Zwift, my journey, my weight and my fitness.

**** me, forgot how brutal the finish was for the Richmond UCI course. Short, very steep climb, followed by sprint on the flat! Well pleased with my finish though, roared past a couple of people on the sprint. Was sick as soon as I crossed the line so know I couldn't have given it any more 🙂

you were going well Zilog, fast race, huge group again...took me a while to work out As Bs Cs etc all starting together...is that just normal for SZR?

Really enjoyed the rolling hills of Richmond, so much so that I ended up setting a new FTP in the first 20 minutes, something I'd never be able to do in a test ironically! It did mean a DQ on Zwiftpower but not too fussed...

Yeah it's a good course, just need to remember to leave a bit more in the tank for the last climb next time 😆

You were really flying, was with your group for a bit but couldn't hack the pace & had to drop back a bit! Need to work on my pacing I think. Always go out too hard and have to back off a bit half way through, normally able to recover a bit for a decent finish though!

I still have a lot to learn about racing.

Probably didn't go out hard enough at the start and got into a group towards the back of the field. Stayed with them until the hills when I managed to drop them all and I caught and passed another group on the hill as well. Then TT'd the first 5 or 6k of the second lap when I was caught by the group. Stayed with them until the hills when I dropped them all again but one guy. I was half a wheel behind him at the finish.

I did manage a 45sec pb improvement on the second lap and a kom and one other pb (broad st?) as well. Overall I was about 40 seconds faster than last time.

I feel like I am getting better but still a lot of work to do.

Happy birthday Weeksy!

Probably been said before but the start is everything in all the zwift races I’ve done. Bust a gut to get in that lead group and then let them drag you along.

Yeah agreed. It's interesting looking at the results that guys a couple of minutes ahead of me had similar numbers to me. Clearly they had a better start.

I have had an enforced lay off from riding since Sunday. My back just wasn't getting any better, which also meant I had to avoid this thread as I know reading about all races you will be doing would mean I would just have to take part.
I woke up this morning for the 1st time since Monday 16th and my back was ok and also noticed that there was an app update with the new map extension. So I might squeeze in a quick race this evening before I go out on my mtb.

New course!

The power of R&R, with just commuting/zwifting in Z1-2, look at the resting heart rate tumble!!

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I’ll be back to my normal 45 soon 😆

And a ride of the course.

Thanks for that link beej, looks a nice scenic route and quite hilly/lumpy.

Waiting to see what the weather brings in the next few hours before deciding if i'll Zwift it or a few hours outdoors on the lanes.

12:15 on Volcano flat is likely to be the one if i Zwift it.

Looks nice! Interesting that you need >level 10 to access too.

Can't see that being a problem for most of the Zwift addicts on here 🙂

I'm about 2km off level 24. 40,000m on Everest challenge. I've a target of Level 25 + Tron bike for the end of the year.

"Zwift? Yeah, finished it."

Can we all just quit then and get fat and slow again ?

Beej - i had the same goal as you but i dont think i am going to manage it. I am start of level 23 and 69% complete on Everest challenge. Anyone have any idea how much climbing is done on Watopia mountain so i can figure out how many times i have to climb it to complete everest.

I've hit level 25 now, but no idea on the everesting, i'd expect i'm a long way away though.

Watopia mountain from the normal start, including the extra bit at the top is about 650m. The Mountains loop is about 750m.

The post level 25 thing is a running joke now on Zwift Riders 😀

Joe did a great job at smashing out the Everest challenge- he probably cost himself 500 miles by riding up the mountain so much 😆

Can't see that being a problem for most of the Zwift addicts on here

Don't think you even need to be an addict. I'm not far off level 8 in less than one month.

Watopia mountain from the normal start, including the extra bit at the top is about 650m. The Mountains loop is about 750m.

I rode the mountain loop before breakfast today. Zwift is telling me I did 686m ascent. And I'm assuming on one of the loops I do the other way round 692m for the loop.

You're right, my vague guess from memory was a bit high.

Looks a decent price https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/accessories/?utm_source=gb-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=outletmtb2017-cw43-2-10/26/2017&category=T230#open=&id=63198 (Tacx Flux), kinda waiting to see if the new BKool one gets discounted though...

