Zwift, my journey, my weight and my fitness.

1-2lbs a week on the 5:2 is about normal in my books. And by the sounds of it you've lost the easy flab (1st page, 1.10 you were 16st7, how much are you know?) but are still probably building muscle with all the riding you do.

If you want to lose more, you probably need a structured training program and some proper long fat burning sessions 😉

The best way I found to lose flab was to start tracking what I ate using MyFitnessPal.

Weeksy, I fully intended to join you last night for the Sub 2.0 but thanks to my slow laptop and the crappy way in which Zwift closes everytime you finish a session, I missed the start by a minute or so. Had a pleasant bimble around the flat course and did a couple of sprint efforts. I'm not the first to say that the software needs some work...

LOL that was comical. "2.5 average ride"... i managed to hang in for 15 mins putting out 2.7w/kg in the pack. I then lost on a hill and grabbed 4 others... they were doing 3.1w/kg and we lost 30s in the next 10 mins. You could see the 'leader' output and he rarely went below 3.0.... As a result of that, the field shattered and i threw my hand in... I don't know why it's so hard to average somewhere around the desired figure,
Last night sub 2.0.... was 1.7....
Today 2.5 was over 3.0...

I also did this ride last week and again, many of us were binned at 2.5+

Really ?

Regarding weight, i'm at 15st 4. Which is decent.... i can't grumble, but i was hoping for it to kick start again after the Xmas break, but it's taking it's time.

I must admit, i'm struggling a little with the weight at the moment, i don't know why but it's not moving at all even with the 5-2. Maybe a pound in the last week but that's about it... bit disappointing, maybe a continuation from not having done the 5-2 over the Xmas weeks but i'd have still thought it would be kicking in again by now.

Check your training log in Strava and see if you've had any changes to volume/intensity. Any changes in food intake? Remember as you get smaller you have to eat less to maintain the same rate of loss.

Check your training log in Strava and see if you've had any changes to volume/intensity. Any changes in food intake? Remember as you get smaller you have to eat less to maintain the same rate of loss

Apart from a couple of longer Friday evening rides locally on the Ridgeway, i've not changed my output, i've also put in more Zwift hours that previous months.

My eating doesn't change much (and it's not going to... i can't do any better, i'm OK with my eating even though many/most would frown at it massivley 🙂 )

Not sure if it has already come up, but if Bkool has a simlier interface and seemingly many more routes (even your own based on strava uploads) how come Zwift is more popular?

Sub X rides vary wildly - Tuesday's Sub2 PAC ride was just that - leader held everyone to below 2 w/kg - even on the hills.

ZZRC tend to run at around 1.9 with 2.2 on the hills for their Sub2 (plus sprints). Last Thursday's 2 laps of Box Hill on a Sub2 nearly killed me off - might of well have been racing.

ZHR H&H is good.... well if you like some pain, but not too much...

Anyone got any advice for improving my consistency on the flat? Like I said earlier, I can easy pump out 3+w/h consistently on a climb, but struggle to even hit 2-2.5 on a flatter ride.

Oct i logged 551km / 24 hours
Nov i logged 575km / 23 hours
Dec i logged 709km / 28 hours
Jan up to now 304km /10 hours

So assuming i do 2.5-3 hours this weekend (At Forest of Dean if weather acceptable, so shouldn't be too hard for 3 hours to be logged) then i'm on schedule.

Weight made me smile just now on the scales, as it's a 'post fasting' weight, which is always slightly optimistic, but read 15st 1 which is SOOOOO close... (i'll take a fasting adjusted 14 something to make me happy)

[quote=andeh ]Anyone got any advice for improving my consistency on the flat? Like I said earlier, I can easy pump out 3+w/h consistently on a climb, but struggle to even hit 2-2.5 on a flatter ride.

cadence? I find to generate power on the flat I have to really up my cadence. i tend to settle to around 80ish whereas I need to be up around 95-100ish.

andeh - i was the same until i started working on my cadence, practicing higher cadence has improved my cardio a lot helped me maintain power on flats.

