Think I’ve completed all routes under 30 miles (except AdZ route) and all worlds except London and Watopia. Wasn’t training this year, but has been a good distraction and decent way to keep mileage up
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Think I’ve completed all routes under 30 miles (except AdZ route) and all worlds except London and Watopia. Wasn’t training this year, but has been a good distraction and decent way to keep mileage up
^^Awesome!! I need to start poking around the badge section more, checking them off the list
I raced the 5 stages of Tour of Watopia in 4 days, before the DoubleXP points ran out, then the next day did Stage 1 of Haut Route. It was a leg burner at 30 miles and 3025' of climbing.
I have taken a day off and I 'm going to do the 4wk FTP Booster. It looks good to me with 7-8hrs of riding per week. And if I still want to jump into a race I'll make sure I do the workout in the morning and race at night.
Nice work Dee Hubbs.
Riding outside now, weather has turned more favorable. Shorts today! 54 miles, with some hills and a headwind on the way home, avg speed 18.7, feeling good. Zwift totally works. I’ll probably still ride Zwift at least once or twice a week to test myself and stay sharp in races and group rides.
Those are solid numbers for an early April ride, flakey. You think the Zwift really bumped up your cycling fitness, or is this typical for you for now?
Last year I did 90 days on the rollers between Dec/April, and I was never stronger early season.
There's no doubt Zwift helps winter fitness. Especially if you do a structured plan or push yourself a little. Simple increase in volume for those of us who can't do 90 days on rollers without going mental. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by rideit
Dude, I’m usually a fat slug in April! Chasing people in the (C) and now (B) races and rides, hurts in the best possible way. I’m way fitter then I’ve ever been in the spring.Quote:
Originally Posted by rideit
Tried to log in today, no dice! Just froze on log in!
Does that mean I should go ride outside?
My Kurt kinetic trainer has an app so I was still able to do a workout. .
They updated the app in the past few days, maybe you need to update yours?
They have been hitting over 30k users over the weekend (and last week), so they added a 3rd world for riding when you login. This will hopefully make the roads seem less crowded.
If you weren't aware of the calendar of worlds, this link will help.
https://zwiftinsider.com/schedule/
I went for an hour walk with Mrs Hubbs, and when I came back from my walk I was able to log in.
Ya the new third world will be nice, I've been looking up stuff ZwiftInsider, lots of goo info there.
Also been tracking my races at ZwiftPower.com
What class are you racing in?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
D for now. I have an FTP of 2.33w/Kg. And most D races are 1.0 - 2.5. So I enter D and kill myself to stay with the lead pack. It usually splits after 10 minutes and I can stay with the second group and fight for a decent finish. I live at 8,700' so I can climb and push heavy watts climbing. I gained almost 1000 positions on Haute route over the 10km climbing up to the tower.Quote:
Originally Posted by buttahflake
But for CatD the Category Enforcement is taken from 95% of 20 mins.
However, ZwiftPower allows a rider to go over cat limits by up to 0.2 w/kg but only if that rider entered their correct category.
So therefore a genuine Cat D rider who produces 2.699 w/kg for 95% of 20 mins would not be disqualified.
Right on, it’s so much fun. I’m gonna do that Yorkshire Grand Prix race on Wednesday or Thursday. They start you with all five power-ups, that will be cool.
Question/Noob here. I've tried to read through the thread before posting...but how many folks are using smart trainers (Kickr Core, etc) vs dumb trainers (mag trainers, etc) for Zwift? I nearly pulled the trigger on a Core yesterday...then talked myself out of it...now almost back into it.
Disclosure, I live in NorCal and am not overly affected by poor riding weather...usually can get an outside ride in when I want. I may have to switch from the MTB to gravel/road to make it happen.
I'm looking at the trainer/Zwift as it seems fun, and a great addition to training.
I would highly discourage using Zwift with a dumb trainer. The whole purpose of the platform is to transport you to a realistic place (resistance impacted by grade, speed, draft, etc). The fact that you DON'T control those elements when you use a smart trainer is why it's so cool.Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCalSJK
+1 for this answer (my question borerlined on the obvious but I appreciate the feecback)Quote:
Originally Posted by huckbucket
I have the Elite Direto, smart trainer. Might have been around $800 2yrs ago. I love the smart aspect because I think it replicates outside riding as much as possible. If you can swing the extra cash for smart (wheel off), then do it as I don't think you'd regret it.
My only caution is to really think through how you will connect with Zwift. For me, the cheapest route was using Apple TV. (rest is from memory, not sure of accuracy). Apple TV only has two Bluetooth connections, so many trainers send cadence and power on separate channels, thus you are SOL for heart rate. The Direto bundles the cadence and power into 1 signal. So my HR goes through the other (new HR monitor for Bluetooth BTW, not the same as the Garmin HR strap).
