Zwift Chat

[bobinski]

View: https://www.facebook.com/DaGanzeBuaADepp/videos/487170325125476/?t=0

 

[peterob]

Yes, absolutely! With 20-30 seconds to go, get yourself into a big gear and start to wind up so that you're at high watts when the countdown gets to zero. Then, try and hold those high watts for as long as possible to stay as near the front as you can. It will all settle down after a minute or so, but if you get left behind you may well never make contact with the front group again due to the group drafting effect. However, if you can stay near the front you may well be comfortable drafting with that group once things do settle down.

The draft effect is strong, but it doesn't reduce the resistance you feel like it does in Bkool - it just allows you to maintain a higher speed for lower watts, which can take a bit of getting used to. Be prepared for people to race like crazy when you hit an incline - this is where the races usually split up significantly. Again, if you can stay with a group, it will settle down again after the hill. No power-ups allowed in this race so you don't need to worry about those!

Good luck - what Cat will you be joining?

I've no idea what my FTP is, having only ever measured it on BKool with a Pro unit - where it would appear that I'm wasted working in IT and really should be on the pro tour . At a guess I'd say I was borderline B/C, so will probably choose C tonight as it's my first time.

It says the race is 4 laps. Can you see anywhere what the total distance is? It's the jungle course, so does that mean it's a ride out to the start of the loop, you go round the loop 4 times and then back to the start/finish?

 

[Aleman]

It says the race is 4 laps. Can you see anywhere what the total distance is? It's the jungle course, so does that mean it's a ride out to the start of the loop, you go round the loop 4 times and then back to the start/finish?

ZwiftPower says it's 43.6Km ... A decent length race

 

[BILL S]

@BILL S ran a league based on those climbs 2 or 3 years ago. It was the hardest thing I'd ever done and I didn't finish it . I really enjoy it though. @BILL S

I had to stop that league because when bkool did a major alteration to their algorithm a couple of years ago, I went from going at a decent speed uphill to being one of the slowest. As you can imagine, this was all too much for me so had to take up something else on Tuesday evenings.
Anyone else want to take over the Mountain Goat league?

 

[peterob]

ZwiftPower says it's 43.6Km ... A decent length race

Ah yes Cheers - I can see the total distance on ZwiftPower. It's not shown on Zwift.com events or the companion app.

 

[BILL S]

Please don't tempt @BILL S to set up that league again ... my Bkool subs run until May next year so even though I have a Kickr I could be tempted to do that league. Wouldn't be competative against Pros, but I'd see this as a challenge to just get to the top. Would proper test my new kickr belt too

Not sure if the Kickr will be at much of a disadvantage up the steep hills. Do you remember if there were much of a difference when we last had a race? I think you and me were almost level pegging when last out on the steep grads.

 

[bobinski]

I hope to join the race later if i get back in time. But a visit to the physio this morning has left my knee/leg a little ...sore. So, thats my excuse dropped early.

 

[CXRAndy]

If I can get everything set up in time I might try that as my first ever Zwift 'experience'

Any tips for a newbie? I think I read somewhere that you need to have the power up near max at the start (unlike BKool where it is a standing start). I don't want to be left floundering at the start line!

Here Pete, this is the profile, I dont think you'll be doing the full loop 4 times maybe parts of

https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=93613

 

[berty bassett]

may go on later but not racing - this tt bike thing never lets you draft ! but i am determined to enter the competition

 

[bridgy]

I've no idea what my FTP is, having only ever measured it on BKool with a Pro unit - where it would appear that I'm wasted working in IT and really should be on the pro tour . At a guess I'd say I was borderline B/C, so will probably choose C tonight as it's my first time.

It says the race is 4 laps. Can you see anywhere what the total distance is? It's the jungle course, so does that mean it's a ride out to the start of the loop, you go round the loop 4 times and then back to the start/finish?

Are you still on a Bkool Pro trainer Pete?

 

[berty bassett]

get a couple of races under your belt and it will sort what cat you have to be in automatically - may seem unfair to get bumped up even if you dont come near winning - but it does make you work hard !

 

[CXRAndy]

Are you still on a Bkool Pro trainer Pete?

He's bought my Kickr

 

[bridgy]

Starts can be brutal, upto 500W for nearly a minute. You dont have to do this, but to get into the lead pack, you do. Start more leisurely and accept being further down in the race. You will find it difficult to jump from one pack to another unless its a mega race(hundreds of racers)

It's no quite as bad as that! I usually manage to stay with the lead group at the start and this takes about 400-500 watts for 20-30 seconds, and then it tends to settle down to just over 300 watts by 30 seconds. Those initial high watts for 30ish seconds definitely feels more like a minute though I'll definitely give you that!

 

[CXRAndy]

Probably best not to look at the power numbers and just hang in on the front as long as possible

 

[peterob]

He's bought my Kickr

Yep - I've now got Andy's Kickr - complete with rocker board! Looking forward to finally getting it set up tonight.

I've offloaded the BKool Pro to a friend, so I expect I'll be fully committed to the Kickr/Zwift now.