I only realised the other day that I’d left the challenge on California, probably completed that challenge 11/12 months ago? 😆

Oh for the love of all that's Holy, that was tough in the end.

3 laps Volcano flat, but that way round isn't as flat as i'd like !

Early split as usual and i was in the bunch which was 7th - 21st in C. I say comfortably and pulled the hills pretty well for 2 laps.

Over the start line on lap 3, i went pop on the climb up, it's 4% which does hurt me and although i held on to the top, over the crest and down towards the Volcano proper i had nothing.... minor split, that was closed by 2 others, who i should have tried to follow, well, i say should have... .i DID try to follow but nope... that left me 11.5km to go and alone.. 1min + to the guys behind and losing group in front.
Solo effort saw me finish 12th overall in C... Where that puts me after any DQs, we'll see.

Not my finest ride, but far from my worst.

Happy Birthday lol.

The 11 people above you weeksy are all showing an i next to them so you might just do well if they get dq’d.

I have just witnessed the biggest/longest watt bomb i have ever seen. I was bored so watched a rider in a race who i have ridden with before who i am sure is A cat but now seems to always race B. Anyway as per usual he was riding with the front group of A’s and it looked quite a good race on watopia hilly. They were on the last lap and had just gone through the sprint banner and heading to the big climb and the rollers, group split a little as they sprinted up. One rider got dropped by about 7 secs at the top of the climb (guy i was watching was still in the lead group), he then rolled down the hill to the start of the rollers. It was at this point (i guess 1 or 2km to go) he smashed out a sprint at a minimum of 8w/kg and lit it up orange and continued to do this without getting any lower wattage and passed the group and continued this ALL the way to the line. Thats nearly 2km at over 8w/kg, no idea if he won as he left the guy i was watching for dead, it was incredible, so much so i am doubting it.

The figures are garbage for some reason, Strava has me at 238w average, the ZP app has me at over 300 ! LOL.... It's all a bit bonkers.

I think on this occasion they let results stand and as far as i know they don't usually end up on CVR. It was more just to try and get back into the pain rather than worrying about it. 40 mins and then fading tells me i'm not quite 'there' yet, but i'm a bit happier than last week.

The watt bomb guy in previous post did win the race but was dq’d for lack of hrm! Now having dropped a 2km watt bomb i think i would be shouting and swearing a lot once i found out it was for nothing.

Weeksy - i have noticed some strange readings of late but i just assumed i had become awesome overnight which i thought was more likely. What do the various time columns in ZP represent?

Weeksy - we were in the same race, but I didn't see you now that the leader boards only show the Cat you are in. I enjoyed the race, but almost no-one was getting dropped from the group. In the old days (summer time) the groups used to whittle down to the point where you at least felt you might have a slim chance in the final sprint.

Ah, so we were mate yes... Our group got whittled down over the course of the 3 laps, we'd lost 7-8 out the back by the time i bailed on the group and went solo. But certainly Zwift is easier to hang in than it used to be at times, although that seems to be more 'them' than it is for me LOL.

Long way behind you though.... Well done sir.

Eemy - that has been happening of late, i guess you now have the northern hemisphere riders now coming indoors after summer racing so there is a lot more fast riders in the cats. Dont worry quite a few of them will drop off due to mince pie addiction, may be thats just me.

Gave the new loop a quick spin. It's alright! Probably great on Ultra setting or on a set of never to be released VR goggles.

I have, literally once, gone for a spin around Watopia looking at the scenery but I'm not sure how much it really matters??

More of interest to me is the length of the circuit/hill for training purposes and I'm not sure this adds a lot?

Actually, my favourite route of all at the moment is the Greater London Flat course, I really like the variety of that with some really notable landmarks to take your mind off of things.

The scenery looks good on the new loop, Zwift must be hiring games scenery designers to get that level of detail, almost expecting to get chased by Indiana Jones in some places.

