Zwift Team Time Trial, Thursday

Harsh!!!

The startlist has pulled through onto the WTRL site now, so it’s easier for me to chop and change riders around on screen. Watch this space…

@drew do you have a zwiftpower profile? You are entered in the event in the app but I can’t see you on the WTRL startlist.. If not, can you get one? Instructions here: https://support.zwift.com/en_us/connecting-to-zwiftpower-SyldRc_4H

Its a long route this week but should be very quick through the sand bit and the climb is only 5 minutes long (less for the faster guys).

Will need to be wary through titans grove as that is where the team will split.

Will need to be wary through titans grove as that is where the team will split.

yes, we had that problem before IIRC. We ride much better as a unit now though so hopefully be ok as long as we all keep an eye on the gaps!!

Hi, thanks for the prompt Savoyad I’m now on the start list.

After last night I definitely should be in group B, that way I can help to push when needed, on short sharp hills etc. I don’t want to just be hanging on for dear life 🙂

The longer KOM section of Titans will be where I struggle due to weight but I’m ok with the smaller punchy stuff.

For me, where we go wrong is not slowing enough when there is a gap, and hoping Phil can pull the sufferer along.

When there is a gap at the back the whole team needs to go into 80% cruise mode, whilst the rider rejoins, or a stronger ride helps out by going back, but the main team must reduce effort considerably, otherwise the dropped rider has to put in monumental effort and is drained when they do get back.

Usually the gap has grown too big before the team slows.

I would like to see more comms from those at the back calling the pace (myself included), so that we get earlier notice of the issue. Just one word commands like ‘cruise/go’ would be enough to head off the gaps and indicate when its safe to ramp up again.

I’ve tried to call that in the past, but not felt that the group has slowed quickly enough to slow the gap. Just my 2c, last ride we were pretty much on it, still loving it.

My new headset arrives today so hopefully I will have better comms tomorrow evening! Taking a rest day today as well so a rare 48 hours of the bike for me between last nights race and tomorrow nights so I hope to go into it fresher!

What headsets are everyone using? I have in-ear plugs but I’m not sure if they are up to the job for comms or not. We will find out tomorrow…

Can anyone suggest anything suitable for zwifting, I was thinking of getting some proper on-ear headphones, but at a cheapish price if possible.

Will be a hard course for me with it being so flat, 69kgs and 263 ftp means I’ll be pretty much at max ftp for the majority of the flat part. Is the second discord channel set up? Hope that’s the right terminology, have no idea what it means apart from the B team need to be able to communicate!

haloric
Free Member
For me, where we go wrong is not slowing enough when there is a gap, and hoping Phil can pull the sufferer along.

When there is a gap at the back the whole team needs to go into 80% cruise mode, whilst the rider rejoins, or a stronger ride helps out by going back, but the main team must reduce effort considerably, otherwise the dropped rider has to put in monumental effort and is drained when they do get back.

Agree 100%, on the occasions when I’ve pulled the plug it wasn’t necessarily because I wouldn’t have been able to get back on but because I knew that the effort of getting back on combined with no noticeable drop in pace meant that being dropped again (and again!) was almost inevitable.

I have ordered one of these:

Will let you know tomorrow if it is any good. Will try in ear headphones with it and use that for comms and in ear for music.

People normally cant hear me with my in ear ones hence me giving the other ones a try. Wireless is an issue as well so hopefully the cord is nice and long!

Oh and I quite like the feeling of waiting for the teams to come out. Reminds me of my rugby playing days waiting for the text to come through to know which team you would be playing in ie. would you be playing against South Africans and Kiwis in London or a bunch of retired teachers in Leicester!

I’m not sure ear-muffs are a great idea for indoor turbo racing!

I’m not sure ear-muffs are a great idea for indoor turbo racing!

I wear a head band as well. I pretty much look like a bad 80s workout instructor in a mankini. I already use some wireless over ear ones for workouts and don’t have an issue with my ears getting hot but all of my extremities seem to suffer with being cold!

Ha I was going to ask if anyone uses a head band or not, I seem to suffer from sweat in the eyes and all over the phone!

I don’t think I could wear such big cups over my ears whilst exercising, I’ll melt.

I wear a head band as well. I pretty much look like a bad 80s workout instructor in a mankini.

If you ever follow DrP down the twitch stream route, promise me you’ll grow a Tom Selleck tache first*

*assumes you currently look like that chap in the deer stalker on emmerdale.

I’ve been going round in circles like it’s a velodrome. No lineups were perfect. I’ve alighted on this distribution of riders, my best attempt at satisfying everyone within the constraints of the event:

TEAM ONE

@phil56

@paino

@w00dster

@scaredypants

@yanboss

@zilog6128

@robbo1234biking

TEAM TWO

@dangeourbrain

@drew

@weeksy

@retrorick

@oopnorth

@ljarch

@ivandobski

@haloric

One is obviously a faster team than two (by design). But I’m still a bit uncomfortable thinking of them as A and B teams. A lot of interchangeability is possible and we should probably shuffle a bit to experiment from week to week. Both have plenty of experience in the format which is nice.

It’s hard to get a good power “gradient” (on paper) across the riders for both teams because we have a bit of a gap in the middle of the B range.

So these lineups have a more dramatic and satisfying power gradient in team one than team two. Team two is really a very tight unit based on power profiles alone, plus Brian. I’ve tried to take everyone’s contributions to the conversation into account and also to avoid dropping us in the trap of unsatisfying results in both frappe and latte.

