**** that hurt.
Tell us more. C or D ? Distance? Time?
cat C. only live results are up and showing 3.0W/kg.
was quite enjoying it in a good group until box hill and then it turned into a ITT to the finish. rolled in on my own 10s behind the guy in front and 30s ahead of the next group.
Nice mate nice!
25th/53. slightly sick feeling is starting to subside, i need to loose 10kg and I could start knocking out some decent figures..
Where do you see the results?
I did this one too - my first full, proper race in B Group 🙂
Ended up 72nd out of 240 odd, which i'm quite pleased about. bumped my w/kg up to 3.5 & wasn't close to last in B.
Schoolboy error of going way too hard in the first 5 minutes. I think we were pushing nearly 400w for that - far too much for me. Suffered in the middle & tried to gain it back at the end.
I don't really know what i'm doing so I just try & race everyone 😀
Well, at least I wasn't last! 18th in Cat D ... such a long way to go ! Why does it have my weight in a red box! Whats wrong with 118kg! 😈
I think it denotes the highest value in that column. you won!!!
@Hob Nob
The full gas starts are a feature of KISS. You need to be in it to win it but then cling to the fastest group you can. You then have a few miles to recover before Box Hill blows it apart 😉
Errrrmaaageeerrd, just buried myself in Cat D and flopped into 14th.
Wife is disgusted at my sweatyness and taste in motivational music (Licensed to Ill)
Your wife and mine seem to have similar thoughts.
did anyone else see the gold glowing bike? passed me at the bottom of box hill.
Gaaaaaah!
Wiggle have £100 off Wahoo Kickr Snap on black Friday sales...!
Must...keep...away...from...wallet!
[url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wahoo-kickr-snap-smart-turbo-trainer/ ]http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wahoo-kickr-snap-smart-turbo-trainer/[/url]
There is an unlockable Tron bike which has glowing wheels!did anyone else see the gold glowing bike? passed me at the bottom of box hill.
Wiggle have £100 off Wahoo Kickr Snap on black Friday sales...!
Same price over at Sigmasport too. At retail it's way overpriced. Not too bad at 399.
Can't find anywhere doing a good deal on a Neo though 🙁 Best I can find is using a 125 quid off a 750 spend over at Tredz but I really don't want to buy from them.
DCR says no reason to go for the Snap over the (much cheaper) Vortex!
I already posted that on the smart trainer thread! Then someone beat that with an Amazon price (OOS, but IME they always honour the price when they restock!)Can't find anywhere doing a cheaper Neo though Best I can find is using a 125 quid off a 750 spend over at Tredz but I really don't want to buy from them.
Then someone beat that with an Amazon price
Now that is more like it. Hadn't spotted that. If it's out of stock then a good chance you'll end up with a new one too and not old stock. Give their QC issues I'm still rather buy it from a retailer who I know work hard on their returns (e.g. SigmaSport) but 150 quid is a good old saving.
No bother with Amazon returns IME.
It's in the basket... hovering over buy button 😕
lol, yeah I will go for it soon unless someone comes up with something better (looking unlikely!)
Done! 😀
If I see any better deals I'll just cancel the order. As you say though, it looks unlikely.
First shot on this last night.
Needed to buy a new PC - our 7yr old Mac is busy in the office, so PC World came up trumps with a £300 PC that has been plugged into a telly.
Mrs has an ant+ stick for her garmin, used that
Halfords for a Vortex Smart £315, less 10% with BC discount
Work has a voucher scheme where you pay in £100 a month salary, and you get a rebate from Currys/Halfords etc - so all in less than 600 for my setup.
I already had a Garmin 520 with the cadence and speed/hrm sensors needed... can see it being addictive... and easier to get me to ride after a day in the office...
hated turbos to date...
Also had my first go last night - really enjoyed it - 45 minutes when I felt like I couldn't be bothered. The time flew by and it all setup and paired easily.
Am I missing something though... do I need to tell it what wheel size / tyre I'm using? Also it's guessing cadence from the smart turbo - is that just bollocks and I should buy a dedicated ant+ cadence meter?
