Zwift, my journey, my weight and my fitness.

[quote=weeksy ]IT's strange isn't it how you can go from hero to 0 over a couple of days, one day you're flying, then 2-3 days later you're dying a thousand deaths looking at your power drop and your HR that won't respond....

turbo broken again?

turbo broken again?

I meant his results/performance today. Mine, i'm waiting for 17:05 to see if i can not be completely destroyed by Muggo this time. Hopefully a course that suits me a little better today, along with the fact i'll be on the fast bike. If he blows me away on the kick after the bridge, i'll have to cry !

SO who's playing and when this week ?

I'm still deliberating on whether to try a race this week or to continue working towards basic endurance. I've three days this week where I've time to kill but not able to get out. Do I trash my legs on a short effort or get the (virtual) miles in.

Do both Piemonster! Race hard to deplete your glycogen and then carry on afterwards for 30minutes at Z2.
Your body will have little but fat left to burn so you'll get great results.

I've done several TR workouts now where they employ that tactic and it's the hardest Z2 I've ever done- as bad as the end of a 60mile outdoor Z2 ride.

I meant his results/performance today. Mine, i'm waiting for 17:05 to see if i can not be completely destroyed by Muggo this time. Hopefully a course that suits me a little better today, along with the fact i'll be on the fast bike. If he blows me away on the kick after the bridge, i'll have to cry !

Haha
I’m getting the excuses in early. My legs are still quite sore from a big ride on my MTB yesterday so can’t see me being able to go too hard tonight. Was even thinking about sacking it off and resting but as you’re in I’ll join in and give it my best.

So here's the results from todays testing. Turbo was warmed up and we did some bike testing.

Isaac, Conti GP4000, SPD-SLs
5:00 @ 200W in ERG
Max HR 119
Ave HR 115

Parkwood, Hybrid tyre flats
5:00 @ 200w in ERG
Max HR 130
Ave HR 123

Parkwood, ContiG GP4000, Flats
5:00 @ 200w in ERG
Max HR 123
Ave HR 117

Re-testIsaac, Conti GP4000, SPD-SLs
5:00 @ 200W in ERG
Max HR 121
Ave HR 116

Isaac, Conti GP4000, Flats.
5:00 @ 200W in ERG
Max HR 120
Ave HR 116

I'm happy that's concise enough as far as testing goes.

I could stick on the other Kenda tyre i recently bought, but the testing shows me that even with GP4000s, the Isaac is a chunk lower HR for me. So fitting a tyre in the middle of the two is still pointless, the Isaac is quickest/best/whatever.

A pleasing one is that i was the same on SPD-SLs and Flats, that helps as i wonder if part of my knee issue i sometimes get on the Isaac is down to SPD-SLs, so i can run flats now on it and know i'm pretty much exactly the same.

Unlikely to race now and will just call it an easy/gentle/recovery spin day 🙂

That’s music to my ears. I’ll definitely be on tomorrow around the same time though

All at the same cadence though??

Essentially yes. I was sitting 95-98 roughly on all bikes all sessions.

Ah cool as that can affect your hr for the same power.

So could you feel where and why the Parkwood was draggier/more effort? I assume it's just the tyre limit of 80psi??

I use my Stage which measures power almost at source but it shows why keeping your drivetrain etc clean and checking tyre pressure every time is essential for a Smart trainer- otherwise you are wasting watts 🙂

Yeah it was simply more effort, as soon as swapping to the GP4000 on Parkwood it span much nicer. But that was still a smidgen higher HR than the Isaac, only 2-3bpm, but still 2-3. The Parkwood feels more like you're using the top of thigh muscles more, even at 200w which isn't killing me, you can feel top of thighs noticing things more.

I pumped the hybrid up to 100 for today's testing. So pretty much the same as Isaac give or take the readings from pump.

Another interesting point was just how much doing things affect your HR, when riding along it was moving very rarely, only an odd beat up or down, but I'd grab a cloth, wipe some sweat and it's up by 3bpm more, that was where I got a higher HR on Isaac test 2, just a bit of movement outside of the norm.

