Zwift Chat

[IrishAl]

Flip, didn't realise how far the first sprint was from the start. Assuming the climbers do show up may be worth trying to breakaway on the flat before the sprint if anyone fancies it as we don't really have any out and out climbers (that aren't currently in the a's) @IrishAl is best placed to choose strategy if you fancy trying anything tactical? Otherwise default #hangonbyfingernailsaslongaspossibleplan

With the numbers so low at the minute, we could try and send a Cyclechat man up the road early, and force the non-cchat riders to do the chasing. If the chasers stall / don’t work / chase then the front man can manage their effort and try and stay out. If they do chase then we get a message to the breakaway man and he can decide whether to push on or ease up to be ready to rejoin the group. Then the next Cyclechat rider can immediately try a counter And we keep making our numbers count. You are good at the kamikaze attacks so we can put your name down for the first break 😃

 

[mjd1988]

With the numbers so low at the minute, we could try and send a Cyclechat man up the road early, and force the non-cchat riders to do the chasing. If the chasers stall / don’t work / chase then the front man can manage their effort and try and stay out. If they do chase then we get a message to the breakaway man and he can decide whether to push on or ease up to be ready to rejoin the group. Then the next Cyclechat rider can immediately try a counter And we keep making our numbers count. You are good at the kamikaze attacks so we can put your name down for the first break 😃

I'm not going to win anyway so happy to try out a kamikaze attack if it might be helpful, Always mixes up the workout a bit as well!

 

[Whorty]

I’m not so sure, I think they will be marking you as one to watch. Come the climb you will be able to crank it up and put the pressure on them and do the same on the second climb. Hoping to watch on fan view!

It will be interesting if they think the same, and if so whether they try to drop me before we get to the climbs. ZP now shows best prime times, and looking at those signed up so far i have very slightly the fastest times. All things being equal then I should be able to get over the KoMs with the lead riders so long as I don't pop on the fast flats!

Rest day today, so hoping legs are nice and fresh tomorrow and asthma calms down a bit.

 

[mjd1988]

It will be interesting if they think the same, and if so whether they try to drop me before we get to the climbs. ZP now shows best prime times, and looking at those signed up so far i have very slightly the fastest times. All things being equal then I should be able to get over the KoMs with the lead riders so long as I don't pop on the fast flats!

Rest day today, so hoping legs are nice and fresh tomorrow and asthma calms down a bit.

Ah that's a cool feature. Better keep an eye on that as Alan is the best climber who has so far entered so might not make much sense to attack at the moment. Hopefully a few more people will enter though!

 

[Whorty]

Ah that's a cool feature. Better keep an eye on that as Alan is the best climber who has so far entered so might not make much sense to attack at the moment. Hopefully a few more people will enter though!

Yes, haven't noticed that before, but a neat feature. Of course it doesn't tell you when they did that time, or if in a race etc, but at least gives a good indication of who to watch out for

 

[CXRAndy]

I think Zwift just adds speed to a group of riders. Once there are 3 or 4, speed goes up even if the same two riders stay on the front.

I just wish Zwift would work out the proper drafting algorithm. That is how the draft should work

I remember riding in a group at the Lincoln 100 Grand Prix. There was a 15mile section https://www.strava.com/activities/1567074434/analysis/51/4632

There were 15 of us, 3 or 4 strong lads pulling the pack into a headwind mostly. I was sat in 3rd or 4th row and was travelling along at 21mph in Z2 at 130bpm. You can see a bump in my HR, that is where I did a 5 min stint on the front, my HR jumped to 170bpm

 

[Norry1]

I think Zwift just adds speed to a group of riders. Once there are 3 or 4, speed goes up even if the same two riders stay on the front.

I just wish Zwift would work out the proper drafting algorithm. That is how the draft should work

I remember riding in a group at the Lincoln 100 Grand Prix. There was a 15mile section https://www.strava.com/activities/1567074434/analysis/51/4632

There were 15 of us, 3 or 4 strong lads pulling the pack into a headwind mostly. I was sat in 3rd or 4th row and was travelling along at 21mph in Z2 at 130bpm. You can see a bump in my HR, that is where I did a 5 min stint on the front, my HR jumped to 170bpm

View attachment 538054

Agreed - that is my main gripe with Zwift - and the reason every race is like a Time Trial.

 

[Norry1]

Just a gratuitous pic of my ride today in the Forest of Dean.

 

[Whorty]

I think Zwift just adds speed to a group of riders. Once there are 3 or 4, speed goes up even if the same two riders stay on the front.

I just wish Zwift would work out the proper drafting algorithm. That is how the draft should work

I remember riding in a group at the Lincoln 100 Grand Prix. There was a 15mile section https://www.strava.com/activities/1567074434/analysis/51/4632

There were 15 of us, 3 or 4 strong lads pulling the pack into a headwind mostly. I was sat in 3rd or 4th row and was travelling along at 21mph in Z2 at 130bpm. You can see a bump in my HR, that is where I did a 5 min stint on the front, my HR jumped to 170bpm

View attachment 538054

Very true ... really shouldn't be that difficult to program, and yet they can't get it right. If you have a pack with someone pulling at 3.4 w/kg, and someone breaks away and then is pushing over 3.5 w/kg the pack really shouldn't be catching them. Yet the washing machine effect just seems to keep increasing the pack speed faster than it should really be moving at and the breakaway just can't hold the distance. In order to make a break you have to push a LOT more than the pack.

Conversely, those in the pack seem to have to push more to stay in the blob than seems reasonable.

Doesn't give much incentive to try and break away, so riders like me are better served just sitting in.

 

[Whorty]

Are any C's joining me tomorrow evening? Or am I the lone C rider this week

 

[Norry1]

My Windows 10 laptop has just stopped "seeing" my Garmin 820 once connected over USB. It has worked for years. I've tried different USB cables, both of which worked in the last few days. Annoying as that is how I upload activities and download routes.

Any suggestions?

 

[Alongo]

I think Zwift just adds speed to a group of riders. Once there are 3 or 4, speed goes up even if the same two riders stay on the front.

I just wish Zwift would work out the proper drafting algorithm. That is how the draft should work

I remember riding in a group at the Lincoln 100 Grand Prix. There was a 15mile section https://www.strava.com/activities/1567074434/analysis/51/4632

There were 15 of us, 3 or 4 strong lads pulling the pack into a headwind mostly. I was sat in 3rd or 4th row and was travelling along at 21mph in Z2 at 130bpm. You can see a bump in my HR, that is where I did a 5 min stint on the front, my HR jumped to 170bpm

View attachment 538054

I rode that event too Andy , I’ve done a few of them , it’s a great event isn’t it? I’ve often looked on longingly at the fast groups that go by , wanting to jump on and up the speed a bit but I’ve always done them with a mate who’s a bit of a plodder.

 

[Alongo]

Just a gratuitous pic of my ride today in the Forest of Dean.

View attachment 538056

Looks like the best bike stayed at home Martin☹️

 

[Spartak]

Just a gratuitous pic of my ride today in the Forest of Dean.

View attachment 538056

Not too far away from you today, nice walk up to Trellech Beacon... 👍

 

[Norry1]

Looks like the best bike stayed at home Martin☹

Yep, worried about it getting nicked on top of the car and in the cabin - so it is the roubaix here.