Zwift, my journey, my weight and my fitness.

No way could I sit on my turbo for 6 hours so well done!

I think my cut off is 90 mins, but I'm currently not looking to do anything that requires effort over the 60 min mark (crits).

I tried Jons short mix last night, 30 mins, first 15 are brutal!

got off for a new pair of shorts

Was wondering if anyone else did this 🙂 Sweaty shorts = discomfort and saddle sores.

I'll often ride for an hour, stop and do a bike change (well saddle change and bar adjustment), ride in a different position for an hour or so, then switch back to finish up.

[url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/udderly-smooth-chamois-cream-227g/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=5360302998&kpid=5360302998&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=UK_PLA_Accessories&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid%7csqYWH2816_dc%7cpcrid%7c67090793462%7cpkw%7c%7cpmt%7c%7cprd%7c5360302998uk ]There's a prevention for that...[/url]

Out of interest, mashiehood, was it just you and the bike and the screen? Or did you have the radio on, or another screen with a film, or podcasts, or something?

just me, the bike and the screen - with some loud music and radio stations - i cant ride and watch tele or get distracted. I broke the ride down into 4 segments and paced myself accordingly.

I also started at 5:30am and very fortunate to have a rather pleasant outbuilding where i have set myself up.

PS - no soreness or numbness with a single layer of shorts and cream.

[img] [/img]

No way I could do 6 hours!

I have a monitor showing Zwift as well as a handlebar mounted tablet that I tend to use to watch youtube video's on. For longer rides I'll probably watch a movie or a TV show on the tablet.

So far today I've done one of the WBR 1 lap races and I think I'll do a longer/slower session this evening, maybe one of the SZR ones.

I have a monitor showing Zwift as well as a handlebar mounted tablet that I tend to use to watch youtube video's on. For longer rides I'll probably watch a movie or a TV show on the tablet.

sadly i am one of those people who cant seem to concentrate on multiple events -- ie excercise and watch TV.

Nathb, on the turbo is really the only time I use cream. I'm ok up to about 2 hrs but beyond that position and shorts changes come into play!

I also started at 5:30am

That explains the torch then. Did you make it realistic by riding in the dark until 7.30? Impressive stuff.

6 hours on the turbo starting at 5:30am! Not a chance I'll ever be doing that...!

mrblobby
Nathb, on the turbo is really the only time I use cream. I'm ok up to about 2 hrs but beyond that position and shorts changes come into play!

I use it all the time now, better to be safe than sorry.

So far today I've done one of the WBR 1 lap races

Hmm - the Zwiftpower results are up for that race and it has me as 24th overall (out of about 45) which seems fine, however from a category perspective it's got me down as being 9th in Cat-B with 3.78W/kg (for a 17 minute race). If only... Wouldn't have minded being upgraded to Cat-C as I was 30+ seconds ahead of the person that's down as winning that category!

I can see the normal categories are going to be a problem for such a short race, however it looks like I averaged 261W for the duration which, given my 89kg weight, is only about 2.9W/kg, so I'm struggling to see where the 3.78W/kg comes from. I'm also caught and passed 2 people just before the finish line as well, but it looks like they're both showing as being a few seconds ahead of me. Not only that but I took a snapshot just after I crossed the line and that shows elapsed time of 16:37 (it was 16:45 by the time I stopped Strava) but my race time is showing as 17:10. Very odd.

slowpuncheur - Member

[i]I also started at 5:30am[/i]

That explains the torch then. Did you make it realistic by riding in the dark until 7.30? Impressive stuff.

LOL!! That would be a good effort - simulating the current daylight conditions and using lights for an extra hit of reality.....

6 hours. Wow.

Anything beyond 50 mins is a rarity for me.

I think i've actually finished one race in 3 months!

That explains the torch then. Did you make it realistic by riding in the dark until 7.30? Impressive stuff.

Zwift on the other hand has added some much needed spice into my riding.

First quick blast on Zwift following 2 weeks off for various reasons. Don't feel my fitness has suffered (moved up 3 places on the STW Volcano leadboard 😀 ) but I'd definitely forgotten how much it hurts! Not looking forward to doing a proper race again tomorrow or Weds (although I am, obviously!)