Today it was the 09:10 WBR Flat race, but with very tired legs after yesterday's TT around a windy Thruxton. No time for a warm up but it was good to get a friendly message from blader1611 while waiting for the off. My usual slow start was almost to slow, I just about hung on through the tunnel and the climb from the marina. The two STW riders and one other were finally dropped approaching the end of the lap, but the thought of minus points forced me to sprint to close the 10 second gap to the lead group. Once there I sat in and tried to get around with the least amount of effort. I ended up finishing just 5 seconds behind the winner in 7th place and another 17 CVR points.

Zwift Masters race tomorrow, 10:30 and may be 17:30 if I have the legs.

Okay to hell with it, I'm going to attempt the KISS races this week.

Want to try and get to Elite on Zwiftrankings for reasons I'm yet to work out...

Anyone joining?

I did 30k of the 41k SZR joyride, had to stop to get ready for work. It was supposed to be an easy start with a slow build up in speed over the course of the ride.

It started out ok but the leader disappeared, presumably due to computer or internet issues and that was taken as an excuse by the group to speed up a lot. I and several others got dropped. Eventually another group formed and we caught a bigger group. After a rough start I wasn't feeling too bad when I had to stop.

I am feeling the effects now, probably two reasonably hard mtb rides on the weekend haven't helped. Not sure about racing this week. At the moment I don't feel like I have the legs for it.

Got to admit "Elite" cat does sound good. Can't do KISS tomorrow but I do need to find some bigger races later in the week and try to get some bigger scores.

trying for the 20.03 KISS B race tomorrow - see if the reverse hilly route's any better for a shit climber (though as usual, descriptions vary as to what the route actually is)

The app is usually correct and yep, says 4x Hilly reverse. It's survivable as a bigger rider until the last lap attack. Watch out for Innovation- they usually launch a flier from just after the bridge before the reverse KOM but not sure what you can do to counter it.

I'm going with the 16:05 WBR 4 laps flat today. Partly out of interest to see how i go compared to last weeks effort. Although of course, group sizes and pace can dictate speed a lot more or less than previous efforts. But i should get a reasonable idea what's going on with me.

weeksy - Member
I'm going with the 16:05 WBR 4 laps flat today

I was hoping to do the same, but woken up with a bloody bad back. Hopefully it'll ease off through the day.
I won't be impressed if I miss today as I was going to do one of races around 8pm last night and my wife talked me out of it. She was pretending to be sympathetic, but most likely she didn't want to listen to the hum of the turbo and my swearing while she was trying to watch tele.

Oh man.. i only entered that one as you had !

But admittedly, it's arguably the best ride from a planning perspective for my day, so no biggy if you're not in...But always nice to have some other STWer about when you're racing.

I should be ok for it.

CH can’t you just stick to their wheels? That’ll counter it for sure?

Z1/2 commutes for me today, no silliness like traffic light sprinting 😆 Then KISS at 8pm where hopefully I get a top 10 spot again.

Smashing... because based upon last week, my target is to hold your wheel for some of it... especially now you're a 3.0w/kg kind of guy ! I'll be making you work at the front for sure.

weeksy - Member
Smashing... because based upon last week, my target is to hold your wheel for some of it... especially now you're a 3.0w/kg kind of guy ! I'll be making you work at the front for sure.

Did I mention I had a bad back 😀

LOL you can mention whatever you want... 🙂 I'm tired and feeling old today... but we'll both give it a good go i'm sure.

Longer distance than is ideal in my world, but sod it, what's the worst that can happen 🙂

"survivable" sounds nice CH !

