Zwift, TR, Sufferfest etc

[huckbucket]

pots of epo

[carpathian]

Pretty sure #17 is clean.

[carpathian]

Words of wisdom at 23:00
but, yah he is just hanging out at 6.0 w/kg chit chatting

[bennymac]

He is *flying* up that hill

[jamal]

Yeah that guy has the canadian hour record and the mt lemmon kom. And heaviest guy on the list at 155lb.

[buttahflake]

My best time up the Alpe is 59:23, at 5’10”, 145 pounds, 55 years old. Carp is a specimen, I realize that, but he’s a giant compared to me. If we were to ride the real Alpe du Huez, I feel like there is no way he could stay on my wheel. One of my riding buddies is a beast, 6’1” 180 pounds, he punishes me on the flats and rolling terrain. 1-5 minute efforts on anything less than 5%, he kills me. But on steeper Cat 3 climbs or the gnarly test climb in the area a brutal Cat 2 climb which is 2.2 miles at 9%, I fly away from him. How am I getting smoked on Zwift by these linebackers?!?!

[huckbucket]

My best time up the Alpe is 59:23, at 5’10”, 145 pounds, 55 years old. Carp is a specimen, I realize that, but he’s a giant compared to me. If we were to ride the real Alpe du Huez, I feel like there is no way he could stay on my wheel. One of my riding buddies is a beast, 6’1” 180 pounds, he punishes me on the flats and rolling terrain. 1-5 minute efforts on anything less than 5%, he kills me. But on steeper Cat 3 climbs or the gnarly test climb in the area a brutal Cat 2 climb which is 2.2 miles at 9%, I fly away from him. How am I getting smoked on Zwift by these linebackers?!?!

First thing you gotta ask yourself is if everyone you're comparing yourself against is on ZP. Numbers and performance doesn't really matter anywhere else if not verified there.

Oh and sub 60 AdZ is super solid. Want.

[VTskibum]

That's really fast up adz especially for a not, uh, really light person. 35min is pro territory.
Fun ride tonight, I figured VTskibum was gunning for me after last week so I decided to go on the offensive first. Funny how they start out as a friendly group ride and then end with approaching my best power curve from like 1-5min.

Wasn't really feeling it last night. I couldn't close the gap by the start of the sprint, which then becomes a wasteland of suffering at 4 seconds back so just rode it in. Nicely done on the launch on the hill timed that feather well.

Sub 40 is pretty crazy stuff. My AdZ PR 46 min @ ~300w 160lbs (~4.2w/kg), couple of my riding friends are in the low 40s who weigh 5-10 lbs less w/ bit higher w/kg 4.5+. I do tell myself that those pro's probably can't rail singletrack while pushing 4.0w/kg though. Though certainly Keegan Swenson and the like could

[Dee Hubbs]

You skinny fucks.
I started Zwift last March and weighed in at 96kg - 211 lbs.
I’m 45yo and haven’t been under 200lbs since I was maybe 30?
Because of Zwift I’m now currently sub 86 -189lbs.
I’ve lost 10kg - 22lbs from a stupid bike/computer game.

[Full Trucker]

You skinny fucks.
I started Zwift last March and weighed in at 96kg - 211 lbs.
I’m 45yo and haven’t been under 200lbs since I was maybe 30?
Because of Zwift I’m now currently sub 86 -189lbs.
I’ve lost 10kg - 22lbs from a stupid bike/computer game.

Nice, dude. I'm only a few pounds less fat and a few years more old... I guess I should weigh myself and see where this goes. I'd be psyched to hit summer ~195 lbs or so... haven't seen that weight for about 8 years. Also, this is confirmation that I should be able to keep up. heh

[huckbucket]

It won't be a surprise to anyone here that weight is everything. It's every little thing. You can't gain enough power to overcome too much weight. Furthermore, nutritionists will tell you that you just can't train your way to lower weight. Woman linked below estimates that only ~40% of a weight loss target can be met by exercise while the rest has to be from caloric deficit. She's fantastic at explaining it.

[Full Trucker]

The phrase I have always heard is "You can't out train a bad diet."

[kathleenturneroverdrive]

My best time up the Alpe is 59:23, at 5’10”, 145 pounds, 55 years old. Carp is a specimen, I realize that, but he’s a giant compared to me. If we were to ride the real Alpe du Huez, I feel like there is no way he could stay on my wheel. One of my riding buddies is a beast, 6’1” 180 pounds, he punishes me on the flats and rolling terrain. 1-5 minute efforts on anything less than 5%, he kills me. But on steeper Cat 3 climbs or the gnarly test climb in the area a brutal Cat 2 climb which is 2.2 miles at 9%, I fly away from him. How am I getting smoked on Zwift by these linebackers?!?!

