You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Awwwww mate, i enjoy racing you ! GWS and recover well.
Just a reminder that you have the option to thank Robbo by donating to a good cause - if everyone riding tonight donates just £1 we'll hit the £200 target.
You can be official event photographer if you want @oop north?
Surf the wheels using the companion app and get some decent angles of the bunches etc using the photo button at the bottom of the screen. You get a clean (hudless) image and one with the hud on.
Hope you get your mojo back soon!
Sorry to hear that Craig. We all need a bit of time off every now and again, [crikey I take more time off than on I think]. It'll do you good to have a rest day or two and to get out side and clear your head in the fresh air whilst that strange yellow thing is in the sky.
Well today just got a hell of a lot better!! I got a call earlier to say I won the Dreambike weekly competition in last nights draw...whoop!!! Won the Exposure light bundle, a sixpack, a diablo and a blaze...how cool is that!! I think these lights will be worth more than my bike haha!
Never won anything before, so I'm buzzing!
And thanks guys, just need a rest this week as I've run myself down, I'll definitely be back for the next one.
Good news mate - Cant believe how bright your paincave is going to be 🙂
Do all 6 races count in the series?
If it was only best 5 then I reckon many more folks would have a final position. That said probably a pain in the ass to work out scores at the end.
If it was only best 5 then I reckon many more folks would have a final position
I'm quite happy with my final placing being "joint last" as opposed to just "dead last" thank you!
So what's your hopes, aims and goals for tonight then fellas ?
I'm currently lacking in form, but my target for today is to get in the points and not lose pace in the last 1/3 of the race. This will mean i potentially have to pace myself better than usual and not realistically chasing the guys i wish i could stay with on my best days. But also i don't want to let a fast bunch go i can potentially be dragged along by.
I think the first 3 mins will make or break rides for people depeneding on how well they get the start with Robbo calling it.
this! Got it right on Race 1, way wrong on Race 2 😭 Looking forward to it though, think it's going to be fun with all those power-ups, they could be a significant factor! Hopefully get lucky and score 10 aeros 😂 Probably just get 10 lots of bonus points though 🤣🤣But also i don’t want to let a fast bunch go i can potentially be dragged along by.I think the first 3 mins will make or break rides for people depeneding on how well they get the start with Robbo calling it.
PUs around here play a massive factor i agree. I need 10 feathers.
I did realise though it's clockwise.... Which changes the dynamics a bit for sure, it means we go up the S bend and the run to the line is less steep and more gradual than the CCW route.
I did realise though it’s clockwise
Didn't notice that, more attack opportunities :D.
So what’s your hopes, aims and goals for tonight then fellas ?
Pedal like stink out of the gate, hang on for grim death and hope I get a better spin of the dice on PU than yesterday (5xXPs in an 8 lap crit race and 4 of them on the last 4 laps).
It's a good circuit for me in theory and I seem to be doing Ok just now. Handicap is favourable too so I'm hoping to be able to hang with the group around 300W. Positioning on the 2 minor rises will be key today I think.
So what’s your hopes,
To actually manage to get on the bike, as I can't lean it over on the turbo I think that's the biggest challenge for me this evening.
aims
[s] The same thing we do every night weeksy, try to take over the world.[/s]
To get clear enough of the rest of you lot that after I fall off the front group I'm not swallowed by the chase like race 1.
and goals for tonight then fellas ?
To put a point on the board
So what’s your hopes, aims and goals for tonight then fellas ?
Being realistic to get more points than last week and finish ahead of the others with the same handicap.
So it's the volcano circuit clockwork we are racing on yeah? I may do a lap as my warm up as I have no idea what the route is like
How do you use power ups, never bothered with them before. I assume you can't store them up and use when required by toggling between them..ie you only have one for use at any one time right?
As with any zwift flat race it'll all come down to the start. Goal is to not get caught behind a split in the group in first mile which is what usually happens to me. If I can manage that then I'm hoping for a top 10 finish.
How do you use power ups
There's a button on the map screen on companion (android at least) or space bar Iirc. Regrettably though there are no red shells just lots of "+" so I don't think it makes much odds.
