a while this morning, legs felt tired in the warm up after yesterdays mountain, but thought I'd see how I got on. 4 laps of Volcano circuit CCW.
Start was a mixed one with 26 in Cat D with me, the A's and B's went off and I grabbed onto a small group of C's and kept with them throughout the race taking turns at the front. I'd seen 2 D's shoot off at a crazy pace at the start and they were about a minute or so in front of me, the D's behind were about a minute down so I was comfortable, hoping to get a 3rd place in D, my first podium...

Came in 64th out of 94, looking at ZP it turns out there was 3 Cat D riders ahead of me, one was almost 4 minutes ahead weighing in at 114kg!! He didn't get above 149bpm...seems suspect.
Anyway, my highest placing yet in 4th (35th overall on ZP) and I was comfortable in that pace sitting with the lower C's...happy with that!


 
Posted : 06/03/2020 10:04 am
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Top job matey.... well done 🙂

The bloke out in front looking at his profile pic may actually be 114kg lol.


 
Posted : 06/03/2020 10:07 am
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Haha maybe.

But hold on there has been an update...second place chap has been removed, I got my bronze!! Whoop!


 
Posted : 06/03/2020 10:36 am
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I expect Zwift might be pro-invaded over the coming months to keep them on their toes while all real world events are postponed/cancelled!

Just noticed that Boasson Hagen is on there right now.


 
Posted : 06/03/2020 11:38 am
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Gave the new Richmond Cobbled Climbs Reverse route a first go earlier in the Kirchmair March #1 1-lap race, quite a fun course, even while pushing the power and heart rate envelope a bit for the first time in ten days.

Only 21st of 26th, but happy to average 285W after the manflu19 I've had... Just hope I didn't push my luck too soon and cause a relapse!


 
Posted : 06/03/2020 10:24 pm
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Has Zwift made the MTB the basic bike now?
My bike was the MTB and only able to change it to my usual set up when on start line of race .. either a glitch or the new normal?


 
Posted : 07/03/2020 9:04 am
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I had that. The Scott spark?

I wondered if it was because I’m doing a ‘gravel’ training plan.


 
Posted : 07/03/2020 9:18 am
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No idea what MTB it is - but can't swap bikes until I am on start line of race??
I only do races on zwift so not on any training plan.


 
Posted : 07/03/2020 12:52 pm
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Looks like it’s something to do with the cape epic promo/competition they are running.


 
Posted : 07/03/2020 1:28 pm
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Has Zwift made the MTB the basic bike now?
My bike was the MTB and only able to change it to my usual set up when on start line of race .. either a glitch or the new normal?

I think they had a software glitch that meant everyone was put on a Scott Spark by default instead of just people who'd opted to do the Cape thingee mission where it's automatically provided. I think they issued an update which fixed it?


 
Posted : 07/03/2020 1:40 pm
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had a little toddle round today and got a few ride-ons from some of the STW hardcore - thanks !

I can only ride-on people when I see them on the list on my right and then briefly follow their rides. I didn't see any of the people who tagged me, so how do they do it - phone app, or can you get a better overview on the main screen ?


 
Posted : 07/03/2020 1:51 pm
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BadlyWiredDog
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I think they had a software glitch that meant everyone was put on a Scott Spark by default instead of just people who’d opted to do the Cape thingee mission where it’s automatically provided. I think they issued an update which fixed it?

Thanks. Will try a refresh next time. Quite frustrating not being able to change set up unless you in a race. Sometimes I will do the Alpe for an hours work out ... would not feel motivated to do it on the MTB knowing how much slower the time would be.


 
Posted : 07/03/2020 3:31 pm
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I can only ride-on people when I see them on the list on my right and then briefly follow their rides. I didn’t see any of the people who tagged me, so how do they do it – phone app, or can you get a better overview on the main screen ?

phone app, but you have to be following them to see they’re zwifting AFAIK


 
Posted : 07/03/2020 4:35 pm
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Ah yeah, I thought so zilog - you were one of the suspects IIRR !
(I don't take the phone into the garage as I then tend to leave it and spend hours looking for it later on)


 
Posted : 07/03/2020 6:37 pm
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Just like buses....another bronze! Tour of fire and ice race. It was a killer, I hate that hill and was slooooow, somehow I came third on ZP but I was well down the field, again a mixed race.
Was glad to see the top...and gloves...wow! For all that effort...


