Zwift Chat

[BurningLegs]

uummmmmmm I think I’ve only entered cat c races, but my ftp would stick me in b (not brave enough to have my arse handed to me) as the last test gave me 3.6w/kg

Register on Zwiftpower and use that for your results. It will tell you when to move up to the next category (and if you don’t you will be DQ’d) 🙂

 

[Whorty]

uummmmmmm I think I’ve only entered cat c races, but my ftp would stick me in b (not brave enough to have my arse handed to me) as the last test gave me 3.6w/kg

Those are definitely B numbers (an FTP of 3.4 w/kg is the very top of C edging into B) .... much stronger than me and some of the guys currently racing the in the league for our second team (CC #68). As others say, join ZwiftPower, do some races, and let it tell you the correct Cat and then you won't get DQ'd (and you won't be sandbagging ). Good luck

 

[IrishAl]

https://zwiftinsider.com/zrl-s1-w7/

Zwiftinsider write up for the next stage of the WTRL league.

Lots of sprint points on offer before the main climb

Thanks @mjd1988. This will be another interesting race. No points on offer for the big climb I see. Getting over that climb near the front will be important. For us in CC#23 I can see the Noobs team putting us under severe pressure on that climb - they have 4 very light riders with good wkg. A good strategy for us could be to try and get sprint points before that climb - at Pavé, Aqueduct, and Ballon sprint points. I’d be hopeful of getting over the climb near the front but there’s a risk again of a gap - I can see Tommy and Pete being at the sharp end, with the rest of us left in a second group. If the 4 noobs are out in front then we will have a call to make as to whether those of us in group 2 chase hard on the remaining downhill and flat. Don’t you just love a bit of strategy!

 

[<Tommy>]

Thanks @mjd1988. This will be another interesting race. No points on offer for the big climb I see. Getting over that climb near the front will be important. For us in CC#23 I can see the Noobs team putting us under severe pressure on that climb - they have 4 very light riders with good wkg. A good strategy for us could be to try and get sprint points before that climb - at Pavé, Aqueduct, and Ballon sprint points. I’d be hopeful of getting over the climb near the front but there’s a risk again of a gap - I can see Tommy and Pete being at the sharp end, with the rest of us left in a second group. If the 4 noobs are out in front then we will have a call to make as to whether those of us in group 2 chase hard on the remaining downhill and flat. Don’t you just love a bit of strategy!

I’m still struggling for fitness. Hopefully I get on the bike over the weekend, but I haven’t worked since Wednesday so... not exactly brimming with self belief! who knows what form I have 🤷‍♂️.

That first climb is pretty short and not that steep Al. I think you and Bridgy both get up that in the front group unless you go for the sprint and suffer. I think it’s going to be fast into that climb because it’s so flat before it and the sprint is basically at the foot of it. So maybe the biggest danger is letting the sprinters go too far ahead and not getting back before the climb. Like you say, being in a second group could still offer a chance of points either by coming back or if the front group is lower than 30. Andy could well do some damage on the second climb if he’s in the mix.

The second climb could be a bigger selection point. Hopefully there’s a few different teams up there at that point. So the points get spread thin.

2 stages left right? Have we had a league table since the last race?

 

[<Tommy>]

uummmmmmm I think I’ve only entered cat c races, but my ftp would stick me in b (not brave enough to have my arse handed to me) as the last test gave me 3.6w/kg

The good thing about zwift is there’s always someone slower even if there’s people faster too. If you’re not registered with zwift power do that and you’ll be put in cat B unless you intentionally avoid it. And depending on your weight, with your w/kg you’ll find a race type that you’ll be able to compete in comfortably.

Worst case scenario you’ll always be the fastest in your house if you can keep everyone else off the turbo trainer! 👍

 

[mjd1988]

Thanks @mjd1988. This will be another interesting race. No points on offer for the big climb I see. Getting over that climb near the front will be important. For us in CC#23 I can see the Noobs team putting us under severe pressure on that climb - they have 4 very light riders with good wkg. A good strategy for us could be to try and get sprint points before that climb - at Pavé, Aqueduct, and Ballon sprint points. I’d be hopeful of getting over the climb near the front but there’s a risk again of a gap - I can see Tommy and Pete being at the sharp end, with the rest of us left in a second group. If the 4 noobs are out in front then we will have a call to make as to whether those of us in group 2 chase hard on the remaining downhill and flat. Don’t you just love a bit of strategy!

Yeah I'm gonna try and go for some sprint points if I think i can/see how big the front group is. I think it will be relatively big so I'll go for the 3rd sprint, and try and get to the petit Kom slightly ahead of the proper climbers.

I doubt I'll be able to hang with them if I've put too much into the sprints (or even if I dont!) but shall see where the cards land.