Don't feel my fitness has suffered (moved up 3 places on the STW Volcano leadboard )

I need to have another go at a time for the Volcano lap. I've done a 6:04 but would really like to break 6 minutes as that'd get me back into the top 10 on the STW leaderboard. What I really need to do is enter a race on that circuit and see if I can hang with the big boys long enough to get some assistance from drafting them - if I recall correctly there were loads of people on the course when I set my time but they were mostly going the other way as the races were going counter clockwise that day.

Quick PSA for Neo owners... new firmware available.

Easy week for me. May join the ZWOZ ride at 9pm.

Third Tacx Flow Smart in 2 months 🙁 At least Halfords are swapping them no quibble.... just broadcast dies and no LED lights! They work OK when they do but it's getting a bit annoying - maybe not a forth one if this one dies so what's the alternative that's not a Tacx?

An alternative smart controlled turbo at the price of the Flow... there isn't one.

Maybe have a look at Kinetic or Wahoo Snap for a decent wheel driven one.

Some options here...

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/smart-trainers-the-best-options-weve-tested-and-what-to-consider-45980/

What's new in neo firmware?

If I had my time again then I'd go with a Kickr Snap I think. My Vortex more or less works at the moment though, so plan to stick with that for the time being. I've just ordered some BePRO pedals, so should have more accurate and responsive smartypowerness shortly.

What's new in neo firmware?

TBH I didn't read the details. Other forums report a further improvement in feel, pericularly during accelerations.

Eric Schlange runs Zwiftblog.com
Not only is he a fellow Team TFC member but he's also now officially a genius. What a simple yet awesome idea this is!!

Taking the KOM challenges we all play Zwift-wide!

http://zwiftblog.com/strava-smackdown-series-announced/

If only I wasn't trying to have a week off of Zwift......

Valentines today.... along with a 90 min walk in the hills and a heavy weekend riding means i'm still on 'rest' day... not sure yesterday ended up being a rest day, but today will be for sure. Chill relax and meal out with Mrs Weeksy.

I'm thinking SZR Race on Weds at 6pm. Riding 3 laps Volcano flat. But not sure we'd be finished in time as we'e out for Trainspotting 2 as my 8 year old is away for the week. I think it should work out ridght though, 23 miles, so should be just under the hour if flat course... gives me 30 mins to recover and get showered...

I've not really done a competitive race on the new turbo, only a TT, so would be interesting to see how i could do in a race scenario on it.

Signed up, thanks CH.

Will have a crack at it tomorrow night* 🙂

*assuming it's watopia and I can figure out where the segment is...

Nath- if you turn right instead of going left into the underwater tunnel, that's the KOM.
You can hack iOS just by changing the date I think?

Thanks for that MrBlobby.... opened the box and the bolts and skewer are missing! Back again.

crosshair - Member
Nath- if you turn right instead of going left into the underwater tunnel, that's the KOM.
You can hack iOS just by changing the date I think?

Oh yeah, so you can 😆

Thanks "M Howland STW", you gave me something to aim for on the laps round the volcano last night - you were 15th on the leaderboard with 6:28, I only managed 20th with 6:36 but it was nice to have a (semi) familiar name to target!

How do you exit an event (race, workout) without exiting Zwift. Everytime i "save" Zwift closes...?

How do you exit an event (race, workout) without exiting Zwift. Everytime i "save" Zwift closes...?

I don't think you can, although you usually can continue to ride after the event if you want.

99percentchimp - Member

Thanks for that MrBlobby.... opened the box and the bolts and skewer are missing! Back again

Gah! SO they still haven't sorted that, then!?

I had the same thing with my 1st Flow Smart so got a replacement ordered into the store, which I checked before leaving and that was the same - they were happy to take a skewer & bolts pack out of one of the other turbo trainers they sell (can't remember the name of it, but it's a 'dumb' Tacx & the parts fit fine - black skewer though, if that bothers you, rather than chrome.

It's like they boxed up a whole production run of these at the Tacx factory and as they left the door, someone pointed to the pallet of bolts & QR skewers and asked where they were supposed to be put....