 
Posted : 08/03/2020 3:27 pm
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Lol you're picking the courses!


 
Posted : 08/03/2020 3:45 pm
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Haha far from it. That course hurt, I wasn't bothered about position, I was battling my head to get to the top.
I was about 30th in D cat, so how I got a podium is beyond me.


 
Posted : 08/03/2020 6:39 pm
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So who is doing the 'Tour of Watopia' which started today? I'm on the 9pm group ride tonight once the kids are in bed. Increased XP points so I'm hoping to gain some levels.


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 10:30 am
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4pm for me. Mostly because it seems the tour has wiped out the race entries, so any racing would be almost a solo TT from the start.


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 10:34 am
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So who is doing the ‘Tour of Watopia’ which started today? I’m on the 9pm group ride tonight once the kids are in bed. Increased XP points so I’m hoping to gain some levels.
Yep I was planning on doing it. Not bothered before. If it's anything like the recent Tour de Zwift, the group rides are no less competitive than the races 😂. It's a shame there won't be an interesting reward, double XP is great tho for a newb! Once I'd got to whatever level it is that lets you access the entire map, XP meant nothing to me!! Interesting point that weeksy makes about the Tour killing all the other races, hadn't thought about that but it makes sense.

Need to squeeze in a couple of trips up the Alpe on the MTB this month though, to unlock the stripy paint job!!


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 10:54 am
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You can see it easily here

https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=358377

Last week it had 113 ZP entrants... this week.. Not many lol.


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 11:04 am
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haha, yep, decent chance for a podium though I guess!!


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 11:09 am
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I podium in most C Crits.... So no biggy there. What i need is decent sized fields with lots of half decent Cs, that then gives me a chance of getting ranking points.

Races with 5-6 Cs.... No chance.


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 11:16 am
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nice, sounds like you need to move up to B then lol 😎


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 11:21 am
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nice, sounds like you need to move up to B then lol

I'm not far off B... but getting to B is harder than you'd think. It's only an extra 10-15w i need over 20 mins... but actually managing that, well, it's hard.

Also in races they Ebb and Flow, which means your power isn't always at it's max 20 mins effort as you surge and rest, so you end up sometimes even an extra 10-15 less than that.


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 11:29 am
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but getting to B is harder than you’d think
nope, I fully appreciate how hard it is 😂 I quite like the races where all the cats go off together, as it gives you a chance to mix it up. I often try to hang with the Bs for as long as possible, no way could I manage it for the whole race though!!


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 11:40 am
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See, i hate them as they disadvantage me as i usually go out too hard and die and then finish 10 places lower than i should. In the Split Cats i get to race (mostly) against Cs so am pretty much able to stand the pace.

This week though i'm going for some of these tour events with a 220w max self-applied so i can keep the fatigue down and the 'racing' to a minimum but get a decent workout too.


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 11:43 am
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See, i hate them as they disadvantage me as i usually go out too hard and die and then finish 10 places lower than i should

This is me, yesterday was a prime example as I went out with a group of B's and C's and tried to hang on for the first 13km until we hit the Alpe...then I had no energy for the climb which became a battle of wills to finish. I was also being caught on the hill by all those I'd passed earlier.

I need to try one of these Crit races, never done one and I'm sure it will be a crazy pace.


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 12:02 pm
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Oh i'm torn now... Just seen there's a Watopia race at 16:10 instead...

20km race or 50km cruise... Decisions decisions


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 2:54 pm
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Trying to decide if I've got any energy to do any stage 1 variant, the 20km 2-lap Watopia Flat race looks the easiest course, no chance I'll be trying anything like FTP pace though today... Feeling worse now than when I decided to head into work this morning after feelish rubbish again all day yesterday.


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 4:51 pm
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Oooft. Went harder than planned. Did Tour stage.

https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=355483

1hr 18 mins


 
Posted : 09/03/2020 7:33 pm
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