If I manage to get in a smaller front group I'll try and conserve going into the petit Kom (but I don't think the split will be that big). Big chance for @bobinski @BurningLegs and @Ketty to take serious points if they can get to the foot of the climb, which will keep things interesting.

Tried the petit Kom on 50% for a little recce - think I'll drop down to 40/45 trainer difficulty for the race.

 

[IrishAl]

I’m still struggling for fitness. Hopefully I get on the bike over the weekend, but I haven’t worked since Wednesday so... not exactly brimming with self belief! who knows what form I have 🤷‍♂️.

That first climb is pretty short and not that steep Al. I think you and Bridgy both get up that in the front group unless you go for the sprint and suffer. I think it’s going to be fast into that climb because it’s so flat before it and the sprint is basically at the foot of it. So maybe the biggest danger is letting the sprinters go too far ahead and not getting back before the climb. Like you say, being in a second group could still offer a chance of points either by coming back or if the front group is lower than 30. Andy could well do some damage on the second climb if he’s in the mix.

The second climb could be a bigger selection point. Hopefully there’s a few different teams up there at that point. So the points get spread thin.

2 stages left right? Have we had a league table since the last race?

4 weeks left including the upcoming one.

So 2 pan flat TTs, but a horrible race on that Harrogate circuit not suited to some of us.

and our league table...

We have a nice cushion at the top. Dare I say it we could even take a week off, but that’s not our style. I’d say the teams in 2nd to 5th must be thinking they are battling it out for the 2nd promotion place. 😊

 

[IrishAl]

Yeah I'm gonna try and go for some sprint points if I think i can/see how big the front group is. I think it will be relatively big so I'll go for the 3rd sprint, and try and get to the petit Kom slightly ahead of the proper climbers.

I doubt I'll be able to hang with them if I've put too much into the sprints (or even if I dont!) but shall see where the cards land.

If I manage to get in a smaller front group I'll try and conserve going into the petit Kom (but I don't think the split will be that big). Big chance for @bobinski @BurningLegs and @Ketty to take serious points if they can get to the foot of the climb, which will keep things interesting.

Tried the petit Kom on 50% for a little recce - think I'll drop down to 40/45 trainer difficulty for the race.

At least you should remember where the sprints are this time after our extraordinary long lead out in the IRL race a couple of weeks ago 😀😬

I think I’ll play it safe and not sprint before the Aqueduct, but if I can I will go for points on Aqueduct, alternatively we give Pete a lead out. Your probably right Tommy in that we should all be able to get over the Petit KOM in a reduced group and go for the big prize at the finish.

 

[Whorty]

Had a blast on Hardknott Pass on BRVR today. They have it as only the climb so it's all pain!! 14:32 for me over the 2 KMs at an average of 266 watts - well chuffed

If anyone is training for a hill climb competition then it could be worth a look at

 

[Randyberlin]

Had a blast on Hardknott Pass on BRVR today. They have it as only the climb so it's all pain!! 14:32 for me over the 2 KMs at an average of 266 watts - well chuffed

If anyone is training for a hill climb competition then it could be worth a look at
View attachment 559337

Please ignore Whorty’s post. It is a cruel climb.

 

[Whorty]

Please ignore Whorty’s post. It is a cruel climb.

It's a lovely little English climb With the odd 20% sections

 

[Alongo]

I had a nice gentle casual spin up the same lovely little English climb IRL , a couple of months ago , there were some lovely 30% bits which made me smile whilst riding up 😂

 

[Whorty]

I had a nice gentle casual spin up the same lovely little English climb IRL , a couple of months ago , there were some lovely 30% bits which made me smile whilst riding up 😂 View attachment 559388

Looks like the route on BRVR is slightly shorter. Also helps that on a trainer I can bust a gut and give everything and know that I don't need to hold anything back, but you need to keep enough left in the tank to get home afterwards The road surface was probable much better for me too

 

[theboxers]

I did both UK rides on BRVR on Friday.

57 minutes for Kirkstone. A difficult climb (for me) with a fun after party 🏎
24 minutes for Hardknott @246w 69rpm. Couldn't spin any faster and toasted my legs. 🏋️‍♀️. I cooled down in pain after that one. It's a lot easier on motorbike

Of the 28 that have done Hardknott I'm @25, , I am not the slowest

 

[Whorty]

I did both UK rides on BRVR on Friday.

57 minutes for Kirkstone. A difficult climb (for me) with a fun after party 🏎
24 minutes for Hardknott @246w 69rpm. Couldn't spin any faster and toasted my legs. 🏋️‍♀️. I cooled down in pain after that one. It's a lot easier on motorbike

Of the 28 that have done Hardknott I'm @25, , I am not the slowest

That's some really good progression TB, 246w for 24 mins - you must be well chuffed at that

I was toast at the top of Hardknott too ... glad I didn't have to hold on for 24 mins, I'd have blown up completely