Since retiring I have stuck to doing a race or ride at 9 ish in the morning, usually WBR or the occasional Hump Day Ride. This morning I was busy so decided to try the evening KISS race, the first time since last winter, 4 laps of the reverse hilly course. With memories of being dropped at the start of KISS races I lined up very warm and ready for a big sprint against some top zwift riders. Somehow I stayed near the front from the start all the way until about a quarter of the way up the big climb, a small gap opened in front of me, I could maintain the distance but not close it and away went 20 to 30 riders. I settled in with 3 others for the rest of the race, I think we were all quite similar in pace and worked well together but they got me in the sprint. Zwiftpower shows I was 32nd out of 91 A starters, no idea how many CVR points I will get or lose for that.

PMSL! Watch the first five mins of this and see Simon Russell showing you how NOT to hang with the lead group. He just wasn't paying attention!!

I’m not a fan of London course, it sometimes feels like commuting into work 😆

Happy Birthday weeksy!

I'm jumping on the KISS RT POETS ride at 15:30

50km at what will hopefully be an OK pace, although with no ride leader, who knows. Will be about 200w for me i rekon as plpanning on not going bonkers just in case i've got a ride tomorrow outdoors. I do listen to CH and Nath sometimes, so after racing yesterday, i'm going easier today.

How did you get on Weeksy? Just saw on the BBC site that Anthony Joshua is 18st 2lbs, so I reckon we could both get up the hills quicker than him on Zwift.

Bit weird as there was no defined pace or power, so you sort of found your own place in the world, we had about 12-15 riders for 50% and then just 3 of us with a random too

I ended up doing 50 min and weirdly did 241w average, in my race the day before I did 238w. I didn't have HR monitor on as it was in the wash, but I was working less hard than when I race I felt. So I'm not sure what that tells us. Should I go less hard in races so I have more left later on? Or will I lose more ground than I can ever make up?

Was arguably harder than I'd planned, but my mate has bailed on tomorrow outdoors so I can have a short/easy day.

I'd say Weeksy the difference is that you were more relaxed on the 50k ride. The body can do amazing things if you don't put it under mental pressure.

Top marathon runners are a great example of this. They all look like they are out for a Sunday stroll for most of the race.

I did the 2.5-2 7 social ride which ended up being nearer 2.9 to 3 for me. I was spat out the back just after halfway.

Watched that Simon Russell KISS race. He complained that it's not possible to make a break and shortly after some legend from TFC did just that!

TFC are all legends 😆

I spied a bronze trophy in cat B for EEMY this afternoon in what looked like a fast race, great result fella.

I just picked up a Tacx Flow 2240 from decathlon today for £189 while on a visit to the UK to see my folks. This will be a handy tool for me now living in Estonia where the winters do get quite cold. Any pointers for a beginner on zwift? i will be using the Ipad version.

Hi Eugeo

Welcome to zwift!

The first thing I learnt was you need a fan as no matter how cold it is you sweat buckets. Likewise make sure you have a towel over your bike handlebars to use during a ride. It also keeps the sweat off your bike.

You should also put a mat of some sort under the bike and trainer as well unless you don't care about the floor.

Good luck and have fun!

blader1611 - I spied a bronze trophy in cat B for EEMY this afternoon in what looked like a fast race, great result fella.

Thanks jk501! Tips are much appreciated. I will get a fan and mat ordered.

The mat can be anything. I use an old yoga mat my wife had. You could look at a rubber mat that goes under workstations. Anything will do.

My fan has a remote control so you can start it once you get warm without getting off the bike. I'd recommend it, if you have that option.

My fan has a remote control so you can start it once you get warm without getting off the bike. I'd recommend it, if you have that option.

Mine too, I’ve got a long stick...

No need for a remote here as my fan is always about 6 inches from my face as its too small to be of any use further away. It still doesnt stop me glowing like the readybrek kid from the advert though.

I put my fans on flat out but wear an old long sleeved jersey to warm up, then just ditch it as I get warm.

