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Brian... Did you fall off the mountain?
You've gone!
And to the others... It seems both Brian and I are both really hung over too!
Anyway... Just rolling down the epic, so better get back!
DrP
Well that was hard work this morning! Cheers for coming mark & Ian.
I think the ride to the inlaws later might be a bit less comfortable than I hoped!
As I should have expected with you two the climb was pretty brisk, I didn't have a hope of hanging on! Thanks for waiting at the top though and thanks for organising, without something in the diary it would have been all too easy to have a sunday morning lie in!
As I should have expected with you two the climb was pretty brisk, I didn’t have a hope of hanging on!
No need to, Sundays mornings are not for chasing. [which is why I let Ian go most of the way to the mast obviously, nothing to do with empty legs]
anyone know if you get the bonus XP points every time you do a route, or just once the first time?
Just the first I think though I can't say I've paid much attention to be honest
I don't know how I have missed this. To save me hunting it down, how do I join?
I can't remember how to share an invite but if you drop me a DM with your zwift ID I should be able to send you one on companion
Anyone up for Sunday hills tomorrow? I've created a meetup for makuri 40 @ 7.31
40k and 30 so not very hilly for a Sunday hills but...
Done as a meetup rather than a club ride so there should be a few other riders visible so give me a shout if you want an invite (sorry DrP you got one like it or not as I have to invite someone to create it 😂)
I are in!
DrP
Yay! Now I won't have to think about doing a run instead!
Could I have an invite please?
Can't promise to make it but if the dog wakes me up early I'll try and join.
Thanks
JB
Could I have an invite please?
All being well you should have said invite.
In practice apologies to whoever randomly got an invite
🤔 I need to drink less on a Saturday night! 🥴🥱😵💫!
See you in a minute!
DrP
You're not a medical student anymore!
That's said I never was and I also need to drink less on a Saturday night.
Tidy!
Brian was off on some (secret) threshold workout for the first half 😂😂😆😆😳!
But a great ride.. Legs feel tested and it's not even 9am!
DrP
Yeah, that was a fair way to shake a hangover. thinking I should have gone for a run instead and I hate running but I'm not sure I'm going to be any more comfortable by 5pm after that than if I'd gone out in my skimpy shorts!
(I do seem to recall now that your leisurely pace and mine didn't quite align when I rode that bit of the sdw with you, odd how you forget these things)
So how does this work? I have the club on the companion app now and I see the chat section but how do you find the planned rides? I think they are normally in the 'Club events' section on the app but that is empty. Looks like I missed one last week (going by the mention of hills that's probably a blessing)
Not done any Zwifting for too long (or much of anything really!) for various reasons but right back on it now, motivation is currently high due to riding the new Scottish routes & now Tour of Watopia (anyone else doing these?) 😃
I take it the League racing died a bit of a death? Or is it coming back? Really enjoyed those!
Also, anyone got one of these? https://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-pro-trainer-table
Seems a [I]bit[/I] overkill, although currently balancing everything on a wobbly stool which isn't optimal! DCR seems to really rate it, particularly the addition of power (which I don't actually need right now, but you never know). RRP seems a bit suss, although the current price does sound OK (it's cheaper than when DCR reviewed it). Plus Wiggle have just emailed me a £10 voucher & I need a few other bits too 🤔
Can't comment on the table but I am doing the tour rides when able, Scotland also opened today for general riding with the latest update. I quite like Scotland, it's very lumpy, shame they couldn't do some longer routes though.
I believe the League, TTT, Tuesday races, etc, are on hold for now, Just Brian and DrP keeping the Sunday Hills alive, I always seem to have other things on (or a hangover) on a Sunday morning.
zilog6128
Also, anyone got one of these?
Nope, but I do have the PlanetX version (with no power).
I think I paid a similar price for that, and the Lifeline one looks nicer with the wood top & the power input. Not sure the power addition would have any real benefit to be honest, although I suppose this depends if you are using PC & monitior or a tablet etc.
Planet X one only has 3 wheels while that one has 4 so probably more stable.
Anyway - it works really well and it was definitely worth the money. Not essential, but definitely a nice to have.
I quite like Scotland, it’s very lumpy, shame they couldn’t do some longer routes though.