I think some of the above is now fixed via using the companion app for HR, but I use Android for the app and don't think it would transmit HR for me.
Anyway, deep dive on how you are connecting and which trainer before buying. I'm convinced this has been a game changer for me. In the old days, 45min on rollers were the norm. Now I can easily double that and frequently go 2hrs or more without getting too bored. Plus I think it is way more efficient (like rollers), not much for coasting so that is all pedaling and a quicker workout overall.
Saw this yesterday, so awesome. You guys may not know of Lionel Sanders but he is top end Ironman guy. Most famous for losing Ironman Kona in last 2 miles of run in 2017. Ever since then he posts tons of training videos showing what he is doing to to get number 1... but he keeps missing it.
Dude trains like a beast and I always wondered if he Zwift raced at all. Here he is invited to a big race the other day and he crushed the field of e-specialists.
Look at his HR at the end...
It was cool hearing how the pros communicate tactics and planning on head sets too.
I might be delusional thinking there will be any running races this summer, thank god for Zwift!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s53oS6IHlbM
here he is a couple weeks ago crushing a Phil Gaimon Strava PR on Mt Lemmon, AZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLJYEI0vIcc
Next level fitness. Crazy stuff.
I also have the elite direto - just started on it and zwift last week to make up for not ski touring this time of year and the trails being snow and ice yet. I was curious about Zwift but just last night i joined a "group ride" and I spent way more time on the trainer and pushed myself in that setting than i would have done by myself - it's all a game, but the distraction and challenge of keeping with others is pretty real.
no complaints on the direto trainer - glad i went the route of the smart trainer for this dumb guy.
PS - my set up is Zwift on iphone and use a lightening to hdmi adapter to plug into tv to get it onto bigger screen.
Did you do the Yorkshire?Quote:
Originally Posted by buttahflake
I have never been on that course until racing it last night. That hill right off the start was a rude way to get going!
And there were lots of random punchy hills and I had no idea how long they were, just go, go, go!
I ended up 6th in A Class (out of 10, lol). But then in Zwift power it showed I had second and I did not recognize any of the names...? Either way managed a new 5 min power PR of 396 watts (4.5 w/kg). which was definitely in the first 5 min of race and 20 minutes at 365.
What did Lionel say he had , 520 watts for 5 min??!!
My Zwift training program had a "free ride" day today I was suppose to do an "endurance ride" for my non structured training day.
I logged on and started pedaling and then I saw a race on the Innsbruck course that that I really like. So obviously I signed up for the race and proceeded to bury myself for a full 30 minutes. With 8.5 minutes in Zone 4, 8.5 minutes in Zone 5, and 6 minutes in Zone 6.
That's how it goes! So easy to over do it, just chasing the fast guys and there is always faster guys.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
In general I don't know your training program but a very popular approach is to follow the 80/20 rule.
80% in zone 2 or less and 20% in zones 4,5,6 with about 5% in zone 6.
A lot of people try to avoid zone 3 because you are going too hard to be in actual recovery (adaptation) and going to hard often enough that you can never really crank it up to zone 5 and 6 for true higher performance.
This article explains it all pretty good.
"Remember the old adage: When you go fast, you should be going really fast. And when you're going slow, you should be going really slow."
https://www.active.com/running/artic...one-3-syndrome
Good advice, Carp. I started the Yorkshire B race yesterday, held on for three minutes at threshold and blew sky high! Quit the event and went on a group ride. I’ve been spending way too much time in Z3 and Z4. I’m smoked right now, need to really mellow my efforts.
Okay, I read that article and have been riding Z1 and low end of Z2 for 6 days now, and it feels so good! Sleeping way better. Gonna keep it mellow for another week and then I’ll start going harder.
Used my Trump bucks to upgrade to a wheel off unit, it’s out for delivery!
Tacx Neo2T, can’t wait to try it out.
The above is good advice. The best advice given to me when I was just starting to train for racing was an analogy to weightlifting (which I don't really do, but easy to understand).
You wouldn't lift max bench press every day without thinking that fatigue would set in. Same for cycling, hard days should be really hard (racing is perfect for that), easy days should be extremely easy. The middle is building and slowly elevating the base fitness so you are ready to really push yourself on those hard days.
Again, think of doing bench press every day. Some days are light weight to work on form and endurance by going light weights and high reps. Other days are going short reps and max weight.
Brown Santa brought me an Elite Direto X today, got it hooked up and went for the intro ride. Got me a new jersey and pretty happy with the potential of this setup.
