Zwift Chat

[Whorty]

Next race in the team IRL without borders league is Richmond rollercoaster. I've signed up but uncertain whether I'll make it.

Don't think I've done it before but looks like a course that will have lots of early attacks. 12ish km lead in with 3 very steep short climbs then 4 laps of a pretty flat circuit (see the picture in the screenshot below).

Definitely looks like one to a absolutely smash the start of and try to hang on to the flats. I think I would have enjoyed it as a strong c riser, but could be a lonely b ride!

View attachment 530648

I'm hoping I can join the next ride, and with my extra 30 watts that I'm going to gain from bike maintenance (or 1 extra watt ) I'll be with you in B holding up the rear! Will depend on wife and how she is on Monday

 

[mjd1988]

That's an interesting start.

It's going to blow the field apart!

You'd imagine so. Over the whole course it's only 200m of climbing or thereabouts. They are just concentrated, and the first two climbs in particular look steep (above 20% in places according to zwiftinsider) so if I was a climber/strong puncheur I'd definitely be targeting it.

Should make for an exciting race to watch, but could be boring for those of us that get dropped

 

[mjd1988]

I'm hoping I can join the next ride, and with my extra 30 watts that I'm going to gain from bike maintenance (or 1 extra watt ) I'll be with you in B holding up the rear! Will depend on wife and how she is on Monday

You don't need 30 watts! I think maybe you had a lot of races in a row going into the last race of the dbr series so fresher legs plus mystery bike maintainance watts should equal B numbers for sure

 

[Whorty]

You'd imagine so. Over the whole course it's only 200m of climbing or thereabouts. They are just concentrated, and the first two climbs in particular look steep (above 20% in places according to zwiftinsider) so if I was a climber/strong puncheur I'd definitely be targeting it.

Should make for an exciting race to watch, but could be boring for those of us that get dropped

Looks to me like the first part is a lap of the Richmond UCI course (with the 3 climbs at the end) then tagged on to that is the flat loop. Problem is, I always seem to get dropped at the 2nd sprint point in C races before we even get to the climbs so be interesting how long I can hold on to a B race I'll certainly do my best to join as never raced Richmond with the flat loop after the climbs

 

[Whorty]

You don't need 30 watts! I think maybe you had a lot of races in a row going into the last race of the dbr series so fresher legs plus mystery bike maintainance watts should equal B numbers for sure

I've gained a few pounds too so weight back up to 75kg which doesn't help - given myself a slap and now back on the weight loss. I'm being over optimistic and hope I can get 7.5 watts of efficiency from the bike changes which will be 0.1 w/kg extra which over a race may help me stay in the group for longer.

As for being tired, to be honest most is caused by caring - I have to get up 3 or 4 times a night to help wife, plus all the other very physical help I have to give her and some days I'm totally drained. Not looking for a hug, but I really do feel it some days and I'm shot even before I get on the bike. I think this is why I've lost some power over the past 12 months - bugger all I can do about it so trying not to beat myself up too much.

 

[steverob]

You'd imagine so. Over the whole course it's only 200m of climbing or thereabouts. They are just concentrated, and the first two climbs in particular look steep (above 20% in places according to zwiftinsider) so if I was a climber/strong puncheur I'd definitely be targeting it.

Should make for an exciting race to watch, but could be boring for those of us that get dropped

That is definitely going to split the field up like crazy. I did that course on what was meant to be a 2 w/kg easy group ride a few weeks back and those first two climbs basically split the field into hundreds of tiny groups - so much so that even when we got to the flat bit, we were still going round as lots of individual packs of 5-10 riders and this was an event where we were supposed to be staying together, not trying to race away from each other!

 

[peterob]

Saw you on the start line @Whorty for the lunchtime TT but couldn't respond to your message as I was in a bit of a rush and couldn't get the companion app connected.

I also forgot to change to the TT bike which was a bit annoying but I had a good ride despite the lack of a warmup. I averaged 3.9 W/Kg again, which I'm happy with, particularly as I'm probably a bit fatigued after having been Zwifting each day this week.

I saw you go past me early on but didn't realise I must have overtaken you later at some point. Did you hit B numbers today?

 

[Whorty]

Saw you on the start line @Whorty for the lunchtime TT but couldn't respond to your message as I was in a bit of a rush and couldn't get the companion app connected.

I also forgot to change to the TT bike which was a bit annoying but I had a good ride despite the lack of a warmup. I averaged 3.9 W/Kg again, which I'm happy with, particularly as I'm probably a bit fatigued after having been Zwifting each day this week.

I saw you go past me early on but didn't realise I must have overtaken you later at some point. Did you hit B numbers today?

You did indeed go past me, at about the 9.5km mark - I've recorded the ride so will try to upload this later. You finished 27 seconds ahead of me, but that was probably influenced by me being on a TT bike and you on the TRON.

Didn't quite make B numbers today - 95% of 20 mins so only 3.05 w/kg. Overall ride I averaged 3.2 w/kg / 243 watts so quite pleased with that - hadn't I gained a bit of weight up upped my weight to 75kg in Zwift this would have tipped me over to B.

I find TT's easier to hit decent numbers as there is less surging, and also there is nowhere to hide in the draft. I really enjoy TT races with no drafting, it's just there don't seem to be many available.

As for ZP placings ... 31/49 so not too shabby Had I entered C I would have come 2nd, so it's definitely the right time to race in B

 

[Spartak]

You did indeed go past me, at about the 9.5km mark - I've recorded the ride so will try to upload this later. You finished 27 seconds ahead of me, but that was probably influenced by me being on a TT bike and you on the TRON.

Didn't quite make B numbers today - 95% of 20 mins so only 3.05 w/kg. Overall ride I averaged 3.2 w/kg / 243 watts so quite pleased with that - hadn't I gained a bit of weight up upped my weight to 75kg in Zwift this would have tipped me over to B.

I find TT's easier to hit decent numbers as there is less surging, and also there is nowhere to hide in the draft. I really enjoy TT races with no drafting, it's just there don't seem to be many available.

As for ZP placings ... 31/49 so not too shabby Had I entered C I would have come 2nd, so it's definitely the right time to race in B

Well done @Whorty & @peterob my plans to ride were scuppered by a very long work call...

 

[Whorty]

Recording of earlier TT race (@peterob )

 

[<Tommy>]

I’m racing at 6pm if anyone fancies it

 

[Randyberlin]

I’m racing at 6pm if anyone fancies it

Who is your new Avatar?

 

[Whorty]

Well done @Whorty & @peterob my plans to ride were scuppered by a very long work call...

I was looking out for you, but figured something had got in the way ... maybe next week

 

[Whorty]

Who is your new Avatar?

Willie Thorne - British snooker player who passed away this week.

 

[Norry1]

I’m racing at 6pm if anyone fancies it

The Hare and Hounds?