Not sure if it has already come up, but if Bkool has a simlier interface and seemingly many more routes (even your own based on strava uploads) how come Zwift is more popular?

Probably because Zwift have done a really good job of marketing their product! Were Zwift there first? Were they the first to link up with Strava. Zwift have the mobile link thing too which means you don't need to buy an ANT+ dongle.

Must admit that until you mentioned it I didn't realise you could use the Bkool stuff without their own trainer, I guess lots would assume the same thing. It actually looks a more polished product.

Anyone got any advice for improving my consistency on the flat? Like I said earlier, I can easy pump out 3+w/h consistently on a climb, but struggle to even hit 2-2.5 on a flatter ride.

If it were outdoor i'd have said you need to do some interval work on flat courses on the drops, as position on the bike and gradient do make some subtle differences to the muscles recruited.

On a trainer though bike is fixed in position so it makes no sense at all other than perhaps a mental thing?

Plus Weeksy never started a thead about Bkool!

I knew you could use their software with any trainer (from skimming the DC Rainmaker roundup article) but didn't know you could race online until I read up on it properly just now. Just poor marketing compared to Zwift. And as said above, I'm sure the Strava tie-up was a massive boost.

A quick google suggests Zwift devs are a lot more active/responsive which is what is needed to grow an online community. There's just so many people on Zwift now, they've reached critical mass - the only way they could balls it up is if their servers, etc, start struggling with the volume.

[quote=tinribz ]Not sure if it has already come up, but if Bkool has a simlier interface and seemingly many more routes (even your own based on strava uploads) how come Zwift is more popular?

VHS/BetaMax etc.

probably the social aspect. i think the numbers on zwift have gone exponential in the last year. even in the couple of months I've been using it the numbers have increased massively.

plus the racing is a big draw for me. motivates me and makes me work harder like no workout plan ever has.

There's just so many people on Zwift now, they've reached critical mass - the only way they could balls it up is if their servers, etc, start struggling with the volume.

Yes, I don't think it's a reflection on the quality of the product either. The core product seems good but overall it's pretty poor. The GUI is shocking and I could write a feature wish list a mile long.

Anyone got any advice for improving my consistency on the flat? Like I said earlier, I can easy pump out 3+w/h consistently on a climb, but struggle to even hit 2-2.5 on a flatter ride.

Assuming this is Zwift with a smart turbo. So you can make good power when there's some resistance to push against and the flywheel speed is lower, but struggle when the resistance is backed off and the flywheel speed increases? The demands of pedalling with different levels of energy in the flywheel are different (though not as pronounced as on the road.) If you're an mtb'er you're likely to be better at the former. You just need to practice 🙂

In other news... my Neo has arrived at my lbs 8)

motivates me and makes me work harder like no workout plan ever has.

Which is great; just note though, as seems to stir weeksy's pot, simply smashing out sessions at intensity harder than any workout plan isn't actually as productive as it might be if you are seriously serious about getting the most out of the effort you put in.

Although i do side with weeksy on the point that a 'plan' that is 60% effective but enjoyable and therefore you stick to it, is better than a plan that's 100% effective but you scrap after a few weeks because an hour of Z1/2 active recovery just numbs to senseless.

plus the racing is a big draw for me. motivates me and makes me work harder like no workout plan ever has.

Although i do side with weeksy on the point that a 'plan' that is 60% effective but enjoyable and therefore you stick to it, is better than a plan that's 100% effective but you scrap after a few weeks

In other news... my Neo has arrived at my lbs

2 more techy questions (sorry)

I've now done 3 rides. One on Tues just riding around to see what it's like. 10 mins of pootling yesterday evening as a 'warmup' for the WBR sub 2.0, and 30 mins / 11 miles of the Sub2.0 before the PC ran out of battery.

All three are reflected on my activities page, but my total miles only counts the Tues ride.

