The Indoor Riding/ Zwift/ TrainerRoad etc. Thread

[Junglist]

I'm really enjoying TR despite is just being a screen with numbers on. I can't put my finger on what I enjoy about it but it's certainly doing something right.

Maybe it's the progress bars I'm digging but each workout feels just about right. Only 2 weeks in but I can see myself sticking with it

 

[SPG]

Trainer Road now doing masters plans

I am all over that and perfect recovery for my knee, Nottingham outlaw Aquabike is the goal for next year now Quite please they are doing these as running is pretty much done for me. (oh how the weight piles on though)

 

[Trifid]

I've switched to master plans as it has once again burnt me out last week. It's odd that I could handle a lot more intensity (but a little less volume) on Systm.

 

[Junglist]

How much faith do you put in the AI FTP result?

I'm a few workouts away but feel the FTP from my ramp test is a bit low as the vo2 max session this morning the Over FTP intervals felt far too easy and the 'recovery' spins between each Over was so easy it was difficult, if that makes sense?

I'm hoping it'll detect my FTP has improved (not really but just getting a bit more time in the saddle has helped) to make the workouts feel a bit harder. Or I was just expecting this session to feel harder than it is

 

[Trifid]

I'd do another FTP test if I was you and not give up so soon. I find it takes a serious amount of focus to get to my true red line.

 

[Roady]

Great ride, thoroughly enjoyed it. Might try it again with a gravel bike for the full thing, wonder if it will balance out a bit - slower in the jungle and slower on the roads but offset by not losing time changing due to having to come to a complete stop?

Worth noting they changed the rolling resistance on gravel for Road bikes last week so it'll now be different again - almost reads like no point changing now!

Very unusually, I got repeated 'connection disconnected' messages during the ToW ride. Not sure if these were down to a problem at my end but it's a good prompt to swap the power meter batteries tomorrow.

That tends to be internet connection based (if you mean the writing at the top left). Power meter dropping off you'd see your power number go to ' - - ', then possibly needing to reconnect it through the pairing screen.

Annoyingly I missed most of this tour due to not being allowed to cycle.

ToW Catch up days are over, finished weekend just gone (12th).

I'm now at 2.02w/kg. Last year I was 2.9... Rubbish and when I saw that number I got disheartened and thought "what's the flipping point?!" but now I've cooled down and had a shower I'm feeling better. I've built an 8 week base/build plan and will stick to that and hopefully every watt gained will remind me why I do this in the first place.

You'll be surprised how quick much of it comes back, it's not been much time (in reality physically) since then, so you'll get back to that level with some consistent riding and efforts. Don't get disheartened - 'find your new level' and use that as your base to work from!

ZRL starts again tonight... Who's riding it?! I'm back in B2 getting absolutely flogged.

 

[SPG]

Found out its impossible to try and do a sweet spot workout for an and watch Jimmy Carr outtakes. Laughing is impossible when riding a bike on a trainer.

 

[Mr.Cookie]

I've got one knee that likes a 90 plus cadence and niggles at 60-70 and the other hates 90 plus and sound at 60-70 any suggestions?

 

[UTmaniac]

I've got one knee that likes a 90 plus cadence and niggles at 60-70 and the other hates 90 plus and sound at 60-70 any suggestions?

Single leg pedal drills.

 

[Trifid]

I've got one knee that likes a 90 plus cadence and niggles at 60-70 and the other hates 90 plus and sound at 60-70 any suggestions?

I'm a couple of weeks in with experimenting going from 172.5 to 170mm cranks on my indoor bike and so far my left knee appears to be happier. My right never had a problem.

 

[Sinbad2000]

I've got one knee that likes a 90 plus cadence and niggles at 60-70 and the other hates 90 plus and sound at 60-70 any suggestions?

80?

 

[robj20]

I'm a couple of weeks in with experimenting going from 172.5 to 170mm cranks on my indoor bike and so far my left knee appears to be happier. My right never had a problem.

I wanted to try 155mm but it's a big gamble. Happy with 165mm.

 

[Trifid]

Last night, right before bed, I slightly foolishly did max 30s efforts x5 TR workout adding 5.4 to my sprint progression level. Foolish, as it gave me a rubbish night sleep and woke up with a training readiness of 2% on Garmin this morning. After a couple of lazy hours in front of the TV I threw caution to the wind and loaded up a 30 minute Zwift race where I matched my best ever 30 minute power from January last year. Unfortunately placement wasn't great as I had no sprint left in me but still rather pleased with it and evidence that TR is working very well.

 

[PikeyPriest]

The vac master fan with remote is now down to £69 on Amazon if someone is looking for a new fan. I’ve just placed an order to replace my two relatively weak fans.

*edit - I also got the light weight wheels on Zwift, only took 14 climbs up the alpe du zwift to ‘win’ them. I’m now only 8k climbing meters from getting the Tron, so might make it before Xmas.

 

[robj20]

The vac master fan with remote is now down to £69 on Amazon if someone is looking for a new fan. I’ve just placed an order to replace my two relatively weak fans.

I use one of these, the 20" version. Never needed it on anything other than speed 1. Cheaper alternative.

https://amzn.eu/d/3Xm2YWI

 

[Trifid]

Last night, right before bed, I slightly foolishly did max 30s efforts x5 TR workout adding 5.4 to my sprint progression level. Foolish, as it gave me a rubbish night sleep and woke up with a training readiness of 2% on Garmin this morning. After a couple of lazy hours in front of the TV I threw caution to the wind and loaded up a 30 minute Zwift race where I matched my best ever 30 minute power from January last year. Unfortunately placement wasn't great as I had no sprint left in me but still rather pleased with it and evidence that TR is working very well.

And I promptly get struck down with illness. Sore throat yesterday and today full on covid symptoms. Frustrating knowing I'm going to lose many hours of work building these gains.

 

[Junglist]

And I promptly get struck down with illness. Sore throat yesterday and today full on covid symptoms. Frustrating knowing I'm going to lose many hours of work building these gains.

It happens though! Don't be too rough on yourself

Source: Person who has spent the last week being hard on himself cause he wasn't able to hop on the bike.

Looking forward to my V02 session in the morning.

 

[labbby]

The vac master fan with remote is now down to £69 on Amazon if someone is looking for a new fan. I’ve just placed an order to replace my two relatively weak fans.

*edit - I also got the light weight wheels on Zwift, only took 14 climbs up the alpe du zwift to ‘win’ them. I’m now only 8k climbing meters from getting the Tron, so might make it before Xmas.

Mine turned up yesterday. Didn’t think I would need one being in a garage that is freezing but omg I don’t get soaked now. I absolutely love the vac master remote

 

[Trifid]

It happens though! Don't be too rough on yourself

Hopefully I don't end up with a lingering cough again. I changed my TR plan to start off with some light Z2 from Friday, which I hope I'll be OK to do by then.

 

[manic111]

I've got one knee that likes a 90 plus cadence and niggles at 60-70 and the other hates 90 plus and sound at 60-70 any suggestions?

Cadence of about 80?


Does anyone have any recommendations for a good value smart trainer? I'm not looking to spend significantly, ideally not more than about £250. Happy to go second hand.