Hi Guys, i broke my wrist/arm riding 8 weeks ago and done naff all since. Now i'm getting some strength and motivation back, thought i'd break out the turbo and have a go on zwift. I did a london loop for 45minutes this morning. I'm using an unsupported old model tacx that i replaced the resistance adjuster on with garmin cadence/speed sensor, just used the setting for a bluematic. No idea how accurate the power stuff is, but just cracked on this time did 45 minutes in zone 3/4 on the hrm which seemed to keep me in the pack. Seemed to be overtaking and much as i was being overtaken.

Anyway anytips for me to build my fitness using zwift, should i do sommething to calibrate better etc or just go ride. I can't go flat out with one hand on the bars but should be able to do more general aerobic stuff to build base fitness back. Any thoughts as to good routes/workouts etc and is it worth me buying a supported trainer for more accurate calibration. Sorry i havent read all 176 pages, mainly the first few and the last couple, i know there's been some debate about the halfords special smart trainer. Which still looks like a good option to me, is the variable resistance thing worth an extra 100 quid over the dumb version.

is the variable resistance thing worth an extra 100 quid over the dumb version.

Personally, yes. Halfords have it for £220 just now. If you sign up to TopCashBack you get 3.15% back and add on a British Cycling 10% and it's not so eye wateringly expensive.

I did a WBR 1 lap sprint earlier today. I went out pretty hard at the start and got into a reasonable group. The pace was on the whole way around. With a k to go I hit an aero power up and tried to get away only to be run down in the last hundred metres by 2 or 3 other guys.

My goal was to average over 210w for the race and managed 229w which I am stoked with. I also got upgraded to B grade for averaging 3.21w/kg which put me 13th out of 16. Seems a bit tough to me as apart from one other guy everyone else around me was averaging over 260w.

Eat more pies!

Ha ha I eat plenty now!

Just got a smart trainer, Bkool Go, done an FTP test and now starting to do a little playing around with Zwift more specifically looking at the workouts side of things, can anyone suggest something for XC Marathon training???

mrmo - I am also training for XC marathon and have no idea of what I am doing! Marathon is hugely popular here in my new home of Estonia. I did my first last month and now I am hooked. I just need to lose 15-20kg and work on stamina 😆 Hoping zwift and the turbo help over the winter.

After my enforced week off of zwift I'll be back this evening most likely in the WBR 4 lap flat at 6:05pm. Not expecting much after not doing hardly any exercise last week, but looking forward to getting back on the turbo (a phrase I never would've used pre-zwift).

Couple of days off here for me. My knees are bollxd after 5-a-side with my 10 year old and his footie team yesterday, along with a stiff back i've been trying to train through. I've put in 783km this month which is a decent figure, so a couple/3-4 days rest is on the cards, and then onto a final push for 2017 figures.

May have a crack at the 6:05 also!

Well i have had just 1 ride in the last 9 days due to half term so i was itching for a ride this morning. It was good weather this morning but it was only 4c and i still have this annoying virus so thought i would zwift. Oh boy that was a bad idea, i even had a nice 15 min warm up so i was ready for the race. The usual start which required quite a long sustained 450w which was largely unpleasant but it kept me in the front group but after that i was just hanging on. My HR was over 170 and i just could not get that down and i was feeling dead already and i had only done 4 miles, i realised that this niggly virus was still affecting me even though i feel relatively ok. By 7 miles in i just spat out of the back and just waited for the next group who were 20 secs behind and even then i was barely hanging on to them. I kept up with them till 1.3 miles to go and i just gave up and pootled to the line in 22nd. I averaged just 242w and that felt incredibly hard and thats about 50w less than normal. Not sure what version of cat aids i have but its messing with my abilities.

Regretting this already

LOL get on with it 🙂

Well, that resulted in an average 26 more watts than the FTP test. (Average weighted) and 19 Watts by whatever the other average means.

Started by not paying any attention to who was in my group then realised I was the token fat bloke. So okay, Cat C group when I was Cat D. So just decided to hang on as long as possible. Which initially was 10k, then 15 and so on. Managed to stay with them to the line.

Felt a bit rude as I basically drafted the entire race.

I don’t think I’m registered for ZP as I’ve no idea what my Zwift ID is on IOS. I did at least remember to calibrate the trainer before the race.

