[Closed] STW Zwift Autumn Race Series 1

Something different to try. Means if I can pull off the front I get an aero benefit from the TT bike. Agree would be pointless to stay in the pack on one. Only works for soloing though.

I can pull off the front

You're motivating the fast guys there?

Tt bike makes sense if you are one of the few guys that can ride the entire race off the front. I certainly couldn't do that....

No point hanging in the pack waiting for it to thin if you are going with that approach though. May as well treat it as a time trial and go at own pace

@robbo1234biking .....

Any chance of considering possibly maybe having round 2 on a Wednesday?

No biggie if not, but Tuesdays are the only night I can actually get out for real riding, and now the wrist is better I may join the real world, tis all....

DrP

DrP - it is a possibility with the race series coming along as well. Not sure if people would want to do:

Tuesday: WTRL Zwift Race Series
Wednesday: STW Autumn Series 2
Thursday: TTT

I don't know if that would be too much for people. I wouldn't do all 3 as I like to integrate some structure into my training so 3 nights racing would just kill that. My priority would be the STW series and the TTT but don't know how others would feel.

I got a bit hacked off with the ZTRL league stuff so didn't commit to anything on that. I like to try and put a gap between races if possible so would prefer Tuesday but can live with Weds if it is preferable to people.

I'm going to be at a loss of what to do with myself on Tuesdays for the next couple of weeks.

I don’t know if that would be too much for people.

I’m going to be at a loss of what to do with myself on Tuesdays for the next couple of weeks.

I am planning on some more casual non-race/results orientated meetups over the next few Tuesdays. Prob along the lines of what weeksy did originally with circuits and sprints etc as I will be the same.

So my Wattbike turned up at the end of last week nicely in time for this last race of the series.

Turns out this cold has also turned up just in time too. Propper snotty lurgie this one 🙁 I'll get stuck into the 2nd series I promise!

All evenings are equally rubbish for me, it's my family time, but i race because, well, you'r all my virtual race mates..
So, whatever evening suits you all i'm ok with.

I forgot about the Thursday TT..

Erm... Mondays? 1900?

Mebbe....

DrP

I work shifts so any evening may or may not work for me. Tuesday night tho does clash with an option to go biking outdoors with friends.

Don't think I could do consecutive race days, I usually need a rest day or easy day for my legs to recover. I'm not doing the ZTRL series so it doesn't really affect me, however I know it does for some.

Mondays work, possibly Sundays too (but some weekend family commitments will stop me racing some weeks).

Don't forget that for the new Zwift/WTRL series, only every other week is a "race" with the other week being another team time trial (like Thursdays). It all feels a bit too team trial focussed for my preference, mainly because I don't usually feel like I've had as much of a workout after one of those as I do with the STW races.

Don’t forget that for the new Zwift/WTRL series, only every other week is a “race” with the other week being another team time trial

yeah that’s a bit weird, not really delved into it but it’s like the current WTRL series isn’t really part of the new Zwift/WTRL series?

They are - mercifully - separate.

RE the WTRL/zwift series I'll get a thread started this evening after the last of Robbo's Races, I'm happy to start a proper discussion with a view to [my] entering a* team once tonight has played out.

For a few reasons I'm personally not entirely keen but I'll cover that in the OP of the relevant thread.

*3 or more I'd guess, which is one of the reasons...

Back to tonight, I'm bottling the TT idea. Had a disturbed night with the youngest so going to hide out in the pack for a bit while my legs wake up.

LOL i'd love to be able to think like that.. if it were a C race i could 🙂

I'm currently trying to convince myself that racing this evening is a good idea. Strava tells me I wasn't as slow as I felt this morning on the way in so will see by the time I'm home but I feel like I've got an awful hangover from beer I didn't drink.

Monday's not great for a race series over winter. Sunday's will be one of the few days that folks can get out for a longish ride, so Monday race on tired legs will probably be less than ideal

I've just had my tea. Currently watching TV for my pre warmup warmup. Think I'll try the TT bike in my warmup since I've not used it before.

Lol that is eager!!!

You lot have much better preparation than I do! Mine is rush home from work (hopefully in time!!), in the door, changed and get my bottle filled, fire up the laptop and trainer.

If I'm lucky I get 5 minutes of warm up, sometimes not...Race starts...

In theory I should be able to stream tonight. Though chroma key does not work with a white background so it'll be game footage only.

if it works!

ooh...youtube....

I tried that one first, and it wouldn't let me as i wasn't a 'good enough' user or something!