Looking at it on my mobile app, even stranger because my last 7 days and last 30 days show the combined total but the all time only the Tuesday?

Glitch, or am i doing something wrong?

Second - I can't search for people to follow using the STW tag. Is there a particular trick; I've found weeksy and he has STW after his name that shows up but while 'Steve' or 'Weeks' find him, STW doesn't?

Glitch, or am i doing something wrong?

In other news... my Neo has arrived at my lbs
Nice. You might want to take the free hub off & grease the hell out of it pre-emptively!

this - otherwise IT IS AMAZING.... had it for a year and I love it so much ill be riding 100 miles on it Saturday.....

this - otherwise IT IS AMAZING.... had it for a year and I love it so much ill be riding 100 miles on it Saturday.....

Splendid 🙂

Does the freehub just pull off? All collected but still in the box until I'm done with work. Question is to risk using it tonight. Got a session planned that would not go well with new tech faffing. Probably best to leave it till tomorrows z2 (though weather looks ok so should really get outdoors for that.)

love it so much ill be riding 100 miles on it Saturday.....

Does the freehub just pull off?

Does the freehub just pull off? All collected but still in the box until I'm done with work. Question is to risk using it tonight. Got a session planned that would not go well with new tech faffing. Probably best to leave it till tomorrows z2 (though weather looks ok so should really get outdoors for that.)

Is that just to unlock the achievement

It probably is just a practice thing, I've only ever ridden MTBs with a single ring on the front (oh yeah, 1x9 before it was cool 8) ) so I'm probably used to pushing a harder gear, rather than happily spinning along.

Mashie - thanks, I gave a few quid just now.

One of my kids was delivered by an excellent and very overqualified Syrian doc and I've been grateful ever since that we have such folks in our NHS.

Anyone got any advice for improving my consistency on the flat? Like I said earlier, I can easy pump out 3+w/h consistently on a climb, but struggle to even hit 2-2.5 on a flatter ride.

Exactly the same problem here - thought it was just me!

I'm the opposite thanks to my massive weight... i can wallop along on the flat with a great Aero profile Zwift seems to give me.. but put me on a hill, i'm a donkey.

How much are people spending on Tacx Neos? I noticed there's some on Amazon for £450, are these an older style or something?

[s] https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0112VE4NO/ [/s]

Also how do they compare to a Kickr?

Edit: Oh, ignore that, random scam Amazon link. Seen a few, Haibikes listed silly cheap. Apologies, it was the first thing that popped up when I tried in Tacx Neo 🙂

How much are people spending on Tacx Neos? I noticed there's some on Amazon for £450, are these an older style or something?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0112VE4NO/

Also how do they compare to a Kickr?

Looks very dodgy to me - a just launched seller and notes cant send to all addresses please email! Steer clear

Avoid those cheap Neos on Amazon. It seems to be very dodgy, it was mentioned on the Facebook Neo page a while ago. I am guessing they ask you to complete the transaction outside Amazon when you contact them.

Neos are around £1k, but offers come up from time to time.

Mashie - thanks, I gave a few quid just now.

Yeah, sorry I didn't spot it was a dodgy seller until after posting. I've seen them doing the same with Haibikes, as mentioned before. I'm amazed Amazon don't pull these things down sharpish.

DC Rainmaker has a guide to the latest turbos, he recommends the Neo over the Kickr (especially in Europe where the price difference is much less)

[url= https://www.dcrainmaker.com ]https://www.dcrainmaker.com[/url]

Cheers! I think I went through those recently, only really peeping as the wife quite fancied joining in. I bought a Vortex only a month back. The idea of having to warm up the tyres and recalibrate every day didn't appeal.

It's a shame things like the Wattbike don't seem more common. Quite a ridiculous cost, but it'd take up less space than 2 road bikes and turbos.

Don't forget that the w/kg of a group ride depends on the size/power of the ride leader. I've done a Sub 3.0 with "Lil Lisa" leading it and averaged about 20w less than a Sub 2.5 with a 95kg bloke leading it.

