STW Zwift Race Series 3 – Winter

@straightliner that’s interesting because I got a Sterzo just over a week ago (warranty replacement upgrade for the non-smart one). It is disabled for races so would explain why I have had the problem in meet ups/free rides but not in races.

How long are we looking at for this last race?

Last time I did it, it was 1hr 3 mins (TdZ in 2019). Hoping for sub hour this time. I am typically just above mid-pack in these races I would say.

Think it will be over the hour for most people (due to being on the MTB). My estimated times were pretty close last week and I have used the same parameters.

^ Oh yeah. MTB. Aaaah:)

Front group averaged 37kmh last week and without a decent climb at the end!

Really not sure if I’m looking forward to this or not this evening. I’m actually feeling pretty good but the flat bit of London is just such drudgery!

My stream for tonight. Hopefully works properly this week!

How do the handicaps work? Not sure why I’m classed B when I came dead last at my initial outing last week, I was expecting E or F 🙂

P

Not sure why I’m classed B when I came dead last at my initial outing last week

Clearly you’re not trying hard enough 🙂

Really not sure if I’m looking forward to this or not this evening.

I’m not, at all 🤣 I know exactly how it’ll go down… bust my ass at 120% hanging onto the lead group on the flat, get to the hill and have absolutely nothing left then watch everyone go past me 😭😭😭

I guess I could try an alternative strategy of NOT hanging onto the front group, and hope to make some gains on the climb, would require a lot of restraint though plus you go SO much quicker when the fast boys drag you along!!

Urgh, really not feeling it this week, feeling a bit run down with a sore throat.

Looks like a tough route to finish the series. Hoping I make it to the start line but we’ll see.

2 plans this week…

Plan A – Go for it and race and hopefully the migraine doesn’t return to spoil it…

Plan B – If plan A fails then ease up and have fun further back, giving a tow etc.

I am more worried about what I will do next week than tonight’s race. When does series 4 start?

Why not chill out next week and sign up for a Crit! Use an MTB for extra pain. As if anyone in their right mind would do that….:)

I think the next series starts the week after next i.e. on Tuesday 23rd Feb but @Robbo1234biking will confirm.

@zilog6128 that (your first option) is going to be a very popular strategy this evening. Not least because @nixie is apparently planning to force it on everyone else. We’ll basically be riding single file arranged in FTP order within a minute, all trying to convince ourselves it’s fine, the hill’s not that big, and it’s too far away to worry about yet anyway etc.

haha, should be a good one to watch back on the streams after anyway!

Hoping to have everything sorted for the 23rd Feb for the next series. Hopefully announce sign ups in the next couple of days. Coincides with a rest period over half term for most of the country (not that you can go anywhere) and the end of series 4 will hopefully coincide with the easing of restrictions and some nice weather so people can go out on their real MTBs and enjoy the fitness gains!

Few quick times up the hill here –

https://zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=1314042

but my takeaway from that link is a quarter of the race is going to be up the hill, so pace accordingly.

😛 that’s still the plan. Had more success on the flat in one of the earlier series forcing the pace till the elastic finally snapped than sitting in and waiting. Worst that happens is I work really hard and gain fitness :D.

I am more worried about what I will do next week than tonight’s race. When does series 4 start?

Can we extend the repack ridge cut off until next week, and all ride it individually starting at about the same time as usual – would be funny to see everyone going up and down.

I’ve ridden this a lot in the past, like more than a dozen I suspect, but went cold turkey and haven’t gone back to it – I’ve got 10 stars before now, but don’t remember the times, will be having a go anyway, even if i’ve missed the cutoff.

My plan for this evening is not to blow up. To that end, take it steady to the hill then sink what I’ve got left on the climb.

But you know what Moltke said about plans.

@haloric Ill announce a winner tonight on the Repack Ridge but happy to keep updating the spreadsheet over the next series and keep the same tabs. Its only a bit of fun. Should be a prime section on ZP but I dont think it is.

im hoping to get off the line quicker than i have in any of the races or the TTT in the last couple of weeks, I sit pedalling like mad but there appears to be a very short delay before I start moving, just enough to leave me gapped and then struggling to close that as everyone else goes full gas at the start. looking forward to the hill as at least the race is nearly over by then!

