The Indoor Riding/ Zwift/ TrainerRoad etc. Thread

[Roady]

It's all moot; the commander in chief will never let me buy that sort of setup .

Why not? Cycling is srs business!

To be fair I've had to convince 'her indoors' with every one of my turbo upgrades. Dumb trainer to smart. Then onwheel to DD. Each of those involved at least 1-2 years of an increase in turbo riding to justify I 'needed' it, coupled with convincing her a 'deal' on the trainer I wanted at least a couple of times weeks/months apart before the actual purchase. Last year and having the little one meant turbo'ing rather than riding outside was far more convenient, which I think helped persuade her about the TV! An upgrade over the crappy 19" had been on the cards for a while, I just hadn't bought a new one (like the Iiyamas I mentioned). Also grandparents giving us a bunch of extra money (we didn't expect) so I negotiated some of it towards a Black Friday deal on a 4K TV to upgrade our main unit (to free up the old-old one, we have 2 lounges so need 2 TV's). The TV I've ended up with is 10 years old anyway!

Oh.....and a beer afterwards!!

Only 1?!

Going to be switching to Powertap pedals shortly - will use them even on the trainer so I get consistency of numbers.

Q: Do I zero offset using my garmin then jump into Zwift? Is there even a zero offset function in Zwift?

Presumably with power pedals I don't need to use the Zwift calibration function?

TIA

I think the Zwift calibration should trigger the calibration on the pedals, so the two should be the same 'thing' as far as the pedals are concerned. @BennyC may be able to advise a little on that one.

Basically, I'm unsure how often you need to zero the pedals when refitting them. Some people say to Zero every ride, same people say to calibrate trainer every time. I don't on my PWM outside as I generally don't find I need to (it used to be worse in large temperature swings so I would Zero every week or so). And I hardly every calibrate my Flux, maybe once every couple of months? I found it made little difference to the accuracy. Warming it up certainy works - can't just jump on and ride as the resistance seems heavier.

Good fun on Stage 5 TOZ last night, I took the easy option of group B (20 miles):

https://www.strava.com/activities/2083499389

Didn't notice till afterwards Roady did the longer group A (30 miles), and Shadowness the group B (but I didn't spot him).

I will try to squeeze in the Alpe on Sunday but it's a case of timing, might have to go for a late evening slot. Great fun these TOZ stages.

Slackers both of you!

To be fair that one hurt, equally the most fun/pain I've had on Richmond!
https://www.strava.com/activities/2083553044
https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=121850 - came in 88th

I paced the start better (rather than charging off in the front group) but did find myself in the main chase group soon afterwards. Tried so hard to keep my efforts down as it had been a long time since I'd ridden the climbs of Richmond but knew the long drag through the buildings was ok, just the cobbled ramps of Libby hill would smash things. Was not disappointed! Total threshold up them both every time! I found myself distanced/choosing to drop from groups when things strung out to try and find bigger groups to recover in. It worked quite well but so much of a defensive tactic I felt always on the back foot. I was still empty at the end but with crazy high HR even at 200W just not able to recover too much in the race before then, so my climb efforts where a little off what I wanted them to be as the race wore on.

Libby: 292W, 259W & paced final 223W
23rd Street: 343W, 293W, holding a group 304W
Governer: 244W, 255W, chasing riders 271W
Sprint finish - closing guys down/reeling on the climb, then sitting on, getting passed while recovering towards finish, then ramping past them at the finish line.

I'm doing A all the way through, think the earlier stages only had A for 'everyone' and C/D for female riders? Truth is I wasn't aware it'd change between stages (like the placings now being back...)

I've never done the Alpe du Zwift (level 11 atm, guess it unlock level 12).

Yup level 12 unlock. You'll 'love' it, as it's utterly brutal!

You might need multiple rests half way up

 

[merlin]

Yup level 12 unlock. You'll 'love' it, as it's utterly brutal!

You might need multiple rests half way up

It does sound proper tough, although actually I think I'm happier on the climbs than on the flats (low body weight). Just hope I can slot it in on Sunday evening/Sunday night.

 

[BennyC]

I think the Zwift calibration should trigger the calibration on the pedals, so the two should be the same 'thing' as far as the pedals are concerned. @BennyC may be able to advise a little on that one.

Basically, I'm unsure how often you need to zero the pedals when refitting them. Some people say to Zero every ride, same people say to calibrate trainer every time. I don't on my PWM outside as I generally don't find I need to (it used to be worse in large temperature swings so I would Zero every week or so). And I hardly every calibrate my Flux, maybe once every couple of months? I found it made little difference to the accuracy. Warming it up certainy works - can't just jump on and ride as the resistance seems heavier.

Unsure on Zwift, always just calibrated via my GPS or Phone.

You should always zero-offset, hardly time consuming.