Yeah, same, I rode all of it in about an hour.
Had a go on it today; Glasgow section seems to be a load of city centre landmarks dumped in a random arrangement but ultimately it’s a game, isn’t it?
Didn’t they roll out extra routes with time in France/Makuri Is?
Makuri, yes, with the Island expansion not too long back. France, Yorkshire, Innsbruck, have always remained the same I believe, (actually maybe Ventoux was added slightly later). There seems to be quite a few roads in France (on the Ventoux climb for example), blocked and going nowhere, it would be nice to see some expansion with them, many look "gravel".
I'd rather see some of these existing worlds opened up further, instead of adding new ones with short routes.
I [I]think[/I] the whole point of the Scottish routes was to make exciting race routes with varied scenery (which does look great in 4k!) rather than long routes for fondos, etcHad a go on it today; Glasgow section seems to be a load of city centre landmarks dumped in a random arrangement but ultimately it’s a game, isn’t it?
I did a few races on "City and the Sgurr", seemed like a good course, not much flat and plenty of short-ish but sharp climbs!
I quite like the Innsbruck 'short' course, it's good for a few laps with a push hard up the short but sharp climb, recover a bit, have a go at the sprint, recover for a bit longer and repeat. It's basically intervals but with a bit of interest thrown in.
Can't honestly say i pay any attention to what's going on.. more the undulations, the planning, the tactics, the rest, well, i just don't much give it a consideration.
Sorry but I can't make this weekend Ian 😔
I'm going to dyfi Bike Park. I'll let you know when I'm able to walk again.
Well my Zwift racing dream appears to be at an end - I've somehow been bumped up to A. I'm about 63kg with my FTP at around 4.1W/kg (260W or so) which means I'm just going to get shelled out of the smaller groups that A generally has, not exactly fun. Does anyone know if the system is dumb enough that piling on some, virtual, weight will immediately allow me back into B?
@mashr I'm strictly an A at 65kg/290W, but most events allow me to race B. If I race A I get shelled almost immediately on the flat.
That's what I'm expecting. Often have a wee look at A stats after a race, fully aware that my involvement would likely be measured in seconds. I do wonder if it's being skewed by not doing as much of Zwift recently, but definitely no category enforced races letting me into B at the moment
Weight doping is definitely a well established way to cheat if that's what you mean, yes.
It'll likely take a few races to drag you back down these days though.
On a different note, anyone fancy a Sunday hills this weekend (maybe tomorrow or Saturday rather than Sunday!)
dangeourbrain
Full Member
Weight doping is definitely a well established way to cheat if that’s what you mean, yes.It’ll likely take a few races to drag you back down these days though.
Think you've got it backwards - I'd be adding weight, not removing. Making my wee Zwifty guy slower. I'm not winning B races as it is, so actually making it even less likely now
I’m not winning B races as it is, so actually making it even less likely now
For what it's worth, I occasionally tip into a, usually off the back of losing a few kg.
I've always found the racing in A to be much better. B tends to be a lot of folk soft pedaling then thrashing out 6w/kg for the last few km in order to keep the average under 4.1 and stay in b.
A is definitely harder but it's always felt like more of a group effort rather than just a bunch of people waiting for the sprint at the end.
The biggest problem with A is that the numbers are artificially low because people don't like being in the bottom half of the results so fudge staying in B which means your screwed as soon as you lose a wheel.
A is definitely harder but it’s always felt like more of a group effort rather than just a bunch of people waiting for the sprint at the end.
Agreed... I'm low A class/v high B..
I only really race in A, despite knowing that I'll get beasted either in the final sprint, or up a hill near the end cos i'm blowing out my a$$!
You don't actually get blown out the back in the first few seconds TBH... it's normally towards the end...
Give it a go!
DrP
So. Damn. Close!!
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go check you ARE actually on the everest challenge still!!!!
DrP
Ha, yeah that would be a disaster! Definitely still on it!
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Very nearly there Tallpaul and well done for being on the right challenge while doing it 🙂 The shiny light-up toy will be yours very soon.