I'm not even that big, 78kg, just don't really have a hill sprint which often means dropping on the first hill. I think the hill is a bit further in to the lap this way round; it's the really early climbs that hurt most.

we'll see, hopefully. No way I'll be chasing anyone who makes a big break up the final hill though

78kg!!!! That's mountain goat territory 😀

Yeah, you will have course have a crazy start but then the whole of the tunnel to psyche yourself up for the reverse KOM 🙂

If it wasn't going to screw with all my data i'd love to have a pop in a C race hilly but at 75kg for example, just to see how the riding reacts on the flat/hills. It would be very interesting to see.

However, mostly pointless, as i don't see me getting to 95kg in the forseeable future, let alone 75kg lol

I've wondered about seeing what 70kg would feel like, too

damn, it's a slippy slope, this doping. EPO anyone ?? 😀

Longer distance than is ideal in my world, but sod it, what's the worst that can happen

As a 68kg guy who has only been cycling 6 weeks I can tell you the flat makes it really hard to keep up with the heavier more powerful guys, but the hills are really fun 🙂

I am tossing up between the zwift workout at 5.45 or the prs 3 lap hilly race at 6. Leaning towards the former as I need to do something to start getting my watts up consistently. I am also intrigued with the idea of everyone staying together regardless of watts out.

78kg 😥

If I could get to 78kg I could race in Category A! Unfortunately for me to get to 78kg I'd have to lose a couple of limbs 😀

In the majority i think i've got drafting down pretty well myself, i spend a VERY small chunk of races at the front, especially when we've got a few Bs or strong Cs.

The issue with that though is that you can miss attacks if they split the group and you're too far back.

Weeksy, why don’t you do it tonight but join me instead of the race - that way you can be my domestique and it won’t mess with your zwiftpower/CVR stuff 😆

Mmmmmm. Almond croissants for breakfast 🙂

Still can't work out why i'm nearly 100kg 😉

I'll put the power down to bridge the gap, and end up catching up and then flying past the group

Ha, yeh. I'm struggling with this one. Always seems to be too much or too little.

Regretted not checking the trains this morning. Lots of cancellations mean I needn't have set the alarm for 5am to get a ride in. Pah!!!

Mmmm, almond croissant. That's a brilliant idea!

I did the WBR four lap race yesterday evening, but got bumped out of the results because I'm not on a smart trainer - is that just an WBR thing or does this happen a lot?

I think my smart trainer is a bit basic and doesn't have this pedal feedback that I've read other trainers do, so when I slow the cadence down it drops too much hence dropping to the back. I've only really just noticed it since moving up to Cat C as I was generally riding on my own in D. So I reckon I'll get the hang of it with more practice.

Almond Croissant? what's with all this healthy foreign muck. Good old fashion British sausage roll from the canteen for my breakfast 😀

phil56 - Member
I did the WBR four lap race yesterday evening, but got bumped out of the results because I'm not on a smart trainer - is that just an WBR thing or does this happen a lot?

What Cat was that in ?

I did the WBR four lap race yesterday evening, but got bumped out of the results because I'm not on a smart trainer - is that just an WBR thing or does this happen a lot?

Did you have a heart rate monitor connected? I think WBR state that anyone not on a smart turbo without one gets DQ'd

Copied from the WBR race description

While TeamWBR wants to be inclusive, we also want to have race results that are robust and as fair as possible. Therefore certain rider setups will not be included in official Zwift Power or Cycligent Virtual Ranking results. All non-HRM or zPower will be DQ'ed either automatically or upon request by anyone who feels that it is needed. Many don't care, so they do not need to request, but if someone cares, they tell Frederic Jacquemin and the DQ is made.

Cat B, and I did have a heart rate monitor.

maybe someone reported you and the binned you then ?

Looking at the results in zwiftpower my weight is in a red box (as are a couple of others) Any idea what that signifies?

I think that just highlights the weights outside the average, so it will highlight light as well as heavier riders. I'm always in the red as I'm a fat bastard.

The good thing about the WBR races is if you join their facebook group you can ask the questions of the race organisers and they are generally pretty good at giving feedback on reasons for upgrades and DQs.

[quote=phil56 ]Looking at the results in zwiftpower my weight is in a red box (as are a couple of others) Any idea what that signifies?

it used to mean the highest value in that column for your category.

