STW Zwift Race Series 3 – Winter

Bloody hell that hurt, not having raced in ages I couldn’t hold my normal place in the scheme of things. Got a reasonable group with Declan and a few others. Went for a big push on the final climb and pulled out quite a gap thought I was well up with 500m to go and 12s gap on them, nearly got caught in the line. Huge sprint guys.

Can’t do any more and I’m gutted, it was fun in a nasty way. FTP increase for me too off that one, only 7W but every little helps.

Pretty horrible, managed to catch you Zilog but couldn’t go past, same again next week?

Those laps seemed to go on forever, especially the climb up to the bridge.

No biking for 5 weeks has not done me any favours and I feel I should apologize to NeilArnold for shamelessly wheelsucking him for most of the last 2 laps then trying to do him in the sprint. But at least I failed to do him in the sprint so there’s that…

I’m glad someone mentioned they weren’t on the right bike as that made me realise I wasn’t either. Managed to swap it with a few seconds to go!

That was bloody hard but good fun. Well done to S.undarra and Jimdoubleyou for the battles for 46th, nearly killed myself trying to stay ahead of Jim in the last mile.

Also, zwift has updated my FTP to 203 based on that ride, does my handicap need to be reduced to reflect that? I don’t want an unfair advantage just because I (apparently) didn’t try hard enough on the FTP test!

Realised with 30 seconds to go my bike hadn’t switched and couldn’t swap over using Apple TV. Tried and tried but gave up in the end and exited the race to go off and sulk but thought better of it and did a Sufferfest workout as penance for my incompetence. Oh well, there’s always next time.

I thought I might catch you and Zilog at the end Nick, was closing slowly but I didn’t have enough distance and me on my own was going to struggle to pull the pair of you back. It was sitting up on that chase that let the others come back at me. Lesson learnt.

Well that was an eye-opener!!!

Despite knowing from my very limited zwift racing experience and what I’ve read on here that you need to go off hard, I didn’t. Pootled out the gate like an idiot and so ended up pretty far back. Fought my way upto middleish I think by hopping across a couple of small groups a couple of times.

Surprised myself with how well I managed to keep what pace I had for the whole race though, expected to be at the side of the road vom’ing into a bush mid-race, so there’s that.

Looking forward to the next one. Thanks again for sorting Robbo and for all those who helped me round!

(Oh and I Zwift stalked/followed pretty much everyone registered cos I need some friends on there lol).

I believe, but am not 100% certain that even though graphically it looked like some people were on the wrong bike the game knows you were supposed to be on a mountain bike and works out drafts etc accordingly.

I watched both of the above live streams simultaneously. At the beginning of the race the rider views seemed to show different views when though both riders were in the same group. It was odd. Maybe just a streaming issue? But it seems to me that we don’t exactly see what the other competitors are seeing during the race. Being able to see the rpm was also interesting, DrP stable, around 90rpm 🤔, small variations, Nixie big variation from 50 – 140rpm with some big/fast changes throughout that range.
Maybe watching the live streams is being a bit nosey 🤔

Brilliant.

Having done some of the previous races, I found that the slower overall speed on the mtbs made for close racing!

The bridge with its big dip in the middle is a sod, you can easily drop or be dropped going over it.

Got in a good group of 4 (T Rolo, J Jordan, Copping?) for most of it, on the last lap we merged with some more. It all got a bit twitchy, we caught and swallowed up Chipps right before then end, and J Jordan timed his sprint right and got to the line first before a big rush.

Loved it.

Lol I hit 183bpm on the first time up the hill, that’s the 2nd highest hr I’ve seen in a whole year. It never dropped below 180 for the first half.

Pretty horrible, managed to catch you Zilog but couldn’t go past, same again next week?

yep 👍 Definitely upped the power when you caught me, was very conscious there was a group of 4 or so behind so if I lost your wheel they’d probably catch me too! Always find it easier to push harder when I’m chasing someone/hanging on rather than being chased (nothing more demoralising than seeing the time gap behind you slowly eroding!)

Nixie big variation from 50 – 140rpm with some big/fast changes throughout that range.

I don’t know what is going on with my cadence numbers. Don’t think the turbo is getting it right. Seems worse with the gravel bike. Planning to get a separate cadence sensor asap.

@itsonlymelee you were in a small group with me for a lap or so, then you launched a feather power up and shot off up the hill. Could have cried.

Ouch…got off the back early on and just didn’t have the legs to get back. Still enjoyed the race and ended up just getting it finished. See you at the next one

Yes, the traditional relaxed Zwift race start then a small lead group then a breakaway.
It had a bit of the feel of an XC race so I think Zwift have made an effort to get the draft/rolling resistance balance of off-roading (?)

I used to associate mountain bikes with fun…🤣

In time honoured fashion I gunned it to stay with the fast group, blew up on the first climb and sucked wheel until the line. Tonight’s wheel sucking was sponsored mostly by Chips. I really wanted to do some work but I was already playing out of my yard and hadn’t got owt to give, so sorry about that.

