That time was fun - although it is a bit arbitary (where the Cat limits sit) it was great getting to the top of C and winning the odd race here and there. I am now probably just about top third of B and not likely to trouble the scorers any time soon in that Cat. I hope to get closer to the top of B during 2021 but my main focus is being competitive in Master's races in the real world this year.
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That time was fun - although it is a bit arbitary (where the Cat limits sit) it was great getting to the top of C and winning the odd race here and there. I am now probably just about top third of B and not likely to trouble the scorers any time soon in that Cat. I hope to get closer to the top of B during 2021 but my main focus is being competitive in Master's races in the real world this year.
I've come to the conclusion that Xert is just too complicated.
I've done Zwift training plans, but I find them too prescriptive. You have to prioritise them over all other forms of riding and I don't want that sort of imbalance. And as @<Tommy> said it sort of drains the joy out of cycling anyway.
I tried Xert on the recommendation of a friend, who said it was less prescriptive and worked around you, but I actually find it just drowns me in data and doesn't set any sort of structure, so almost at the other end of the scale from Zwift. There's a couple of gauges I like, eg the automatic FTP calculator, but one day it tells me I'm fresh and the next day it says I'm tired. Last week it told me I could wait 0.0 days until my next workout! What's all that about?
So, I've been talking to a couple of coaches who ride with WTRL, and I'm going to give that a go instead. I've talked to them about what my goals are and I'm going to see where talking to human beings who understand cyclists takes me instead. They use Training Peaks as their tool to monitor progress and advise how to alter your training and rides. They've been recommended, so I've decided to give it a go.
I'm not expecting to be an A cat rider. That's not going to happen. But if I can keep improving and sit more comfortably mid-B and a good contributor to team events, then I'll achieve what I want............ oh and I want to beat my PB up Box Hill this year!
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berty bassett
Legendary Member
- Location
- I'boro
See that dot over on yonder hill - that’s me waving 😁
BurningLegs
Guru
That is the problem that is trying to be solved here, basically.
If you skip or fail a session, automatically adjust the plan in response. If you do them but the workouts are too tough (work stress, poor sleep/diet etc) then automatically adjust the plan in response. This is trying to take the pressure away and remove any feeling of failure, just respond to where you are right now without having to take it back to the drawing board.
Depending whether I look at the Bolt (101.3km) or Strava's reading of the bolt FIT file (97.7km) I did about 100km outside today. I used Komoot to plot a route which worked ... kind of. Mostly it kept me to smaller A and B roads, but did also put me on gravel tracks, bridleways and oxen-ways (which are basically muddy ditches so couldn't do those). Ave speed only 23kph but I think had I stuck to roads this would have been easily 25kph (I had to walk through Shaftesbury too as they've made the town traffic free and I couldn't be bothered to backtrack to a pretty nasty roundabout).
Feeling tired now, but quite chuffed to have ridden so far on my first outdoor outing of the year
Set a couple of PBs up some local hills too even though I wasn't expecting to or even trying.
Oh, and I did a Bob .... clipped in at traffic lights. Went to put foot down. Toppled over. Felt a right tosser
All the gear, no idea 
Feeling tired now, but quite chuffed to have ridden so far on my first outdoor outing of the year
Set a couple of PBs up some local hills too even though I wasn't expecting to or even trying.Oh, and I did a Bob .... clipped in at traffic lights. Went to put foot down. Toppled over. Felt a right tosser
All the gear, no idea
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LeetleGreyCells
Un rouleur infatigable
- Location
- Whitehaven Mansions
Did you have Komoot set to Touring? It’s only ever taken me on gravel tracks with that setting, Road usually works for me staying on tarmac.
I use to love a nata
bobinski
Legendary Member
- Location
- Tulse Hill
Depending whether I look at the Bolt (101.3km) or Strava's reading of the bolt FIT file (97.7km) I did about 100km outside today. I used Komoot to plot a route which worked ... kind of. Mostly it kept me to smaller A and B roads, but did also put me on gravel tracks, bridleways and oxen-ways (which are basically muddy ditches so couldn't do those). Ave speed only 23kph but I think had I stuck to roads this would have been easily 25kph (I had to walk through Shaftesbury too as they've made the town traffic free and I couldn't be bothered to backtrack to a pretty nasty roundabout).
Feeling tired now, but quite chuffed to have ridden so far on my first outdoor outing of the year
Oh, and I did a Bob .... clipped in at traffic lights. Went to put foot down. Toppled over. Felt a right tosser
Like this?
View: https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1365260046121205768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1365260046121205768%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Froad.cc%2Fcontent%2Fnews%2Fcycling-live-blog-26-february-281217
Yes, touring ... Lesson learned I think, leave it on Road setting
I did like though that it took me to roads I didn't even know existed ... although kms 77.3 to 81.7 which was all gravel/bridleway wasn't fun. Going uphill on loose shale on a road bike
No harm done though, and a great day in the saddle. Still early in the year but I'm feeling hopeful about the Tour of Cambridgeshire
Yep ... that was me
I was about 90km in by then, legs and mind a bit tired. Just plane forgot I was clipped in 
Carl, I cant remember how big the Roubaix tyres can go, but I like a bit of off road.
I remember a particular club run, I went out with my 40mm G Ones. The roads were muddy and gravelly, we went over a ford ( no not the car). All the club walked and carried their bikes over the footbridge. I just ploughed straight through the ford and muddy banks-great fun
I remember a particular club run, I went out with my 40mm G Ones. The roads were muddy and gravelly, we went over a ford ( no not the car). All the club walked and carried their bikes over the footbridge. I just ploughed straight through the ford and muddy banks-great fun
I have 28s on but I think they can go to 32 (could be wrong). I'm a wuss, much prefer dry tarmac roads
I have 28s on but I think they can go to 32 (could be wrong). I'm a wuss, much prefer dry tarmac roads
My new aero wheels will be 30mm shod tyres