As for the concerns above about being bottom end of Cat A - it's really the same whichever level you're at. Once you nudge out of the lower category into the next one then it is hard again. There's a big difference between bottom and top in each category (particularly if some at the top are also "managing" their output to stay down). Go find courses/races that suit your skills. At your weight and W/Kg, look for as many rolling or hilly events as you can which will reduce the number of watt monsters left at the end.
The real negative with A was mentioned earlier - it tends to be a far small entry list. Which is shame when you see people in B who can put out sizeable numbers. Definitely get the idea that there are fragile egos involved, unfortunately I’ve just got fragile legs instead 😉
unfortunately I’ve just got fragile legs instead 😉
Ah, just ride cat A crits then*, that way you only need to be able to do 20 minutes.
*don't do this. Crits in A are really really not fun.
Hello Darlings,
Been a Loooong time since I did any STW ride (COVID, then inertia). What goes on these days? Presumably out of season for RobboRacin'
I did my first zwift race in ages yesterday - first time in Z3 or above for months !. I used to be a mid-pack B but entered C. Was fine; kept with the bunch (which caught the 2 breakaways) and didn't really bother with the sprint.
ICU emailed to congratulate me with an FTP that's about 20% down on what I used to manage. Think I'll be a while before I see that, or B. Can't imagine what the start of an A race is like - or are they more grown-up about it ?)
Can’t imagine what the start of an A race is like – or are they more grown-up about it ?)
It's about the same pace out the blocks as B, if not slightly lower.
Unlike B it only drops off a touch after that though
Haven’t Zwifted since the warmer weather hit, and wasn’t planning to, except I’ve just broken my hand so probably back on it for the next 4-6 weeks 🙄😂
Just checking out what’s happening and see the official controllers have just launched! They actually look really good (doubly so if like me you have an Apple TV) and reviews including DCR are very positive so just ordered some at the initial discount price.
The what?
Cheers. Not sure they'd do a lot for me as I only race on Zwift and have flat bars.
Steering is now enabled by default on all events. That's likely going to put you at a disadvantage without it.
they look like a well thought out decent product! much better than the Kickr Steer
90% of my zwifting this year has been in erg mode ticking off routes while in Zone 2, but I'll probably jump on these come winter when my bike doesn't really move off the turbo,
having increase intensity & decrease intensity on the bars is a winner imo
Have ordered them at the intro price... as an ATV user, it'll be nice to be able to have more control rather than just the companion app...
DrP
That’s likely going to put you at a disadvantage without it.
you might be right about that! Nice little race-review here:
https://zwiftinsider.com/zwift-play-race/
if/when they introduce in-game braking, that’ll add yet another layer of strategy. (Also would actually be really handy for things like the team-time-trial, non-race rides, meet-ups etc)
I rarely win races anyway due to lack of sprint power
Well, the Play controllers are very good! Do seem a bit finnicky to connect to my ATV initially, often needing a few power cycles, but once connected are rock solid (no dropouts as of yet). I see there’s a FW update today for them so maybe that’ll help.
Really handy to have access to all functions without taking my hands off the hoods, seems very intuitive especially for PUs in races. Absolute no-brainer to get these for navigating menus too if you have an ATV, 1000% improvement!
The actual steering seems very woolly on the Repack Rush test course. I saw this explained in a comment though that the steering works by selecting a “lane” and then at some point the auto-steering algorithm takes over to keep you on said lane, so it feels like you’re not fully in control!
This works really well in races though! The Zwift Insider guy loves it and has done a couple of race write-ups about it so far. It’s true that you have a massive advantage especially on a course with loads of tight turns like Crit City & at the moment when most people don’t have steering yet (you have a little icon displayed by your name). You take the shortest line and see your guy surge to the front of the pack or even off the front! I’ve seen it said in comments that it cuts a significant amount of distance off the total you have to cover in a race if you do it consistently! Definitely feels like cheating at the moment 😬🤷♂️
the ZI guy also says there’s steering only races (although not many yet) and apparently these are great and make the racing seem really immersive. Hope to try one to tomorrow maybe!
Side note, the e-sports Olympic cycling (on Zwift) is up on YouTube now. Actually quite cool & fun to watch. The first race is an elimination format which looks like a lot of fun, but no word on it coming to Zwift for the masses any time soon which is a shame!