 

[Syla5]

Sorry for being to lazy to trawl through 92 pages of this thread, I am just going to try my luck. Got a home gym, wanting to add an exercise bike to it. I don't like running, I am happy to cycle, my aim is to help improve my cardio fitness levels.

Please any and all advice welcome for a beginner.

The reason for this post is there is a current deal at my local Costco for one of these for £300 and I have no clue if this is worth it or not, a good deal or not:

https://www.nordictrack.co.uk/nordictrack-gx-39-sport-indoor-cycle.html

Help.

 

[resurgam]

Stage 6 yesterday: https://www.strava.com/activities/2088898172

I'd forgotten what the Alpe was like, holding threshold HR for just over an hour. I suppose that's one of the benefits of using a trainer - I'd never manage to do that on the road. Slightly slower than the last time I went up, although I'm fatter and less fit!

Looking forward to stage 7 now, as I haven't ridden the Innsbruck course before. I must try to remember not to go off too fast, given the amount of climbing.

 

[Berger]

I did the Alpe today too. Tough going after not much riding, about 20w down on my best, FTP must be around 3.5w at the moment.

Just got to get it done!

 

[xdcx]

I got 4th on the alpe stage from 1400 people in A - https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=121984

39:33 for the climb from 5.2w/kg for over 40mins. The lead in was ridiculous was doing over 5w/kg just to stay in front group on the flats still 4km out from the climb!

Fighting lurgy since Thursday and still got a bloody sore throat. Legs were not good by any means and 12w off my 20min power from last test. I will take that in January though after the past few weeks of utter crud I have had.

 

[merlin]

Big result that xcdx, that's massive.

I unfortunately have missed my chance to do the Alpe because I also have the lurgy, sore throat etc - so I'm just not cycling with anger until I've got shot of these germs 100%.

 

[Berger]

Wow superman flying; that’s some awesome power for a long time!

 

[Shadowness]

Saw that on Strava. Great effort that!

Makes me more keen to get my weight down!

 

[xdcx]

Thanks guys. I think on even normal type form and feeling good legs just now I could do a 38 on the climb. I honestly did not think it would even be as tough as it was being virtual etc. It's made me desperate to have a crack at it in the real world, it would be incredible.

Ian Bibby done a belter on it I see and I take that as a legit result... there was some bloke in my TdZ event that done a 33 for example.... absolute nonsense.

 

[Berger]

Easier than in real life as no weather!

I find the splits on the left help break it down. I was aiming for 275w and HR around 170 yday for each.

Should have got a tiny draft effect from others yday too as lot busier than normal. I was 3 mins down on my best but 20w, I’d expect more difference than that.

Which bike is the fastest.... I was on the Tron, but Emonda with 202s?

 

[Jobe]

Yes if you don’t have the Meilensteins
At 4.5w/kg the draft takes a better hold and aero is king.

 

[xdcx]

Easier than in real life as no weather!

I find the splits on the left help break it down. I was aiming for 275w and HR around 170 yday for each.

Should have got a tiny draft effect from others yday too as lot busier than normal. I was 3 mins down on my best but 20w, I’d expect more difference than that.

Which bike is the fastest.... I was on the Tron, but Emonda with 202s?

No wind FTW!

I got no drafting, I was by myself for 98% of the climb
I use the Cervelo S5 and the Zipp 808 wheels. I have the Tron bike thing and other wheels but I just leave it on the S5 and 808 even though it would absolutely make sense to chop and change. Meh

 

[UTmaniac]

I got 4th on the alpe stage from 1400 people in A - https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=121984

39:33 for the climb from 5.2w/kg for over 40mins. The lead in was ridiculous was doing over 5w/kg just to stay in front group on the flats still 4km out from the climb!

Fighting lurgy since Thursday and still got a bloody sore throat. Legs were not good by any means and 12w off my 20min power from last test. I will take that in January though after the past few weeks of utter crud I have had.

5.2W/Kg for 40mins+ is crazy in my little cycling world, I'm currently trying (and often falling shorter than that) to string a few 1-2min intervals at that W/Kg into some training sessions, which in my post Xmas heft means ~416W!

 

[Roady]

AdZ on Saturday went ok.

It really turned into a slog for me as riding without much in the tank (2 slices of toast & a coffee) at just an unexpected convenient time to get it done. Happy with my time, not quite 10 minutes slower than my best (56min). Tried to not get carried away, holding over 200W for most of it with only 1 section I rode as recovery. Was a very busy start and at one point I thought my Zwift was bugged, when all I could see was bikes for several minutes with no riders. A few minutes afterwards riders where vanishing & reappearing, but thankfully things settled down.