I'm doing the FTP 6 day training or something along those lines to ease myself into it.
Wheres the best place to look at my rides data once I've finished riding? (not racing)?
Wheres the best place to look at my rides data once I've finished riding? (not racing)?
strava
I've joined as well. Turbo arrived on Monday and been on it 4 times. I would never have managed that without the Zwift virtual side of things - that said, I'm still struggling to understand Zwift and all the racing etiquette, power-ups etc... It is good fun though.
Thanks everyone on the thread - it inspired me to get on zwift.
Just did my first ride - really good fun and quite immersive. Anyone else find themselves leaning into the corners?
What's a good race to start with? FTP is around 2.6
My first Zwift pootle should occur this weekend. I'm collecting my turbo after tomorrow's club ride, and the Ant dong,e is ready to go. Rather excited about it all - getting some good training in without being wet / cold / dark / muddy is going to be a huge novelty...
Alexx cadence is guessed unless you specifically have a cadence sensor. It seems to just guess it at about 90rpm for me.
My cadence sensor stopped for a while and i would say it's far better to know your cadence in some way as some of the training stuff suggests the cadence to aim for as well as power.
I bought a dual one and a suunto ant+ usb and its working flawlessly for me.
Halfords dropped a tenner off the Tacx Flow T2240 today. And there is 6% Topcashback until tomoorow
Arse - bought a t2240 yesterday for 199. Oh well the repurposing of an old mtb into a zwift steed is going well budget so far £60 for wheels. It's a parts bin build and I've only got a mtb crankset with 42 front and - 11-28 on the back. How much do you use the gears on a turbo? Do I need 2 rings up front? Yes I could just be patient and try it myself but I'm not patient and just waiting for wheels to turn up in post then I'm off to wattopia.
If you have the realism set to 100% then you will you the full range of gears as if riding outside. I have mine set to 25% and stay on the big ring for all rides and races on whatever course Zwift is using.
Single ring it is then - better chain retention could be decisive if it gets bumpy 😉
Flow down to £189 as jam mentioned, but go through Quidco, 12% cashback (expires in 1 day). They (Quidco) had an almighty f**up this weekend with loads of deals not available through their website, so they have basically doubled all offers, but for this weekend only.
Dammit. Had just persuaded myself I didn't need one. That brings it down to 166 so I slipped with PayPal credit. Anyone want to buy a kinetic road machine...
Just taken my own advice and ordered one. £190, 10% email offer from Halfords from 2 weeks ago, plus 10% BC discount (if they accept it in store when I pick it up Wednesday, sometimes, depending on who serves you I find, they dont do 'double discounts'), then the 12% cashback from Quidco brings it down effectively to roughly £135. Bargain !!
Went for the 2240, and I'm trying to pair it up to my MBP (3 years old) via BT.
Doesn't seem to want to see it. It appeared once as a 'classic trainer'.
Is it happier with ANT+?
Been on Zwift for a couple of days. I have an oldish Elite Crono Fluid trainer so went down a fairly cheap route and got the Wahoo Blue SC. Works brilliantly and a lot of fun!
Previous to this I've only used the trainer indoors for a couple of months whilst recovering from an injury...but I can see myself using this weekly.
I've really never sweated so much, even though I commute most days on the bike. It's a great tool 🙂
After saying I found it a bit meh earlier in the week I gave it another go today. Didn't race just rode the Pretzel route up until the steep icy bit ( I meant to ride more but the live profile in the top said it went down after the arch so I gave it full beans to get to it only for it to turn off and get mega steep, I had was barely doing 2mph at this points so decided to quit).
I'm only using a dumb trainer (Elite Crono Fluid) so I'm surprised how the hills really did feel like hills. At one point I actually flinched when I rode over a pile of snow 😳
I've had man flu on and off for a week so I'm looking forward to giving it a proper go when I'm feeling better.
the newest Tacx trainer (Neo) has something called Road Patterns which is supposed to simulate going over boardwalk, cobbles, etc. Very realistic apparently!I'm surprised how the hills really did feel like hills. At one point I actually flinched when I rode over a pile of snow
The tacx neo has come down to £852: [url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0112VE4NO/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1480327957&sr=8-1&keywords=tacx+neo&condition=new ]Tacx Neo[/url]
I did the FTP test which wasn't a nice experience but Zwift made it a little nicer. I have my W/KG now, so ready to try a race. Which races would you recommend?