Either way, great fun and I didn’t puke 🙂

It's a tough one with the hiding in the group. At the end of the day though, my thoughts are that i don't know any of these people in the real world, so don't mind if i offend them slightly by not doing a turn on the front 🙂
Usually i'm in a chase/bunch with a couple of B's so generally they're stronger than me anyway, or the DQ bunch who are all just statistics waiting to happen. So it's quite rare i can actually work on the front even if i wanted to, that's often 3.5w/kg+ up there and that's VERY short efforts for me and chasing speed.

Glad you had fun though.

I'm struggling to continue resting. Techincally i've only had 1 day off... but struggling today to make it 2 days ! But thre's only the KISS 8pm race that holds any interest at all i can see, group sizes a bit low. But then again, the KISS is 6 laps of the classique which i think i'd struggle with.

Zwift looking very different this morning 😀

Bit like riding through 28 days later

It's a tough one with the hiding in the group.

I didn’t really intend to stay with them tbh, let alone contend the group C sprint. Just draft them until I’d built a big gap between me and the next Cat D rider.

ZP has me at 2.75w p/kg which if correct means I was in the right group but the wrong Cat.

Edit, just realised I won the Cat C sprint, if that stands maybe I should of done some work on the front. 🙂

I don't think anyone does any work on the front- that's half the problem with the pack dynamics.
At 26/27mph, for us bigger boned fellows, a pull on the front would be 400w+ and that's not the case.

I'd imagine if somebody scrolled through the riders once the bunch is up to speed, it would be impossible to find anyone actually doing enough watts to constitute a realistic turn.

So don't worry! Chill, get that hr down and get ready for the next 'selection' 🙂

Some technical questions if i may;

A) my cadence seems to be driven from my on screen persona which can be quite different from reality - despite me being connected to my Garmin cadence sensor. Any ideas how to xhange that?

B) despite starting with hundreds of riders around me, i end up alone after 5 mins or so. Is this due to my i ternet connection?

Thanks

A) my cadence seems to be driven from my on screen persona which can be quite different from reality - despite me being connected to my Garmin cadence sensor. Any ideas how to xhange that?

I've read this three or four times now and I still can't work out what you're actually asking. Are you saying that you're being inversely controlled by your avatar and it's forcing you to cycle at a particular cadence? 🙂

Kryton,

A. in your setup screen does it display an accurate cadence in the pairing ? e.g If you slow does it drop ?

B. Yes, sounds likely. Either that or possibly the ANT+ not being close enough, a few of us use an extension cable from Amazon for £5.99

Right ya buggers. I bought a smart trainer (kickr) & joined Zwift about 4 weeks ago. Got it running on a windows tablet & cheapo telly in the garage with a fan.
Raced against Weeksy about 3 weeks ago on a monday night (marcus sutcliffe). In the meantime i've now managed to read this thread from start to finish to get my head round it all.
I must say it really is quite fun compared to normal training.

Does anyone have any experience with setting up an Elite Roteo/Volano? My dad has one & it seems to be backwards. 200kph when not pedalling & as soon as you set off the rider stops moving.

Raced against Weeksy about 3 weeks ago on a monday night (marcus sutcliffe)

Yes Weeksy, although i think we both had the same time!

My smart trainer is about the only trainer that doesn't actually work with Zwift

So which is a decent budget one

Anybody want a Tacx Vortex paperweight??

My smart trainer is about the only trainer that doesn't actually work with Zwift

So which is a decent budget one

This is the one i got, i have only done two hours, and i have no idea how it compares to others, i have no idea about accuracy, but it seems to be ok, and as long as it is consistent to itself does it really it matter. But it works, it comes with the ANT stick, works with bluetooh on my mac and is controllable.

https://www.sigmasport.co.uk/search?query=bkool+go

BWD - no. My actual cadence will be about 90rpm, but my Avatar looks as though its doing 60rpm up a hill. On screen cadence is displayed at 60rpm.

Is it paired ? Does it go up/down when paired ?

If i un-pair my cadence sensor or use another bike, it still 'pedals' at a default speed.

Kryton, what's your setup? What do you actually have paired to Zwift for cadence?