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Posting this now in the hope that some of you might be drunk enough later to think this is a good idea! Feels like a long time since the last series ended!
If you want to take part then post up on this thread or message me. Let me know your FTP and weight as well so I can calculate the handicap.
Each Race series is made up of the 4 traditional categories but with a bit of a twist to give everyone a chance to compete.
1. The main handicap race – as per previous events a handicap will be applied to your finish time based on your weight and FTP and the entire group is sorted by race time plus handicap and points distributed accordingly. This is based on the best of 5 races points from the 6 races (all sprint points count towards this total).
2. The sprint jersey – Sprint points are awarded for the Top 5 finishers on a sprint section (10,6,4,2,1 points) or the fastest lap time on circuit race. The points are awarded on each sprint section on a race but only for the fastest time across that section during the whole race (i.e you may get a couple of chances to get a good time).
3. The KOM jersey – Points are awarded for the Top 5 finishers on a KOM section (10,6,4,2,1 points).
4. The GC race – This is based on the shortest time to complete all 6 stages and is sorted by traditional Zwift cat. The zwift cat is determined on the weight and FTP that you supply me so may not match your ZP cat as that takes historical data into account.
5. The combined jersey - the highest total score for sprints and KOM combined.
OK so here are the courses for the Winter Series of the STW Racing League.
No restrictions on bikes on this series so choose what suits you or the course.
Note: If you want to be included in the Green Jersey or KOM points race scoring you need to be registered on Zwift Power as this is where I will pull the data from. You are still welcome to take part on the rest of the series if you dont register on Zwift Power
11th Jan - 19:30 - Beach Island Loop (2 Laps) - 26km
Something fairly gentle and flat to get us started and start to burn of the mince pies.
18th Jan - Neokyo Double Header
Race 1 19:30 - Sprinter Playgrgound - Flat but 4 sprints to attack and get points
Race 2: 20:00 - Rooftop Rendevous - 2 laps - 2 times up the small Neokyo KOM
25th Jan - 19:30 - Greater London Loop Reverse - 21km
This goes over the top of Fox Hill early before descneding for a fast and flat finish
1st Feb - 19:30 - Watopias Waistband - 28km
A little longer but flat and fast
8th Feb - 19:30 - UCI Worlds Harrogate - 28km
A tough two laps of the Worlds Course - very lumpy!
15th Feb - 19:30 La Reine (16km)
Dont panic - it doesnt go all the way up - only to the 16km mark but a tough stage to finish on with 575m of relentless climbing. If you get this far and havent got the La Reine route badge then this is your chance!
So sign up and join in!
I'm in, however, will almost definitely miss the 2nd race as I'll (hopefully) have landed permanently in Vancouver the day before, and probably won't have the trainer by then. Lunch time races from that point onwards!
Think I'll have to update ftp and weight closer the time as I'm basically a giant mince pie with covid, at this point.
Cheers Robbo count me in no change to ftp or weight
Aye, let's do it.
FTP 260
Weight 90kg.
I’m in. FTP is 228 and weight is 68.something kg… I’ll weigh properly when I can.
I’ve just done my first ride since the 8th. Off the bike with soft tissue damage to my shin, unbelievable how long it’s taking to heal.
None of you will care one not about that, I’m just getting excuses in early. I’m in. I think I’ll need to bring down the FTP - about 260 I reckon. Weight 86.
Uurrgghh.
Craig
Yes please, no changes to FTP or weight, amazingly
I'm in, will do an FTP and let you know if anything hsa changed.
P.
I am in
In. I’ve failed badly with attendance at the recent series. Fingers crossed I can get back on it with the one!
Ftp is down, weight is up 🙁
I'm in. Shifts permitting. 🤔
Weight: tbc 😲
FTP: 0.27Kw 🤔
great stuff - need an incentive to kick start some race fitness in 2022
FTP and weight still as before (210w / 83kg)
see you all on the start line
Yes please. will miss a few no doubt! can I give you my weight in a week...??!
I'm in, especially as the races look shorter this time around!!
Me please, weight and ftp as they were. Thanks
Me too please Robbo. Weight/FTP to follow.
I think ZRL is going to count me out for almost all the races. Don't do handicaps for me please and if I can make an event I'll request one then.
I've only just got a smart trainer, which ftp test is everyone using to test? I've seen there's a few different options with the ramp test etc
only just got a smart trainer
Just go and do a race on zwift, or a hard ride for 30 minutes (after a warm up) and your FTP should appear/update at the end.
I hope you are really tall and have eaten lots of Xmas food 😉🤪
@kraken2345 ramp test is hard enough. The full FTP test is unnecessary torture.
I'm in, FTP of 179 and 113.3kg. Really need to do something about the weight!!!!
