Zwift, my journey, ...
 

Zwift, my journey, my weight and my fitness.

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fifeandy - one who's already got the imperial metric kit so at a distinct advantage in that I know how 100 miles feels on a trainer!

Nathb - how do you know they're STW'ers?


 
Posted : 18/01/2017 10:48 pm
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Ah oops, that's just the Strava TT 10 mile segment.

@IvanDobsk - all the names are in the STW Zwift group on strava


 
Posted : 18/01/2017 10:49 pm
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Ah, got it, cheers.


 
Posted : 18/01/2017 10:52 pm
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From the preliminary results looks like ZP is only giving results for those who did 2 complete laps. IIRC same thing happened on last KISS TT I did.


 
Posted : 18/01/2017 10:57 pm
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Lol that funny. 2 weeks back on TT bike
16min 03

Today, 16 min 05


 
Posted : 18/01/2017 11:00 pm
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And in other news, Graylish brings home the
[url= http://www.zwiftpower.com/race.php?id=2645 ]Silver in Cat C[/url] for Team STW. Get in! 8)


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 5:39 am
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Jeeeeez, top top work fella... very impressed !


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 7:56 am
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Nice work Mark!

The KISS TT results from last night are still messed up, hopefully they're sorted later! 😆


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 8:20 am
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I've given up even looking at results after the races finish now, it's beyond a joke.
I felt a lot happier after seeing my time was only 2s off my previous TT time.. If you'd asked me after the race i'd have bet you i was more than a minute down... So a little weird the perception we can have at times, especially as after doing the previous TT race i was really happy, last night i was gutted.

I'm hoping it's frosty and sunnny today as it was yesterday, if so, i'm hitting the trails on the Parkwood 🙂


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 8:22 am
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I feel like I've been so lucky here, aside from the night where it all exploded everything has worked for me.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 9:08 am
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And in other news, Graylish brings home the
Silver in Cat C for Team STW. Get in!
nice. If you put "STW" in the team field on the zwiftpower settings page it displays in a blue box next to your name on the results page for that pro look 🙂

The KISS TT results from last night are still messed up, hopefully they're sorted later!
mostly they seem OK but it's showing you as not completing the course, which is odd as you were on there properly immediately after the race! Clearly something went wrong after ZP grabbed your Strava data. I think you can email the ZP guys if it bothers you & they can sort in manually.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 10:27 am
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I haven't ever looked at the race results, mainly as I get bored and rarely finish an event.

It's a training tool for me rather than racing - save my racing for the fun stuff IRL.

The Gladiator race yesterday was pretty good however, that one nearly entertained me enough to finish - ended up using the last lap for a cool down.

Seems like the racing bit with results is more hassle than it's worth.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 10:31 am
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Well, I can't find the enthusiasm to do the FTP test workout thing, especially after a few on here reckoned it wasn't really worth bothering with - I can see your point.

Yesterday I decided to do the mountain route, which I really enjoyed. Great exercise for a Fenland flat lander like me!!
I got into a bit of a tussle with an American bloke on the last drag right to the top and then my warm-down descent turned into a charging race of who could get down the mountain quicker! It was great.

Only problem I had was at the start of my ride; all my devices connected fine on the opening page, but then when I started riding there was no resistance at all from the Flow Smart and no data feed at all, including HR.
Restarting Zwift sorted it, but Zwift takes so long to load it lost me about 6-7 mins due to faff.....


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 10:57 am
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I've not had an issue with Zwift not picking up the data from my various ANT+ devices but a couple of times I have found that the turbo trainer resistance hasn't adapted to the changes in incline. Not really an issue as the power readings still seemed ok, but it did seem like something in the Zwift startup process wasn't working right.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 11:09 am
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@zilog - it's my own fault. I probably confused the hell out of it when I rejoined Zwift behind Weeksy, after finishing the race and exiting, to see how he was getting on.

But the race is only showing 7 people as finishing.

I think I finished 13-15th, which I'm happy with as I got an epic stitch 10 mins in.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 11:11 am
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Only problem I had was at the start of my ride; all my devices connected fine on the opening page, but then when I started riding there was no resistance at all from the Flow Smart and no data feed at all, including HR.

mine did that in the GCN race. i was getting power readings but no resistance on the gradients. after the race I repaired it as a controllable trainer in the menu and it worked fine without exiting zwift.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 11:15 am
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Right, who's on the KISS race this morning?


