The Indoor Riding/ Zwift/ TrainerRoad etc. Thread
- Thread starter randomshenans
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I'm actually leaning that way as well. As my Kickr doesn't support the Zwift Cog as it's too old. So I was thinking that when we eventually are able to build the garden room a dedicated smart bike would be much better.
Though I'd probably try and get a refurbished model.
I've been using a dual core Intel NUC for Zwift since I signed up. I bought a quad core i5 Dell SFF refurb from Amazon about two years but then let it gather dust. In September I finally got a second hand 1050 Ti from eBay when there was a 20% code and fudged the Win11 upgrade thanks to Rufus. On my 1080p 50" TV I can't say I notice better graphic details but he best thing is Zwift loads a lot quicker.
I came across a "rider" on Zwift on Sunday. They had the classic signature of a fake rider maintaining the same power, cadence not changing even when hitting a ramp on the Epic KOM and no HR.
If you have the Zwift Companion App, look up a rider called Kevin Cross. US flag, no picture, level 100. What bemused me is they log an activity almost every day with an average power of 300w and a peak of around 400w. No warm-up or cool-down, just the same near-horizontal line for power and cadence every day.
Why would you pay for a Zwift subscription just to log a fake activity everyday? Why pay to run some hardware every day? I guess if you are spoofing an BT/ANT+ data stream, you don't even need a turbo trainer but you would still be paying to run a PC or other device with Zwift on it.
If you have the Zwift Companion App, look up a rider called Kevin Cross. US flag, no picture, level 100. What bemused me is they log an activity almost every day with an average power of 300w and a peak of around 400w. No warm-up or cool-down, just the same near-horizontal line for power and cadence every day.
Why would you pay for a Zwift subscription just to log a fake activity everyday? Why pay to run some hardware every day? I guess if you are spoofing an BT/ANT+ data stream, you don't even need a turbo trainer but you would still be paying to run a PC or other device with Zwift on it.
As the cadence and power do vary a bit and that there's no change on hills, my guess is that it's a real person on a non-controllable spin bike that likely over-estimates power, and they are using Zwift for the graphics. Each to their own I suppose - at least they aren't interfering in races.
Looked him up. Yeah, his rides start at over 300w and never dip, not even for a second. maintains 300+ averages at a cadence of 76 with no HR data. 
. He could probably find a cheaper and more efficient way of doing his workouts but like you say, each to their own.
. He could probably find a cheaper and more efficient way of doing his workouts but like you say, each to their own.Been racing in the Zwift unlocked series and enjoying it. Placing ok too. I was 5th in this mornings race and averaged 302w. The guy in front of me that I just couldn't catch on the last climb averaged 186w at 4.1wkg. Righto 
I joined one of unlocked races this morning - first race I've done in quite a while and also averaged 302W and 5th over the line.
TBH I'd have preferred a faster pace all the way to the final hill to wear out the legs of the light/young 'uns.
TBH I'd have preferred a faster pace all the way to the final hill to wear out the legs of the light/young 'uns.
I've been using Wahoo Systm for a couple of months now and last Sunday I did a FTP test. Not the best conditions for the test, having had a busy day before (a few cycling commutes on my heavy bike on the hilly routes, morning sailing, drink afterwards, night out in London with lots of walking, a few more beers and a late night back home) but I was finding the workouts a little bit too easy so knew I had to retest. The results come in with my best ever FTP and 3.9w/kg. I was a little sceptical but managed to get through "Fight Club" the next day and it felt challenging again. Doubt set in again yesterday as I failed "The Model" but I put it down to not having had breakfast yet for such a demanding workout. I tried again this morning where I set up the day perfectly for it with a very early breakfast and time to digest it. I was at the limit for the first interval but just scraped through it and managed to get to the end with each interval making me sure I could get there. I was further rewarded with my Garmin telling me my Vo2 Max is now at 61. 