I might look into youtube streaming then...

DrP

EDIT - it was the 'wait 24hours thing' I didn't do.. Just done it now...
For tonight i'll use twitch again, but prefer YT...

Last thing I'm thinking of is watching you clowns blow me away, I can see that in my own screen

EDIT – it was the ‘wait 24hours thing’ I didn’t do.. Just done it now…

As a Dr I'd have thought "give it a few days..." was some sort of autonomic response.

Only on YouTube as wife works for G and twitch is owned by the arch enemy. The 24hr thing scuppered me before.

RE the WTRL/zwift series I’ll get a thread started this evening after the last of Robbo’s Races, I’m happy to start a proper discussion with a view to [my] entering a* team once tonight has played out.

@Dangeourbrain is entry still open? I know BRT had a bit of a rush on to get entries in to hit a deadline.

It'll be hard to sort out as they are all fixed categories, racing up is allowed (but isn't that much fun) so realistically you need teams of all the same cat.

As a Dr I’d have thought “give it a few days…” was some sort of autonomic response.

ooh definitely...

But also, one has to comply with instruction as well....!!!

DrP

I did a cheeky midday warm up race, it may or may not have been a good idea but I won that one with full Hirschi style monstering up the last climb. I suspect my legs may fall off 3/4 of the way through.

You psycho. Not even I'm crazy enough to race then and later

It was only 11km on Tick Tock, so finished just over the col de saddle springs. With how it panned out I cruised up to the foot of the climb and then had a big dig on the climb. Hopefully it's not taken too much out of me.

Hopefully it has!!! 😉 Lol

I'm out, my ankle/foot is much better but not 100%. Still at a loss to the cause but I think it stems from my calf as it feels bruised like I've had really bad cramp.
Enjoy the race!

Shame James, was fun racing with you last week. Heal fast!

My prep consists of Bakewell tart, muesli and plying Lego worlds. Think that’s what all the pros do!

Mmmmm Bakewell tart!

Sorry folks I'm out, not feeling 100% anyhow then got soaked and cold on the commute.

Think I'd probably make the effort if it were one or other but the urge for an early dinner and bed coupled with the fact I really don't fancy getting on the turbo after I've got showered and warm wins out

That's a shame Brian - have a shower and a coffee - you might change your mind in half an hour

have a shower and a coffee

What I really want is a tub of Ben and Jerry's on the sofa! Not sure that's likely to have the desired effect though!

But yes, you're right. Positive attitude and all that!

I'm feeling rank, not sure I can manage a hard effort tonight. Will maybe rock up at start line and see how I get on first few laps.

I've attempted to buy myself some fitness by spaffing some drops on the 2021 Aeroad. Purple, which is worth 1/32 of a second per lap

1st one for me tonight. How does it all go? Do I click on the Meet Up button, then wait on side of road for a start??

Lol excuses everywhere! You'll all still go like lunatics

How many laps is it?

@giggsmaster as you describe. Once the meet up/race starts congregate on the beacon at about 100w. When everyone is in a decent blob that’s when I say go. Basically don’t rush of until I say go and ride on one big group!

Thanks @robbo1234biking

I'm not believing any of you...I know you are all bluffing! 😉

Good luck all, is it Paris tonight? Might be able to log in and watch but won't be riding.

My warmup is nearly complete. I think I'll ride the TT bike after testing it on the fan flats. My avatar looks a bit fat when sat up on the road bikes but sleek and slim on the TT bike 😉.
See you all on the start line 👍

****ing laptop finally connected....
I'm running zwift full-screen, which has messed with the twitch settings...

Think I'm better off warming up, rather than trying to get that working!

Alas... no stream from DrP today....

I'm on the fan flats at the mo... see you in a bit!

DrP

Sorry to ask again, but how many laps tonight?

I tried all sorts earlier and could not get a picture from zwift running full screen. Had to switch to windowed 🙄.

Hmm... with more time I'll look into it...

Edit... it seems you HAVE to be windowed with obs streaming...

DrP

4 or 5 I think to.

5 with a lead in

Oh dear. My chicken with bacon and cheese is repeating on me and struggling to get my legs going!
Tired just warming up...

Can see me coasting this one...

Thanks zwift.
No invite pop up to join Meetup ffs...

Piece of s h I t e...

Have fun...

DrP

Gonna do the road academy session 1 at 2000 instead!

DrP

Lost wheel on Robbo group on lap 3. Got caught by next group just starting lap 4 but I was dead.
Went in too deep early on with that incline and paid dearly

Incline was a little fast in lap one 😄.