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 11:17 am
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epicsteve - Member

I've not had an issue with Zwift not picking up the data from my various ANT+ devices but a couple of times I have found that the turbo trainer resistance hasn't adapted to the changes in incline. Not really an issue as the power readings still seemed ok, but it did seem like something in the Zwift startup process wasn't working right.

It was weird that it all connected in the start up screen & seemed to be working, but then when I started the ride it all just disconnected - I went into the setting screen and there was a banner across each sensor saying something like 'not paired'

jam bo - Member

mine did that in the GCN race. i was getting power readings but no resistance on the gradients. after the race I repaired it as a controllable trainer in the menu and it worked fine without exiting zwift.

I didn't think of just trying to re-pair them in the menu settings. I just chose the brute force close & re-start option. I'll try to remember to do that next time.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 11:19 am
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Just done the TBR LONDON ride and finished 3rd only 4 seconds behind the winner and got the KOM jersey for box hill, did it in 6:39. Lets see if ZP picks up my result.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 11:30 am
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Wow... we've got some proper racers on STW.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 12:12 pm
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Wow... we've got some proper racers on STW.

As well as the likes of me...


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 12:30 pm
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Ok i have been playing about on zwift after my race to try and find a set up that is more like my actual ability. I can say with extreme confidence that i am not a Cat A rider but i have been running in these events so i can be competitive and not dq'd all the time. I think i have the right set up now which reflects more like real world cycling which will hopefully help my fitness better than what i am doing now, so farewell to cat A and B and i look forward to the embrace of cat C riders (gotta earn my cat c stripes first)


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 12:33 pm
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Lol what had you done wrong blader?

Dropping from A to C is quite large!?


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 12:45 pm
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Yeah I assume you're talking about not having your trainer configured properly in Zwift so it's over-estimating your zPower? Otherwise that's some serious sandbagging!!


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 12:46 pm
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Have you got an Ant+ washing machine or something?


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 12:49 pm
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Yeah I assume you're talking about not having your trainer configured properly in Zwift so it's over-estimating your zPower?

zPower is utter b***ocks, could easily increase/decrease it by 50% on the same trainer just from setup and that's before any zwift settings.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 12:51 pm
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By choosing a different/wrong trainer or are there other options (hidden away?) in Zwift?


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 12:59 pm
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Obviously you can pick a wrong trainer in zwift, but there's other stuff you can do to.

1) Inflate tyre right up to (and beyond if you feel like some risk taking) its max pressure, rather than a normal riding pressure. You are on a perfectly smooth roller, so no drawbacks from more pressure.
2) Reduce clamping force - doesn't matter if wheel slips a bit since your speed sensor is on the wheel - wheel spinning with less resistance = more zPower.
3) Most fluid trainers have substantially different curves when warmed up - use them in a cold room with a fan blowing on the fluid unit and they'll never warm up = 5-6W/KG FTP no worries. Assume similar abuse can be made with resistance dial for mag trainers.
4) If you really wanted you could run a smaller (650c) wheel and zwift would happily assume its a 700c.

Not that i'm advocating doing any of these, or accusing anyone. Just pointing out the zPower is so easily abused both on purpose and by accident its bordering on worthless


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 1:13 pm
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Hmmmm, seems like the "warm up" lap on the KISS race is very much still a max effort with a sprint start then!


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 1:23 pm
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You'll find that's the same with all races that have a "warm up". I think they're just there because the route happens to include an initial section that takes you to where the laps start.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 1:26 pm
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I think a combination of a poor turbo which wasnt set up quite right and ridiculous stats generated by zwift. I have also realised my turbo was set to resistance 2 when it should have been 3. I also discovered a very slow puncture which i think was affecting the resistance on the roller after a couple of days.
I could happily stay as i am as its still hard work keeping up but it feels like a training session for long sprints and i would prefer something that will benefit distance and climbing as i live in hilly Yorkshire.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 2:11 pm
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Amazon have just dropped the price of the Neo again to £864, although delivery is currently listed at 1-3 months..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0112VE4NO

(NB I'm referring to the sale from Amazon themselves. There's a couple of cheaper sellers but they look dodgy to me)


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 3:25 pm
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box hill, did it in 6:39

That is pretty quick 🙂

Speaking of which, a lot of rapid Koreans round London this morning. They the Zwift equivalent of old GDR? 😉

Amazon have just dropped the price of the Neo again to £864, although delivery is currently listed at 1-3 months..

Recommended, really like mine. And unless you find somewhere with stock it's likely to be a long wait as I hear they have a long list of people waiting for stock.

