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I was quite looking forward to finding you coasting the second half stumpy. Would have been glad of the company!
Zwift booted me out after 30 minutes, was just leaving the Ocean tunnel and about to start KOM, in a good group of 6 inc Scaredypants and Fordy.
Earlier I also got booted out doing a warmup, Zwift normally behaves itself, running it on a dedicated laptop with only W10 and Zwift installed.
Anyone else have issues after latest update?
Went to bed for a nap at 1700ish after an early dinner and literally just stirred, the 0450 alarm caught up with me big time, sorry!
Ah, mossimus - yeah you disappeared instantly from my screen
Hard luck - was a nice group that
I've had to restart zwift 5 times for my spin down...
It's a bit rubbish UI isn't it.. why does it shut down when you finish a race or ride!
DrP
Awesome stuff with the proper start, plus the sprint finish really means something as everyone has the same line! Was gutted to miss out to S Holehan by 0.1s 😭 Then checked the h’caps and saw he had 2 mins on me so was actually quite pleased with that 🤣🤣
Well I truly messed up the start and missed the split at the front...from then on it was catch up all through the race. Tried to chase down Robbo's group amd we were doing ok, slowly bringing it back until we hit the first hill and the group split. After that it was 3 of us trying to bring back a group of 5...it was never going to happen. Paul, Pawsey and myself did alright holding time between groups but the last hill got me, I just couldn't hold on over the top and I was then solo for the last 4km! It was tough and I had to keep the power on whilst watching the time to the group behind, luckily I held on to the end.
A real tough one that, just constant hammer down. Well done all.
Lungs weren't playing playing ball again. Loads left in the legs but dying on the flats again, less coughing with the fan turned down though.
Good fun though, cheers all.
That was Ace! much better than the ITT last week!
I fell off the front group pretty quick, then the group I was in split on the first climb I feared I'd be on my own again, but then O.gg, J.Jules, J.1osbourne and me formed a group that I could only just about hold and we went all the way to the end. My HR went through the roof near the end too but still managed a (feeble) sprint at the line.
Hurt like hell, but great fun!
Wow! That's the best I've done by miles, think I'm getting the hang of it now. You all said I needed to try harder off the start - I managed to get the holeshot for the first 500metres of so by winding my old Turbo up during the countdown to the point I think it was about to take off... Didn't last but at least I didn't set off plum last again!
Rode in the group of 5 with Robbo till the last climb when you gapped us. Finished with z.ilog and d.fee whomever you are - really enjoyed actually 'racing' for once rather than a solo TT. I had to go for that sprint to the finish!
Mega props to Robbo for running it as usual, and @robbo1234biking you can update me for next week!
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I started well, for the first 200m! Then settled into the group of 10 at the back. I kept an eye on my nearest competitors and prayed for mechanicals 😉😂. One of my prayers was answered one wasn't! I couldn't find the power to sprint at the end, need a bit more practice 😂
I decided to go for the sprints this evening, shamelessly wheelsucked my way around the course doing the absolute minimum I could.
Dug deep on the climbs to make sure I could go over at the front of the group then take up my position in the draft again to get towed to the sprint.
It seemed to work OK, I think I got 3rd and 4th so that should give me a better than (my) average points haul - that 2nd sprint was longer than I thought though!
Sounds like a plan for next week Ivan!
Great race that. Felt like I’m coming back to life after COVID. First hard race since. Garmin’s estimated ftp was still about 15w down from normal, but I felt so much better.
Did both sprints count? Got 3rd in the first one but couldn’t quite bring myself to chase the second one, and would have been a mess for the finish. Rolo - I so nearly caught you on the line...was agonising!!
Robbo - thanks again!
Will the results be on zwiftpower?
Also... though it said my ftp had gone up, where can I see what it went to?!
DrP
Not the best night for me - turbo crashed twice and had to reset, wifi dropped 3 or 4 times blanking the rider list, and I've got a cold. Still pretty awesome to see the new format - wd Robbo.
