Zwift, my journey, my weight and my fitness.

You ride pretty much everyday, I think you'll be surprised that taking a week off might actually do you good (physically that is, mentally maybe not)

Of that there's probably very little doubt. I think i've ridden too much, along with Zwift reporting wrongly so my intensity when taking it easy was probably too high, i've been riding my recovery rides at 180w, which could now look like it was 230-240w... LOL... Which is why i was finding the recovery rides harder than i should have been.
Along with that, i kind of screwed myself by having my seat position incorrect, which exasperated the issue/problem, meaning i'm now a sodding lemon.
Worst part is, i've got the Kickr Snap arriving on Friday and really i shouldn't be even unboxing it until sometime next week ! Using the power of the internet, calf strain level 2... 2-3 weeks with no exercise ! Reading the symptoms i think it's a Level 2, not a level 1.... Certainly not a level 3.... But 2 weeks... DAMN... i'm not sure i can manage that hahahaha.
But, if i want to recover, i need to.

If you ignore recovery, your body finds a way to get some 😉

crosshair - Member

If you ignore recovery, your body finds a way to get some

I wasn't ignoring it as such... i was doing easy days... just not as easy as they should have been 🙂

http://www.wattwhisperer.com/thecoachingedge/ftpisnotfunctional

Interesting article about FTP training.

That's interesting @jam bo.

The initial reasons behind me doing an FTP test was for figuring out what race category I should enter on Zwift.

However I've also found it extremely useful for real world racing. On attacks I've been monitoring the power, knowing what I can maintain for 5/10/20 mins. This has been useful to monitor how much I'm pulling away from the bunch and at what cost. I.e. Knowing when to give up pushing in order to have a decent chance in the final moments. So yeah, I find FTP testing very useful.

i don't think its saying its not useful. it's just not everything.

knowing what I can maintain for 5/10/20 mins

That's your power profile, not your FTP.

I'd say the article is more a warning about both blindly following a generic plan with interval targets based on percentages of FTP, and also about falling into the typical Jan/Feb turbo trap.

I think Zwift presents a good solution to the turbo trap, especially with a smart turbo, getting you riding far more dynamically (and more representative of outdoor riding) than you would usually do during typical turbo sessions. Just need to keep an eye on position to ensure specificity.

Edit... also...

and at what cost

This is a really important one that isn't measured much. Riding fast outdoors usually involves repeated hard efforts while riding at or near your limits. Understanding how hard you can go for short durations and how quickly you can recover and do it again is really useful.

Not sure what your video is showing Nath but I would probably try and log the data to get a better comparison.

Also I'd run up above 200w as any difference in readings may be different at different power levels.

When I was testing my Elite trainer I saw (once the fluid had warmed up) a pretty good match at 200w but it was 40-50w optimistic at 300w...!

Hopefully the image below shows up.
[IMG] [/IMG]

I think Zwift presents a good solution to the turbo trap, especially with a smart turbo, getting you riding far more dynamically (and more representative of outdoor riding) than you would usually do during typical turbo sessions.

It's the one (well, IMO the one) major weakness i have as a rider, i really need to work/train on the hard intensity and recovery as quickly as possible.
Having been using the dumb turbo lately that's probably not helped me even more so... So once the Snap arrives (and the leg recovers) it's something i really hope to focus on.

@mrblobby - ah but my first FTP wasn't smooth (started at 700w lol) I was properly going for it. So I did get decent 5/10/20 min data from it. A better planned out FTP wouldn't have granted.

@richp - Ah what software is that again? I was just following weeksy's video for his comparison.

i really need to work/train on the hard intensity and recovery as quickly as possible.

i just used an app called ipwatts on my phone to log the ant+ data streams (provided your phone has ant+) and then plotted the above in excel

Bah, logged in to go exploring the volcano and ended up in Richmond

Same here - was quite looking forward to the Volcano too!

Ah not available for ios @richp 🙁

Cheers though!

Using the power of the internet, calf strain level 2... 2-3 weeks with no exercise ! Reading the symptoms i think it's a Level 2, not a level 1.... Certainly not a level 3.... But 2 weeks... DAMN... i'm not sure i can manage that hahahaha.

I had a couple of calf strains from running that took ages to recover well enough to run, however for me I found I could recover to the point where I could cycle without problems much quicker - in fact that's what got me back on the road bike last summer, as I could ride the bike without any issue but running was still a problem.

Any thoughts on A cycleops fluid pro 2 trainer.
I'm going to cancel my order for a neo as we have found nd out we are moving in 4 weeks time! And need to save some cash.
Is anyone here using one of these? I know there not controlled by zwift, but by the look of it they are a lot quieter than others??