Edit... oh and after a fair bit of deliberation, Zwift rides now on my strava and I'm in the STW group 8)


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 3:28 pm
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Lol! I was going to make all my non-Zwift rides private otherwise 😀


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 5:28 pm
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Lol! I was going to make all my non-Zwift rides private otherwise

🙂

I've taken a tip from here. Make them private initially then public after a day or two.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 5:40 pm
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Can't decide whether to to the 8pm KISS race - found it boring last time - or to go and ride up box hill for the first time


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 8:06 pm
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Boring why?


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 8:28 pm
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too flat, there's enough flat where i live in the real world


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 8:38 pm
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Let me know, I've got a 9.45 in me if that's where I start and end my ride. If you get below 9.30 thought you can have it

Managed to break 10 minutes tonight and have set you a 9:57 to aim at. Wasn't a lot left in the tank at that but I did stop briefly with what might have been some kind of ANT+ dropout so might be able to improve that by a few seconds without actually killing myself.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 9:06 pm
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Does anyone other than me have a drivo?
I have a "noise" question


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 9:20 pm
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Ooooh. Hopefully I'll get a chance in the morning as I think it switches on us time. So if I get on early I may be able to have a crack at it.
Well done BTW.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 9:31 pm
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Cheers. Looked like I backed off a bit early though as I was 15 seconds behind your PB for the London Loop Forward full lap!


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 9:34 pm
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how do I search for segments on strava that are zwift ones? To compare times / etc.?

I know they're there, as others have linked to them but I can't find how to search for them myself!!

[ok, think I sussed it out]


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 9:39 pm
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Zwifted tonight for the first time, lap round boxhill. There was a STWer behind me for a bit-how so I join the Stw club ?
Initial impressions are good, certainly livens up an hour in the garage while on parenting duties.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 9:41 pm
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I was on earlier riding with a mate, gave a fellow stw'er a ride on.

Was aiming to set a new PB up box hill but my rear wheel kept slipping...and trying to save my legs for the weekend 😆


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 10:20 pm
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Was aiming to set a new PB up box hill but my rear wheel kept slipping...

It's been a bit icy out


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 10:21 pm
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I binned the KISS race halfway because my screen kept freezing dropping me 5s back from the group I was in. Went up box hill for the first time instead, fairly consistent 280w all the way up, unfortunately I weight 94kg though.
Was my second outing using the Tacx Flow, it's really creaky which was doing my head in. Time to get the silicone spray out. I also struggled with the resistance which seems too much on little rises, with no considerations for the momentum. Resistance was fine on box hill.


 
Posted : 19/01/2017 10:59 pm
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STW Box Hill comp is hotting up I see! Managed to knock a minute or so off my PR tonight, not quite troubling the top 10 yet though (probably need to lose at least 5kg for that!)


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 12:53 am
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What Strava segment for box hill are we using? it doesn't correlate with the Swift kom


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 12:55 am
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STW Box Hill comp is hotting up I see! Managed to knock a minute or so off my PR tonight, not quite troubling the top 10 yet though

Bollocks! I've not been paying attention and dropped about 8 spots!
(And I'm pretty sure I've peaked already)


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 6:13 am
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What Strava segment for box hill are we using? it doesn't correlate with the Swift kom

[url= https://www.strava.com/segments/12744502?filter=overall ]This one[/url]


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 7:38 am
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Oo I did set a new personal best last night 🙄

I think it's much easier to set a new PB in a race - you can hang on to someone else's wheel then haha.


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 8:13 am
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Thanks, 37th, 1 place in front of weeksy 😉


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 8:26 am
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Oh FFS, i was going to ride outside again ! Now i've got to do the Box Hill climb today haven't I .... !

Althoguh, i have to admit, i'm not actually convinced i CAN beat it !


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 8:29 am
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Now i've got to do the Box Hill climb today haven't I ....
I think there's enough potential, globally, for tit-for-tat hostilities even without a battle of box hill

(so give it a day to sink in ... and THEN smash* him !)

((*see my classifieds ad for ebike))


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 8:40 am
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LOL i wonder if anyone us using Ebikes on turbos yet !


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 8:50 am
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Not really sure/why but according to ZP i won yesterdays London ride, pretty certain i was 3rd as i lost a sprint with another user and we both got dropped by another guy. A win is a win though and it put STW name up there so hoping for some advertising revenue from stw towers!


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 8:50 am
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Anyone doing a race later this morning? Poss looking at the evr race at 11.05


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 8:52 am
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I was consdiering it too Blader but doesn't take in Box hill LOL. So i was then looking ast the 2pm Zwift race...