Would have parked it up but the green jersey competition must be honoured, so rode round at the back and just did the sprints - third on the first one and second on the second (at least on my screen - between paino and nixie, there may have been other riders ahead who had left the world I was that far back). Took a couple of screen shots for the master timekeeper.
I was riding with D Wood for a bit but his name wasn't on my rider list and his dot looked different - I would have dropped you a message to see if you wanted to ride together but I couldn't, wasn't sure if you just wanted to go your own pace.
That was damn hard work, tried the sensible - where's the guys I can race with - approach. Got in a good little bunch and hung as best I could.
All was going well until the climb after the tunnel, bye group 🙁
Pushed on to the end, need to get an ebike for the climbs.
Once again, big thanks to Robbo for the hard work.
So there's 3 of us all thinking we got 3rd - maybe my plan wasn't that cunning after all!
Ouch - that was a painful race.
Managed to cling in to the very quick front group, but inevitably Nixie and Phil eventually got away.
But that last big hill you could have knocked me down with a feather, literally: the whole group had PUs except me. I started slipping off the back and had to redline my HR to get back in the group at the top.
After that I was just praying for the finish line and it was almost a relief to see Kirky go off the front for a well deserved first place of the group and a very strong ride.
The Zwift race start and finish format were great - thanks Robbo and STW.
I'd be surprised to still feature in the sprint points this week. Tried for the second but had been pushing too hard to really nail it.
@dangeourbrain - I saw you going backwards and wondered what was up...once I got going again I did debate dropping back and seeing if you wanted some company, but I somehow convinced myself I could catch the group back up. Ha ha...no chance.
I've been struggling with my front mech for a while and ignoring it. Might have to do some tweaking at the weekend.
retrorick
....and prayed for mechanicals 😉😂. One of my prayers was answered one wasn’t!
Ahem. Was that me?! 😅
funkybaj
Think I was riding with you Stumpy. Wondered how you dropped back towards the end there, doh.
What's your Zwift name? I was trying to remember everyone's names in the group..
I noticed Dobski and Figg seemed to be playing a tactical one....
The PU gods were not kind to me tonight...I kept being given the useless van or nothing...I was desperate for a feather!
Maybe my third was taken from me😢
eek.. FTP after this race has gone from 270 to..... 292!!!
FFS!!
DrP
Thanks all. Really enjoy that route. Lots of places to attack and its different all the way around so doesn’t get boring!
So onto the results:
Cat A:
1. nixie
2. Phil56
3. Mahowlett
Cat B:
1. Kirky72
2. W00dster, Yanboss, DrP, J-R, savoyad, paino
3. trolo
Cat C:
1. R obbo1234biking
2. V7mfp
3. slowpuncheur
Cat D:
1. Jimdoubleyou
2. Whirld
Sprints to be decided - hold fire!
And the overall race winner with handicaps applied:
1. Kirky72
2. W00dster
3. Yanboss
Points totals to be updated - hold fire.
Link to the full results:
These are provisional in case I cocked anything up. Let me know if I did!
Next week we head to Richmond for 2 laps of the UCI course.
For those interested there is a TTT on a Thursday evening. It is World Championship this week with medals for top 3 finishers in a class. Savoyad is happy for anyone to join in - it is about being inclusive and riding as a team so feel free to give it a go!
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/zwift-team-time-trial-thursday/page/20/#post-11460181
@ivandobski - you should have said, I’d have given you a better lead out!
Thanks everyone, and yes, lots better with the start pens and consistent finish line.
Didn’t have a great start but no excuses, just wasn’t pedalling hard enough. Realised I wasn’t going to do well on the main event so had a good ride round with a couple of groups and mama he’d to contest the sprints at least.
Hold fire on the points totals. I have the sprints wrong. I need the screenshots from Garry so hopefully he will email them over to me or post them on here
The PU gods were not kind to me tonight
Yeah, van for the first hill that split the pack then another van that I dumped before the second climb - result, got a feather for that climb up to the bridge, same as nearly all our group; bad news if you were the ONE who didn't
Then a feather for the finish so I burned it up the last tiny hill rather than waste the effort of pusing the space bar at the end
Great racing. Need to learn to suffer a bit more at the hard bits.