I’d got an idea of what kind of power I wanted to maintain up the climb, and sort of managed to stick to it, but each time just dropped off before the top. I do quite like that course though, the relatively shallow climb makes staying with a group pretty valuable.

Thanks Robbo and all racing, it was horrible as always.

Pleased with that… Good to blow the cobwebs off after a month or so ‘off’. Hard race where I seemed to find myself between groups yet again. Caught a good group of four or so for the last lap but used the last of my lives doing it so was left for dead on the final sprint as had nothing left in the tank. Well raced all.

On the drafting, it is definitely different – much easier to get dropped but also easier (although still bloody tough) to catch up / jump between groups. On the road bike you need an extra W/kg to make solo inroads into a group of 5 or more of a similar ability, whereas it’s nowhere near that on the MTB – probs 0.5W/kg.

Thank you Snotrag, S Copping and T Rolo for the little group that seemed pretty evenly matched, and joined by 3 others just before the end (AndeH, Manwaring and Hope Disposables – sorry brain wasn’t that good at remembering by then). Chipps had remained elusive for almost all three laps so it was good to catch him too.

Well done Crazy Harry and M Howlett for breezing through and on towards the front and thanks to Robbo once again.

Edited to add: Just seen Snotrag’s overall result in the handicap, chapeau sir!

Maybe watching the live streams is being a bit nosey

Yeah – watch my video instead ! 🤣

Last race of the series for me guys, so thanks for the fun.

See you lot back in Zwift in about a month.

Thanks everyone for joining in. That was a tough race to start the series.
Onto the results. These are provisional in case I have made any mistakes. Please let me know.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QPxMGqez2VsN-4mD17f90t06NzqSLMMoGe4cUEK1E3U/edit#gid=0

Cat A:
1. seabass
2. benman
3. nixie

Cat B:
1. kirky72
2. J-R
3. W00dster

Cat C:
1. snotrag
2. v7fmp
3. MrHoppy

Cat D:
1. Jmd12

Fastest Lap Top 5
1. nixie
2. seabass
3. paino
4. phil56
5. DrP

And the overall race winner with handicaps applied:
1. snotrag
2. kirky72
3. J-R

With the sprint/fastest lap points added the top 3 for the series is as follows:
1. Snotrag (50)
2. Kirky72 (47)
3. J-R (43)

Green Jersey Race
1. Nixie (10)
2. Seabass (6)
3. Paino (4)

So next week try something new – a TT on MTBs. You will have an individual start time from 19:00 (I think I am the first slot) so take note of your time to head off – I think you have to be in the pen by 19:00 however. Sorry it is a bit earlier but I didn’t know how many would enter and therefore what time the last person would be setting off. It should be a short sharp shock!

For those interested in joining with more STW Zwift fun(?) there is a TTT on a Thursday evening:

Zwift Team Time Trial, Thursday

@itsonlymelee you were in a small group with me for a lap or so, then you launched a feather power up and shot off up the hill. Could have cried.

Haha yeah sorry!! I’m a relative noob but thought I might as well unleash it on the massive 3% gradient and give it some.

Being a skinny-ass it was a real eye opener on the downhills. Damn gravity. Had made a break from a group and eased up a tiny bit on the downhill of that wooden bridge rollercoaster bit and everyone from behind came streaming past and ended up about 20m up the road!!

That was utter balls. Left behind at the start despite 400W spin, seemed to take ages to get back to the front then ended up on the lap 2 climb with Phil & Benman who just lit the afterburners as I almost chucked it in. Only just managed to hold onto the next group too, died a horrible death trying to catch Adam then completely ballsed up the sprint. Shocker.

That was ouchie. Think I stayed with the fast group for the first downhill, but got dropped by more and more people as the hills went by :).

@bails – the race for 46th was indeed epic. Every time I got close you put down some more watts – I thinks I was about 20m behind at the line so good job 🙂

I also got a 2W bump in ftp so that’s both encouraging and disappointing (for the handicap).

Cheers R obbo thanks for organising and nice of you to give us an easy one first!! That was bloody hard going.

cheers Ivan for the last lap it was a nice little 3some  it was nip and tuck for most of the lap.

Neil

PS thanks for STW towers for organising with Zwift.

My best 5 minute effort yet up the first hill only for @savoyad and @kirky72 to mercilessly crush me as I faded near the top. Then boom you were gone. Thanks @munkeymadness for the tow for the next 2 laps.

Good “fun” as ever. Sadly don’t think I am going to be able to make any more but I live in hope/fear 😉

Well, started comfortably, didn’t go nuts at the start and got in a nice big bunch.
Lungs decided I had to stop for a couple of minutes for a bit of a cough around the end of lap 1 I think.
Felt much better so set off after Ivan and Neil Arnold? Saw Weeksy flagging a bit, Got within 15 secs of S.Undarra but ran out of Km and legs.

Sorry anyone who didnt get the right bike. Worth checking for next week but I will get in touch with Zwift. Th entries say MTB only so not sure what happened.