Did an FTP test last night before I dig into some training again on the trainer now the weather is turning. Managed to hit basically the same number I was at earlier in the year coming off a solid block of indoor training. Was quite surprised as I haven't been doing much intensity or structure over the summer. Its all just kind of been whatever I fancy.
Fingers crossed i'm in a good place to make some winter gains ready for spring in 6 months!
Fingers crossed i'm in a good place to make some winter gains ready for spring in 6 months!
I haven't yet done a test but just using the Zwift estimated one and from what I've been doing in the climb portal, I'm a good 50w down from where I was in March. It's been a busy year and not had much time to cycle. I'll be crawling back to TR soon enough.
got a month of trainerroad.. I dunno what it is with indoor training but i find it so extremely boring, feels like it drags on.
I've tried :
zwift - social aspect is cool, rest I dont' care about
mywhoosh - okay and free and seems to be getting more popular
rouvy - meh, but real world routes etc are nice
trainerroad - very data driven, maybe it'll be something that tickles me more, seeing "results" on paper.. plus I mainly watch something on the tablet anyway so the data on screen or virtual words are hardly relevant.
I've tried :
zwift - social aspect is cool, rest I dont' care about
mywhoosh - okay and free and seems to be getting more popular
rouvy - meh, but real world routes etc are nice
trainerroad - very data driven, maybe it'll be something that tickles me more, seeing "results" on paper.. plus I mainly watch something on the tablet anyway so the data on screen or virtual words are hardly relevant.
Some great deals on the refirbs, but always consider they 'only' come with 12 months warranty, whereas a new unit comes with 2 years. Although Wahoo have some of the best support in the business they'll likely help you outside of that - while also having a good reputation on refirb units unlike some other manufacturers (like Garmin tend to repair broken, whereas Wahoo do swaps so then have lots of refirbs)
Is your KICKR the same as mine (v5 so the 2020 model?). Really irks me that the Cog isn't compatible! I never really went deep into the technical reasons why not...
Without going into the 'why stress about what others are doing' there might be reasons they need to show daily activity on their Strava/whatever feed (health/life insurance?)
Great work and really nice number to be around! Keep at it, but also worth seeing what it takes to hold it around there! You'll be able to enjoy some good B cat racing without too much danger of bumping yourself up to A!
I don't think indoor riding is meant to be fun. My view is, it serves a purpose and that is to maintain/improve my fitness so that I can then enjoy my outdoor riding.
I've been feeling tired since returning from Malaga, I've not indoor trained for 20 days now, so I'm determined to get a session in after work today.
Funnily enough, I've just asked TR to detect my new FTP and it's moved me up to 300W (from 294) I guess based on the mountains in Malaga. I'm not sure I want to accept it though, training will be harder!
well I see people enjoy it, racing, social rides etc.. so it seems to me that many do find it fun, to a point where many end up riding through the summer etc indoors.I don't think indoor riding is meant to be fun. My view is, it serves a purpose and that is to maintain/improve my fitness so that I can then enjoy my outdoor riding.
I've been feeling tired since returning from Malaga, I've not indoor trained for 20 days now, so I'm determined to get a session in after work today.
Funnily enough, I've just asked TR to detect my new FTP and it's moved me up to 300W (from 294) I guess based on the mountains in Malaga. I'm not sure I want to accept it though, training will be harder!
I just feel like an hour ride feels like 3.. it's not great. As a tool, yes it's a lot better than outdoors.
I don't think I know anyone that would particularly class it as fun and prefer it over outdoor. I know one person that does ride indoor through summer, but that's more about his dislike of the dangers of riding outdoors. (Well, and the structured training you get indoors)
Let's take this thread then, as I am genuinely interested and more than open to the fact I could be wrong. This thread, full of people who choose to ride indoors (so it's not necessarily an unbiased subset), put a reaction to this post. Love hearts eyes if you enjoy indoor riding, angry face if you don't enjoy it but do it as it's good training. Is that a fair poll? (Rather than everyone posting...)