Came in 597th out of ~1400 riders. Quite happy with it as had enough left for a good long sprint at the end. A Teammate came in 12th after a 40 min 364w avg effort! Brutal! I'd consider him one of the best UK racers on Zwift and he's regularly competing with Bibby on there, so really shows how good Bibby's climb is. Another local guy I know races for a UCI-Conti team (is a bit of a breakaway artist and a good climber but more of a TT specialist) pulled off an 8th with a 39:55. Again showing just how good xdcx's time is as Andy can break away early and win E123 races!

Unsure on Zwift, always just calibrated via my GPS or Phone.

You should always zero-offset, hardly time consuming.

Zero was always a PITA previously (done via external app, took around 20 mins of faffing) so I've generally got into the habit of not doing it unless things seem 'off' (and they don't). Similar to my outside PWM really. Lazyness on my part, maybe.

Would be easy for Zwift to pop a reminder to calibrate once it figures your trainer has warmed up, maybe even show the button! Takes my Flux a good 10+ minutes these cold months to really settle down. By that I mean the fluid to feel... Fluid!

Sorry for being to lazy to trawl through 92 pages of this thread, I am just going to try my luck. Got a home gym, wanting to add an exercise bike to it. I don't like running, I am happy to cycle, my aim is to help improve my cardio fitness levels.

Please any and all advice welcome for a beginner.

The reason for this post is there is a current deal at my local Costco for one of these for £300 and I have no clue if this is worth it or not, a good deal or not:

https://www.nordictrack.co.uk/nordictrack-gx-39-sport-indoor-cycle.html

Help.

Got any cycling experience? Got a bike?

If not and you have no intentions of cycling outside, no intentions of competing against others, no requirements for an interactive environment or training plans, power measurement etc, just purely using it for cardio and fitness purposes. Then you can't go wrong!

Stage 6 yesterday: https://www.strava.com/activities/2088898172

Spoiler

I'd forgotten what the Alpe was like, holding threshold HR for just over an hour. I suppose that's one of the benefits of using a trainer - I'd never manage to do that on the road. Slightly slower than the last time I went up, although I'm fatter and less fit!

Looking forward to stage 7 now, as I haven't ridden the Innsbruck course before. I must try to remember not to go off too fast, given the amount of climbing.

Good time up there mate! 45s faster than me!

I did the Alpe today too. Tough going after not much riding, about 20w down on my best, FTP must be around 3.5w at the moment.

Just got to get it done!

That was pretty much my mentality - under-fuelled and just fitting it in. Worked well riding it at around 80% intensity as I didn't feel that fatigued yesterday/today so got lots of other things done!

I got 4th on the alpe stage from 1400 people in A - https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=121984

39:33 for the climb from 5.2w/kg for over 40mins. The lead in was ridiculous was doing over 5w/kg just to stay in front group on the flats still 4km out from the climb!

Fighting lurgy since Thursday and still got a bloody sore throat. Legs were not good by any means and 12w off my 20min power from last test. I will take that in January though after the past few weeks of utter crud I have had.

Mega mega ride mate and an awesome time up there! Anything under 40 is very very competitive!

Big result that xcdx, that's massive.

I unfortunately have missed my chance to do the Alpe because I also have the lurgy, sore throat etc - so I'm just not cycling with anger until I've got shot of these germs 100%.

Gutted you missed it, you'll enjoy it so make sure you do it on the catch-up days!

Saw that on Strava. Great effort that!

Makes me more keen to get my weight down!

Hill reps help with that. Crazy idea - reps of AdZ?! Or wait...

 

[SDK^]

I’ve learnt to avoid comparing myself to other Zwift riders. There is too much variance between trainer setups and personal settings. I use it to purely monitor my own personal improvements/losses.

 

[merlin]

I’ve learnt to avoid comparing myself to other Zwift riders. There is too much variance between trainer setups and personal settings. I use it to purely monitor my own personal improvements/losses.

The races are fun - but yeah you can't take them super serious because there's a lot of cheating mofo's out there - plus yes so many different power reading variables. Mind you - if like xcdx you monster 99% of the field then it's no odds because the cheats can't affect you.

 

[xdcx]

To be honest it does get to me as the people cheating don't tend to be marginally "better", they are out-worldish cheating. Like a 33 min up AdZ as example....
There is a few regulars I see, 2 of them with Chinese flags against their name and 2 of them with UAE flags.... They do things like fly off at 8w/kg, then hold 6w/kg to get 2 mins up the road. They then let off completely with 1km to go and let everyone on the front group catch only to out-do everyone by a mile in the sprint. Properly pathetic but what can you do?

I won a race this morning. 1.7KM to go I went off front. Got 35s and I was dying a slow death with 200m to go..... the lad in 2nd would have got me as they all sprinted with each other if the line was 50m further down road. Breakaway ftw!

 

[merlin]

I did a stage the other day - I got 55th or something - but then when I nosed around Zwift Power I spotted a guy ahead of me dropped his weight by 5 kilos that same day. I could have gone through a load more riders but it gets a bit depressing because you find weight dopers with alarming regularity.