Tonight played into my hands nicely. Phil and Nixie jumping up the road was great for my green jersey goal-they were both putting themselves in the red while I cruised around in a great bunch which ultimately gave me a great lead in for the sprints. Thought about chasing Phil after the second sprint then realised I’d be dead with 1km to go as the entire bunch passed. Unfortunately I slowed too much and they all sailed past me anyway, oops.
Sry to complicate things Robbo - was at the back!
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Second one won't have everyone listed but has my time between paino and nixie.
Thats OK I can work it from those times!
Rode in the group of 5 with Robbo till the last climb when you gapped us. Finished with z.ilog and d.fee whomever you are – really enjoyed actually ‘racing’ for once rather than a solo TT. I had to go for that sprint to the finish!
@snotrag (excellent forum name), d.fee is me, really enjoyed tonight's race, tough but not as bad as last week's solo race.
Thanks again Robbo for organising. Roll on next week
Much less nervy at the start with none of that speed up, slow down oh shit they e gone business but still a very tough pace to try and keep up with. Nearly burned out early on due to way too much yo yo-ing.
Glad when Nixie and Phil finally pulled away as it meant our remaining group was less likely to get stretched and felt I could have a chance of staying with it if I could make it over the climbs. Really went for the first steep part of the final climb to try and get ahead, dropped a feather and tried to tire the group. Only succeeded in ****ing myself up and nearly gassed a few flew back past me on the small decline but managed to jump on a wheel and get back on.
tried again to make a break on the Ramps but got caught and struggled to recover in time for the sprint to the line. surprise to see nobody really powering for the line so enjoyed a tow and few seconds expending my final bit of energy to amazingly cross in front of our bunch. Chuffed to just hang on with the faster Bs such as Paino, JR, Ian, Savoyad amongst others.
cracking race again and managed to just about average around my FTP for the race with the efforts on the start and climbs being offset by copious amounts of drafting in the group.
Truly horrible that lads, cheers. Great ride from trolo, you seem to love the climbs and did great to stay away from our little group to the finish. Look forward to more of the same next week (fordo197)
Great racing. Really tough hanging onto the first big group on the climbs but a great group to be in. So glad I got 2 feathers!
@robbo1234biking new FTP of 290 W explains the pain in my legs. Thanks again for organising
Ahem. Was that me?! 😅
Yep 😀.
Next time I'll finish dinner more that 5 minutes before the start, although not sure it made much of a difference.
Hate next week's course, but keen to break my scoring duck next week!
Cheers for organising Robbo.....
I saw you going backwards and wondered what was up…
Yeah, that was not nice, started a bit slow but not too badly but certainly not enough to shake the Bs loose early. My 10minute effort was down a bit but not terrible, hit the first climb and started slipping back a bit, dug in to try pick the lead group back up but just didn't seem to make any difference to my power and I was going backwards.
Savoyad passed me and about a second later I coughed up a lung, couldn't clear it so couldn't breathe, full panic mode, tunnel vision and had to work hard to keep up right. By the time I got back to being able to see properly I was 3 minutes off the back of everyone. Set my self the target of catching last man, caught up with S.Ram settled into a very steady ride together which was all I could manage and then got dropped on the climb.
I managed an effort for the second sprint but that wasn't great, though with no tow in it wasn't too bad but it left me hanging. Pushed on for the last k more to prove to my self I wasn't dead than anything else.
I will be glad when I've coughed up the last of this crap. 🙁
Corrected Sprint results (Spreadsheet is updated)
Sprint 1 Top 5
1. Paino
2. Straightliner
3. Garry Lager
4. IvanDobski
5. Munkeymadness
Sprint 2 Top 5
1. Paino
2. Garry Lager
3. Nixie
4. Straightliner
5. Dangeourbrain
And Sprint race is:
1. Paino
2. Garry Lager
3. Nixie
Tonight felt very pro, it's so nice to be in the pens.
