about as interested in group rides as I am eating indoors at a restaurant
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about as interested in group rides as I am eating indoors at a restaurant
I've been checking off badges left and right and it has been cool to ride in different Zwift locales that I normally don't bother with. My Watopia list is getting pretty small with a bunch of the big bad boys in there. Four Horsemen etc
On the other hand I went out for first cross country ride in about 5 years with the previous about 10 years before that. The last 5 have been road specific and the previous 15 plus was DH focused)
Scored a KOM and a bunch of top 5 in Strava segments I had been eyeing up. Did it on an old cro-moly GT Karakoram circa 1995 with V-brakes and 1.5" travel fork. She is my town cruiser. Either I'm in really good shape or the competition is not too tough, maybe a little of both. Thanks Zwift!!
I think I might be ready to upgrade bike, Thanks for the motivation Strava!!
Thoughts on France/Paris world? Seems a bit dull but maybe they will release new rides for it? I haven't climbed the mountain yet so guess I gotta do that and then check back in. Maybe that will be an ass kicker like AdZ?
Anyone got any recommendations for Zwift-compatible trainers? I want to HTFU this winter and I'm kind of kicking the figurative tires on a Wahoo Kickr; anyone have any thoughts on that model in particular?
I’m possibly going to get into Zwift in the next little bit...got a “ dumb” trainer and some wahoo sensors but still need to line up a road bike for it, have a feeling my gym will be closing due to Covid soon.
Anyone have a link, discount code or friend pass if I sign up? Like a refer a friend get XX?
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Wheel off trainers are significantly better than wheel on.Quote:
Originally Posted by dan_pdx
Kickr Core is probably the best bang for the buck.
Best overview is here: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/10/...2019-2020.html
I've had a Kickr snap for a couple years and like it and you can usually pick them up used because people get really into it and upgrade to the wheel off for more accurate power readings. Just make sure you have the trainer tire mounted to a separate cheap wheel for easy change and it works fine.
Awesome, thanks! I've used a dumb trainer on and off for years, looking forward to getting on something more engaging.Quote:
Originally Posted by XtrPickels
Anybody found an app to do spin bike (class) style workouts on a smart trainer? Asking for a friend (wife).
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All of them.Quote:
Originally Posted by sethschmautz
Zwift, FulGaz, TrainerRoad, Rouvy, Sufferfest, BKool. All of the Smart trainers have there own apps, like Tacx, Wahoo, KurtKinetic.
Sorry, that's not exactly what I meant. I've mainly used Zwift and Sufferfest with my smart trainer and they work great automatically ramping up resistance when the app tells them to. My wife is not really interested in Sufferfest or Zwift but loves spin classes. Instead of buying a dedicated spin bike I was hoping that there was an app/service that provides the spin class environment (like peloton, for example) but works with a smart trainer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
Right now, if we don't but a spin bike, I'm thinking of trying to use the peleton app and letting her manually set resistance on the trainer using a tacx app. For those who like technology this might be okay. She is not one of those and I'm guessing that she'll grow tired of that combo quickly.
Ideally it would be a system that would use the app's Bluetooth connection to the smart trainer and adjust resistance based on what the spin teacher is doing on their end.
Make sense?
Seth
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Finally took the plunge on a smart bike + zwift account. Holy crap I can see how this would be addicting. Took 4th in the B group in my first ever race today. Which I was stoked on, but then I learned it didn't really count because I don't own a heart rate monitor. LOL. I can't believe people cheat so much at this they had to put those restrictions on racing. The start was insane though - do all zwift races go full on max watts out the gate?
Only thing I can't figure out is ERG mode. In that mode, I feel like I'm never in the right gear for the cadence I want to be at to hit my target watts. So I've just stopped using ERG and manage the gears myself. But maybe I'm missing some secret to unlocking ERG mode?
ERG is for the training plans and FTP test only. Never use it for racing or free riding. Yes, the first five minutes of any race is red line. Have you registered at Zwift Power yet? Get a HR monitor ASAP. I prefer the Wahoo Tickr armband. I’m in (B) class also, but I’m 55 now, I have trouble making the front of the big races, the starts are so demanding. I usually end up in the second group, scrapping for any ZP points I can get. Everyone starts with 600 points on ZP and the better you do the lower your points. 4th in a (B) race is freaking savage. Well done. Let’s jump into some races!