Really enjoying these Zwift races at the moment (3 weeks in) but what are the opinions on [i]just[/i] doing races all winter in preparation for spring vs. doing something more structured?

Also noticed there are a couple of group workouts appearing on Zwiftpower...anyone done one of these?

Mate of mine did the Zwift workout, said it was quite strange as it uses 'elastic' to hold the group together... So even slower riders are still dragged at the group speed... .How, i have no idea... But it does mean if you're quick/slow, you still end up in a group ride. I guess you have to use your power for your training, rather than your actual speed.

Yeah Weeksy, the ride summary says that the rubber banding only stops if you stop pedaling completely. Not sure what the benefit of the group is other than the knowledge that some poor bastard in Japan in going through the same VO2Max hell as you

I'm more nervous about tonight's race than I get normally when I'm about to race at Hillingdon 😆

I guess it's like a trip to the dentist, you know it's going to be a pain fest either in the room or on the way out when you get the bill 😆

Oh wise zwifters i have an issue/conundrum i would like to pass by you if i may. I have just done the KISS race but it was a very weird ride. I updated my tacx beforehand and did 3 calibration tests to be sure wheel was of correct tightness. In the warm up on the line i sensed that my pedalling didnt really seem to tally up with what the screen was showing but i just ignored it. Start the race as normal i.e mad dash and all went well and i was at the front but i was cruising in a gear 2 further down the cassette than normal pulling usual cadence. This is normally a gear i use if i have to put in a 30 second burst to catch people. Then somebody in the race said the physics of the game were very poor at the minute but he didnt elaborate. Also there was no list showing where you were in your category and the listing showed all cats not just your own. Do we think zwift was playing up or has the tacx update altered something and does this mean i have just had an easier ride because of it or been running wrong/harder all this time before todays update. It just felt a little easier today almost like less resistance so a bit more spinny but the stats dont appear too much different to normal.

Don't know the answer, but this is why i like having Crosshair nearby, as he can bring a bike over with a known good configuration of his power meter, stick on turbo and compare results.

You know a mate with a Stages/whatever ?

Can Zwift import Garmin workouts?

My coaching software will output the desired effort into Garmin workout form, which of course I can use with Swift it just mean one eye on the Garmin for the start/end of intervals, but it'd be nice to have them in Zwift

you can create your own workout 100%. It's just a question of setting the intervals and the associated power/times required.

I don't know if you can import though sorry.

I just created a 5 min workout yesterday in ERG mode at 200w.. it was quick and took 30s to created.

Oh, no forget it - its able to export as .ZWO - Zwift workouts. Cool - goodbye Trainerroad....

Weeksy no mates with power meters plus also no mates 🙂

Look at the results for the cat B and how close that top 10 are, now thst was an exciting race tinged with a little disappointment with my placing but only 3 mins slower than Mr Cartwright.

[url= https://www.zwiftpower.com/race.php?id=13458 ]Cat B result[/url]

We're taking all your previous results as bogus then and you're not actually quicker than me after all 😉

blader1611 - Member
Weeksy no mates with power meters plus also no mates

Look at the results for the cat B and how close that top 10 are, now thst was an exciting race tinged with a little disappointment with my placing but only 3 mins slower than [b]Mr Cartwright.[/b]

Cat B result

He's already raced today!! Music to my ears!!

Although if those stats are to believed he was just on tick over...

But not to distract, nice result there, well done mate!

I tried to up the pace to tire him out for you nath but it soon became apparent after about 4 yards that he could idle faster than i can sprint.

LOL i feel like that against you and ScaredyP !

Thanks, appreciated 8)

OK please be gentle here

I've just invested in a tacx2240 and went on the other night to just check things linked up ok and using Bluetooth got on the phone etc like a dream

so.....what do I do now?

Should I get used to it all via ftp type stuff or what?

I'm frankly a bit intimidated by all this race talk so want to ease myself in before making Cat D my own!

turn it on.... ride... Just that simple mate.