At least you are not alone with Flow Smart woes....like I say, my first one had no bits with it, second one needed parts taking out of another unit, I got that one home & it bricked when trying to do the firmware update, I called Halfords & they swapped it for the one that I returned the day before and that one was also bricked by the firmware update......
I contacted Tacx at this point via Facebook & they sent me out a new brake unit that was pre-programmed with the correct firmware.
I asked them how I should perform my own firmware updates if required in future as I don't trust the update app (given that it wrecked 2 units) and received no answer - their response was that 'I must have been unlucky'.....!!
If I keep going with this Zwift thing, I won't be buying another Tacx when this one keels over.
Their quality control seems patchy at best & their software team seem to have been poached from Garmin.....

Further to above - does anyone have issues calibrating their Flow Smart?

It worked initially, but now I just get an 'error during calibration' or similar message (can't remember the exact wording). I have tried adjusting the tension up & down, but it hasn't solved it....
I suspect I need to re-calibrate as I seem to be getting fitter, but am struggling to match the power values I was when I first got the device working. 😆

Is it because I am trying to calibrate while already connected to Zwift?
I wonder if I should calibrate before connecting to Zwift? Easy enough to do by not plugging the Ant+ dongle in until calibration has been done, I suppose....

You should be able to complete a calibration with the tension loose enough to allow a little wheel slip. If that works you can add a bit more tension to stop it slipping, and calibrate again. You also need it warm for the calibration, at least 10 mins riding.

Flaperon - Member

You should be able to complete a calibration with the tension loose enough to allow a little wheel slip. If that works you can add a bit more tension to stop it slipping, and calibrate again. You also need it warm for the calibration, at least 10 mins riding.

Cheers. I'll try that. I did wonder if it was because the tension was too high, but reducing it by much meant it was slipping....
Same with warming it up - I did wonder if I should do this, but time was a bit short & I don't really want to 'waste' 10 mins of Zwift time getting the calibration set-up.....

If you continue to get that issue then I would definitely try disconnecting the turbo from everything else (e.g. Zwift) for the calibration. I have had a similar (kind of opposite) issue before where my Vortex got upset because I had calibrated using the Tacx app over bluetooth, then later tried to calibrate using TrainerRoad (over ANT+). The Tacx app wasn't closed down, so I think that there was some kind of ANT+ vs. BT standoff going on in the calibration corral.

Having done the short FTP test last week, I'm trying to add structure to the riding around now, I'm going to be doing workouts in the week - starting with the 50min Sweet Spot, and mixing that in with the Jon's short one mentioned above and the 2x15min FTP one. Do that for 6 weeks and then see where the FTP is after that.

2 things learned tonight from the overs and unders.....

1/ An hour between tea and a workout isn't enough.

2/ Don't have peppered mackerel for tea if there's only an hour until workout.

Boak.....

Little miss CD is pox ridden so I haven't ridden much in the last week and then I missed the start of tonight Kiss race so I decided to do a FTP test. I wish I hadn't, my FTP was less than many of the races that i'd done yet it felt harder with no one to race. Also despite the terrain not effect resistance I still struggled to maintain power on the downs, maybe I should have used mountain route.

Anyway the thread was dropping on to the third page so I though that I'd better bump it back up.

Right, I admit to not having read every single post on here, but I'm about to invest in a trainer and the frequent Flow issues are concerning me.
Are the Vortexes any more reliable? And if I end up spending that much, is there a better alternative? Fwiw I can get 10% of at Halfords.

Can't work out if it's me or the Vortex that's creaky - either way it's loud 😆

I got mine open boxed from Amazon for a little over £200 (promotion on at the time): https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00MCF5Q2I/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

It's okay bar the new creaky noise and the over reporting of power...

I've got a Vortex, had it since November and it's been fine. But I have seen online that some of them can have issues with the motor/bearings.

No complaints about mine so far though.

I have a feeling that manufacturers may be getting caught out by the a amount of use that people are getting out of turbos these days, due to zwift etc. Everyone's saying how much more they're doing now than before and perhaps quality/robustness hasn't ever been something that manufacturers have had to consider previously

My Vortex went a bit flakey after about 6 months. Half the time that I plug it in, I just get flashing red/green lights and no connection to anything. No amount of power cycling fixes it. I found that if I leave it like that (still plugged in) for a few hours, then come back and unplug and plug it in again then it tends to work... very odd. Now I just leave it permanently plugged in so that I don't have to wonder whether it'll actually work when I go out there at 6am. Aside from that(!) it essentially OK. The resistance drifts quite a lot with temperature (even within a 5 minute interval), but it wouldn't surprise me if that's true of all turbos within a similar price range. Most people might not notice if they don't also have a power meter.