Thanks! Yeah I should have clarified I'm using ERG with a training plan coming in through Training Peaks. What I run into is the zwift terrain kind of forces super high cadences to hit my high watts (and I'm def not holding 110+rpms for that long) or if I'm doing a low cadence/high resistance workout ERG won't let me get into the cadence I need to be at. Today I did find the flattest course possible seems to help, but even then I turned off ERG to have more control. Could just be me though/maybe I just need more time on the machine to figure it all out.
On the race front I'm not registered at zwift power. I'll check that out for sure. I was stoked on 4th, but it was a short race and I didn't realize it was a mass start (I figured I just started with the B group) so I ended up burning everything trying my best to hold on to the lead group...which I realized later were a lot of A racers.
GO FUCKING OUTSIDE! IT'S BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE!Quote:
Originally Posted by buttahflake
LAPS BEATER!
Ok so when we all Zwift racing? Did my first race in Cat C the other night. Traded pulls up front and then sprinted thinking the race was almost over and then realized I had 6 miles to go lol......blew up and lost the front pack and finished in 9th.
MTCX (Facebook and Instagram) is doing a short series. Cross oriented, so typically 30-35min up front. No fees,, just a donation. Wednesday 6pm MST. Training rides with them on Thursday, same time.
Jamal and I tried to make the start tonight, but somehow didn't get in.
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Yeah I set everything up today and have never done this before. I think the issue was with following Shaun- he didn't see me there to give me an invite. I did get into the 9pm one but it was just one other guy and he disappeared about 2/3 through. Cool to have something that actually measures power. I've been thinking about getting a PM for my road bike for awhile but still haven't.
Borrowed the trainer, not sure how long I'll be able to hang onto it but I guess I might have to just break down and get one. If I can find one that is. I think my shop has a couple of wahoos either there or on order but with limited availability they might prefer to sell it at retail than have me buy it. i can't stand my basic wheel on resistance one anymore.
ERG mode adjusts to you.Quote:
Originally Posted by kathleenturneroverdrive
If you want a higher cadence, then pedal faster. It will raise your watts for a few seconds, but then the trainer will ease up the load so that you hit the correct wattage at the new cadence.
If you cannot raise your cadence OR you keep getting bogged down, then your FTP is likely set too high and needs to come down.
I'm on a Kinetic Road Machine with the inRide thing for fake watts measurement. Super low end. I feel like the tire resistance sucks a stupid amount of energy. Even with a dedicated trainer tire on the wheel. Like to hold 20mph on Zwift seems like 3x as hard as doing it out on the road.Quote:
Originally Posted by jamal
I also really want a legit cassette based trainer. Spendy though.
Word from the sponsored wahoo guys is that they are now 2 YEARS backordered on the various kickr units. In late spring they were saying it was a few months. Not sure how much of that is hyperbole, but if you want any kind of kickr you probably should buy it immediately before the masses start looking for the winter and buy up any remaining stock in shops.Quote:
Originally Posted by jamal
Huh. Good to know. Sounds like I might need just give it more time, but specifically what I've run into is doing high tension sets at 40-60rpms where the ERG mode just won't let me get down into those slow cadences. On the other side I was doing sweet spot sets at 70-90 rpms, but then I'd go downhill on zwift and all of a sudden I'm in a sprint workout. But I def think it's user error - maybe I just need to give it more time to let it adjust, and as much as they suck an FTP test is probably smart since I'm on a new trainer.Quote:
Originally Posted by XtrPickels
That's odd. The ERG mode should not respond to hills in Zwift. Your avatar's speed ought to slow or speed up based on the hill, but resistance shouldn't change.Quote:
Originally Posted by kathleenturneroverdrive
Re. the low-cadence reps. You might need to be in a larger gear to ensure the flywheel is spinning fast enough. If it's spinning too slow and the load generator is producing max resistance it might not meet your needs for wattage.