I was wondering; is there anything stopping a cat A joining a cat D race and just sitting at 2.49kg/w for the entire race?
I was wondering; say if I came out as a Cat A (I didn't) is there anything stopping me from joining a cat D race and just sitting at 2.5kg/w for the entire race?
boredom?
I'm right on the D/C threshold at the moment, I did a D race last time and it was hard to try and ride to a number, not go to fast and not get DQ'd. I came third in the end.
next race I did was a C, much more satisfying pushing it and trying to hang on.
If you race below your designated class you're auto disqualified... So an A rider who's a known A can't do that.... but someone who SHOULD be an A can go in and race as a D if they want...
I can't imagine for a second why anyone would want to race in a class below their actual ability even if it means winning the race. As soon as my stats forced me up into C i was bloody made up with that and went straight out and finished about 2/3rds in C... Which again, made me very happy
Race recommendation... really it makes no difference. I'd pick whatever course suited me more so than the actual series organiser. For me that means anything like London flat, Watopia Flat, etc.... i'd go for that myself, whereas if i were 55kg i'd be entering a hilly route and using the lack of weight for climbing... All the races i've entered have been the same, go out hard, hang on, hang on again 🙂
Cheers! I was just wondering in case I missed my cats start time.
Is there a STW race team yet? 😆
The tacx neo has come down to £852
Out of stock though. Be interesting to see if / when / what you get.
I was wondering; is there anything stopping a cat A joining a cat D race and just sitting at 2.49kg/w for the entire race?
Boredom of riding at zone 1 for an hour? And I can't imagine it being a perticularly satisfying result (and far outweighed by the potential ribbing you'd get from riding mates.)
mrblobby
Out of stock though. Be interesting to see if / when / what you get.
They always seem to keep to their word on these sorts of things. I can't afford one to test this theory though.
I've added / starting stalking a couple of people from this thread..
Nathb, shall report back on what turns up 🙂
mrblobby
Nathb, shall report back on what turns up
V. jealous! The boss would kill me, I'm pushing my luck at 3 bikes. 😆
Couldn't find you on strava/zwift @mrblobby, I think I've added weeksy & jam bo?
Here's my profile if you'd like some company or a stalker 😈 out on zwift: [url= https://www.strava.com/athletes/8544067 ]Strava[/url]
Yup, you've added me matey.
not seen any notification.
Nathb, I'm still a Zwift virgin, yet to sign up. I'll give it a go when the Neo turns up.
Anyone doing the 8pm race tonight? Probably a bit late for me, might do a workout instead!
The 2nd base race? not sure. was thinking about it, my tacx flow has just turned up but I had tired legs when I rode last night and its a 3 lap race.
Ah, so I did need an ANT+ dongle for the 2240 & Mac....should be here tomorrow.
codybrennan -
Ah, so I did need an ANT+ dongle for the 2240 & Mac....should be here tomorrow.
You don't have to, download the Mobile Link app and use your iPhones bluetooth. Providing your speed/heart rate and cadence sensors are also bluetooth..
https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/206576683-Bluetooth-LE-BLE-Support-in-Zwift
says mac supports direct bluetooth connection. although the mobile link works well as long as both devices are on the same network.
As long as the iMac or MBP is 2012 or later you should be able to use built in BT. I had to click on a cog icon on the Zwift setup screen and select built-in bluetooth (rather than mobile link) for it to work IIRC.says mac supports direct bluetooth connection. although the mobile link works well as long as both devices are on the same network.
Anyone using the iOS Zwift app yet?
Applied for the beta but not heard anything yet!
Right, I'm all set up and working. Proper workout, even the 3km I rode as a test of the setup, and very more-ish!
Quick question - when I leave a ride, the program always quits (on my MBP...) and needs a fresh login and password. Is this normal?