I have a feeling that manufacturers may be getting caught out by the a amount of use that people are getting out of turbos these days, due to zwift etc. Everyone's saying how much more they're doing now than before and perhaps quality/robustness hasn't ever been something that manufacturers have had to consider previously

Very much doubt its that.
Keen roadies have always spent hours and hours on the turbo, and havn't needed stuff like zwift for motivation.
Cycleops for example are so confident in their product that they offer a lifetime warranty on it.

Maybe that's the point... Zwift is seeing a lot of people who [i]aren't[/i] keen roadies invest in a cheap turbo to test the waters and then end up doing mega miles! Something like the Flow Smart is obviously made to hit a very keen price point, possibly even designed solely to capitalise on the growing popularity of Zwift, etc? And clearly not a patch on the build quality of say a KK Road Machine or something else a bit more expensive which someone who was already well into road riding would've bought.

Keen roadies [b]weigh next to nothing[/b] and have always spent hours and hours on the turbo...

zilog6128
Maybe that's the point... Zwift is seeing a lot of people who aren't keen roadies invest in a cheap turbo to test the waters and then end up doing mega miles! Something like the Flow Smart is obviously made to hit a very keen price point, possibly even designed solely to capitalise on the growing popularity of Zwift, etc? And clearly not a patch on the build quality of say a KK Road Machine or something else a bit more expensive which someone who was already well into road riding would've bought.

I'm into road riding but that's why I cheaped out on the Turbo. I'd rather have some flashy wheels, kit and a collection of various cassettes for different occasions instead 😆

As soon as the clocks go back Zwift & the vortex will only be used when it's raining or I want to do an FTP test.

Keen roadies weigh next to nothing and have always spent hours and hours on the turbo...

Weight is largely irrelevant as with the exception of Elite's floating design mostly the wheel is clamped in a fixed position and supported by the frame.

How much a rider weights has next to nothing to do with stresses placed on a turbo if it's set up properly though. Maybe a bit more flex in the bike frame, granted but a decent turbo (essentially a couple of steel A-frames) shouldn't be troubled. The pressure on the roller shouldn't be any different if your 50kg or 100kg.

Anyone on the SZR 6pm apart from me and our resident super fast Zwifter ?

Anyone on the SZR 6pm apart from me and our resident super fast Zwifter ?

Not sure yet, but maybe. I'll be running in cat-D though!

Could be tempted! Would be as C.

Very much doubt its that.
Keen roadies have always spent hours and hours on the turbo, and havn't needed stuff like zwift for motivation.

... And your, ahem, weightier rider is prob putting out more actual watts, hence perhaps weight does matter

Just my guess. Having said that, I have an old kk road machine that is really well built and will probably last forever so, yes, some are probably very robust

Tonight I'm going to be Zwift'ing from around 7pm.

I'm going to be doing the CCW Volcano Circuit sweet spot training as I haven't posted a time yet: https://www.strava.com/segments/14032426

Anyone's welcome to join (be traveling at circa 4w/kg / 275w).

I decided not to race tonight - did a wander round the hilly circuit and the volcano for an hour. I'm convinced I did pass an STWer at some point though - only got a brief glimpse as I went through a big group (maybe a sub-2 ride?).

**** me. Totally knackered now, don't think I've ever pushed as hard as that (just did SZR race). Hit a new record of 193 BPM in the sprint at the end (never seen higher than 186 before) and was actually sick a little bit when I stopped. Good fun though! Didn't see any other STWers sadly, big field though almost 300 I think.

I've had to rest due to calf on left side giving me grief after long walk Monday. Was entered in that race but bailed on it sadly.

Kiss America's C @ 11am tomorrow though is plan.