Stuck with the front group until the reverse KOM and plopped off the back. Ended up in a very civilized group with Scaredypants, Rolo and a few others. We stuck mostly together until the finish, hoovering up a few on the way, and then Rolo boosted off up the KOM climb. Proper hard effort for him as he held us off until the finish line where we just tickled his mech.
All the way through, Robinson was about 12s ahead of us and, no matter what we did, we couldn't close it down. Again, killer effort there to hold off a group of 6, solo!
As always, thanks Robbo, excellent racing!
My race write up:
Start was great - sitting in the pen - no stress over the start and just enjoying it. When I say enjoying it it was really hard. Managed to stay with the front group until 5 of us dropped of the back (1timmy1, zilog, feed, snotrag) and we stayed together until the final climb. I think we got a bit complacent at one point as the group behind started to catch up but then we seemed to pull away. I was pleased when Zilog used his feather on the ramp out of the underwater section. I had one and didnt have to use it to stay up and then could save mine for the steep section on the hairpin for the last climb. Managed to get a couple of seconds into feed, snotrag and zilog but 1timmy1 started to get away. Managed to pull him back for the descent and then got another feather on the sprint which I used on the 5% hill leading into the esses. Got about 15m away but couldnt hold the gap on the downhill and he got away so went over the line on my own.
I was keeping an eye on v7mfp as he was leading the C race GC by about 3 seconds but managed to put a minute in this week to retake the lead! Will see if I can hold it next week!
Oh and 😀
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Is the spreadsheet updated robbo? Sprint points and totals look odd. E.g I've no sprint points in the column but do in total. Gary has sprint points but no total points.
Hope you're back to normal soon Brian. Sounds rough. Missed the bus again at the start but decent group that thinned out and ended up having a ding dong sprint with @v7fmp to the line. 800w after 48 mins of that nearly finished me off!
I think I missed of your 4 points Nixie - should look correct now I hope! It is surprisingly hard to do the results after a race lol - the brain power is fairly lacking - guessing it is lack of oxygen to the brain!
@slowpuncheur I'll be reet, just need to take it a bit easier for a little bit I think. Wasn't breaking any records but was doing OK right up until the point I wasn’t.
I saw @dangeourbrain behind our group and just thought we were going to be lapped on a one lap race which I didn't think unusual at the time given he's normally at the sharp end!
WHat happened Brian? You went from 2 sec up on me/us after the climb & banner to dropping like a stone. Poorly? GWS if so
I didn't like the start, too easy and straight forward for STW, Only joking it was great!
When the top group started to pull away, I thought about catching them up but after last week decided against it. Got in a nice group with Robbo, zilog, feed and snotrag and we were just maintaining a lead over the group behind and didn't make any ground on the small group in front. Was late on the first sprint again and then didn't see a big green banner so I doubled guessed myself that it wasn't actually the sprint and I was just making a fool of myself randomly putting the power down on a flat part of the course; so eased off and didn't do well there as it was the sprint in the end.
Made a break for it with Robbo on the 2nd KOM, then I got distracted for a couple of seconds by the wife and suddenly he was gone up the road on the last little climb with his feather! I got a truck which we now know does nothing when your on your own, so had to put the power down to catch up and then just kept on the power to pass and get to the end. I knew I wouldn't be able to create enough gap to be head with my handicap though.
My average power was higher than last week and my legs felt fine compared to last week when they were dying. Good race again, had fun which is the whole point 🙂
It isnt as hard as I seem to make it but sometimes my brain just does not compute! I do far more complex calculations at work and this is just transferring data in reality but I think I brain FTP drops by about 50%!
Maybe do the results after a bit of a break instead 😉
@slowpuncheur I think I went too early for the sprint to the finish. Once I saw you peaked at over 10w/kg I knew it was over!!
Was good to ride with you, had to work hard to catch you after the last climb.
@robbo1234biking its going to be nigh on impossible to catch that minute back up! I'll take second tho!
Feels like everyones FTP is increasing week on week... well apart from mine!
