Zwift Chat

[steverob]

In my race, two riders leapt off the front just before the climb on lap 1 (and they both had tried to get a gap a few times before that) and they stayed away to the finish, beating everyone else by over a minute and a half.

One other rider tried to close the gap and I followed a few seconds behind him but all that happened was that we both ended up in no mans land between the leaders and the rest of the pack. I caught him just before the Esses on lap 2 and it was clear straight away he wasn't interested in doing his fair share, so I rode at Z2 pace for the next couple of minutes until he got the hint that sitting on my tail wasn't really helping either of us - during that time the guys behind us closed the gap from 30 seconds to 15 in under 2 miles (we got it back again once he started working with me).

He was 15kg lighter than me, so was faster up the climb but I managed to keep the gap to only a few seconds on lap 2 and caught back up before we hit the finish line. Lap 3 I stayed with him until the steep bit and then tried an attack but after 10 seconds I'd barely got more than a 5-6 metre gap and my legs didn't have any more to give. He was then able to counter-attack and got a big lead by the time we got to the downhill that I was never going to be able to close, so I cruised to a 4th place finish.

 

[Whorty]

Anyone else notice the low participation in races at the moment? Or am I missing something. Looking at something tomorrow evening as I missed the chance to race tonight, and participation is poor. It's winter now, the racing should be busy.

Or are there race series that are not on ZP that I need to find?

 

[CXRAndy]

Anyone else notice the low participation in races at the moment? Or am I missing something. Looking at something tomorrow evening as I missed the chance to race tonight, and participation is poor. It's winter now, the racing should be busy.

Or are there race series that are not on ZP that I need to find?

View attachment 755122

ZRL league is on tonight. There are hundreds on the Outta series at peak times

Or could it be sandbagging has been caught out

 

[Whorty]

ZRL league is on tonight. There are hundreds on the Outta series at peak times

Or could it be sandbagging has been caught out

Ah, maybe it's a Wednesday impact of ZRL on Tuesday I've been trying to do the 16-10 or 17-10 races the past few weeks and there are usually 100 riders in the D pen, so wondered of I'd missed some other series that was outside of ZP ... I forgot ZRL is Tuesdays d'oh

If no racing I may do a workout. Gym in the morning as usual so I'll see how legs are holding up in the evening - need to get over 10 w/kg for my sprint again

 

[ColinJ]

In my race, two riders leapt off the front just before the climb on lap 1 (and they both had tried to get a gap a few times before that) and they stayed away to the finish, beating everyone else by over a minute and a half.

One other rider tried to close the gap and I followed a few seconds behind him but all that happened was that we both ended up in no mans land between the leaders and the rest of the pack. I caught him just before the Esses on lap 2 and it was clear straight away he wasn't interested in doing his fair share, so I rode at Z2 pace for the next couple of minutes until he got the hint that sitting on my tail wasn't really helping either of us - during that time the guys behind us closed the gap from 30 seconds to 15 in under 2 miles (we got it back again once he started working with me).

He was 15kg lighter than me, so was faster up the climb but I managed to keep the gap to only a few seconds on lap 2 and caught back up before we hit the finish line. Lap 3 I stayed with him until the steep bit and then tried an attack but after 10 seconds I'd barely got more than a 5-6 metre gap and my legs didn't have any more to give. He was then able to counter-attack and got a big lead by the time we got to the downhill that I was never going to be able to close, so I cruised to a 4th place finish.

I can understand all of that because it sounds just like watching racing on TV, which I have been doing for over 35 years.

Some of the intricacies of Zwift though...

I hope that it all makes sense to me eventually!!

 

[CXRAndy]

Watched Ed Lavarack's ZRL event last night. Exciting, strong breakaway by team Wahoo, which Ed went with. They extended the lead to Duke it out on Keith hill. I was interested having just ridden that climb a few days ago. Bloody hell they flew up it- made my attempt like I was pushing the bike not riding

Anyone wants to see the race and result


View: https://www.youtube.com/live/BsacKYmiB1E?si=g6a4gio_qtFywc0M

 

[Whorty]

Not sure if anyone is interested or fancies trying out Rouvy but I had an offer off them earlier for another 7 day free trial (I did one recently but they're offering another) plus a saving on 2 months subs of £6.50 a month. Code to use is FLEX12M50