@tpbiker You can only hold one at once though it you are using it as you cross the line you will get a new one once the activated one expires. You can store the one you have for as long as you like but you will not get any more. You can also throw it away if you want (though in reality this is pointless unless its one that effects others and its a team event). To activate click the power up icon onscreen or via the companion app.
looking forward to tonight. Stupid question from someone who is rubbish, but when you fall off the back of one group (assuming you cant get back and are not dead last) are you better to
ease up and wait to join the following group or soldier on without any draft. it feels like being 40 love down in tennis (i was crap at that to!)
Don't kill yourself but keep going. Depends what the gap is like to the group behind and if you think you can stay away solo for the remainder of the race. Remember to ramp the power up before they catch so (e.g. when a few seconds/50m or so back). The catching group will be quicker and if you don't build your speed up they can blow right past you.
are you better to
ease up and wait to join the following group or soldier on without any draft.
It'll depend where you are, the size of the gap back and whether you are confident you can hold the group. Early doors and small gap I'd probably drop back. Late on I'd keep on pushing unless it's clear you're getting caught before the finish line.
I’d say a bit of both previous answers:
1) Assess if the group behind is close/fast enough to catch you before the end. Monitor the time gap vs rate of being caught vs distance to the end.
2) If they will catch you then drop back to a recovery pace until they close on you. You are better spending lots of time in the chase group rather than some of the time out front.
3) As Nixie says, go hard as they get into the last 50m behind you, so they don’t drop you.
volcano circuit clockwork
I meant are going clockwise..or anti clockwise?
thanks - let's hope i can put the new tactics into action and do better than 3rd in Group D tonight
Goals for tonight eh...
A nice long leg stretch warm up.... spank it out the gate (well.."go" phrase), then to try to stick with a fast group, use their draft, not fall out the back, and get round without blowing up.
If I do lose the pack, it's game over as I can't maintain >300w on the flat, solo, for too long!
DrP
@jaminb regardless of which tactic you choose bear in mind that the time gap can be utterly nonsense as per a few folks earlier in this thread so it's entirely possible you'll be caught by a bunch which should be noticeably behind (or indeed well in front).
The result being the gap per se isn't important, it's the rate of change that you need to pay attention to so you need to do a bit of basic calculus on the fly.
If you can do that obviously you should be pedaling harder instead.
^^ look at the map, not the list, as this'll show where people actually are in relation to you...
DrP
I'll be doing my usual mash the pedals until near death, with minimal finess or tactics. I also plan to activate the wrong power up at the wrong time as per normal.
If the trainer craps out for 35 secs again I will not be amused.
hoping for a good start,catch a wheel or two and a power up other than + which I seemed to only get in the last race. Wheres a feather when you need one.
failing that the torpedo which as you racing around the track with no input would be good
^^ look at the map, not the list, as this’ll show where people actually are in relation to you…
But we're racing in circles. That hurts my brain. I guess thats why you're a Dr and I'm not.
weeksy
Full Member
So what’s your hopes, aims and goals for tonight then fellas ?
Not quite sure what to do for the best to be honest.
I know there is lots of talk of going fast out of the gate & hanging on for grim death, but I struggle to hang on when going as hard as possible. Then I drop off the group & have run out of puff.
Last week, I just went as hard as I could for as long as I could. I think this one will be different, as it might be possible to tag-along with lapping riders.
It's gonna be a warm one, that's for sure and I've had to come in to work today. Plan to leave at around 4:30 - home for just before 5:30.
Jump on turbo by around 7pm for a decent warm-up. I felt much stronger out of the blocks for race 2 where I had a good warm-up, than race 1 where I had about 6 mins of spinning.
But we’re racing in circles. That hurts my brain. I guess thats why you’re a Dr and I’m not.
Ah.. i mean "if you want to know when the group behind you is nearly upon you, look at the map"!
DrP
Well my tactical considerations for tonight have far outstripped any previous efforts.
I've borrowed another fan from the office.
i REALLY benefited from having a second, decent fan...
YMMV
DrP
If you are hoping to grab a lapping group as they pass, you can also swap your view to head on, so you can see the relative speed and length of the group as they approach from behind - you need to ramp up in plenty of time, because as they pass, if you get it slightly wrong it hurts to catch up.