I was on zwift earlier, doing intervals on the mountain up to the radio tower. Doing less racing now that outdoor races are possible, but I did the ZHR mountain race yesterday and got dropped as Monday's efforts could still be felt in my legs. Finished 14th.

I don't like the Volcano CCW as much as the clockwise circuit...

A friend and I were doing a mini train, the most we could muster was 5:17, didn't help that on our two attempts he turned around with a minute to go as when he stood up his sweat landed on his phone 😆

But I got the jersey:
[img] [/img]

That's awesome! Well done!
I've had so many 2nds on Sprint segments but never had a Jersey yet 🙁

Nice one on the Jersey.

I'll be Zwifting tomorrow.
Should have been tonight really, but went to a friend's house to pick up a load of new bits for a new road bike build...Raleigh Militis frame built up with SRAM groupset, Cole Rollen wheels and random other bits...!
Can't wait to get building it, but finding the time is proving difficult....

Nice work nathb. I had the blue spotty jersey briefly tonight for the reverse epic but it was a rather soft target.

Thanks guys!

Don't think I could beat that without doing it in a race, or switching to the vortexs power haha. It's put me in 3rd on the [url= https://www.strava.com/segments/14032426 ]STW league[/url] though so it's all good 🙂

Might do the BRS TT tonight, it's been a while since I raced, anyone up for it?

Or using that aero PU you had 😀

crosshair
Or using that aero PU you had

That's not cricket though 😆

Anyone else in for the 11am KISS Americas ?

Not sure if anyone has seen it but just came across this video of a pro (Beppu) nailing a lap on Zwift! Using a smart trainer for power but bloomin impressive.

Well ive made a mistake!

Been off the trainer for a few weeks due to work and holidays.

Checked with the importer to see where the Neo is, they said deliveries are delayed until 3rd march. So I got fed up and went out and bought a halfords tacx flow special, phone up my lbs this morning to cancel the Neo order and they've received it yesterday afternoon!!

I now own 3 turbo trainers! My old dumb Cycle ops magnetic, a new tacx flow smart and a brand new tacx Neo!!

I might start a trainer comparison website!

Okay.

I need a new turbo trainer, £300 budget - tempted to just get another Vortex.

Amazon are collecting mine later..

Well that all went wrong ! signed in at 11.01 as i was working first.... No problem i think... race not off until 11.05 However it seems as A race had gone off, i wasn't able to join.

Found a few B racers and tried to stick with them, managed it pretty well. Near the end of my ride a couple of super fast Cs came past me, but they're on for a DQ i think as they were barely dropping below 3.8w/kg.

Real shame that though as i felt OK today...

I need a new turbo trainer, £300 budget - tempted to just get another Vortex.

For a smart controlled one, I don't think there's any other option with a 300 quid budget.

However it seems as A race had gone off, i wasn't able to join.

Btw how common are ANT+ drop outs when racing? Had a comedy incident on a group ride the other night, was faffing about with my phone when I looked up and noticed all my ANT+ stuff had dropped to zero and I was way off the back of the pack. Blew my zone 2 plan catching back up!

Long USB extension cable the answer?

or get a Mac 😆

or get a Mac

I have a mac 🙂 I've stopped using BLE though as I was getting some huge lag with turbo control that I don't get with ANT+.

I must admit not actually tried my Neo with my Mac... only been using it on iPad (which works very well!)

zilog6128 - Member

or get a Mac

I know it was tongue in cheek (erm, it was, wasn't it?), but this is a brilliant STW reply....

"I might need a £5 extension lead for my ANT+ dongle...."

"No, what you need is a £1500 computer...."

Excellent.

I'm Zwifting tonight, but can't decide what to do. Might do the mountain route assuming it's Watopia today....

Was a weird one, resistance was lagging the terrain by up to about a minute! I suspect it might be the big fan I have right next to my mac and between it and the Neo.

Actually quite a few of these apply to my turbo cave...
https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000111566-My-Bluetooth-signal-is-Dropping?section=201145295

Anyway £5 extension lead ordered 🙂

I know it was tongue in cheek (erm, it was, wasn't it?), but this is a brilliant STW reply....

Btw, that video up there that monde posted, I watched about 10 seconds in there middle of it and someone on a weird looking recumbent trike thing popped out of a side street. Never seen that before.