Dec 17, 2016 at 10:30 PM
My Kickr (and bikes) is on a truck somewhere betwixt and between Brooklyn and Duluth, but I can't wait to join in, although that sounds like a lot faster than I can go right now.
Indoor Training, and Virtual Racing (ZWIFT)
Dec 18, 2016 at 02:56 AM
oh my god..."a Raleigh with Tiagra"....almost pissed my bibs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTtTU7dDtdg&t=15s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTtTU7dDtdg&t=15s
Dec 19, 2016 at 06:49 PM
I've been looking into how other rides/races deal with the disparity between the watt monsters and the rest of us and this ride seems to be a pretty good template that we can pull ideas from. I'm super curious about the ZwiftPower.com thing...
http://zwift.com/events/view/3921
"The Morning Glory Cycling Club (MGCC) Tuesday Winter Ride & Race is a group ride formatted to allow warm-up at 2 to 2.3 W/kg on the first lap, followed by a gradual ramp-up to 2.8W/kg on the second lap and racing the last lap. Riders must be BEHIND rider leader at the start of the third lap to be included in final results. Watch in messaging closely for instructions during ride.
Faster riders are encourage to help sweeping on the first two laps, bringing potentially dropped riders back to the main pack.
Remember, THIRD LAP is Race Lap. To be included on http://www.zwiftpower.com/ results, please:
1. Start third lap behind the leader (yellow beacon)
2. Add MGCC and your category to you name - e.g. Hans Winter MGCC (C)
3. Save ride with MGCC and (Category) after race. i.e. Zwift - MGCC Tuesday Winter Ride & Race (C)
For categories use the following ranges:
A: 4.0 W/kg FTP or higher
B: 3.2 W/kg to 3.99 W/kg FTP
C: 2.5 W/kg to 3.19 W/kg FTP
Under 2.49 W/kg FTP
http://zwift.com/events/view/3921
"The Morning Glory Cycling Club (MGCC) Tuesday Winter Ride & Race is a group ride formatted to allow warm-up at 2 to 2.3 W/kg on the first lap, followed by a gradual ramp-up to 2.8W/kg on the second lap and racing the last lap. Riders must be BEHIND rider leader at the start of the third lap to be included in final results. Watch in messaging closely for instructions during ride.
Faster riders are encourage to help sweeping on the first two laps, bringing potentially dropped riders back to the main pack.
Remember, THIRD LAP is Race Lap. To be included on http://www.zwiftpower.com/ results, please:
1. Start third lap behind the leader (yellow beacon)
2. Add MGCC and your category to you name - e.g. Hans Winter MGCC (C)
3. Save ride with MGCC and (Category) after race. i.e. Zwift - MGCC Tuesday Winter Ride & Race (C)
For categories use the following ranges:
A: 4.0 W/kg FTP or higher
B: 3.2 W/kg to 3.99 W/kg FTP
C: 2.5 W/kg to 3.19 W/kg FTP
Under 2.49 W/kg FTP
Dec 19, 2016 at 06:50 PM
By the way, if anyone has a work schedule flexible enough to ride with Larens ten Dam
http://zwift.com/events/view/3948
http://zwift.com/events/view/3948
Dec 21, 2016 at 05:03 AM
Same bat time, same bat channel. This time I'm going to limit our efforts to just around 3 - 3.5w/kg.
Dec 21, 2016 at 11:56 AM
Nice seeing Jim on the ride this morning. Kept it relatively together around 3-3.5w/kg until around 15mins to go and then people started really dropping or moving ahead.
See you for the Saturday race!
See you for the Saturday race!
Dec 21, 2016 at 12:43 PM
Good workout this morning. Couldn't hang the whole interval the second time we bumped it up to 3.5 w/kg so I pulled the plug and rode easier for the last 20 minutes.
Still a mystery to me are the folks that join a group ride that has clearly stated w/kg goals and then rocket off the front like they are going to be first to the showers. Related to that, I wonder why the nearby rider list on the right only shows riders a certain distance/time away? I would think it would just steadily show the closest 10 riders in either direction, regardless of the distance. David dropped off my list once I had dropped about a minute back but I would have liked to know exactly how far ahead he was.