Planning on a few rest days after tonight, I’ve got a 10k timed run to do wed or thursday, and just some gentle lunch time potters if it stays dry and cold. Sunday sees the start of the tour of Sufferelandria on the sufferfest, so that will make for a tough 7 days but hopefully another 2 rest days before the next series starts and I’m hoping ot be feeling 100% by then, or just totally wrecked!!

I sit pedalling like mad but there appears to be a very short delay before I start moving,

@karnali Up to 10 seconds. Just start pedaling hard when the clock shows 5-10 seconds

The TTT is a bit of an anomaly because of the staggered start, that said, because of the way the TTT works its also fairly irrelevant. The TTT is all down to time on course so it doesn’t actually start until your team has cleared the lead in. Trying to get a fast start is usually counterproductive as a result because the quicker you can get bunched up the faster you will be going when you hit the line.

I’ll do that tonight and see what happens cheers

Trying to get a fast start is usually counterproductive as a result because the quicker you can get bunched up the faster you will be going when you hit the line.

With some drilling you can fast start and be formed up quickly so you hit the start line moving faster.

I’ll do that tonight and see what happens cheers

@karnali I can help you with that based on my significant experience and backed up by evidence gathered from various live feeds through the last 3ish series:

1) Clock hits 0
3) Pack moves off.
3) Move through pack to front.
4) Move off front of pack.
5) Reduce power slightly to fall into chase group.
6) Miss the chase group.
7) Sprint back on.
8) Repeat x3 or x4 from (3)
9) Blow up and drop out of lead group.

With some drilling you can fast start and be formed up quickly so you hit the start line moving faster.

Very true, though given there’s never a week where at least a few in each category in each zone don’t get the basic start wrong I think it’s probably a bigger all than you make it sound. I mean, you can teach a dog to play piano with enough drilling…

@Paul-S

How do the handicaps work?

@robbo1234biking uses a machine a bit like ERNIE, but it starts from the principle of ‘what handicap will give you 0 points?’ !!

@nixie

Worst that happens is I work really hard

there’s no point in getting to the hill at the same time as the scrawny kids so I’m ready to die on the flat tonight – I’ll do my best to keep you company

#letsbreakAdamandBen

@robbo1234biking uses a machine a bit like ERNIE

It’s more like HAL isn’t it?

Thanks Phil.

#breakTheClimbers

@nixie

@phil56

#satin

There’s not too many scrawny kids, unfortunately they also tend to be very good at staying with it on the flat.

I don’t really fit into either category flat or climber so just hope my legs last to the hill then my lungs and heart can give me 10 minutes or whatever up the climb. I need to come a lot of places above Woodster to compensate for the weakest score wipeout, it’s probably impossible, not helped by the fact it’s an hill finish and he’s around 9 or 10kg lighter.

Also got an head cold with constant faint headache and ears ringing.

Would really like to be involved in the next series, this was my first one (apart from the last race in S2) – I usually end up right at the back but its been really really good to have something to focus on mentally each week and has actually upped my zwift riding on other days – Series 3 and Tour du Zwift both end this week so knowing something else is starting is great. I live in a shielding household so this has been a huge benefit @robbo1234biking thank you very much – very much missing riding outside with friends but the benefit of seeing the same people on the road in zwift has been brilliant – even if I am being lapped 🙂

Weight coming down and another ramp test during the break should also be interesting to see how that develops.

He totally means you @kirky72. I’m sure of it. You have no choice but to join forces with us other “scrawny kids” (thanks Phil, for both elements of my new nickname)

together we will #holdphilswheel

Not sure I feel up to crazy start and watt fest that will ensue tonight. legs aching just after a short walk with the dog, 100 miles in the last two days hasn’t helped, and the cold air hasn’t helped my fuzzy head either.

Got teams meeting parents evening sessions with 9 teachers booked from 5.30 to 6.45 as well.

However jumping on the younguns trend, I will try as usual to join the usual chain gang of wheel suckers and #holdonuntilvomit

#holdonuntilvomit

won’t cut it tonight.

My training when I was younger was in Rugby. Warm up consisted of shuttles across the training pitch while piggybacking a 19 stone prop. The ‘structured’ training consisted of keep going until you vomit, then have a quick drink of water and do it again.

#don’tslowdownwhenyouvomit

Your props were light weight! 19 stone wouldn’t get you in the centres in our team!

Anyway the real issue is whether brian can make 10km without a complete melt down #prayforbrian