STW Zwift Autumn Race Series 1

Looking at past results think I will be about 1:10 next week, closest on my ZP is 8 laps for 56 minutes at an NP of 281W.

10 laps…ouch! I was hoping for less 🙂

Again it will be case of pacing, not going too fast and being able to just hold on in the final third. I’ll definitely be lapped on this one.

I do like the difference we are getting in each event!

I do like the difference we are getting in each event

It’s a shame bologna isn’t available really, would be a nice one for another something different

Looking at past results think I will be about 1:10 next week, closest on my ZP is 8 laps for 56 minutes at an NP of 281W.

given that @mossimus is one of the stronger riders here, that is looking like a looong race for the rest of us 😭 I take it there’s method to the madness though, i.e. intentionally chucking an horrific endurance test into the mix 😃

Good luck trying to get organising rights on Zwift… Its nigh on Impossible. Even British Cycling only got limited access.
Newbury Velo are one of the only real Cycling Clubs on there, and thats mainly because the Chap in charge headed up Zwift Power (until Zwift took it over last month).

When I did my series, I was lucky enough that the team at 3R allowed me a slot and then set the events to my choosing. However, this means ANYONE can enter. If you have enough riders you will dominate and all is ok. but if you split the categories out and only 10 turn up in each race it looses the community appeal.
Private events are very rare, most invitational stuff is unavailable to normal organisers.

The race element was added to Meetups for pretty much the reasons we are using it. But it needs tweaks on the start procedure and would be much easier for Robbo if you could download results no doubt!

Oh and 10 laps of the Volcano should be acceptable.
Its the Royal Pump Room 8 you want to fear in a race situation! (especially with the non race aerotuck)

Its the Royal Pump Room 8 you want to fear in a race situation

I’m quite looking forward to 10 laps of that. I figure attendance alone will give me a good chunk of points.

I did 10 laps solo, not racing in 1.12, in that I had a couple of interruptions so knock a minute or so off. I’m a mid pack Cat C at best.

Racing with draft that should come down a chunk. It’ll be 42 km ish but only 200m climbing, pack speeds will be high.

We’ve obviously missed the boat now and everyone is committed to zwift but RGT is much better in terms of creating events etc.

thanks for last night everyone, had a great race, and surprised to see I got some points on the board. it took me to my limit!

Annoyingly I am out in Finale Ligure next week, so will miss the next race.

Think I’ll slowly die, 10 laps is definitely more than an HR for me. Happy to slog away and get the 10 lap badge, think Robbo will be waiting awhile for me at the end.

Annoyingly I am out in Finale Ligure next week,

Happy to swap if that helps

I’m doing the badger divide next week – looking at the weather I’m also happy to swap.

For the 10 laps of Volcano, there should be plenty of opportunities to jump into passing packs to get a speed boost/shorten the overall time and it’ll unlock the ‘Hothead’ Zwift achievement.

8 laps is a common race length on that circuit. Yesterday’s 3R race had a reasonably good showing, and it took them…
a 45-50 mins
b 45-55 mins
c 50-60 mins
d 65-75 mins
(https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=1051094)

I’m happy to ride a couple of extra laps for the badge, and also because robbo1234biking’s choices have been spot on so far and the contrast with the other rounds in the series is nice. But I think it’s true that lots of us are going to be out there longer than an hour next week.

I did the 10 laps once before, back in April, not in a race situation and it took me 1hr 11 minutes. So I’m hoping of an improvement but it will be over the hour mark for me. I remember it being longggg…

I’m doing the badger divide next week –

TB or no TB, that is the distinction.

Thanks for yesterday’s race

I started by stalling and falling off my rollers in the neutralised bit, I was the one in blue stopped just after the start/finish gantry.

It was a hard sprint, but I managed get back to the front group before the hill, then a bunch of people who were clearly out of my league pulled away when the proper climbing started.

I settled into a rhythm riding by myself about 10th, but then for some reason my power was intermittently cutting out and I fell back to a group of 4 setting a good pace up the hill – I was falling off the back of that group every time I had a cutout and then pushing hard to bridge back to the group each time. On the downhill that group quickly pulled 15s ahead of me during another power cutout.

The power cutouts were getting pretty frustrating and I was contemplating throwing in the towel, but I persevered and ended up with not just one but two points, yay.

Just got an ANT+ USB stick, hopefully that’ll fix things.

For the 10 laps of Volcano, there should be plenty of opportunities to jump into passing packs

it will certainly reward those who are good at playing the game plus the many power-ups should spice things up!