First race in the series for me tonight so I'm going to see how it goes.
Hoping for a mid table finish but will be happy to complete the 8 laps then another 2 for the 10 lap badge thing.
Good luck Rick, what's your FTP/weight?
I’m planning to join the fun tonight, but still recovering from lurgy so may well just pootle round and watch the fast ones lap me. Bit of a shame as the flat course would suit me. Actually, what’ll happen is I’ll probably get a bit excited, go for it and put myself back to square one!
Not sure I can make it tonight I'm afraid. Going to try though!
Good luck all if I don't "see" you later.👍
During the weigh in a few weeks ago I was 78kg and FTP around 230w if I remember correctly?
Both FTP and weight seems to fluctuate up and down a few kg and watts but those figures seem about right.
Chuffing Nora..its a bit warm...
just headed down to set garage up for tonight's race and its bloody roasting - this is going to be a miserable ride because of the heat - just pinched my daughters desk fan and rigging up some 'emergency' ventilation..
must sort out cold water bottle..
see you all later
Good luck All!!! Turns out despite me not feeling right for tonight's ride, I won't make the start anyway due to work. Just got off a Zoom call to LA, some things to tie up before I leave the office and it means I'll be home post 7-30pm.
I'll take it as an imposed rest and come back for next weeks fun! Enjoy...and Weeksy, next week we race!!
Robbo, bit last minute but any chance of adding me for tonight?
No worries if I’m too late.
FTP 304W, 81kg. Paulo Paino.
It may be at the cost of the TTT on Thursday as I’ve been roped in for a 100miler on Friday morning.
Paulo - you should have an invite.
Jaminb and stumpy - I have resent the invite as it had you down as not attending but you have both posted today saying you are attending so wanted to make sure there wasn’t an issue!
Paulo - handicap is 13 mins!
First timer here. I've had a fish finger sandwich, the ipad is charged and it's about 35 degrees in the garage. I'm gonna be fine, right...?!
Cheers Robbo. No idea why I wasn't showing as going...
I've accepted now though.
Good job you noticed! Cheers.
snotrag - sounds like top class prep.
I've had a very squidgy banana and have barely drunk anything all day for some reason.
Not even gonna bother with a jersey tonight...
I’m gonna be fine, right…?!
Of course. No one takes it seriously at all. We just plod round at the pace of the slowest and crack jokes.
Damn, stuck on a call!!!!!! Hopefully it'll clear soon.
Starting my warmup laps.🤪
Aaand.... I've got the glitch-stream up and running again...
click here for topless STWers in YOUR area....
Though it's a bit jumpy my end.. oh well...
DrP
Will the rece lap didn't kill me so that's good.
It did dispel any ideas I might have had about putting points on the board though.
The Lord giveth and he taketh away.
I'm cruising at 80w... ALL fans going full chat.. I'm hot...
Eek
Playlist choices tonight....?
DrP
13 minutes! Blumin eck. You’re harsh Robbo 😜
Will I need to quit my warm up before the race or will I be asked to join the event during my warm up?
🙁 missed it. Hope everyone has a good race.
Lol that doesn't work. 5:17 first lap, HR maxed, no sir, no way.
Was it a bit crazy Weeksy??? If you are suffering then I'm glad I couldn't make it 🤣🤣
O my that was hard
Yeah.... needed a few deep digs once I drifted to the back of the pack.....
Eek!
DrP
That wasn't how I expected it. There was far less fragmentation on the road at the front. I just couldn't hang with the 1st group on the 2nd run up the s bends then it was a long wait to pick up the 2nd group on the road.
Well done to those guys cos I couldn't shake them for all I tried over the last couple of laps. I was caught out by the finish line being quite so far away on my break at the end and I got wound in.
Ah well at least I wasn't beaten by a 10 year old like yesterday.
That was fun thanks all
I tried to force a few splits earlier hoping to take a few folks with me and put a bit of a gap on the big bunch of Bs along for the ride I saw a few others try but it never held.