Ride round, if someone comes by you and you're feeling good, get after them.... next thing you know you pick up another couple of randoms, suddenly you're a bunch of 4 drafting and you're trying to stick with the fast guy.... next thing you know there's a pool of sweat under you and 45 mins have gone by...

I’d say just go for a shortish flat race or maybe a group ride if there’s one when you have time available. Enter as Cat D if you like, you’ll only be upgraded if you are outside the limits.
Just riding around is ok and certainly better than any amount of time spent on a normal trainer but doing it in a group makes it more interesting and racing gives you the motivation to push yourself. Even if you don’t manage to stick with the main group you’ll find someone to race.

so.....what do I do now?

Download the mobile link app?

Have a look at the Zwift Calendar online as well.

There's a Pack sub2 ride at 7pm, should have a big group size and is an easy pace.

Sooooo... I'm considering joining the Zwift-ness over winter. What's the concensus on a decent turbo?

I've got £300-400 to spend. Previously had a Kinetic Rock n Roll and loved the ride quality, but the new smart units are a) expensive, b) not ANT+ compatible. So they'll work with Zwift, but won't report data to my Garmin.

Two options I'm looking at atm are 1) just get a Rock n Roll "smart" and sort the resistance manually via the gears, or 2) find some more cash for a second hand Wahoo Kickr or similar.

What would the hive mind do? Any experience of non-smart trainers on Zwift?

Can't make the 16:05 now. Bums!

Footy match at school for my boy and I'm there to support him.
Not sure when I'll get on now or whether it will be an event or not. Liverpool playing later so will be watching that with my boy. Maybe about 5pm.

Why would you want the info on your garmin??

My Tacx vortex broadcasts on both bluetooth and ant+ simultaneously, I'm sure many others do too.

I wouldn't find Zwift as engaging with a standard trainer..

Weeksy, 8pm race is calling!!!

My flux is trying to kill me - last used in March, didn’t seem this hard then

I’ve had numerous powermeters over the years and I know my FTP is in the range of 265-305 depending on fitness - but after an hour on the volcano flat (one excursion over the 4km Hill) and I’m struggling to hold 160ish - just feels like treacle

Settings are all standard, and calibrated in the tacx app

Any suggestion?

Weeksy, 8pm race is calling!!!

That's when me and my lad are watching football.

6pm or 6:10pm looking likely.

Weeksy you $##t 😀

That was a killer. I went out way too quick and stayed at the front with a very fast group for 1.5 laps then dropped back stayed there for another lap then really died and had to solo TT to try and stay ahead of another group who caught me on the last hill. Stayed with them and 2 guys used PU on the sprint finish. Took one of them but couldn’t quite catch the other who had just enough to take a photo finish.
Definitely wasn’t at my best though. Legs still heavy from a big MTB ride Sunday and a sore back. Glad it’s over.

Sorry fella, I did try to give you notice on here.
To make things worse, they lost 4-1.

I'm going for the 6pm, 3 laps reverse hilly. Ewwww.

No worries mate. Glad I didn’t see it tbh as I probably wouldn’t have ridden.

Reverse hilly route is easy, there is only 1 hill, much prefer that was than normal route.
Anyone who has zwifted today was the rider list working ok? I could see every cat and had no ranking for my category like it used to be before the last update.

Zwift has suddenly become very very hard work. Where have all of these fast, fit people come from?

I've got £300-400 to spend

This was my original budget. I ended up with the following;

1 - Elite Direto trainer
1 - new iPad
1- Tacx tablet mount
3 - 6x4 12mm high density rubber gym mats
1 - big chrome electric fan

Hope that helps 😆

Ps, I’d get the Wahoo Kickr Snap (the Kickr is the expensive wheel off version, the Kickr snap is the £500 one). Actually, I’d get the Elite Direto.

From the outside world. 😆

It was working ok for 3 laps. Then the rider list disappeared from the screen altogether. It was showing on the mobile link app though.