Thanks, they actually sell a product that I can use. I forgot about that company.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowagriz
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Thanks, they actually sell a product that I can use. I forgot about that company.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowagriz
So I've talked myself 75% of the way into pulling the trigger on a smart trainer. I love group rides (I mean, when it was possible), and since going to permanent WFH and losing my bike commute, I've been able to force myself to do 3 sessions on my dumb trainer a week, 60-70 minutes each, with a heart rate monitor to keep me honest. Here's the thing - I really don't like it, it blows. Will Zwifting on a smart trainer really turn this from something I force myself to do to something that I want to do? Possibly relevant: I watch Netflix during my rides now, and am not doing any intervals, just steady state riding in Zone 3. So needing to actually watch the screen would be a change for me and I might be a little bummed to miss my movies.
If you have any competitive bone in your body I think it will totally change indoor riding for you. I look forward to indoor riding now when I used to dread it (was doing trainer road before). I started Zwift last year, but still didn't fully get it.Quote:
Originally Posted by dan_pdx
This year when I figured it out more and started racing random people on climbs, going for KOMs, just recently realized about levels and XP and drop shop points and all that stuff, etc I got really hooked almost overnight.
I wanna have a cool bike on there, I want the badges, I like racing strangers, etc......it's totally a video game with the side effect being that you get in killer shape doing it AND feel like you took drugs when you just hammered for an hour+. Instead of normal video games where you just feel like a POS for sitting on the couch for hours.
Thanks, that's a great endorsement! I'm competitive (like, the kind of competitive where I approach playing Scrabble with the in-laws at Christmas like a professional sport) and I enjoy video games, so...seems like a good fit, right? I guess I'm in. Now I have to see if I can actually find a smart trainer, lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by Whiteroom_Guardian
95% of the time, I run Zwift in the background and watch Netflix instead.Quote:
Originally Posted by dan_pdx
I run Zwift off an AppleTV, so I switch inputs to Netflix on the TV (The AppleTV will run both at the same time). I then monitor the workout on my phone using the companion app (Make sure I didn't lose connection, etc.). Additionally, you can watch TV on one device (e.g. apple TV, Chromecast, etc) and run Zwift on your phone.
I choose an easy workout in Zwift that keeps me in "Base" zone. (I created a custom one for myself, but there are easy pre-made workouts in the app). I can feel the workout changing in the background, but it's not hard enough to require me to pay attention.
If anything, using a Smart Trainer when you're not paying attention is actually beneficial as the trainer keeps you from working too hard or too easy.
With that said, Garmin and Wahoo computers, as well as the trainer's app will all control the the trainer (for free). So, you do not have to use Zwift if you don't want to.
Sounds like you're someone who was always content using a dumb trainer without Zwift then? Or maybe your workout really is structured (or capped).Quote:
Originally Posted by XtrPickels
Yesterday was a big finish to claim the Tron bike. I had 5200ft to climb to get it and the Quatch Quest badge was 5500. That is a tough route. It starts with the little climbs through the redwoods, then up the KOM climb, down and into the Jungle and then up the Alpe de Huez climb. My fitness is down from the summer, so 2hrs is fine, this took 3. Of course, the final hour on the Alpe, which was painfully slow.
Well, this is multifaceted.Quote:
Originally Posted by huckbucket
1. Most dumb trainers have terrible "road feel". I only liked Lemond Revolutions or rollers. Wheel-off smart trainers, in general, are all acceptable.
2. I do not find Zwift to be that entertaining for general riding, I'd rather watch Netflix. Frankly a program like "Trainer road" is perfect for the majority of my riding whether base or structured workouts. However, I run these in Zwift to earn drops to buy better equipment because of point #4 below.
3. All of my workouts are specifically tailored, ERG mode, workouts. The majority of my riding is at "base intensity" but this is done through a workout that varies between 65 and 72% of ftp. I never ride Zwift in the normal free-living, shifting, mode unless I am racing.
4. Racing on Zwift is revolutionary. This is the primary value in Zwift for me. There's something about racing that lets me dig deep and the heads up competition is very engaging. It doesn't replace racing in person, because I don't take it seriously as there are so many caveats (altitude, trainer accuracy, calibration, etc) however, in general, it's a good facsimile.
Anyone have any suggestions for a race on Saturday? I’m flexible that day so want to pick a fun one....and I don’t race much at all. Not looking to win anything here just looking to have some fun and maybe compete a bit. Sub 90 minutes would be nice.