The power cutouts were getting pretty frustrating and I was contemplating throwing in the towel, but I persevered and ended up with not just one but two points, yay.

Just got an ANT+ USB stick, hopefully that’ll fix things.

Getting a cable and placing my ANT sensor under the bike fixed power dropouts I was having a few months back.

After listening to feedback on here and looking at a couple of races on the circuit I think it is best to reduce it to 8 laps (from 10) for Race 3. 10 Laps would have some of the slower riders out n the circuit well over an hour and I think only 20% or so would complete it inside an hour from my estimates.

This is a difficult one to judge as the effect of the draft will be very relevant here so the time gaps tend to be more grouped this time. FTP rather than weight is key on this course although there are a few small kickers to try and get a break from the group.

We spawn on the bridge before the volcano. I will give a bit more time for the group to form this week. I will be saying go after we enter the volcano but before the start/finish line so will be about 300m on which I will say go.

Looking forward to it! See you all Tuesday.

Handicaps here

Conveniently there is an 8 lap volcano race starting now. Nice bit of practice.

If I stay on the course after the race, will it keep me on the volcano lap, in case I fancy doing another two laps to get the badge thing?

Yes stumpy so if anyone wants to get the badge just stay on for a 2 lap cool down!

Cool, thanks!

Lol that went ok nixie

Yeap I’m happy with that. Wasn’t a high pace meaning I could try some attacks. Took the lead on the line. Haven’t won a sprint for ages!

I’m in. I reckon be doing the extra 2 laps after the event also. 👍

I just can’t get my head round zwift racing. Did a b race today, came 18th out of 27 yet had 5th best power to weight ratio. Fair enough, I assumed everyone ahead of me had far more power. But a good few had way less of both. The guy that came ariund 12th for example put out 30 less watts and 0.5 kilo per kg less less than me.

The obvious answer is hes using the draft well, however when I’m sitting in the pack I’m still having to put in a good effort. It doesn’t seem to make that much difference to me, yet others seem to be able to sit there doing bugger all.

^^ Where did you come on Zwiftpower mate?

The sticky draft can mean you can get away with a lower effort than you think to stay in a pack. You have to pay attention and occasionally ramp up to reposition however you can get away with a lot less than you think. E.g. I’ve stayed in A packs before putting out 2.5wpkg. If you then never hit the front I can believe the number differences.

@robbo1234biking – I tried to PM you but not sure its working. I’ve never done any racing on Zwift before but I fancy it… is it possible to join? How the heck does it work?

(Apologies if I’m asking questions already answered but I cant see any ‘guide’ anywhere)

Who’s tapering then, whos ready, who’s tired ?

I’m 50-50. Legs should be getting there now, but the fitness isn’t where i’d like it to be. So i’ll need to position myself well and then basically hang on till i die within group2. I don’t expect to hang with Nixie, phil etc, so G2 for me i think. I’ll likely be in trouble as Dangerbrain will go with the As, so will be the usual B/C crew of LAger, Oop North, Dobski etc for me, but not sure how they’re handicapped as to our overal positions.

@snotrag

Follow me on Zwift R. obbo1234biking. I will send you the meetup invite.

Let me know your FTP and weight (think you will have to post on here as the messages don’t seem to be working). I will work out your handicap.

Other than that turn up tomorrow evening. It is a neutralised start so different to normal zwift races but once I say go race as hard as you can. Tomorrows is a circuit race so a little different to the first race. There should be bigger groups, attacks as a faster group comes round and people try and stay on the back etc.

@robbo1234biking I’ve added you on Zwift, (Simon). 79kg, 288FTP last time I tested it a month or so back.

I’ll try work out how to join and give it a bash !

Cheers – will get you added thanks!

Dangerbrain will go with the As

If he feels tomorrow like he does today he’ll be struggling to go with the Ds to be honest.

I hate my weak pathetic constricted skull tubes. 🙁

get out of it… we both race enough to know, when the gun goes even if you only last 5 mins, you’ll be going with the As, in exactly the same way as i’ll be trying to go with the fast Bs…. for the first lap until we hit that kicker to the line anyway 🙂

I’m tired. 3 blocks of 13x 30/15s last night. Didn’t feel that bad during or after but this morning my legs are tired. Not sure how to approach it this week. There is nice cluster of us with 15/16 mins handicap. Seems like a better idea to try and take advantage of the larger group speed than trying to escape off the front. My money is on one of the powerful Cs taking the win this week.

when the gun goes even if you only last 5 mins, you’ll be going with the As

Not true.

I’ve been me long enough to know that despite my inability to make it stick on a good day I’ll still be trying to go in front of them 😉