That was tough. Legs not awake on lap one. Pushed too hard at the start of the incline to try and force an early split and paid for it near the top. Still a split did happen which left the lead pack a bit more manageable.

Lap two I tried to attack on the hill but again didn't have the legs for it. The pack pulled me back in before the top. I had a quick rest then thought stuff it and attacked right from the back going down. I think that caught everyone but Phil napping as the two of us almost walked away up the road.

Lap three I had a draft, Phil had a feather. I rather meanly sat in and let him do the work going up then dropped the hammer as we reached to the top. After that it was TT time. I think Phil has 30s on my handicap wise so was trying initially to get that gap, then later to see how big it would get. Really good job by him though staying away from the chase group for 2 and a half laps.

Thnaks robbo, I enjoyed that again. 🍻

Stick a fork in me, I'm done. Between trying to force a split on the hill early doors then covering moves before trying to get the split just before the start of the last lap I'm knackered despite not actually posting big numbers.

Post ride interview.

That was tough yet again. couldn't handle the lead group after sprinting to try and get on feom the go, I was just coasting back with little watts and got dropped had to lay down 400w for longer than i was comfortable just before the drag uptp the climb. then decided to try and form a split but went too early and run out of steam.

hung back for saavoyads group and managed to stick with and finish second I think in the sprint by Parky.

well done to woody, andeh and southside Johnny for sticking with the lead group.

going to be close between woodster and me,he might just have pipped me at the end.

Good racing and once again thanks for organising robbo

Really really struggled there. Almost climbed off after lap 2 but managed to hang on to the group I was in. Assumed my 2nd place on gc had disappeared up road and knew nothing I could do about it, but Phil began to come back to the pack and when I noticed crazy Harry 45 seconds down it was game on for the gc win.

In the end we managed to peg Phil back to 5 seconds on road but Harry fought back well to only lose 30 odd seconds and take a narrow (but well deserved after last week) gc win.

I'm sure I should thank robbo for organising, but given how rank I feel right now I'm not sure it's appropriate..😂

Also, is it just me, or does everyone think 'there is no way everyone is suffering as much as me right now, I'm about to get dropped off back' midway through every single race..🤣

Massive thanks to Robbo for the series. Top job sir

Got surprised out by the first lap sprint that happened in exactly the spot I had predicted it would, which made me doubly surprised, thrice cross.

Not even 600+w could get me back on, so then I met up with the mid C self help support group. We spent 5 laps looking at each other. Tried to help with the odd breakaway but that was stupid 'cos I was actually already on my limit, and barely holding on some of the time.

Let my drafting bonus too late for the finish, but got new best 1m,5m and 10m powers, so must have been trying.

Great series, thanks Robbo, looking forward to the next one, and the WTRL league...

Not much that we could do there and I started right at the front so was 5 seconds down on some of you. Tried to split it up to do something but I knew I wouldn't have the legs to go at the end but couldn't make the break stick earlier in the race.

That Cat C self help group would make a decent WTRL team.

I felt absolutely awful on laps 2/3. That climb up to the Champs was killing me, more psychological than anything. Was sure I was going to get dropped. Last lap I actually felt the legs coming back, unfortunately not enough to catch Phil, who timed his break to perfection.
Thought the first ‘group’ on the road settled well-the gap to Harry & Savoyad remained pretty constant-especially after their outstanding performance last week!
Once again, thanks Robbo. A great series & a good cause too. Cheers

Enjoyed that even if I did feel distinctly quesey after the finish.

Went with the front group from the start but couldn't figure out why I couldn't do more than 300ish watts. Turns out I was in the little ring which I never use then when I went to shift up dropped the chain.

So fell off the front group just as it was splitting and managed to get onto the 2nd group on the road sitting in with Weeksy, Rob, Zilog, Hudson and others. After a couple of laps I decided to try and split the group and did about 30secs of 400w hoping a couple of faster riders would come across for me to sit in but no joy so sat up.

Tried again a couple of laps later with the same result then found myself on the wrong side of a split a lap or so later which only just came back together - it was the potential embarrassment that helped me stick with the chase.

Coming into the final sprint I waited slightly too long, I would have gone long but someone beat me to it and getting back on terms drained the legs. In the end I think I got 5th out of the group but essentially we all finished on the same time.

Great racing and huge thanks to Rob for organising and everyone taking part for making it a laugh.