Also any FTP updates just let me know for the next race. I dont adjust during the race but its good if you can get an FTP bump! 58 finishers as well which is a new record and I think over 60 started.

Thanks Robbo and good ride tonight. I was a bit tardy tonight. 10 mins lazy warm up led to a mediocre start. I actually thought I caught the back of the front group but turned out to be the midpack. It whittled down over first lap and I found myself with Wark, Fordo and Zilog. We worked well for a lap until the last climb when I saw Robbo had unhitched from his group so I went after him. Only made 10sec or so on him before the line. Those hilly rides are helping aren’t they? Can’t decide whether I liked it or not to be honest..

@robbo1234biking any reason I am not showing in the Cat D’s?

Jeez that was bloody hard as per usual, felt like breaking up the last race up the epic into 3 smaller versions with a minor flat bit in between. I think I hit just under my recently improved FTP which I honestly thought I might not see again. That’s testament to an hilly race as like other people have mentioned I seem to crank out higher watts consistently when climbing.

The start as insane as usual and after leading the charge briefly I tried to sit towards the back but was fearful of being dropped so bounced around a bit. Was slightly relieved when the proper fats lads broke away on the climb and put some serious effort in to stick with what turned out to be the second chase group. I thought every time up the climb might be my last as I was feeling pretty empty come the top of the bridge each time. I had an unwanted visit from the wife as we approached the peak of the climb on lap two and temporarily dropped back and had to sprint to catch the group just before the drop down the bridge, just about making it with the help of the wagon PU.

Savo made a fantastic break on the final climb opening up around 8 seconds however we worked hard as a group on the final descent/flat bit and just about caught him before the finish.

We had a bit of a spring off, I was towards the back of the group so could see it unfolding, I had to put down up to 750w a little longer than I thought possible for me at that stage of the race to just about creep past savo, piano, south side Johnny and Ian p to edge them out in the sprint, hopefully Ian’s captured the Sagan like moment in his footage again.

I also learned along with the draft effect being less you also need to put down a lot more power in a spring to achieve a much slower acceleration. At one point it felt like a wasted effort as it was like trying to power through treacle.

Fantastic race again with the fine balance of feeling like I may have to drop off, may bonk or vomit at any given moment.

@dangerourbrian thanks for your kind comments, I feel like I’ve improved fitness wise to some degree, however a bigger part is learning what I actually I have to give, how long I can go for with what power and that when I hit 185/190 for short time doesn’t equal instant death.

@woodster, I did notice your avatar dropping out and back in again. I thought you had the misfortune of dropping out altogether in the final stages. I was trying to make sure I wasn’t behind you as I didn’t want to draft you, you disappear and be left with a gap to the next rider in front. Glad you completed the race.

I was on mobile app, did a warmup of sorts on Jungle Loop, saved it and then tried to join race pen with ~90secs left but app just plonked me on route again. So another exit, re-launch, had the invite to join race thankfully but think I got plonked in the pen 5-10secs after the official race start.

Think the adrenaline of being ditched at the start and the fact it was a race kicked in, killed myself up the climbs (it was nice to see I could do ~300W up the long drag) and then recovered on the downhills back towards my estimated LTHR. Tried to make Robbo sweat as he approached the finish line but I suspect he was happy he had the place in the bag and I was blowing up over the final ~1Km trying to catch him.

Mobile didn’t auto-upload ride to Strava, so not long finished sending fit files from mobile to email and then uploading it manually onto Strava.

By far the best power numbers I’ve done in weeks (if not months) for ~50mins, so Robbo please feel free to adjust my handicap retrospectively for this race (not that I expect to trouble the point scoring positions over the season) as the power estimate I gave you was considerably lower…

276W for the race
285W for my best 20mins (271W using 95% method)

Sounds like fun guys…so glad I missed the pain hahaha! Also a few bike tech issues from the sounds of it…next week check your bike early…it should be an MTB for all the races.

Hopefully I can get home in time for next weeks earlier start…I definitely won’t have any warm up time….eek.

I think is an error on my time robbo. I should have been @ 50.19 I think. Was about 30-40 sec ahead of chipps, about 20 down on snook.

Yeah – watch my video instead

Whoop whoop. I is fay mouse.

Yeah – watch my video instead ! 🤣

Bookmarked to watch in the future 😂.

Yeah – watch my video instead ! 🤣

The first 30 sec of the video are the saddest on the internet!

Rob…
The final standings seem to only take into account the race finish points, and doesn’t include race points (I.e it needs to be ranked on the final column…).

This, of course, drops me a spot! But it’s honest…

DrP

My power has dropped off a cliff since first series. I’m not sure if that’s because I push myself a little harder when trying to keep up with faster guys, as I didn’t seem nearly as broken as usual and the race pace felt far easier. That said, when I did try to put the hammer down I had nothing, could barely get above 260 watts even on the climbs and my hr was through the roof and didn’t drop below 100 bpm for a while after.

Think I’m just unfit