Have some work to do on my tech set up.
Ride on!
Tech set ups can be tricky.Quote:
Originally Posted by ticketchecker
I ride in our spare bedroom, with a 42" TV. I have a direct drive trainer, Kurt Kinnetic R1, and I bought an Apple TV for my set up. Apple TV can handle 3 Bluetooth signals. 1) Apple TV Remote, 2) My trainer puts a single Bluetooth signal for Power, Cadence, Speed. 3) I have a Bluetooth heart rate monitor. I use my iPhone with the Zwift Companion App to easily scroll through the screens or adjust the maps, but if you needed a 3rd Bluetooth signal you can bridge it through the Companion App.
Zwift is directly uploads to Strava, and my Garmin Connect.
I have Garmin bike computer that I occasionally use with my Stages Power Meter which records Power and Cadence over ANT+. It uploads a duplicate ride to my Garmin Connect account so I can validate the power measurements between the Stages and Trainer.
Home Depot just got fans in stock and I'm going to pick up a good fan this week.
^^thanks Dee
Right now I've got an older apple TV and mirroring the Zwift app to the TV, no HRM yet. Could be wrong but I'm thinking if I add one I can connect it to phone and mirror both to the apple TV.
I don't use Strava or have a Garmin connect, probably won't use either of those.
Make sure you get a Bluetooth or Dual (BLE and ANT+) Heart Rate monitor. The older ANT+ that work with bike computers will not connect to your computer or phone. You would need a separate ANT+ dongle to connect that type of heart rate monitor.
This is exactly what I do. I have a MacBook Air w/ the Zwift app and connect my trainer (Wahoo Kickr Power) and my HR monitor (Garmin Dual) to it via Bluetooth and then "Airplay" to my Gen 2 Apple TV hooked up to my TV. I have 4 Bluetooth connections to the MacBook - Speed/Power, Cadence, Control-ability & HRM. Works pretty well. There is sometimes some lag on the TV but none to the MacBook. It's nice to have everything on the big screen.Quote:
Originally Posted by ticketchecker
First time on the new Tacx, so freaking smooth and the decibel level is low. The Tacx has ‘road feel’, so you feel all the Zwift cobbles and wood-planks and gravel, and they all have a different and very realistic feel.
Can’t believe how much better riding indoors is now. Used to be able to get a hateful half hour in on my rollers, now I don’t even think twice about jumping on for 90 minutes. How cool is it with all the pros hanging around Zwift right now? It’s fucking awesome.
The Tacx has this cool light setup, as you pedal the light changes from blue to purple to bright red when you’re giving it the beans.
Sick
Attachment 325577
Got it, I see a Wahoo one for about $40.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
Question about getting out of the saddle, my front end gets pretty wiggly. Bike is a Small, wondering if bigger bikes are more stable and less prone to that
Let some air out of your tires. A riser block is also kind of nice (most allow for no rise too).Quote:
Originally Posted by ticketchecker
https://www.rei.com/product/740915/c...ng-riser-block
Have a riser block but hadn't thought about PSI.Quote:
Originally Posted by huckbucket
So far this is a hoot, should've gotten it about six years ago when the stay at home thing started
Dang I’m jealous! I been in this kinetic rock and roll (wheel on) for 1.5 years or so and like it enough but I know I’m missing out on wheel off setup. My Trump bucks had to go to the auto shop for truck front end work, maybe next stimulus check will be Zwift upgrade lolQuote:
Originally Posted by buttahflake
Lower air is a good call, even in riser block. I put a hardish foam floor mat under my riser block as well to give it a bit of cushion on a concrete floor.Quote:
Originally Posted by ticketchecker
Yoga mat on carpet, riser block with low air pressure, and a big wide velcro ski strap around my down tube and front wheel.
This helps with the stability, and when I store the bike out of the way I just lift it up (stays in trainer and pivots on rear axle) and stand it against the wall, front wheel does not flop to the side.
Velcro strap next addition, already got the yoga mat working and noticed improvement with that and lower PSI.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
Did my first race today, 3 lap Gotham in the D group. Thought I was going to explode half way around the first lap, ended up finishing alone but not DFL after getting off the bike at end of lap 2 to grab the towel I forgot to put on the bars.
Guess my beer drinking training regime all winter didn't really keep my fitness up from last Fall.
After the race I wanted to look at results and discovered how convoluted it is to sign up for zwiftpower.com, got that licked and heading to the fridge.
With ZwiftPower I had to read the instructions a few times, but once signed up its seamless, you don't have to do anything but look at your results.Quote:
Originally Posted by ticketchecker