Thanks Robbo that was a great intro to racing,

can i ask if we all blobbed and you said go or was the gun jumped??? It could be i missed it but i had the same last week. Ended up having a fun ride around with l abbott, stumpy01 and one other (sorry forgot who)

That was my favorite race of them all. Slowly getting the hang of this racing thing. Didn't make a mess of the start. stayed with the first group for about 4kms, then stuck with the first group that dropped off (Robbo's group) and managed to hang in until 4kms to go when I fell off the back on the last long climb. Just couldn't get back to them and was solo from there in. Improvement on my normal 15kms solo 🙂

Thanks again Robbo for organising, hoping you've something else in the pipeline.

I was about to flag that there were some stragglers when Robbo called go but there was a pretty big blob in place and if it had been any later the drop through the underpass would have made a complete mess of things.

I've just looked at the handicaps for tonight. Whilst I'm not going to complain, I was given 14 min, which doesn't seem quite right? I assume because it's flat you have been especially generous to me. I won't complain though as I think Andrew h, who finished in the same group as me and was a rival for the podium places had an even smaller handicap!!??

Phil and crazy Harry would need to put 4 min into me to score as many points on the handicap system, which on a tt of that length they'd probably struggle to do. On a race like today they would have absolutely zero chance.

Ah thanks mr hoppy, i think i was around 300w, above ftp, trying to do the roll out!

Alright kevt...!?

Good ride that. The other rider was Antram.

I knew someone was gonna go coming through the underpass and I couldn't react.
Stick with Antram to the line but he got the jump on me. I was closing on the line, but didn't have enough distance for it to count.

Boring course so pleased we hung in a group! Helped me keep my wit's about me.

Oh, and once again - thanks Robbo!
Any ideas what the charity totaliser got to?

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has taken part in the series. This has made the event what it is, by people taking part, getting involved and generally enjoying themselves.

A few stats for you:

Average race attendance (not including those who had to drop out): 40.7

Total time spent racing in the series: 218 hours 22 minutes 22 seconds

Meters Climbed: 67,993m

Distance travelled: 7101.6km

Secondly, thanks for all the donations; to date we have raised £333 for Cardiac Risk in the Young. IF you don’t know about them their aim is ‘Preventing young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and research, and supporting affected families’.

https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/

Donations

Finally, thanks to STW towers and @Mark for bringing this community together and supplying some prizes.

I have been involved in Jennride’s with real riders and now done a lot of zwifting with a great big bunch of you. This is a great internet community and with winter approaching, the nights drawing in and local restrictions becoming more prevalent being able to ride on the computer with a bunch of mates can really help to keep your spirit up.

Hopefully next summer we can organise a real meet up on our bikes and mince around somewhere central in the UK, continue the great banter and share a few real beers!

Enough of me talking crap here is what you really want: the results from the final race of the series.

Firstly, the results of the various categories:

Cat A:

1. nixie
2. Phil56
3. tpbiker

Cat B:

1. paino & w00dster
2. J-R & andeh
3. Oblongbob

Cat C:
1. kirky72
2. haloric
3. ivan

Cat D:
1. whirld1
2. Jmd12

Now the race results for the final positions with handicaps applied:
1. andeh
2. tpbiker
3. V7fmp

And finally the moment you have all been waiting for, the top 3 from the series based on points scored:

1. kirky72 (257)
2. W00dster (251)
3. Tpbiker 234)

A special mention goes out to the Lanterne Rouge (whirld1) who has had the tenacity to complete every single stage with some serious slogs on his own. I hope that you have enjoyed the series and it has contributed to an increase in fitness for you. STW towers have also supplied a prize for the Lanterne Rouge.

I will get in touch with Mark to let him know who the winners of the series are and to arrange prize giving. We need a photo of the winner with their prize as well I am afraid! Based on the youtube footage I dont think you will be shy!

Im going to take a couple of weeks off but if anyone is missing the racing we will be back the first week in November with courses etc to be decided and hopefully some improvements with the learning from running this series.

If you are missing the Tuesday meet ups then join us on the TTT here:

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/zwift-team-time-trial-thursday/page/10/#post-11414396

Or for more social rides then see this thread. There are Sunday Hills, weekday virtual commutes and I might put something slower paced in for Tuesday evenings in the interim (perhaps like Weeksy’s original lap sprint format on Richmond Flats).

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/zwift-meetups-and-social-rides/page/74/

For more general racing see this thread:

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/zwift-my-journey-my-weight-and-my-fitness/page/377/