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Go for a big warm up and be ready to bury yourself at the start of any and all Zwift races. If I had to pick one course to race on, it would be the Crit City Downtown Dolphin course. I really like the fast hot laps with just enough of a climb for my skinny ass to hang on tight with the big watt pushers. It’s a short but fierce race and a good way to get an FTP reading, it’s just a hair over 20 minutes for the 8 lap course.Quote:
Originally Posted by justcuz
I get you on the racing aspect. The platform is fully capable of pushing you to levels similar to IRL races although I would say the effort is "different." Higher overall effort (less recovery) and the effort is less dynamic (on/off).Quote:
Originally Posted by XtrPickels
Hard to give you a specific race to join only because they're all time zone dependent. But one thing I'd suggest is finding something that has a large field of people in your class. You'll get to employ way more race/group tactics throughout the whole race with a big field vs. a small field where the chances of ending up riding solo are way higher.Quote:
Originally Posted by justcuz
Go to ZwiftPower.com. You can see all the races/rides and filter by course, length, elevation etc. You can see the results (most races rides are weekly) form last week, and see it took "C" level guys 42 minutes. You can get a course profile. It's handy to choose a ride. I find it easier to navigate/choose a ride than on Zwift directly.Quote:
Originally Posted by justcuz
And there goes my evening.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
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Local guy pulled the virtual Everest yesterday, freaking nutz.
https://www.strava.com/activities/4391303407
My Tron is looking fresh!
Attachment 349903
Buttah, do you notice a difference on the tron? Haven't ridden mine yet, hoping it will help in the longer badges I still have to chase.
Tarmac and climbing wheels felt better then expected, TT bike on the flats was noticeably faster. I'm hoping the tron will be the best of both.
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Let’s get through Thanksgiving week and I’ll set up a ride early next week.
45 minutes
2.0-2.5 pace
No fence
Race results? Or allow late arrivals? (Can’t do both)
Only our TGR group visible.
Flatish course with a good climb or sprint to finish.
Evening? 6 MST Is that too late for EST guys?
It feels fast!Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowagriz
Late arrivals as I think we have a bunch here who will be uninterested in placings and we want to keep it friendly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
That's 6PM MST/8PM EST is fine for me.
Monday and Thurs are no beuno for me, but don't let me dictate the day. I'll join if I can.
That’s late for me but I’ll try to make work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
What are your height/weight settings? Looks thin thin thin.Quote:
Originally Posted by buttahflake
I’m 5’10” 144lbs, that’s me, skinny ass motherfucker
I look like a linebacker at 5’10’ 192lbsQuote:
Originally Posted by huckbucket
Attachment 349918
Probably as good of a time as any! I’ll make it if I can tooQuote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
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Probably don't need race results, and they don't work right anyway.
Keep it together probably not necessary either if we keep it chill until the end and pay attention.
I'm pretty free this time of year so whenever works for me.
Yeah 6 MST any day but Thursdays for me. No race results and no "keep everyone together".
I can most likely make a 6 MST ride.
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In
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As far as I can tell we have 18 riders:
Dee Hubbs
lowagriz
Doughnuts01
Whiteroom_Guardian
buttahflake
jamal
ticketchecker
wendigo
joetron
kathleenturneroverdrive
justcuz
huckbucket
Merlyn
scharny
yanos
EWG
XtrPickles
VTskibum
I’ll keep adding to this list once I see another follower.
Meetup Created.
Tuesday Dec 1, 6:00 MST
Innsbruckring Description in the link. Fairly flat with one steep 3-4 minute climb per lap.
Ride should be approximately 45 minutes, set for 3 laps, 27.8km ( 17.3 Miles).
Lap 1 @ sub 2.0w/kg to keep everyone together
Lap 2 @ sub 2.5w/kg.
Lap 3 @ over 2.5w/kg, and "race" the last 4kms, it starts once you cross the river before the "leg snapper" climb ;) .
Late joiners are accepted.
Only TGR riders visible.
No "race" results
17 of us are invited.
Sweet, I may be able to make this work. Wife came down with COVID so everything is up in the air though...
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Dee Hubbs might be able to join this as well, pending family schedules. Sent ya a follow from Mike Patton
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
Sweet. What’s the policy on wheel sucking?
Has anyone here used Zwift/FulGaz/Rouvy and have comparisons between them? I do a lot of my own planned ERG workouts- but looking for something else to spice it up. I like the look of Rouvy and pretending to ride through some cool places and having the trainer adjust to hills accordingly.
The augmented reality rides on Rouvy are probably the future of indoor riding. They are really impressive. Rouvy needs to get the drafting integrated, get some race leagues started, groups etc... There are too many people on Zwift at times, and not enough on Rouvy to keep it spicy.
The avatars are a little goofy also, I’m sure they will start to refine it as the indoor scene is blowing up. Riding on real roads in places I’ll never visit is a trip. They are onto something with AR rides.
Bah I'm out for tomorrow night. Dr orders today to skip riding for a full week and then said no beer tonight for MNF to top it off.
I'm also likely out for tomorrow, I'm in process of tearing apart my garage and that is where the trainer setup is located. I will join at some point.
I still plan to be there!
I'll be there too and will ride if there are 10 of us or just me. Doesn't matter. At the risk of asking a stupid question, where will I find a link to join when the time comes? Upper right hand corner after booting up? If so, what's it called?
Not sure if it varies by how you stream (Computer, Apple TV, phone, etc.)
For me, I connect and just start riding whichever world is default. Then I get a blue box in lower left adding if I want to join the "event" or "meetup". Click on that and it takes you to the starting pen.
Side note, make sure that you've accepted the invite prior to connecting. I use the Companion app to do that part.
Edit: lower left for me, which sounds different than others, I use Apple TV