I agree with Brian, Robbo. Don't feel like you need to get the results out straight away. I could barely function the shower after last night's ride, never mind sort a spreadsheet out.
@v7fmp Well done on 2nd place. That catch after the KOM deserved it. I'm off to have a word with my DS though. The team car should have told me to try and drop you instead of wait for the sprint given your higher handicap:) Easier said that done though!
No ZP results? 😭😭
@v7mfp you are pretty competitive in the points standing though and the next race is easy to lose a minute one way or the other if you get on the wrong side of the split at one of the hills.
I am moving my home office (well desk, monitor and chair) back downstairs next week (as my wifes business can reopen) which means I will have access to a bigger screen again which should help a lot! As well as a proper keyboard!
No ZP results? 😭😭
I checked but no - to be fair not everyone is likely registered on ZP so I wouldn't use that for results anyway and also it helps everyone to improve without bumping up a cat which helps savoyad's quest for a perfect TTT team!
Robbo - reckon it'll be useful having another sheet (or column on the results page?) on teh google doc, with the FTP on there?
Just so people can review and let you kow it's the latest one?
Not sure if you saw, my FTP is now 292 (from 270!) following last night!
A few others went up too...
DrP
Not sure if you saw, my FTP is now 292 (from 270!) following last night
I did spot you were doing remarkably well on the flat bits. You sure you've calibrated that new PM right 🤔
That was another tough evening. No-one ever seems to ease up, even for a second. I ride in a constant state of stress about losing the wheel. The start was brilliant. I enjoyed seeing "STW Race Series" up in lights.
The forward KOM was great in our group. We raced up, full on, positions changing back and forth, but everyone ended up together over the top. I don't think I've ever raced up there without it changing the make up of a group like that.
I did my level best to pull away from my group on the ramp into the esses after the sprint near the end. It nearly worked - at one point I got a 4 seconds gap and within 3 seconds of @Phil56 ahead (I could see him!) but the attack up the hill left me with nothing through the rolling bit of the esses. I think as a pair it might have stuck. As it was it just left me with no legs for a sprint, rolling across the line last in the group. I'm not a particularly aggressive rider usually, but I like how this series is a chance to try stuff.
I had a crazy moment near the first sprint - I pressed space to use my powerup but (I have no idea why) this took me into viewing the race from @scaredypants perspective. Which was interesting, but a bit panic inducing. I didn't even know this was possible. And I have no idea how I stayed in my group while I fixed that.
Next week looks attritional.
Ref. a FTP column: Without wishing to sound like a pain in the a**e, there's a personal data/GDPR thing that I think Zwiftpower had a few issues with in 2018. It might be worth liaising with Mark at STW towers as that data would effectively be hosted via this website. Having said that, I'm confident Robbo is on the ball so I personally don't see the need.
Brian.. As much as I can calibrate it..!
Zero offset before each race, and the 4iii comes factory calibrated anyway...
Last race I was at (old) FTP the whole way round..270watts... as it was flat.. I just seem to be able to make more power on the hilly bits (wheras Weeksy is more powerful on the flats.. we've chatted about this!)..
I've been avoiding alcohol in the week and using zwift to train a bit better..
I think I'm just focussing more on 'actual training' and cycle technique - for example I've figured I can make and sustain power better in higher RPMs (circa 100-105) on the climbs, rather than standing and mashing... the ZA workouts have taught me this...
Using recovery rides to help sore legs...
I'm warming up with more focus, and stretching before the events...
TBH, I think (and feel) that I'm getting fitter - I lost a lot of strength in my WHOLE body after the big crash (with teh broken wrist and ribs).. using the core and arms to really focus power through the legs etc...
My MTBing is suffering though, as I'm not going out on the hills as much!!
DrP
The forward KOM was great in our group. We raced up, full on, positions changing back and forth, but everyone ended up together over the top. I don’t think I’ve ever raced up there without it changing the make up of a group like that.
I was in the group with you wasn't I??
I crested the KOM arch first, thinking 'wahey'... they you bastards all swooned in straight away!!! All that effore thinking I might be able to break, but it amounted to nothing!!