If I was going fluid non-controlled, I'd go [url= http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Kurt-Kinetic/Road-Machine-20-Smart-Turbo-Trainer/ALXO?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=base&co=GBR&cu=GBP&gclid=CK3L5di53dECFQcQ0wodPfIM3w&gclsrc=aw.ds ]Kurt Kinetic with InRide[/url]. Really well designed unit and apparently very consistent for a fluid. The InRide system is meant to give very consistent power readings too.

^^^^

I've got one of those to sell if anyone is interested?

I think the Kurt Kinetic resistance profile is quite well-defined and documented so supposedly zwift et al could easily infer power just from wheel speed - I have a really old roadmacihne and it came with a power meter that was just a wheel speed sensor and a head unit

Any thoughts on A cycleops fluid pro 2 trainer.
I'm going to cancel my order for a neo as we have found nd out we are moving in 4 weeks time! And need to save some cash.
Is anyone here using one of these? I know there not controlled by zwift, but by the look of it they are a lot quieter than others??

I have a fluid 2 (have had 3 technically counting two uses of the lifetime warranty over 6 years), and they are solid, have a nice realistic feel to them, and are fairly quiet.
However i don't rate them at all for v-power type usage - you need a well tuned sense of RPE. Of the 3 units, they have all had different resistance curves, and all had different warm-up behaviours.
Now this sort of stuff is common to all fluid type trainers, but as mrblobby says, the Kurt Kinetic has a reputation for being the least effected by temperature.

What about a vortex £280 after BC discount http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/tacx-vortex-smart-trainer/rp-prod125671

think the Kurt Kinetic resistance profile is quite well-defined and documented so supposedly zwift et al could easily infer power just from wheel speed -

The InRide bit allows you to do a calibration based on rolldown (it's basically working out how much resistance is in the fluid at operating temp) which eliminates some of the variances in wheel speed only calculations.

Had my zwift setup running for just over a week and today I did my first workout session, day 1 of the 12 week FTP builder program.

I've spent the first few days just riding around on the courses and getting used to being on the bike after quite a long absence. I've only managed a handful of rides this year due to work and health issues.

Surprised just how quickly the first session went on the program, 50 minutes seemed to fly by. Tomorrow looks to be a little more challenging with some higher FTP bursts thrown in it would seem. I've never done anything like this before so I'm probably making a lot of beginner mistakes (just as long as I don't end up attempting The Pretzel again, not a great way to start my second day on Zwift 😳 ).

My Tacx turbo has developed the grinding at low RPM issue but I'm holding on to it for the time being and will see how bad it gets.

think Zwift presents a good solution to the turbo trap, especially with a smart turbo, getting you riding far more dynamically (and more representative of outdoor riding) than you would usually do during typical turbo sessions.

Only started last weekend and I'm hooked for that very reason.

Did the 18 mile figure of 8 last night and thought I was about to die, resistance on the Kickr Snap really worked, the short 10% incline felt a lot harder than the 6 or 7% elsewhere.

I could have just set the resistance on the old trainer but it's dull, at least with Zwift the course feels more natural and there's that thing of being able to see the top of the hill and just keeping pedalling.

I suppose I'll have a go at the workouts and racing eventually but for now I'll just enjoy the ride.

The racing is ADDICTIVE - even at c/d cat levels. Ive never raced bikes in real life and probably never will (time/ability/other sports preferred)

My brothers joined Zwift and we did our first race together. Climbing up the volcano on the limit, attacking each other. I pushed too hard just before the mast and then he did me - hard to recover on the 13% bit. Only difference from real life was I couldn't squirt water at him. Same result as in real life as well 🙁

Just because your not a roadie racer don't dismiss the racing.

Anyone on EVR Europe tonight?

Cutting it a bit fine if they are! Had thought about the kiss iTT but only just got the kids to bed 🙁

It's being streamed live on YouTube! Allegedly

Loads of races are streamed Mashiehood. Probably 15-20 per week on Beam, Twitch, FB live and Youtube.

[img] [/img]

Well the SZR race earlier was awesome. 348 entrants and Zwift was glitch free for a change. I dug deep and managed to finish 13th in cat A. I'm chuffed with that as I managed to out sprint 10 or so people in the last 500 meters.

Well done Jimbob! thats a great fnish!

13th in A! Awesome.

Well done Jim
My race - terrible nothing in legs this eve it's been a long day
Time for a rest

Well done Jimbob! Nath has competition 🙂

Cheers fellas. Definitely felt like my strongest performance to date. Happy to be in this shape in January. Still have a couple of months until the real race season starts. Whooop

I have a fluid 2 (have had 3 technically counting two uses of the lifetime warranty over 6 years), and they are solid, have a nice realistic feel to them, and are fairly quiet.
However i don't rate them at all for v-power type usage - you need a well tuned sense of RPE. Of the 3 units, they have all had different resistance curves, and all had different warm-up behaviours.
Now this sort of stuff is common to all fluid type trainers, but as mrblobby says, the Kurt Kinetic has a reputation for being the least effected by temperature.