This is a really amazing group of riders to have these dilemmas with.

I’ll allocate the actual team names etc once start delays are announced – this will mean I can manipulate the gap between the teams. It might be fun one day to be passing each other, but I think we best avoid that for now…That’ll be probably tomorrow AM but I’ll do it tonight if (which isn’t often the case…) I get the info email in time.

Excellent work savoyad

good stuff! looking forward to it 😃

Works for me! Thanks savoyad

It might be fun one day to be passing each other, but I think we best avoid that for now

To be fair that would be pretty hilarious, passes are messy enough without the added joy of the other team being in the same kit, with the same tag and all people you were riding with yesterday.

on headphones – I have NO IDEA how you can stand that ! (or how they’d survive even a couple of races on my head)

I have one of those conference camera/mic things on the top of my screen for the mic and a pair of speakers for the sounds. Seemed to work OK on the ride I did with you (at least, people said they could hear me OK). Only major worry would be if I started accidentally streaming video – I’m no “DrP, catwalk king”

I do have a huge fan pointed at my head so that might be why I don’t find them too bad!

Teams look good Savoyad. Cheers for sorting.

Just a note…this will be my first ever TT, team or otherwise…so apologies in advance if I really mess it up!!

Sorry team 2 😉

… should add, I don’t care at all which team I join so please move me as anyone prefers, savoyad

(road bikes again this week, as the app description seems to suggest, or is the “sand” aspect off-road ?)

Don’t worry mate. It is basically like riding in the group last night. We don’t do turns on the front or anything that organised – just give it your best and enjoy it. Ivan looked strong last night as well in our group.

You would do good being the pace setter up the climb. Set a decent but confortable pace at about 250w for the team and let Brian drop to the back in case anyone drops off.

You would do good being the pace setter up the climb. Set a decent but confortable pace at about 250w for the team and let Brian drop to the back in case anyone drops off.

Pretty much this, unless you’ve any objections as a group, my plan is to sit on the back and fill gaps as they appear or help pull people back on if needed. [significantly it should let you lot work as a group as it suits you and see how it goes without too much risk of the group coming badly apart if you misjudge]

If it goes as I expect I’ll fall off a bit on the climb and the rollers so I can pull anyone who has fallen off back to you on the down hill and the flat.
The desert is about as pan flat as zwift gets so I imagine looking at the group you’ll all stick pretty well there until you don’t. When they do form any gaps will go out quickly so will be a fair bit of under over for me to try keep any one at the back from falling off too much without it getting very lurchy.

Happy to do some pulling come lap 2 if you’re all holding together well but I think it’s likely to cause trouble if I’m spending much time on the front.

If it all goes swimmingly I’ll get a nice pootle…

I’ll be ok on the first time up the Titan’s, second I might be blowing…let’s see.

I’m happy to take the front when I feel good enough to do so, then hide in the draft during the flatter sections to get some breath back. Pretty much like last night. I’m not a great pacer though so let me know if I pull too hard or not!!

If you’re doing a turn on the front and feeling good don’t drop the hammer and catch people out, just do a longer turn at a slightly higher pace.

road bikes again this week,

Always. Gravel bikes lose more in aero than they gain in speed so in a draft its pointless even in dirt. (and its all* tarmac tomorrow)

Only thing I would say is avoid the tron bike. No draft animation makes it really bloody hard to know if you’re losing the group or towing them when folks are on them.

*almost

I’m looking forward to my 2nd TT. I think I’ll watch slightly more tv and cut my warmup time in half so I’m not totally useless during the event 😂

I’m down on power quite a bit since I last rode with you guys so I’m expecting this to be grim! I’ll do my best and I’m sure I’ll know pretty early on if I’ve bitten of a bit too much too soon, only one way to get fit again though right?! Think the toughest bit for me will be passing any teams and if we catch any back to back!! Those surges hurt when I was fitter never mind now.

Only thing I would say is avoid the tron bike.

Looks like I need to spend some drops! New Canyon? I do have the venge but I think that’s more suited to just flats.

Will the lightweight wheels work or should I go more aero?

I raced with the aero road and the dr Swiss wheels yesterday. Might be a good combo!

Think the toughest bit for me will be passing any teams and if we catch any back to back!! Those surges hurt when I was fitter never mind now.

You’ll be fine – I’ll pick you up if you’re falling off, just remember to aim for my wheel not try and chase the group.
Unless the group is going serious guns on the front I should be able to pace you back on so you’re pulling less than they are but making ground so long as you hold draft.

Looks like I need to spend some drops! New Canyon? I do have the venge but I think that’s more suited to just flats.

Will the lightweight wheels work or should I go more aero

New canyon is actually faster than the tron. Its the fastest all out bike in the game no or side TT.
Zipp 808s (or supers etc if you’ve got them) for wheels for everything except hill top finishes.

Got 808’s already, so just a frame change needed. I’m off virtual bike shopping!

Did a course recce today, it’s a long one at 43k (with the lead out). It’s all about the climb though. I think it’s where teams are going to split all over the place. Stupidly I gave the climb a good bash, probably a terrible idea, but I think we’re looking at 5-6mins to the top. All in just over an hour in the saddle I’d say.

5-6, optimistic!

5:34 is my best.

Best lap 30:07