Yes, the interface could do with a bit of work IMO! There's a box you can pick to remember you & login automatically, sometimes it works for me sometimes not. They must've developed the software in conjunction with STW. 😀
Anyone tried one of the group rides with a race on the final lap e.g. the 6pm SZR one tonight?
Quick question - when I leave a ride, the program always quits (on my MBP...) and needs a fresh login and password. Is this normal?
Yes this has always been a PITA.
Anyone tried one of the group rides with a race on the final lap e.g. the 6pm SZR one tonight?
IME all events are a race in the last lap, you'll almost certainly die.
Just put my tacx 2240 together, it's a bit flimsy compared to my kinetic...
Not really surprising! Bargain basement smart trainer vs massive lump of steel. Shame Kinetic haven't come up with a decent smart option, I'd definitely have considered it!
Speaking of flimsy, one of the lads texted to tell me he had an accident and binned it in the lounge as he couldn't unclip.
ta for the Ride On! Was doing FTP test tonight
Second ride tonight, managed another 50 minute session on the day 2 ftp training.. not sure I'd have managed much more in an actual ftp test though - however 50 minutes went fast and I was wasted. The screen really does help keep you engaged with little bits of information when you need it.
I feel my ftp is going to be pitiful when I get around to it after these training rides, least it's something to improve upon!
Question... does it matter if I'm not doing the days 1 after another?
I'm doing the "Zwift - 6wk Beginner FTP Builder" but I did the first day last Thursday and the second day today?
I don't want to turbo every evening, but I do want to do 3-4 sessions a week
Thanks
If you plan to do any IRL riding you may find 3/4 turbo sessions is too many. I'm doing a couple of one hour races or pace events, one evening run, one weekend run and Sunday ride and that more than enough for an old fella like me.
Edwald Boassen Hagen was on tonight, I let him drop me. 😉
Yeah, I do a sunday mtb ride and a thursday night ride so thinking realistically I should only do 2-3 sessions (or 4 if I don't do the night ride). Other than that my only movement is climbing 1 night a week and then I just sit at a desk...
Any thoughts appreciated.
Also does Zwift calculate a FTP even if I don't do a FTP test? It says mine is on 207 at the moment
Thanks for the advice above on Mobile Link, all- what I'd been finding on my MBP (only 3 years old, so reasonably up to date) was that BT to the 2240 only found it if I asked it to look for 'classic trainers'; I assumed it needed ANT+ for the funkier stuff.
Not to worry. Cheers.
Missed the start of the 2nd base race faffing with new trainer, which was good because I really didnt have the legs for it.
Smart trainer is good. Feels flimsy putting it together but pretty solid on. What's everyone doing with the trainer difficulty setting. Ran it at 100% which felt fine but had to go up and down the gears a lot. Might try 50% next time.
Cranked out 500w on the sprint and it smelt a bit hot....
I'm commuting at the moment (6.5 miles each way), then jumping straight onto the turbo - working quite well as I'm already warmed up and it's keeping my mileage at an average. Aiming to do 3/4 weekday sessions of which only 1 is intense, the rest I'm trying not to go beyond zone 2.
@alexx have you done a FTP test to begin with? I'd probably do one before starting the training program so you have it on record how much you have improved by in the 6 weeks?
Just finished the KISS second base race. I am completely and utterly shagged, and not in a good way.
I'm certainly going to feel it in the morning. Again, you mucky minded people, not in a good way. 🙂
Good work Adam 🙂 any good battles ?
One with someone called B.Krauss from the US. We sort of stayed with each other for about 75% of the race until he shot off towards the end. 🙂
EDIT: I came waaaaaaaay down the list, the first time I've tried something like this and I'm really unfit. Still - the only way is up (except for a few below me and they were *miles* behind).
Have to admit I haven't done anything with my Tacx Flow just plugged it in and rode. Power is very similar to my dumb trainer but I get resistance on he hills.
If calibration requires Bluetooth it may have to wait as I find BT very frustrating and would rather use ANT+
A slight update - I made an error, looking on Strava the rider I was with was a lady rider called Barb from Montana. So I sent her kudos and hope she doesn't think I'm stalking from the UK!
*owmylegs*