Taking genetics out of it (which accounts for a lot of this), and the massive differences in riding on zwift vs. IRL I do think your training specificity plays a bigger role than people realize. Like I'm 6'3" / 177lbs. On Saturday I did a 14 mile/4000 vert race, then 40 minutes later I did the AdZ race and managed a sub-50:00 PR. But really, that's only because that's the exact type of riding I train for. So much so that if I'm in a race and the terrain is rolling, I usually get dropped, or in a serious sprint, I rarely win, which is easy to see because looking at zwiftpower my 15/second and 1/minute numbers are laughably low. Which honestly, is kind of dumb, cause at my size my strength should be flatter/more rolling courses, but hey, in real life I like to climb remote dirt roads so I might as well train for it...

So really, I guess all I'm saying is your weight's just a small part of it. Genetics, size, training, etc. all play a big role. And who knows, Carp is crazy strong, but I think he said he hadn't ever done a very long ride on Zwift before. Maybe if you raced the Four Horsemen you'd crush him since he might not be trained for that sort of thing?

[VTskibum]

Well done Dee!

I rode myself down from around 190lbs to 160lbs @ 5'11" over a span of 4-5 years getting more serious about racing and training for XC racing going from Cat 3 to Cat 1/Regional Pro fields. I bottomed out on weight loss around 155 w/o impacting lifestyle too much, ie I didn't give up Beer, but did cut down massively on processed food etc. I definitely agree w/ the "can't out train a bad diet", but they go hand in hand.

[dan_pdx]

Thanks again everyone for the tech support! I got most of the bugs worked out with my smart trainer last night and had enough time to do Zwift's 4-mile onboarding ride.

When I got pissy when someone passed me during my cool down, I realized "Hey, I could get into this!" Still don't have my rear derailleur quite dialed in, and couldn't pair my heart rate monitor in the garage even though it worked fine inside the house, but I'm basically there. I'll take some time to figure things out a little more and then jump in the shark tank with you guys :-)

[buttahflake]

As tempting as it is to just start riding willy nilly, it’s best to start knocking off route badges and achievements, up your XP, buy fast frames and wheels and whatnot. Make sure you start working towards the Tron. Welcome aboard, new max Zwift, just shy of 50,000 people riding from all over the world yesterday morning.

[bennymac]

Thanks again everyone for the tech support! I got most of the bugs worked out with my smart trainer last night and had enough time to do Zwift's 4-mile onboarding ride.

When I got pissy when someone passed me during my cool down, I realized "Hey, I could get into this!" Still don't have my rear derailleur quite dialed in, and couldn't pair my heart rate monitor in the garage even though it worked fine inside the house, but I'm basically there. I'll take some time to figure things out a little more and then jump in the shark tank with you guys :-)

I found the learning curve around zwift functioning and options fairly steep (in the apps) - so ask questions here as you get going

[ridinshockgun]

Don't get all this obsession over weight from those who aren't racing at the pro level. I would say that someone just getting into cycling who isn't significantly overweight can actually make power gains that are beneficial faster than they can lose weight. The more overweight you are the easier it is to just lose weight from riding. But after a few years and if you are already at a reasonably healthy weight then comes the choice on whether or not you want to have fun at life or excel at the Saturday morning world championships. If the latter is more fun then go for it.

[Full Trucker]

As tempting as it is to just start riding willy nilly, it’s best to start knocking off route badges and achievements, up your XP, buy fast frames and wheels and whatnot. Make sure you start working towards the Tron. Welcome aboard, new max Zwift, just shy of 50,000 people riding from all over the world yesterday morning.

I did not heed this advice... I jumped in the Dee Hubs Shark Tank with bone stock stuff. You mean to tell me these other dudes have "faster" virtual equipment? Oy vey.

I found the learning curve around zwift functioning and options fairly steep (in the apps) - so ask questions here as you get going

I am also still kinda confused on the various functions of Zwift... picking a direction at intersections, doing a U turn, interacting with other rides, etc. It's steep, but not unsurmountable. I might have questions.

Don't get all this obsession over weight from those who aren't racing at the pro level.

Because I'm fat, drunk, and stupid... and that's no way to go through life, son.

[jamal]

Having a keyboard within reach is probably the best option for controls in zwift but the companion app also has them all. I change views with the number pad, mostly to look back (push 6, 1 for the default view). Hitting space bar is easier than activating a powerup in from the phone app. People even set up little remotes on their handlebars to do those things.

Once you've ridden around in watopia for awhile you figure out the map and can actually navigate to where you want to go, but the best way to ride is to pick a route beforehand. Completing a route gets you double the XP of just riding that same distance and it will actually bring you somewhere and make you ride a set distance/time. Even when I'm just cruising around before a meetup or race or something I pick a short one i haven't done, especially since it's annoying to collect those like 5-6km badges on their own because you have to quit the game and restart to do another one.

I've started using https://zwifthub.com/ to keep track of my routes/badges. Sign up and then you can just click on the little trophy to say you've done it. Then on the left when you want to do a ride, sort by "today's routes" and "only not achieved routes" and distance and elevation or whatever.