 

[Venod]

Not sure if anyone is interested or fancies trying out Rouvy but I had an offer off them earlier for another 7 day free trial (I did one recently but they're offering another) plus a saving on 2 months subs of £6.50 a month. Code to use is FLEX12M50

I use Rouvy for the worldwide films, the races are fewer and the participants less than Zwift, I have done couple and enjoyed them, but I like to just jump on the bike and see what's available there and then, as opposed to picking out a ride at a certain time, if your an organised type of person you should be able to find a race or two if your willing to turn up when it's scheduled.
There is a good choice of routes on Rouvy if you want to ride around the world.
When I first got my Tacx Neo I used the Tacx films, these are by far the best quality I have used, but you need a Tacx/Garmin trainer to use them, which I don't have now unfortunately.

 

[Whorty]

I use Rouvy for the worldwide films, the races are fewer and the participants less than Zwift, I have done couple and enjoyed them, but I like to just jump on the bike and see what's available there and then, as opposed to picking out a ride at a certain time, if your an organised type of person you should be able to find a race or two if your willing to turn up when it's scheduled.
There is a good choice of routes on Rouvy if you want to ride around the world.
When I first got my Tacx Neo I used the Tacx films, these are by far the best quality I have used, but you need a Tacx/Garmin trainer to use them, which I don't have now unfortunately.

Same, I don't think I'd race on Rouvy, it would be more for the chance to ride in foreign lands and test out climbs I may never get to see in real life.

 

[Whorty]

Anyone else notice the low participation in races at the moment? Or am I missing something. Looking at something tomorrow evening as I missed the chance to race tonight, and participation is poor. It's winter now, the racing should be busy.

Or are there race series that are not on ZP that I need to find?

View attachment 755122

Looks like a few riders signed up now to the 17-10 ride - got a few things to do here, but will hopefully join that too if anyone fancies a spin at the back

 

[alex_cycles]

Looks like a few riders signed up now to the 17-10 ride - got a few things to do here, but will hopefully join that too if anyone fancies a spin at the back
View attachment 755173

I had a decent race at 1210 in the C pen. 4th, but 3rd on ZP. I think there were about 47 signups
I did my "feather plus smashy smashy" trick to tire people out on Hilly Kom on lap 2.

I got a feather powerup and just kept it for the climb. Then I got another and did the same. Shame I got draft at the second KoM banner. Aero would have given me a better outcome, but meh - can't complain. I did OK and had a good workout.


View: https://www.youtube.com/live/CwAv3wK8Jjw?si=gJSPcpDbxjjWzxEm&t=592

 

[CXRAndy]

I had a decent race at 1210 in the C pen. 4th, but 3rd on ZP. I think there were about 47 signups
I did my "feather plus smashy smashy" trick to tire people out on Hilly Kom on lap 2.


View: https://www.youtube.com/live/CwAv3wK8Jjw?si=gJSPcpDbxjjWzxEm&t=592

Looked like you nearly blew yourself up, the group swamped you before the crest

 

[alex_cycles]

Looked like you nearly blew yourself up, the group swamped you before the crest

Oh I backed off deliberately. I wasn't trying to get away. I'd never have held them off. The idea there was to maximise the use of the feather to hurt everyone else's finishing power and cause a further split. I've done the exact same thing on this route before.

 

[CXRAndy]

Wife and I have a dual Rouvy account. I've not actually used it yet, but she does a few rides a week to keep the pedals turning

 

[Whorty]

I had a decent race at 1210 in the C pen. 4th, but 3rd on ZP. I think there were about 47 signups
I did my "feather plus smashy smashy" trick to tire people out on Hilly Kom on lap 2.

I got a feather powerup and just kept it for the climb. Then I got another and did the same. Shame I got draft at the second KoM banner. Aero would have given me a better outcome, but meh - can't complain. I did OK and had a good workout.


View: https://www.youtube.com/live/CwAv3wK8Jjw?si=gJSPcpDbxjjWzxEm&t=592

I expect to get shelled as soon as I hit the KoM, then see if I can find a wheel to grab as I crest. Most riders signed up already have a much better w/kg FTP than me so on paper I'm in trouble and may be riding a lot of the race solo