I definitely do better in the races when I’ve had a light week before. This series, I’ve also done better when I know it’s only going to be a short race.
Whether that’s just coincidence, or science I’ve no idea 🙂
I’ve NEVER done a proper training programme before.. Pre turbo/zwift I would jsut ride my bike(s) hard and fast, and use that as training!!!
I did do a bit of training with the Zwift Academy stuff. I guess if I were to properly focus on a training programme, I could improve weak spots in my riding profile. But like @Nixie, sometimes it’s fun just to ride..even on zwift!
Now.. I’m not saying I’m getting far too into zwifting, but I just picked up my newly framed art today… It’s massive! (A1 size)!
OK, I have video highlights for you all. Quality isn’t great but you can just about make people out…8 short videos in total, in chronological order, mainly (but not exclusively) from the very front:
1. Here’s the first early split at the front of the race. @nixie and @paino were both caught the wrong side of the gap, as @phil56 pushed the group on. It comes back together, but an early indication of things to come at the front?
2. This made me laugh – nearly the whole front group dropped a feather on the climb. Those without mention it in their race reports above! This is also the moment @paino powers to victory for the sprint points. That strings it out, and it would never fully come back together.
4. Further back, @robbo1234biking (and his magnificent beacon, which was visible from everywhere, all race!) takes a massive pull on the front of a big group. It all kicks off at the cobbles when @jimdubleyou surges ahead, leaving it all strung out. @mahowlett counters, and initially only @straightliner and @drew could follow…
6. One group further forward, it seems quite cooperative and @dandasbike would like to make clear he isn’t a vegan! I’m sorry I didn’t get better footage of you guys:
7. The lead group get towards the business end of the race. This bit starts with @kirky72, @drp, @phil56, @benman, @j-r, @w00dster, @danielcbaron and @nixie still in contention as the group makes relentless progress through lapped riders, with @nixie either chilling or struggling towards the back, before making his big but unsuccessful effort at overhauling @paino’s time up the cobbles. The gap that opens comes back together with @phil56, @kirky72 and @drp leading the chase… but @j-r never makes it back across.
8. And finally, with minimal editing, the finish. 2+ laps of constant aggression, mainly from @benman, who goes several times, each time eliciting a response from the others. The number of chasers slowly shrinks until he makes his decisive move by (sneakily? zwiftily?) surging off around @robbo1234biking and @zilog6128 at the top of the final time up the cobbles:
Great race you lot. I’m not doing this again, I’m riding next time.
Thats quite entertaining. Also my power numbers weren’t too bad at all just got the start wrong! For the next series I don’t think we have to have a ride leader so I can dump the yellow beacon. It is rather conspicuous.
Also interesting to see @dangeourbrain dying in multiple feeds!
Don’t know about @Paino but that gap in #1 was deliberate on my part. Lap 2 was always going to be the best shot at fastest lap. That gap was about giving myself the advantage. As soon as I was across the line it was time to get back into the group (actually screwed this bit up and started moving forward too early). It worked in the first race of this series as I was the last through the gate of the lead group that time. Almost worked this time except I failed to notice @paino’s position.
I love Robbo’s beacon – I hear a choir of angels every time it comes on screen !
(just did a crit race on there, so I can at least empathise with the pain reported above. Can confirm that FIVE ghosts, 1 burrito, 1 aero and 1 feather is not a happy haul, especially when your whaaats are as low as mine were. I’d have been minced in your race)
@nixie think we had the same agenda. In fact, when I saw you back off before the start of lap 2 I knew it! All I had to do was catch the lead group to eliminate the time gap, as I’m pretty sure you did. The feather PU made my mind up to batter the climb on lap 2. Couldn’t hold the power to the line but just about did enough to hold on over the rollers and finish ahead of, well, you just about.
Thought as much 👍. I was pissed as the times came up and I realised you’d done the same thing. Completely missed you were in a similar place to me at the end of the first lap (was expecting you to be in the lead group).
Must have learnt from the best! You did kind of let the cat out the bag the other day when you said you had a plan! Lap 2 was the obvious time to launch/fall back slightly. The gap made the perfect draft in the lead to accelerate up the climb-didn’t know if you followed or not but kept a close eye on the times!
I think part one of the nice things with this series and the extra chat around it is learning new tricks and sharing ideas/tactics.
I didn’t try for the sprint on lap 2 as I wanted to go hard down the hill and try and pull a lead. I did notice the time though and thought it would be difficult to beat.
Next week I think I’m going to try something different to the rest of the series and go back to the London flat tactic.
there wasn’t much sharing of the workload last night. If it wasn’t for you and Wellock I would have been lapped.
@Paino LOL! Whether you led or not it helps when there is a couple of extra bodies in the group so when I have had my stint at the front I have a wall of bodies to hide beind whilst I catch my breath. Makes a big difference. Your support, even if unintended, was greatly appreciated!
Thanks for uploading those Adam. Very interesting and pretty scary numbers being put out by the big guns! I’ve said it before: those avatars’ faces don’t give us a clue about how we’re feeling. I’m always surprised when someone I’m riding with says they were hanging on/knackered. It’s like riding with Quintana. I reckon Zwift should introduce a power-up showing ‘health’ of your competitors. If anyone’s kids play Minecraft you might know what I mean.
I reckon Zwift should introduce a power-up showing ‘health’ of your competitors
DrP is making 3 swears per minute.
Nixie is at two.
Dangeourbrain is no longer able to swear or use gear levers.
Phil is reciting hamlet but his iambic pentameter is beginning to slip
Those videos are excellent @savoyad. Thanks for posting. Although I have to be honest, my avatar seems to be putting a lot less effort into this than I was. Think I need to have a stern word…
I think the MTB animation exacerbates the feeling that everyone else is just cruising along while you are close to death in these races. I felt more tired watching than those avatars made their real life riders seem.
On group rides you can select to do a workout even if the leader isn’t and you can all do different workouts. It is different for proper Zwift events but the group meet-ups work this way. Trouble is that you might quickly fall of the back of the group and once you are a certain distance away the group chat will stop working.
Just as an aside: when on Zwift outside of the races does anyone else automatically look at everyone in an MTB to see if it’s one of us? Maybe it’s just me but there seems to be an awful lot more people riding MTBs around the last week or so!
Feel free to do what you want in the ride! I guess most WON’T be doing a workout…
I’m tapering down my efforts this week, ready for next Sunday… so 70k will be a nice ride with you lot..
Gotta figure out how to fit in tdz 7 AND the stw race in somehow too!
I have avoided telling you I’ve had another stupid FTP increase up to 286w as I’m not going to make it on Tuesday anyway (loaning my turbo to a mate so he can try Zwifting for the first time). Will watch on Dr P’s YouTube though.
@ivandobski on the main Zwift page where you select the world etc click on the training tab and then select any workout. Your ftp as set by zwift will then be in the bottom right corner.
Glad I did a short moderate effort recce using the MTB just before dinner, I’d forgotten how rolling this course is… Must remember to dial back the slope feel from 100% before tomorrow night!
Posted 3 years ago
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