DrP
I ride in a constant state of stress about losing the wheel
I'm glad it wasn't just me then.
The forward KOM was great in our group.
It was brutal when all those feathers appeared.
I had a crazy moment near the first sprint – I pressed space to use my powerup but (I have no idea why) this took me into viewing the race from @scaredypants perspective
I can see that'd be disconcerting, you suddenly disappearing entirely from view an' all 🙁
All that effort to get 0 points 🙁
I'll try harder next week 😀
All that effort to get 0 points 🙁
You're in Good Company
Just watched the first ten minutes or so of the streams and it seems I'm pretty appalling at drafting!
Should have been quite clear how lazy I was for the same time period 😆. The draft is an odd one, at times barely any effort will keep you attached.
Kirky.... your finish was fantastic! The right effort and the right time!
I felt right on the edge most of the race...HR at close to 180 most of the time!
It’s interesting Watching the YouTube feed back... I can see that I REALLY could have done with a PU after the final sprint...being given NOTHING was bad times!!!!
Was happy to take the wind at the front, but.... think it drained the legs for the final few Km...maybe next time I’ll hold back and save a bit!
But...I think cos I’m pretty light (70kg) I just need to hold high w/kg to stay up with the fast lot.....
DrP
Yeah, I noticed you bimbling along at 250 to 280 and me falling through the group at 320 or more.
It's interesting seeing how little the gaps go out to the group for the relative work - especially DrP's feed as there's a few bits where he's off the front chasing me - for the effort you're putting in, even when he's not drafting seeing his lower wattage relative to mine and how little the gap moves.
But…I think cos I’m pretty light (70kg) I just need to hold high w/kg to stay up with the fast lot…..
You were doing plenty well enough early doors!
I only see w/kg when I look at other riders output. So I spend my time trying to remember how heavy they are to work out how much effort they are putting in? Is there another setting I can enable to see what real time wattage everyone else is generating?
Nope 🙁
You were doing plenty well enough early doors!
You have to! Hitting 500 ish watts off the line is needed to stick with the front... it soon 'calmed down to a steady 270-300w... but if you miss the first mega effort there's no catching up i reckon...
Another interesting thing to see in my video is even in the group, I'm having to kick out 4w/kg, yet others are at 2.7w/kg... I guess if they weigh 90ish kg, then our actual watts are pretty equal.. its that how it works on the flat?
DrP
Another interesting thing to see in my video is even in the group, I’m having to kick out 4w/kg, yet others are at 2.7w/kg… I guess if they weigh 90ish kg, then our actual watts are pretty equal.. its that how it works on the flat?
Less so than I thought. I've 10kg on you and I'm regularly putting out as many or more w/kg to stay in that same group. Nixie (who I imagine weighs about 6kg when wet) sits at a much lower wattage. I think mostly its the draft its just a bit bobbins
I’m having to kick out 4w/kg, yet others are at 2.7w/kg… I guess if they weigh 90ish kg, then our actual watts are pretty equal.. its that how it works on the flat?
To an extent yes. I'm massively off form currently, but on the flat you really can bimble at times when people are flying. I was putting out <200w yesterday for chunks of a race with people at the front piling on 300+. Not because i wanted to, but i'm just really struggling LOL.
Nixie (who I imagine weighs about 6kg when wet) sits at a much lower wattage.
75Kg at the moment. Too heavy to climb really fast and not heavy enough for the flats 😆.
I think my draft had to improve as in fast races A/A+ races I've a significant disadvantage. At times I'm on the limit just to draft so got plenty of practice.
75Kg at the moment. Too heavy to climb really fast and not heavy enough for the flats
I think Tuesdays performance may make everyone think "Yeah right, of course ..."
😀
75Kg at the moment
Now you're going to tell me you're not 5'2" either and it's not natural advantage, I'm just not fast enough 😂
Now you’re going to tell me you’re not 5’2″ either
6'2" so plenty of drag. Sadly got the the verification videos for both to prove it for tonight's TTT as well.