Not sure at this stage.

HAve you sorted your digital EPO out now 😉 no point racing you if you're still on your A turbo 😛


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 8:55 am
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Yeah sorted it out now. Dismantled the turbo as much as i could and removed all the junk and rust (sat for 2 years in damp garage) and fixed the resistance cable and it seems to work a treat now. I am not going full out today so just going to play at the back of the field and do some manual interval resistance training to build some strength in to the legs.


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 9:09 am
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14th in the STW box hill league table - must try harder and get under 7 minutes - this weekend, balls out! 😯


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 9:22 am
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LOL @ Under 6.... some of us are trying to get under 10 !


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 9:25 am
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oops - a tad ambitious with under 6 ( i meant 7 and now corrected) balls back in the sack!!!!


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 9:27 am
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How do I join the STW group ?


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 9:28 am
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How do I join the STW group ?

There's a link to the Strava group up ^ there somewhere


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 9:34 am
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I asked last night but I ask again for the daytime crew:

Zwift often freezes for a few seconds and when it restarts I'm then a few seconds behind the group I was in. Is the a connection issue (I'm on wifi) or a Ant+ drop out?

Also does anyone elses Flow Smart creak really badly? It's not the low rpm roller noise that some people have, It's in the frame or axle somewhere.Sounds like i'm riding and old boneshaker bike, the silence of my old Elite Chrono fluid is missed.


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 9:39 am
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https://www.strava.com/clubs/STWzwift


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:05 am
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Zwift often freezes for a few seconds and when it restarts I'm then a few seconds behind the group I was in. Is the a connection issue (I'm on wifi) or a Ant+ drop out?

To find out get your latest log file from Zwift\logs and drop it on zwiftalizer.com. It will show Ant+ and wifi strength and dropout occurrences.


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:11 am
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Thanks, 37th, 1 place in front of weeksy

But 3 places behind me...!


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:28 am
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Thanks b1gf00t, looks like it's ANT+ drop outs


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:36 am
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10.03 you're not getting any lower than that from me for the forseeable !


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:38 am
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But 3 places behind me...!

Is that a challenge? 😀
I reckon I've got another minute in me, my av bpm was 156 for the segment, I've done a whole 1 hour race at 162.


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:39 am
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[quote=epicsteve ]What Strava segment for box hill are we using? it doesn't correlate with the Swift kom
This one

23rd! i'm going backwards.

the current overall KoM(3m50!!!) passed me last night halfway up... a constant 12 W/kg all the time I could see him on the rider board.....

I did think about dropping my weight to 20kg and taking chase...


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:43 am
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10.03 you're not getting any lower than that from me for the forseeable !

Excellent - well done. That's almost perfect because not only is it an improvement in your time it's still a few seconds slower than mine...!


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:47 am
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I did think about dropping my weight to 20kg and taking chase...

you will only be cheating yourself 😉
If i am not tempted by post work ales,i will be on it this eve


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:47 am
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Average HR 167 for me... MAx of 173 for it....

My absolute max is just under 180.... so should give you an idea of how hard i was trying.

Average of 287W with a max of 323w


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:50 am
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Is that a challenge?
I reckon I've got another minute in me, my av bpm was 156 for the segment, I've done a whole 1 hour race at 162.

Without the ANT+ dropout I had last night and with a tiny bit extra effort (which is all I have in me!) I might be able to improve to maybe 9:45 but can't see me going any quicker than that without losing some weight. I averaged 271W and 169bpm for the climb last night and that has got to be pretty close to my max (my 1 hour FTP is about 230W and my max HR about 180).


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:50 am
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Excellent - well done. That's almost perfect because not only is it an improvement in your time it's still a few seconds slower than mine...!

I was watching the clock constantly, knowing you were a 9.57... I was seeing 9.50... Highest i saw was 10.11.. I knew with about 500m to go that unless i could hit 350w i wasn't going to make 9.56


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:52 am
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I was watching the clock constantly, knowing you were a 9.57... I was seeing 9.50... Highest i saw was 10.11.. I knew with about 500m to go that unless i could hit 350w i wasn't going to make 9.56

Looking at the compare tool in Strava it looks like you were about 6 seconds ahead at the 2/3rds point of the climb before dropping back a bit. Looks like we'd have been pretty close all the way up though.


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 10:58 am
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I seem to be way off the pace on Box Hill, kinda mirrors IRL for me. Is it still London course tomorrow? If it is i might see if I can bring my time down a bit.


 
Posted : 20/01/2017 11:04 am
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