Ok, so if a fluid trainer isn't the best option due to inaccuracies. How does the Tacx Vortex compare noise wise to a fluid trainer?

Anyone here using a vortex, do they read fairly accurate?

Anyone on EVR Europe tonight?

I was there, but I was just taking it easy as my legs still felt a bit tired after a race on the Mountain 8 course yesterday. I would have done a group ride, but none at a suitable time, and I always find Richmond a bit boring to ride around without a target. Cruised around for most of the race, and went flat out on the last bit.

Just to agree with the comments above about fluid trainers. I used to use a Cycleops Fluid 2 trainer, and compared to the powertap rear hub I was using on it the resistance varied as the fluid warmed up. It was very noticeable after a hard interval. I don't think they will ever be consistently accurate on zpower.

Ok, so is the Vortex similar to my current (very old and worn) cycleops mag trainer, as in the way it actually works magnets vs fluid?

I'd still get fluid over a mag, mag's just feel horrid if you're use to a fluid. If you want a fluid that reports consistent power, just get the Kurt Road Machine with iRide.

If you want to play Zwift on the cheap get a Vortex (but it is just a mag trainer.)

Well the SZR race earlier was awesome. 348 entrants and Zwift was glitch free for a change. I dug deep and managed to finish 13th in cat A. I'm chuffed with that as I managed to out sprint 10 or so people in the last 500 meters.

Great work, I'd be well pleased with that!

Indeed, i've never regretted getting a fluid 2 as it really has a great feel to it, it's just not great for estimating power.

Did anyone notice a change to Trainer Difficulty following the latest update, or is it just me?
Was riding up some of the steeper inclines at Richmond at what felt like a near constant effort but just going slower and slower whereas, previously, the resistance would ramp up, my cadence would drop and I could grind up at a decent speed.
Anyway,after the race, I upped the difficulty so hopefully it will be more to my liking next time...

In other news, I was DQ'd from cat C and requested to try cat B next time. Not sure whether to be pleased or not! 😕

r8jimbob88
Well the SZR race earlier was awesome. 348 entrants and Zwift was glitch free for a change. I dug deep and managed to finish 13th in cat A. I'm chuffed with that as I managed to out sprint 10 or so people in the last 500 meters.

Congrats, sounds like a good race!

crosshair
Well done Jimbob! Nath has competition

🙄
I've been shying out of Zwift racing recently, it's too painful and I need my legs for the weekend 😆

Regarding the vortex - as I understand it's position in tacx's offerings - a beefed up slightly more expensive but more reliable Tacx Flow. Happy with mine so far.

In other news, I was DQ'd from cat C and requested to try cat B next time. Not sure whether to be pleased or not!

I can't see how you'd not be pleased... You've improved, increased, gone harder and faster... that's got to be GREAT !

My Kickr Snap is arriving today... 🙁 and 🙂 at the same time.

I'm likely to get Mrs Weeksy to test/calibrate for us.

You can add another level of realism to zwift, shouting and ringing a cow bell whilst chasing her up the hill!

Did anyone notice a change to Trainer Difficulty following the latest update, or is it just me?
Was riding up some of the steeper inclines at Richmond at what felt like a near constant effort but just going slower and slower

Had my best race so far yesterday (Team Italy Gladiators, randomly) where I came 17/59 which I was pretty pleased at since it was uncategorised! Had a great battle for about 2/3rds of the race with one guy which really made me dig deep into my suitcase even though my legs wanted to give up! Finally broke him on the last hill. Zwift definitely pushes me beyond the point where I would've given up on Trainer Road! Also really satisfying to see my average w/kg creep up race on race!

Does anyone else really dislike the city loops? I have no motivation to ride at all when it's Richmond or London 🙄

Does anyone else really dislike the city loops? I have no motivation to ride at all when it's Richmond or London

I don't mind London (especially as the route passes my office which is beside Tower Bridge) but I do find Richmond a tad boring.

I quit Zwift because Richmond has been there too long and the RideLondon course is pants. I wish there was facility to choose which course you wanted to ride but I suppose that would need a lot more server power. I'm back on Trainer Road at the mo.

I like both really. The Richmond flat really gives me the best chance to perform to my strengths, to get the power down and just crack on with it... For me, the scenery isn't really all encompasing, the riding style/strengths are also a major factor to me.
But i do like the inner city type riding of Richmond, makes me feel like a naughty boy jumping junctions and nailing it 🙂

I like them personally as they seem to suit me. London Classique especially as it's short so you get to do the climb a few times, which also is short enough that you can really smash it so I always pick up a few places there. Similarly the Richmond Worlds climb is pretty brutal but short enough that I can really give it 100%.