In, just to give @savoyad some competition in the points 😉. Just looking at my shifts, reckon I can make 3 of them….looks like I can only make the flat ones though 😂
I’ll let you know my weight in a couple of weeks when I’ve shifted the pies.
Okay great, I've only done free rides up until now (helping towards the festive 500 once I got covid) and have seen a 300 number on the screen after finishing routes but will have to see what this is actually referring to. Ramp test it is.
I'm in, although there'll definitely be one I can't make because of work.
Will keep previous FTP and weight for now, 242 and 67kg. Will try to update that though, I reckon my FTP had dropped for sure over the last few weeks
Happy new year! Yes please. Given mini-me #2 is due to arrive around week 2 I'm pretty sure I wont make them all or will fall asleep part way through the ones I do.. but lets pretend for now that my life isn't about to be turned upside down once again 🙂
Count me in. Hopefully I’ll be able to make more than the solitary one I could do in the last series! No change to stats.
I'd love to join but my FTP will be around half what it was and Weight around 100kg. Everyone will have gone home by the time o finish.
Oh and happy new year.
I'm in (all being well) though I imagine someone will insist on a Tuesday meeting for the village hall at done point in there so I'll have to miss one.
I'll confirm a weight and FTP in due course, I expect that, by significant percentages, one will be up and one down on last time!
Yes please Robbo, look forward to the ones I can make
Stick me down please, Robbo!
I'll need to update my stats once I have stood on some scales and done an ftp test!
I’ll join again please robbo.
68kg
199 FTP
Oh, go on then 🙂
I’ll do a ramp test and see where 4 weeks of inactivity has got me & let you know Robbo
Yes please! Will have to update you on weight FTP nearer the time as I've not done anything for a month with the dreaded chest infection that's been doing the rounds
Hi Robbo, count me in again
228 watts, 70kg
I’m up for this, should be able to make all of them apart from one.
I’ll try and get an FTP test done this week and PM you the numbers.
Yes please and will check numbers this week.
I’d love to join but my FTP will be around half what it was and Weight around 100kg. Everyone will have gone home by the time o finish.
That was me last series (and most likely again this one), don't let it put you off! Actually, if we get enough of a group of slower riders it'll make things more fun at the back. Racing each other at half the speed of the leaders is still racing.
I'm in again please!
Knee has healed up pretty well, so ready to go. Got a lot of Christmas to burn off though...
Stats to follow!
Looks like my pelvis breaks/damage are well healed, managed a 15mile Zwift, FTP around a third down at 200w ish I'd say. Tempted to join, I'll probably not be able to sprint but might be able to prop up the tail end.
Tested this morning Robbo - FTP 217, weight 82kg!
Ive sent links to everyone who has signed up so far!
I’m in! No changes
Thanks 🙂
Wait a minute, I've only just properly clocked race 6, you trying to kill us?
It’s only 16km and 550m of climbing so about half of the alpe. You go up the petit KOM first so get a timed segment the. Just have to hold on for another 4km!
If you want to get the route badge it is another 6.8km after the finish line.
Sign me up please.
84Kg
251W according to todays ramp test
It’s only 16km
Ahhhh, I thought it was up to the challet. Not quite so bad
Is anyone using an Apple TV with Zwift?
Is it my good?
I’m thinking about getting one for the TV in the garage rather than taking my laptop back next forth. Means I can also leave it at work rather than dragging it home if I’m planning on going on the turbo.
I'd like to give this a shot.
65 Kg
239 W
Cheers!
Just completed my 1st ramp test, it went ok but now I know how it works I’ll definitely be doing another one at some point. Weight 90kg, FTP 305.
Is anyone using an Apple TV with Zwift?
Is it my good?
Yep, Apple TV 4k here (refurbished one from eBay)
It works fine, dead easy to set up etc and runs nice and quick. Looks decent on a 42" Tele. I believe a Windows PC version might look better, but it's good enough for me.
Only problems I have with it are the Apple TV remote is a PIA but I can put up with it. And whenever zwift needs updating, I have to delete it and reinstall. Bit of a pain but again, I can cope. I suspect I'm doing something wrong there and it should update properly.
I’ve just stumbled across this. Stupidly expensive for what it is but neatly solves a problem for holding your phone without adding or changing the case, or sticking something bulky to your phone - assuming you already have a Garmin mount on your bike…
No doubt been covered in a different thread somewhere but they are new to me…
Having literally just set up my old 26" bike on a smart trainer to try and get better, consider me interested. I'll sign up to Zwift and see what I need to do to get FTP... (I'm that much of a noob)
"I’ll sign up to Zwift and see what I need to do to get FTP…"
You can get a 7 day free trial of zwift. When you're in it you'll be able to pick a workout and a couple of those are FTP tests.
@iamtheresurrection - you can get a universal Garmin mount, basically just a flat plate for a few quid on eBay.