Got to about lap 5 I guess then I'm not sure if we were lapping some folks or what but I was on the front of the group through the s bend, sat on a wheel then saw the group split on the flat at the top, tried to chase you down but took 450-500 to go over who ever I'd picked up, I was 5 seconds down and I wasn't making a dent, I'd have needed 700 odd for a good 10 seconds I reckon to catch up and there's no chance if I'd chased on at that I'd have stayed.
Ended up working harder in the middle than I had in the group and dropping 30 seconds a lap I think.
Great effort all.
That was sweaty work..
As expected the first lap was brutal, but after that it was reasonably ok. Says i came 3rd overall, but im pretty sure I was at best 5th or 6th but makes no odds for purpose of handicap results.
I was waiting for the big boys to kick off and spit me out the back on last lap but to surprise the pace didnt really ramp up until the last 500 meters.
Also a big thank you to everyone who's chipped in so far, 165 raised for Cardiac Risk in the Young on Robbo's behalf.
Managed to keep up with the lead pack till almost halfway! Then solo’d it till the end, didn’t get passed so that’s a result. Gotta be Kirky for the points win again? Rode a blinder!!
Kirky again??? Its all that training we gave him in France at the weekend! 🤣🤣
Thanks all for the race, was a blast.
I livestreamed it Link to recording here along with terrible audio levels, just couldn't find the link before the race started.
Only nearly fell off once on the 2nd lap, chain got stuck and nearly lost the front pack.
I also lost a contact lens and missed my cue to sprint.
But overall went quite smooth for me 😁
Says there were only 41 riders, but there looked far far more than that at the start!
I completely screwed up the sprint.
That first lap was a bit ott, managed to stay with lead pack, got a bit tough the last two times up the S bends. I had an aero for the downhill sprint and crossed the line first on my screen, Zwift has me as 5th, not that it matters as it all changes with the handicaps. Can’t have been much more than 8 minutes between fro and back this week.
Enjoyed it, count me in next time! No idea if I did OK or not, and I got completely caught off guard at the start. Everyone seeemed to shoot off the blocks before I even started to move somehow.
Still rode in a little group of 3 or 4 for most of it then solo'd the last lap.
Drank a lot and left the garage door cracked open so it absolutely filled with Moths and Flies, oops.
phew, Managed to hang on to the front group all the way, held an aero helmet for the finale so was sat mid group waiting for the sprint, which never happened. The finish came earlier than I expected and I think I must have had a bit of a dodgy connection right at the end, as from my perspective I finished in the front group with the top 10 or so riders, but the timings seems to show those top 10 riders were spread out over 6 seconds or so and typically I was at the back :(, annoying, but it was a good race, tough to hang on. And I definitely felt better this week than last, set a new threshold HR of 173, though I'm not sure that's a good thing 🙂 Cheers again Robbo.
If there was a dropped score option this would be mine...not sure what happened but that was truly awful
Cheers for organising again Robbo!
Well I did better than last week. Last week the turbo bugged out in the start pen, this evening it waited until halfway (after I'd been dropped from the group I was in, and also passed at high speed by the following group). Never mind. Good ride while it lasted.
shit that was hard work, almost vomit inducing yet again.
Managed a good start with the flyers and surprisingly managed to stick with them coasting just below my upper limit around 230/240 with some efforts on the kickers, accidentally yo going sometimes to front then getting passed and putting massive efforts in to jump back on to the rampage.
Eventually after lap 4 at the top of one of the kickers a small gap formed I went he’ll for leather and thought I’d got back on but that was only to Dangerbrain and unfortunately, or more likeOh bloody good luck for my legs There was a gap between us and the group and no way to bridge it. Fortunately for me Dangerbrain helped tow me around the last three laps along with Andeh who jumped on and drifted behind to Eventually sprint away at the early finish banner.
Thank **** we didn’t race 10 laps, I carried on for 10 to unlock the achievement which it transpired I already had, doh, and without my domestique I hit the wall bad finishing with two laps in the 7 minutes.
Thanks again for the races Robbo, would like to say it was fun but that’s just sick.
Yeah... this week felt easier...
My hr was about 174 max today... 188 last week...
That hurt!
DrP
I was happy to stay in contact with the same group of riders for pretty much the whole of the race. It got easier to pace myself the more I got used to the laps.