[bennymac]

^Helpful advice ^

I didn’t know about the space at power up - that’s a good one vs trying to hit the power up button on the companion app.

I too find it helpful (as a total jong) to have a flat surface to the side of the bike on which I can have my keyboard/trackpad, fan remote, extra towel/water etc. I put an iPad there with the route elevation profile on the screen if I’ve not done that route before. I bought a music stand (cheap, adjustable height, adjustable legs, top lays flat) for this.

I too find zwifthub website helpful for looking at routes and marking which ones I’ve done - also easy to see what routes are available that day.

Beginners (like me) - be aware that most routes have a “lead in” distance you have to ride before the true “route” starts. This info is easily viewable on zwifthub’s interface. You have to ride the lead in and then the whole route in order to get the “badge” for that route. You can see what badges you have officially earned via the menu in the main Zwift app (not the companion app). Don’t just look at the route distance and then ride that distance and assume you are done - the route may have a 2km lead in for example.

There are also badges for other accomplishments like “ride 7 days in a row” or “ride 40km in one ride” etc.

As you ride in Zwift you earn experience points (XP) and drops (think of this like money) simultaneously. XP accumulation is what moves you up through the levels (I’m at level 11 for example) and drops are what you can use to buy better bike frames and wheels. Some frames and wheels can shave a couple seconds per hour. Some frames/wheels are more aero for flat/rolling courses, some are lighter for climbing, and some are middle of the road Jack of all trades. A second shaved off an hour ride is probably a big deal to someone trying to win the final sprint but for noobs like me it’s not likely gonna make any significant difference in the experience.

You get XP for distance, elevation, collecting badges, other accomplishments etc.

You get drops also when covering distance but you have to be pedaling (not coasting) for them to accumulate. When someone gives you a “ride on!” while you are pedaling the rate at which you accumulate drops goes up temporarily. If you finish a ride on top of a mountain you can coast back down and get easy XP for that additional distance - if the hill is steep enough you don’t even have to stay on your bike (you could be stretching) but if you also want drops you have to be pedaling (even just slowly)

But yeah collecting route badges is a great way to get introduced to zwift. If you go to the “zwift insider” website (another great resource) you can find a printable list of all the routes organized by length/difficulty. Start ticking off some of the shorter ones and you’ll quickly get the hang of things.

More experienced zwifters can chime in with corrections and better info.

Edit: you’ll hear about the “Everest challenge” - this is a bit confusing. As best I can tell these are bigger long term challenges that kinda run in the background all the time you are riding.

To choose/view what challenge you are currently working on you go into the menu on the main Zwift app. When that menu pops up you will see a cartoon photo in the middle right of the menu. Click on this and it will open up a sub menu showing you the challenges available.

As a beginner it will likely offer Everest (climbing challenge) or California (distance challenge). You pick one and then it will stay on that challenge unless you change it. Most people choose Everest and leave it there - they do this because if you climb an insane amount over time (much more than just the Everest challenge) you unlock the “tron bike” which is that colorful glowing bike you see some riders using. As far as equipment goes it’s one of the best options if you’re looking to shave those precious seconds off your performance. Plus it’s kind of a badge of honor in the zwift world.

[kathleenturneroverdrive]

I am also still kinda confused on the various functions of Zwift... picking a direction at intersections...

Jamal hit this too, but the easiest way to navigate is to pick a route before you ride and just don't click anything when Zwift offers you an option to go a different direction. Because when Zwift does offers you a choice to go a different direction it's really them asking "do you want to leave the route you chose". Which can be fine if you want to go elsewhere, but going off route costs you the badge + XP you would have gotten for finishing the route you chose to ride.

[willywhit]

My best time up the Alpe is 59:23, at 5’10”, 145 pounds, 55 years old. Carp is a specimen, I realize that, but he’s a giant compared to me. If we were to ride the real Alpe du Huez, I feel like there is no way he could stay on my wheel. One of my riding buddies is a beast, 6’1” 180 pounds, he punishes me on the flats and rolling terrain. 1-5 minute efforts on anything less than 5%, he kills me. But on steeper Cat 3 climbs or the gnarly test climb in the area a brutal Cat 2 climb which is 2.2 miles at 9%, I fly away from him. How am I getting smoked on Zwift by these linebackers?!?!

I heard willy nilly wants to stomp your skinny ass

[dan_pdx]

Thanks for all the info on navigating Zwift, this is helpful. I'm into video games, so all the XP and achievements definitely incentivize me. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions come up, I'll bring 'em here.

[bennymac]

Thanks for all the info on navigating Zwift, this is helpful. I'm into video games, so all the XP and achievements definitely incentivize me. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions come up, I'll bring 'em here.

Once you get going you can look at the zwift insider article on “pace partners” - this is a legit way to temporarily increase your rate of drop accumulation while simultaneously getting exercise and practicing riding/drafting in a group (it’s not a perfect mimicking of outdoor pack riding but decent enough)