Zwift Chat

[alex_cycles]

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

I had 17th of 28 on ZP w/kg for 20m (actual performance) on that race. I just don't think it's a reliable indicator at all unless you're comparing people of similar weights. 20m...

I would expect 2m w/kg to be much better correlated with race outcome on that race with a 2m climb x2
2m...

 

[mjd1988]

Is anyone doing the dirt racing series?

 

[alex_cycles]

Is anyone doing the dirt racing series?

Sadly not me as they're only doing evenings. I may drop in for one or two if I like the look of the course.

 

[ColinJ]

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.

I like look of Rouvy and they do a really good deal for groups of 5 - £59.81 each for a year! Maybe organise groups of 5 for scenic CycleChat virtual forum rides?!

I would be seriously interested in that when I get my trainer. The only problem is that my Zwift Cog virtual gearing (currently) would not work on Rouvy so I would have to ride everywhere in erg mode.

Erg mode might be fine for solo free riding - just pick a power level that I could easily maintain, say 175 W, and just bimble round. Alternatively, pick a more challenging power (225 W?) and try to maintain that for the whole route. It wouldn't be any use for racing though, and it would be hard to stick with others for social rides.

 

[Whorty]

I had 17th of 28 on ZP w/kg for 20m (actual performance) on that race. I just don't think it's a reliable indicator at all unless you're comparing people of similar weights. 20m...
View attachment 755195

I would expect 2m w/kg to be much better correlated with race outcome on that race with a 2m climb x2
2m...
View attachment 755196

And isn't that why any pure power ranking will ultimately fail, as each course style influences the power curve to do well? Results based has to be the best solution, and remove any reliance on power to rank someone. On a pan flat course I'll probably hang on to the pack and still have a sprint at the end, but anything with a climb and i'm below mid table - 5 minute power is no way going to predict how I'll do in any given race and I'm guessing the same goes for most other riders?
I think 20 minutes is generally better, but you are also right, that on a course like this having a good punch for the KoM will have a larger weighting.
The fact that no one can agree, and if we ask 10 people for their opinion we get 11 answers, and that Zwift keep changing what they're doing, shows that they still have a lot to do to convince the racing community of ZRS

 

[alex_cycles]

And isn't that why any pure power ranking will ultimately fail, as each course style influences the power curve to do well? Results based has to be the best solution, and remove any reliance on power to rank someone. On a pan flat course I'll probably hang on to the pack and still have a sprint at the end, but anything with a climb and i'm below mid table - 5 minute power is no way going to predict how I'll do in any given race and I'm guessing the same goes for most other riders?
I think 20 minutes is generally better, but you are also right, that on a course like this having a good punch for the KoM will have a larger weighting.
The fact that no one can agree, and if we ask 10 people for their opinion we get 11 answers, and that Zwift keep changing what they're doing, shows that they still have a lot to do to convince the racing community of ZRS

Well vELO is "power seed, then results" but we've only had a proper power seed on ZRS for a week and they need to work on score movement now, because that isn't "there" yet.

But I think there will be some more vELO series coming up in the near future. (I hope).

 

[CXRAndy]

From the couple of races I've done, it's not far off.

Nothing is ever perfect, because courses vary to compete against riders abilities.

 

[alex_cycles]

From the couple of races I've done, it's not far off.

Nothing is ever perfect, because courses vary to compete against riders abilities.

My race today, vELO had me at predicted 2nd and I got 3rd. The course is one that suits me well because that 2m climb is a sweet spot for me. On a flatter or very hilly route I would do less well. The pen thresholds are going to change for January, so I'm making sure to enjoy this while I can. I haven't done many ZHQ races over the last year because CE B was a shite-show. This is much better.

The 520-690 pen wasn't any better for me than CE B though, I have to say. I think it's closer and more results are needed.

 

[Legs]

I think that’s called ‘emptying the tank’!

 

[Whorty]

Got my @rse handed to me on the KoM. I came 52nd out of 114. Post race my ZRS dropped, now it's back up again
Managed to hang on to the lead group of about 30 to the base of the KoM when they all pulled away pushing much higher w/kg. Got caught and passed by the next group. Crested with 2 other guys who came from behind - we stuck together until through the Esses on lap 2 when a group of about 15 caught us - got to KoM and they all dropped me again. As I crested alone 2 riders behind caught me and I sucked their wheels until the end. I was on my limit just hanging on.

 

[mjd1988]

Got my @rse handed to me on the KoM. I came 52nd out of 114. Post race my ZRS dropped, now it's back up again
Managed to hang on to the lead group of about 30 to the base of the KoM when they all pulled away pushing much higher w/kg. Got caught and passed by the next group. Crested with 2 other guys who came from behind - we stuck together until through the Esses on lap 2 when a group of about 15 caught us - got to KoM and they all dropped me again. As I crested alone 2 riders behind caught me and I sucked their wheels until the end. I was on my limit just hanging on.

I decided to make the most of being higher end of the cat and raced a bit more aggressively than usual for a hilly course, think I was first over the line of the Kom and me and another fellow attacked the downhill, thought we were going to make it but big front group killed us. Definitely would have finished higher if I hadn't attacked the downhill but probably a better workout/fun.

That said I'm looking at the last time I did the Kom, I was 6 seconds faster and put out 70(!) more watts a month ago so maybe I'd probably be in the old c cat anyway just about.

Score went up by two as still finished ahead of chase group

Edit; power curve looking a little sickly. Although I am getting older 😱

 

[Whorty]

I decided to make the most of being higher end of the cat and raced a bit more aggressively than usual for a hilly course, think I was first over the line of the Kom and me and another fellow attacked the downhill, thought we were going to make it but big front group killed us. Definitely would have finished higher if I hadn't attacked the downhill but probably a better workout/fun.

That said I'm looking at the last time I did the Kom, I was 6 seconds faster and put out 70(!) more watts a month ago so maybe I'd probably be in the old c cat anyway just about.

Score went up by two as still finished ahead of chase group

Edit; power curve looking a little sickly. Although I am getting older 😱

I just have no legs at the moment for pushing on a climb. Nothing. I tried to follow the group but after 30 seconds I just popped, and went backwards. I need to somehow improve my FTP. I'm mid to low C but with a sprint - shame I can't sprint for 2 minutes and I'd be brilliant on the KoMs haha

 

[alex_cycles]

I decided to make the most of being higher end of the cat and raced a bit more aggressively than usual for a hilly course, think I was first over the line of the Kom and me and another fellow attacked the downhill, thought we were going to make it but big front group killed us. Definitely would have finished higher if I hadn't attacked the downhill but probably a better workout/fun.

That's exactly why I let the group catch me on the second climb. I knew I was never holding them off until the finish, so better not to get gassed to heavily in the first place.

All good fun though.

 

[CXRAndy]

You've a more area under the line Michael

This is my power curve

 

[Whorty]

You've a more area under the line Michael

This is my power curve

My power curve might be slightly influenced by the Tiny races on Saturday 8 minutes in a Tiny, all out, certainly produces an interesting curve haha