I have a Saris H2 and typically ride in 52x17 and it's fine from high cadence sprints to low cadence (~60) out of the saddle climbing.
Is it weird that I'm looking forward to Zwift season? It got me through the beginning of the pandemic, hopefully it gets me out of it too
Huh. That's good to know in that now I'm convinced it's just user error and I need to just take some time to figure it out.Quote:
Originally Posted by XtrPickels
Well, went to pick up some clothes I'd ordered, and my shop had a kickr core, so now I have a kickr core. Also it's in the 20s and snowing so I guess good timing.Quote:
Originally Posted by EWG
FWIW I realized my ERG problem was related to me missing that I also needed to change a setting on my Stages app to run ERG mode. I also find during an ERG ride I'm better off watching the 10-second watt average Stages gives me vs. the 3-second average Zwift has. Would be nice if Zwift had an option to bump to 10 seconds.
Also, last weekend I did a 30 mile, 5600 vert open field race and took 13th place out of 91. And fuck it, I'm gonna brag here because people in the real world look at me like I have two heads when I try to explain Zwift. LOL. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
As my lovely wife would say, "I'm glad you did well in your fake race against fake people."Quote:
Originally Posted by kathleenturneroverdrive
That said, she's on zwift 5 times a week in the winter, so...
Same here! My wife's on there all the time, but she has yet to exhibit a deep interest in my race results. I think me talking about it to her more will totally fix that...
I’m racing this afternoon (B), Chris Pritchard will be live streaming it as he races. He’s a funny fucker. Hoping to see myself getting dropped on his YouTube channel.
TFC Autumn Race Series, 3:00 east coast time, if anyone wants to join in the pain.
https://youtu.be/1QdT4bEUFXc
That's awesome - wish I could join but work/kids has me stuck to only 5-6:30am MST race starts right now
I’ll be in a grey kit, black skater helmet, on a Trek Madone, painted like Miami Vice, with Zipp 454 wheels, keep an eye out for me if you watch!
And that’s another very strong result kto, you’re gonna be an (A) in no time.
We just got a Tacx. Our LBS owner told us to give up on his order and get one online. Turns out REI has them in stock, but he won’t see his order until February or so.
We signed up with Zwift for the MTB simulation. Still waiting on a cassette that should arrive Monday so we haven’t used it yet.
I was tempted to hop into that but am not really feeling like putting in a race effort this afternoon after doing a race wed and a workout yesterday. Just going to find a new route to cruise later on I think. Maybe next week.
First week of zwift has been fun, should keep me a little more engaged with pedaling this winter. Our local cx substitute race the other day was great, cool to be with all the guys I'm used to racing on wed nights but have barely seen all year.
Related note, we could probably get the occasional meetup organized through here, keep it together group rides, short races, etc. Maybe get a list of zwift profiles going in the first post or something?
I’m in the same boat. Haven’t thought about it all summer, but I’m more stoked to put the bike on the trainer than put on cold weather clothes.Quote:
Originally Posted by ticketchecker
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Just watched the video, it’s pretty funny watching your guy hammering from someone else’s perspective. I totally watched myself get dropped! It’s brutal how fast it can go, and at 55 years old I’m still wicked competitive, just not as fast as I used to be. Zwift Power has me in 50th out of 60 (B). 43 minutes at 3.4w/kg, 163 avg HR is a little low, but my watts are a bit higher, what’s that mean? 147lbs
This is why I don't climb with anyone that weighs under 180lbs. I actually tuned in but didn't see you. Gray/black isn't easy to spot. Next time wear something hot pink ... you know, for the fans.Quote:
Originally Posted by buttahflake
This inspired me to fire up the Zwift. Spent 90 minutes tonight climbing up Alp D'zwift. I need to find a program to start on Monday to keep me motivated.
For motivation, chase all of the badges. Zwiftinsider.com has a page or two on the routes. Remember that you don't get credit unless you select the route at the startup screen. I think there are over 60 routes. That will keep you busy for a while.
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Ya I made a speed sheet and posted here with all the routes. I need to update it with the new worlds.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowagriz
I mostly do my workouts on the Alp D'Huez route to maximize my vertical gain/sweat points. I still haven't unlocked a better bike.