This is primarily why I signed up during lockdown here in Ireland. I’ve been doing a Saturday morning event/ gran fondo, and have really enjoyed them. Some of them have had more interaction than others, but even with no chat, you end up forming a group like a real sportive (and splinter on the climbs!).
I’ve swapped one or two threshold workouts for trips up the Alpe. Might just do “Donner” up it tomorrow. I’ve got sucked into the drops/ level ups/ badges. Pettit today around a flat London route on the TT Bike/808’s to rack up the XP’s
Whether it’ll be long term, in the “new normal” to say the cliche I’m not sure*, but definitely providing a bit of simulation during lockdown. Better than endless loops within the 2km area we’re allowed here anyway (notwithstanding whether that’s really in the spirit of our lockdown laws anyway). And that’s with me missing most of the Zwift Team Ireland stuff which has really ramped up, but tends to be evenings (mornings still my best window for work/ family/ training balance).
*most of my workouts were on mobile, in work, when I was actually in the office! If remote is the future, I probably will. I’ve been told you keep your level/ bikes etc if you drop the sub and then restart?
I’m well aware there are plenty of faster people than me! I’m also aware that some people who are consistently slower than me in real life are mysteriously faster than me in Zwift. Including people who are using a PM or smart trainer (i.e. not a speed sensor on a dumb trainer) and are registered on Zwiftpower. Not necessarily accusing them of deliberately cheating, maybe they just have a trainer/PM that reads high. But still a fact. And not explainable by them having a better indoor setup - I have multiple fans and good AC in my pain cave, and if anything I can put out better numbers indoors myself than I can outdoors. Also not explainable by them having better Zwift equipment - I’ve got good enough climbing, aero and TT wheels and frames that the differences are minimal if anything.
I figure if there are noticeably questionable numbers amongst people who know what they’re doing, have decent equipment, and are riding with people they know in real life who are likely to question their numbers, then when it comes to riders I don’t know then all bets are off! I enjoy Zwift but I treat it as a game/training tool, I try not to take races or even group rides too seriously. I don’t believe they are close to having the controls necessary to make for an even somewhat level playing field.
Have you heard about TR’s new group workout feature??? I haven’t yet had the chance to try it myself, but might be a good balance between keeping appropriate structure while interacting with others (though probably not much interaction above sweet spot!).
Hell, one guy I know here and mentioned in another thread hadn’t updated his firmware in four years. He liked running around at 4.4W/kg… then he started bragging on Facebook and Slowtwitch where people knew him and his RL race results… figured out what the issue was, he updated firmware and his FTP went down by 70W and he’s at 3.7 or so as he should be. Now the B races are no longer “shooting fish in a barrel” as he once posted on Strava…
I got a burnout while following the high sst training plan, it took me a while to figure out that i needed to do something else… So I have been jumping on zwift more and more the last few days just to do some social interactions and do some group rides and races… I still roughly follow my training plans while doing the zwift rides…
If only the software wasnt just some cartoonish colours, my autistic nephew loves it tho and keep asking me to look at the pretty colours…
it is a platform of training if you use only the workouts synched from a coach on TrainingPeaks, i am not sure why do people have to jump on every races or group rides to train? Do you do this on IRL ? Usually if i have my set of intervals to do outside, i never do this on a group rides, because that’s just silly, usually i would go on a cycling loop with some mates and everyone will be on their own before we go for coffee and smoothies…
Absolutely. The biggest thing I am noticing here is that people cannot control themselves, which is just silly to me. When riding out in real life if a person passes you do you sprint to get on their wheel? I assume most do not, so why would you do that in real life? In real life do you ride past KOM segments that you do not chase? Why on Zwift would someone feel the need to chase it every time!?
I find Zwift useful in plenty of ways. Races are great at getting you to push hard, just have to forget about the people who obviously cheat. Don’t let that bug you! On easy days just pedal and pull up something to watch on YouTube or Netflix. Just don’t be stupid I guess is what I’m trying to say in the nicest possible way!
Nice thread. I started indoor training a few years (although strictly, 15 years ago I was in my garage, staring at the wall with one looped CD for company, happy days) back with zwift and have graduated to TR as I found the need for more structure.
I use zwift for the odd long lockdown ride, and for the racing. The latter does test the racing brain a bit, once you grasped how racing on zwift works (and accept the cheats are there) its a good change of pace for me
I would like to see ZADA get more involved, even if there was like “report to Zada” like there is for USADA etc.
I know of at least two people, that are fair cheating, he even got a cone of shame this week. I try and take all results as something my own goals. There is a FB page for Zwift Transparency. You have to do a Live weigh in https://www.facebook.com/groups/2213931348820159/?ref=share
We have to do a live weigh in after the Redlands Classic this weekend to confirm results.
I tried the use of Zwift alongside my TR workout. I must say it worked really well. It passed the time and it was hilarious to watch guys get a tow off you doing steady watts. Might be the way forward I think.
We going to start doing 2 of those a week on a schedule. After we do the shake down ones with recovery rides this Friday and Saturday I’ll post the fixed schedule. It’ll be unlimited zwifters and the first 5 to get in TR are the winners for the video part. If we can get enough TR users we can have multip TR groups with different “Code” leaders. If any one wants to be a TR user tester with me for this; DM me and I’ll get you an TR work out “code” and the zwift handle to friend up. Once custom work out work in group mode we’ll probably make custom workout files that can be used on both platform so that it can be all inclusive.
100%. I bought a Kickr Climb recently and have had a blast doing rides on my own, doing some hills. Its great to “climb” for 30+ minutes, since I live in Florida and other wise drive 8hrs to make that happen.
As others have said, its all about discipline. I love TR and have used it many times the past couple years to get ready for events. However, I wanted some “fun” rides with some base miles. I have used Zwift for that. Its been great to get some longer miles after nearly a year off with a baby
TL;DR: Try using plan builder to add 1-2 zwift races a week and you can train and play!
These be crazy times - #1 thing to keep in mind - do whatever works for you and keeps you sane!! That said - I’m doing both. I know that Zwift has blown up my training plan but you know what else did - COVID. I’m no longer training for the event I had in mind (DK 200 - I’m going to defer to next year). I’m giving myself a bit of a break and doing some zwift races. USAC has a racing series on Wednesday and I’m now doing that. I got forced to upgrade to As and now getting my arsed kicked so thoroughly that it’s messing up my TR plan. I want to keep my FTP increasing and am toying with plan builder to find the right balance - do I use a race to replace one of my workouts? Do I add a race in addition to my plan?
There is a balance to be had but like all things, it might take some time to figure it out. Good luck!