W/kg descriptors are still a pet peeve of mine about Zwift! What's wrong with speed!!! At least if a ride is advertised by speed, you can go out and test it beforehand to see roughly what it may feel like.
One advertised by w/kg means nothing without the ride leaders vital stats.....

Also how do they compare to a Kickr?

Kickr is just a normal direct drive mag turbo with some electronics controlling the resistance knob. Same as Tacx Flux, Cycleops Hammer, Elite Drivo and most others at that price point. They have big solid flywheels and the "feel" of the turbo is largely dictated by this fixed element.

Neo is hugely different and a big leap forwards in that it has a virtual driven flywheel. Fancy electronics can modify the feel of the turbo to better mimic a load of different riding scenario. E.g. riding at 30mph on the flat feels very different to griding up a hill at 5mph, and Neo for the price does the best job of simulating this feel (for example, when simulating high speed riding it can actually drive the flywheel through the dead spots in the pedal stroke.) It all improves the specificity of training on the turbo which should make it more effective.

TBH, if you are spending a grand on a turbo then (reliability issues aside) you'd be an idiot not to go for a Neo. If you just want to do a bit of Zwifting and aren't bothered about maximising the effectiveness of your turbo work then get the Flux as the same as a Kickr but a lot cheaper. I can see a case for the Drivio or Hammer as they contain direct force power meters so are a lot more accurate than the Kickr. Why someone would buy a kickr is a mystery to me.

DC Rainmaker

He's a pretty good starting point for trainer reviews but I really don't think he gets the fundamental USP of the Neo and how big a step forward it is. Not sure that he's addressed that in subsequent reviews.

crosshair - Member

Don't forget that the w/kg of a group ride depends on the size/power of the ride leader. I've done a Sub 3.0 with "Lil Lisa" leading it and averaged about 20w less than a Sub 2.5 with a 95kg bloke leading it.

W/kg descriptors are still a pet peeve of mine about Zwift! What's wrong with speed!!! At least if a ride is advertised by speed, you can go out and test it beforehand to see roughly what it may feel like.
One advertised by w/kg means nothing without the ride leaders vital stats.....

Agree to a great extent, but surely if we're using W/KG then it's the job of the leader to at least sit at or around the advertised W/KG as much as possible. It was rare when i was with him or saw him on the list that his W/KG were anywhere near 2.5. Which just makes it completely pointless IMO. If i can see he's not riding at 2.5, he can surely see he's not at 2.5 either. It's not splitting the atom.

I've never done one where the ride leader isn't ballpark close? Check their Strava- you might be surprised that their average w/kg for a lap is closer than you think.....

Not on ZP results, i can't recall much about his name, Bookencamp or something along those lines.. it doesn't matter enough to worry in honesty, i know not to do the Thursday Fritter rides until i'm a chunk faster/fitter now as i've done 2 and been bombed on both.

Don't lose sleep about it 🙂

Reading your posts about the rides with interest - so as a beginner, I guess I'm just looking for rides that are marked ABCD? And then try and work out if I could keep up with a ride marked only C?

Also, I was trying to do a "custom" easy ride today, but really struggled to keep the Watts steady. Is it harder to maintain Watts at the lower end?

I think different turbos maintain W easier/harder. Mine i can sit within 5-10w for ages and barely fluctuate... but there's always a little bit as you push i guess and breathe... But shouldn't be that tough to maintain ish.

Hmmm, I'll have to do another ride at a higher effort level to check then, the only other one I did so far was the ftp test and it kept telling me More Power a lot 🙂

If you join an ride and can't keep up, what happens? Everyone else just disappears into the distance?

Pretty much yes.. There are some rides where people try and help others out, so a couple of guys/people will drop back if you're just off the pace but it's not that common.

Okay, I see. Seems there are not that many rides for total weaklings - I'd better try and get a bit stronger before attempting one 🙁