Either stick it to an old case or get a cheapie.
Either stick it to an old case or get a cheapie.
Thanks 🙂 It’s what I do now, but I’m so lazy I CBA to keep changing cases. I know…
Just got a new laptop, new (to me) flatscreen, and new (to me) trainer. So I'm in.
Working away though so I've not entirely figured out how I'm going to zwift from a hotel.
And the new trainer has given me a depressingly low FTP of 185W in Zwift 😯 (93.7kg) ...... tell me about this handicap system, and will there be a wooden spoon?
count me in as always robbo!
FTP and weight should be the same as last time, so put me down for that.
But i will do an FTP test before the start to confirm!
Looking forward to it 😀
Can you also add me please Robbo - will attend what I can given its my club ride night
I 3d printed something similar, which clips into the Garmin mount on my road bike and holds an Apple Magsafe charger - so it holds the phone magnetically (fine on the turbo, probably not so much on the road 😃) and has the bonus of charging it as well!I’ve just stumbled across this. Stupidly expensive for what it is but neatly solves a problem for holding your phone without adding or changing the case, or sticking something bulky to your phone – assuming you already have a Garmin mount on your bike…
also, I'm in! same stats as last time which is not great (but at least haven't got worse 🤣)
Count me in as well please. The good news is my ftp has gone up to 252 according to my latest half monty test but the bad news is I’ve managed to put on 2kg over the festive period so I’m now 75kg give or take. I’d like to think it’s because my thighs now resemble Chris Hoy’s but my waistband suggests otherwise.
I’m into the second week of a month long TrainerRoad free trial so hopefully can slot the Tuesday race in either as an extra workout or alternative to the scheduled one.
Hi Robbo, please sign me up Not done much indoor riding recently so not sure of FTP, but happy to go with what you have in file for me. Same for weight. thanks
Go on then.. ping me an invite please!
weight 70kg
FTP 285
DrP
RE phone mounts - i've a garmin 1/4 turn mount stuck to the back of my phone case. Projects 76 do similar.
It's great, as keeps the phone in the perfect position...
DrP
@robbo1234biking....
Just done FTP test - 240w
Weight gone up a bit too...74.5kg
Looking forward to getting back on it!
Thanks everyone - you should all have the links now. Let me know your weight and FTP if you havent already!
I'm keen, definitely need to get back on it. Will send an updated FTP and weight asap.
are most folk doing the ramp FTP test? Or the full hour jobby?
I might treat myself to a test tonight...... 🙁
I dropped you a PM Robbo, can I join in please? Sorry I'm late......
You aren’t late and of course you can join. Got your PM. Will sort out links later.
@v7fmp - I go for the ramp test. I feel like it over-estimates a bit, but I figure if I use the same test repeatedly it should at least be consistent.
I have done the 20 min test in the past but found it really hard to pace.
cheers @stumpy01 . i usually do the ramp test, so will continue to do so. Good stuff!
are most folk doing the ramp FTP test? Or the full hour jobby?
I might treat myself to a test tonight…… 🙁
@v7fmp I did elite's full hour one this time round, it was not my best result but mainly down to my inability to pace it well.
That being said that's probably a fair reflection of a big part of my FTP drop being down to forgetting how to suffer rather than a pure loss of fitness. (Obviously there's plenty of cake and pie related loss but it isn't *just* that)
are most folk doing the ramp FTP test? Or the full hour jobby?
I do the full FTP... warm up, then 20min flat out...
I get the bit about finding pacing hard... so if you've done a ramp test, that's a ballpark to aim for..
I.e ramp says ftp is 100.. so you know for a 20 min ftp you should aim to average about 110 watts... or if you want to push it, aim for 120 watts....
I think if you aimed for 180 watts or jus didn't know what to aim for, then pacing would be real hard..
(100 watts is just example)
DrP
So did a ramp test…
Got good news and bad.
Good news is I have lost a tiny bit of weight and am now 80kgs.
Bad news is my ftp is up to 277.
There goes my top 5 finishes 🙁
Any final entries? Also let me know your weight and ftp if you haven’t already!
If it’s not to late to join in.
FTP 239
Weight 80kg
Not shifted the extra bulk. Weight 82kg, 308W
Have gone up a bit in weight, now 84.5kg so up to you whether you round up or down! Haven't done a new FTP test so just take the previous number, it was really low anyway so I can't she dropped much lower 🤣
I think my ftp was 270? I'm no better than last series anyway.
Weight 76kg. I need to update my weight in zwift itself when I next power it up.
Going to miss the the first 2 races though, hopefully back for the 3rd.
Christmas training plan went well , FTP down and weight up 🍰🍕🍰🍕 to blame.
FTP 223
Weight 70kgs
See you Tuesday 👍
P.