TBH I tend to get tunnel vision when I'm racing; don't really have any spare energy to look at the view or whatever when I'm giving it 100% trying to beat whoever's around me!

You can choose to ride a different course other than the current calendar selection using [url= http://zwifthacks.com/zwift-preferences-now-has-volcano-route-selection/ ]Zwift Preferences[/url]

Well the Wahoo Kickr Snap has arrived and been configured. Only question i have really is when you set up as a controllable trainer you get 2 option.

The Wahoo Kickr and the Wahoo FE-C I chose the first of them.

I've tested it in Zwift for nearly 15s... LOL... awesome 🙂

[URL= http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/weeksy59/WhyteT130SX/IMG_20170126_131148_zpsbrmhgcv4.jp g" target="_blank">http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/weeksy59/WhyteT130SX/IMG_20170126_131148_zpsbrmhgcv4.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

you need "fe-c" for controllable resistance (I believe)

Does anyone else really dislike the city loops? I have no motivation to ride at all when it's Richmond or London

Cheers for the Zwift hack link. The preference thing is looks pretty useful for a few things, not just picking a non scheduled map.

I'm not a fan on London Classique, not sure why because as a heavy rider I should like it. Have only done Richmond once, the Worlds course and I liked it.

BRS TT 7:05pm tonight anyone?

😥

weeksy, you should watch it and make a commentary vid !

(I'm out, so therefore I'm oot)

I'm a Scouser, no one would understand a word I said!

all the better - then send it to that nathan geezer to see if he'll give you a job

go 'ed - I could do da'

etc

/racist

Love how that fella says my name. Stockton appears to be pronounced Staaaackton

BRS TT - didn't have the legs this evening. Actually not had Zwift legs for a while now.... 😐

BRS TT too. They have different category limits to KISS so I entered D. Looks like l might have won cat D.

And when does the race timing start/finish?

Can you get on Zwiftpower jam bo?

I can't seem to load it...

I managed to load the live results once and now can't.

Results are up, looks like you got a promotion 🙂

Won't load at all now. Probably should have gone in C but most races I'm around the 2.9ish mark

No leeway on the cat limits then. I posted 2.9, limit is 2.89

I did the 20.15 WBR flat lap but annoyingly the results don't get posted on zwiftpower.com
Then decided to have a crack at box hill, I'm sure I selected London Loop but it never took me to box hill 😕

Had a couple of crashes mid-ride in the last two days. Is it just the village all waking up and using 'my internet' or does this happen to others - mid ride on a training program... a bit frustrating although I managed to salvage this mornings files from the .fit on the computer. Yesterdays part 1 pre-crash disappeared.
Really enjoying it and starting to look at racing in D to begin with... another FTP soon and see if I'm making progress 🙂

Get in there Chimp.... Just do it... The racing really does help passing time.

Slowly i'm getting there.. I'm not ready yet, ut i'd say after 5 days the leg is about 75% now.. It's only at full extension i get any pain, walking is fairly decent. I'm going to strengthen my resolve to wait and stick it out though. There's no point getting it back to 90% and then making it all rubbish again by peaking too early... I've waited 5 days, i can wait another 5 🙁

Did the firmware update for the Kickr Snap last night, damn the power resistance was good, noticable change from before the update, Box Hill nearly killed me, stayed pedaling all the way.

Can't have got the tension set right as the steeper bit after Box Hill had the trainer tyre slipping a bit. Coming out of the underground at the end was really slow, as soon as the gradient hit 15% I could barely move without the tyre slipping.

Just have to tighten it a bit more next time.

Pleased with Zwift still, if I include Zwift miles I'm already way ahead to hit my distance target for this year.

It needs 100psi and then two full rotations of the knob after it touches the tyre Allan.
You can also hold the flywheel with one hand and try and slip the tyre with the other. You shouldn't be able to make it slip with your hands.

Did the firmware update for the Kickr Snap last night, damn the power resistance was good

I read that they'd done an update. Looks like they've worked the power reporting to take into account the effort required to accelerate the wheel, not just taking it from wheel speed alone, so should be more realistic. Good stuff for Snap owners.

weeksy - Member

Slowly i'm getting there.. I'm not ready yet, ut i'd say after 5 days the leg is about 75% now.. It's only at full extension i get any pain, walking is fairly decent. I'm going to strengthen my resolve to wait and stick it out though. There's no point getting it back to 90% and then making it all rubbish again by peaking too early... I've waited 5 days, i can wait another 5

Good luck getting back on track - from reading between the lines on here you may be due an enforced rest - be really interesting to see if it has a positive effect on your performance in the long run. Thanks for the encouragement - I've been champing at the bit on occasions with training plan wattages and following people - need to give the racing a go just to give myself an alternative method of beasting my legs.