Zwift Chat

[Whorty]

Six rides a week. Wow. I found going from 4 to 5 a bit challenging, but the gains have been definitely worth it. Weekends are generally OK, it's making the time Monday-Friday that's a bit tricky, for obvious reasons. Still a few years before retirement and then plenty of time to burn

2-3 times a week cycling, 2-3 times at gym is a good balance for me. Although, now I've found a hot 39 year old gym bunny who wants to train with me .... I may never cycle again 🤣

 

[Norry1]

I’ve found a nice balance this year - 1 race a week in ZRL and 4 workout sessions + 1 outdoor ride. As the weather improves and more light in the evenings I’ll migrate to more outdoor and commutes. Zwift subscription renews for me on the 3rd of each month so I’ll keep it until 3rd April then go into zwift hibernation. 💤

That sounds like a heavy workload! 4 hard workouts??

How is your fitness progressing?

 

[BurningLegs]

I haven’t paid for Zwift since the end of the previous season of ZRL. Raced once (maybe twice?) this season on the free KMs but I’ve taken out an annual Wahoo membership and enjoying the Systm workouts. Lots more variation than Zwift and I’ve found it more engaging, and cheaper!

I will do a month of Zwift for the CC races but don’t think I will keep it once those are done.

 

[JuhaL]

I’ve found a nice balance this year - 1 race a week in ZRL and 4 workout sessions + 1 outdoor ride. As the weather improves and more light in the evenings I’ll migrate to more outdoor and commutes. Zwift subscription renews for me on the 3rd of each month so I’ll keep it until 3rd April then go into zwift hibernation. 💤

When roads are ready to roadcycling then i start my outdoor season, that happens obiously in April, till’ then i do only indoor rides. I still do most of a time base training but i have also start to raise training load a bit. I will probably keep Rouvy or Zwift active thru the summer…or maybe not, we’ll see.

 

[Del C]

Big thanks to @Peter Salt for his encouragement up the last climb of the Petit KoM on FRR this morning.

I was just arranging my lungs across my handlebars and started laughing when you messaged me that I was something like 'only a minute from a supertuck'

Made me forget the pain and look forward to the descent to the finish line!

 

[13 rider]

Big thanks to @Peter Salt for his encouragement up the last climb of the Petit KoM on FRR this morning.

I was just arranging my lungs across my handlebars and started laughing when you messaged me that I was something like 'only a minute from a supertuck'

Made me forget the pain and look forward to the descent to the finish line!

I thought those messages were for me ?
He quite a shouty DS

 

[Peter Salt]

Big thanks to @Peter Salt for his encouragement up the last climb of the Petit KoM on FRR this morning.

I was just arranging my lungs across my handlebars and started laughing when you messaged me that I was something like 'only a minute from a supertuck'

Made me forget the pain and look forward to the descent to the finish line!

I thought those messages were for me ?
He quite a shouty DS

No problemo. I usually watch all CC members, all the way to the finish. And a little encouragement can go a long way!

The Splitters (B) squad knows what I'm really capable of! They allowed me on Discord, bless their souls

 

[IrishAl]

That sounds like a heavy workload! 4 hard workouts??

How is your fitness progressing?

One of those workouts is usually an easy recovery so perhaps doesn’t count as a workout. One of the workouts will be an hour in zone 3 so not intense. The other two works outs I’ll do around an hour or slightly more - one session focusing on longer duration intervals (say 2 times 15 - 20 mins) at or just above 20 min FTP; and then another session working zone 5 for 4 intervals x 5 mins. No mad sprints in any of those workouts - the ZRL race usually gets some of that in. The outdoor ride is mainly for base miles keeping it zone 2

The structure of workouts helps motivate me to get off the sofa and get it done though I agree not easy to fit in work, life and all the training.

I’m happy that my fitness is coming on - FT power slowly increasing but struggling to shift weight. I’m still a lowly B pushing low B numbers ☺️

How’s your training going now Norry? You’re still aiming for Glasgow?

 

[bobinski]

I haven’t paid for Zwift since the end of the previous season of ZRL. Raced once (maybe twice?) this season on the free KMs but I’ve taken out an annual Wahoo membership and enjoying the Systm workouts. Lots more variation than Zwift and I’ve found it more engaging, and cheaper!

I will do a month of Zwift for the CC races but don’t think I will keep it once those are done.

Nick, you on a TP? If so how is it working for you? I have been eyeing up the 100 mile gravel plan many use for multi day trips with lots of climbing . Though I have also been trying to work out how to use Zwift rides to similar effect mixed with outdoor weekend rides.

 

[Norry1]

One of those workouts is usually an easy recovery so perhaps doesn’t count as a workout. One of the workouts will be an hour in zone 3 so not intense. The other two works outs I’ll do around an hour or slightly more - one session focusing on longer duration intervals (say 2 times 15 - 20 mins) at or just above 20 min FTP; and then another session working zone 5 for 4 intervals x 5 mins. No mad sprints in any of those workouts - the ZRL race usually gets some of that in. The outdoor ride is mainly for base miles keeping it zone 2

The structure of workouts helps motivate me to get off the sofa and get it done though I agree not easy to fit in work, life and all the training.

I’m happy that my fitness is coming on - FT power slowly increasing but struggling to shift weight. I’m still a lowly B pushing low B numbers ☺️

How’s your training going now Norry? You’re still aiming for Glasgow?

Cheers Al. Yes I am still aiming for Glasgow, but my fitness is a fair bit away from what it was and the clock is ticking. I haven't signed up for any IRL races in March as I don't want my arse handed to me just yet.

So far I have been focusing on upping my training volume, ensuring I do a fair bit of Z2 and racing. This has worked but I'm now plateauing at the FTP level so I am starting to do some structured workouts - after discussing with my coach (one off month review). The workouts are currently similar to yours - 5 x 5 mins at 115% and 3 x 15 mins at 105%.

 

[Legs]

… 5 x 5 mins at 115% and 3 x 15 mins at 105%.

Blimey, those sound tough! Even my beloved Gorby is only 5 x 5 mins at 110% (though you only get 5 mins recovery in between).

 

[IrishAl]

Blimey, those sound tough! Even my beloved Gorby is only 5 x 5 mins at 110% (though you only get 5 mins recovery in between).

You would’ve liked my workout last night - 60 seconds at 125% followed by 60 recovery. Repeat 10 times - then do it all again after a short recovery. The first couple of efforts felt easy then the HR creeps up and up and up and by the end you’re glad to see the end of it

 

[Whorty]

Blimey, those sound tough! Even my beloved Gorby is only 5 x 5 mins at 110% (though you only get 5 mins recovery in between).

I'm a fan of Gorby .... by fan, I mean, it stings like buggery but it's a good workout
I like the Sydney Bridge one too .... another leg stinger!

 

[Norry1]

Blimey, those sound tough! Even my beloved Gorby is only 5 x 5 mins at 110% (though you only get 5 mins recovery in between).

Well, to be precise, they are 5 x 4:30 at 115% with 5 min recovery ... and yes they are brutal for me

 

[mjd1988]

You would’ve liked my workout last night - 60 seconds at 125% followed by 60 recovery. Repeat 10 times - then do it all again after a short recovery. The first couple of efforts felt easy then the HR creeps up and up and up and by the end you’re glad to see the end of it

View attachment 678474

That looks absolutely horrible but going by ZRL results it's working