I'm thinking about trying the Festive 500 this year so I may be trying to ride outdoors on Saturday. But at this point the weather looks crap so I may bail and just Zwift it.
Still a mystery to me are the folks that join a group ride that has clearly stated w/kg goals and then rocket off the front like they are going to be first to the showers. Related to that, I wonder why the nearby rider list on the right only shows riders a certain distance/time away? I would think it would just steadily show the closest 10 riders in either direction, regardless of the distance. David dropped off my list once I had dropped about a minute back but I would have liked to know exactly how far ahead he was.
I'm thinking about trying the Festive 500 this year so I may be trying to ride outdoors on Saturday. But at this point the weather looks crap so I may bail and just Zwift it.
Dec 21, 2016 at 01:28 PM
Yeah I don't get the weirdos that join and then disappear basically in the first minute. Whatever!
As for the riders list, I find it to be severely lacking and somewhat opaque (though I'm sure someone has figured out the logic). There are definitely some considerations when setting up any additional logic during group rides or races as opposed to general riding, but the options could also be applied or utilized during then as well.
Anyway, Saturday races...I'm going to call a 5 minute truce for Kissenas (or anyone willing) for an additional warmup before the big watts start.
How do you guys feel about the 90 minute race? Better if it were shorter?
As for the riders list, I find it to be severely lacking and somewhat opaque (though I'm sure someone has figured out the logic). There are definitely some considerations when setting up any additional logic during group rides or races as opposed to general riding, but the options could also be applied or utilized during then as well.
Anyway, Saturday races...I'm going to call a 5 minute truce for Kissenas (or anyone willing) for an additional warmup before the big watts start.
How do you guys feel about the 90 minute race? Better if it were shorter?
Dec 21, 2016 at 03:25 PM
There's definitely a difference between an online game and this cycling thing. I'm guessing Zwift is trying to get up to speed with what riders want. I'm assuming the keyboard shortcuts are not used very much - because we're riding bikes. Along with anything text-based during a ride.
I'm also guessing that users are asking for the things you mention, like knowing exactly where people are in front and behind. Having angles that every 5 minutes show for 10 seconds of behind and above. Having a map available that looks down on the course to show where you are on the overall course. That kind of thing. We should email them with suggestions.
I'm coming to terms with the watt-monsters. When training in the park, I know the 3-5 riders who have very high FTPs and go to the park to crank high watts with low heart rates. Now, when I'm riding with 900 people, those 3 have become 200 who are just smoking it.
Maybe have a category specific level where riders are within a range, so that every now and again you can ride with higher cats for a hard workout, or lower cats to make yourself feel better. Hehe.
I'm coming to terms with the watt-monsters. When training in the park, I know the 3-5 riders who have very high FTPs and go to the park to crank high watts with low heart rates. Now, when I'm riding with 900 people, those 3 have become 200 who are just smoking it.
Maybe have a category specific level where riders are within a range, so that every now and again you can ride with higher cats for a hard workout, or lower cats to make yourself feel better. Hehe.
For something they just started though, it's pretty impressive.
Forgot there was a ride this morning. It may have motivated me to get on the bike.
Dec 21, 2016 at 03:57 PM
@Edgar Manga Hey buddy, so Zwift has a nice step by step "get started" guide on their site:
http://zwift.com/get-started
The basics are:
1. An iOS device or a computer that can run the program
2. Ant+ receiver for computers
3. Stationary trainer or even rollers
4. Power meter
http://zwift.com/get-started
The basics are:
1. An iOS device or a computer that can run the program
2. Ant+ receiver for computers
3. Stationary trainer or even rollers
4. Power meter
Dec 21, 2016 at 04:01 PM
Thanks DavidDavid Yang said:@Edgar Manga Hey buddy, so Zwift has a nice step by step "get started" guide on their site:
http://zwift.com/get-started
The basics are:
1. An iOS device or a computer that can run the program
2. Ant+ receiver for computers
3. Stationary trainer or even rollers
4. Power meter
Dec 21, 2016 at 04:52 PM
I'de rather an hour....David Yang said:Yeah I don't get the weirdos that join and then disappear basically in the first minute. Whatever!
As for the riders list, I find it to be severely lacking and somewhat opaque (though I'm sure someone has figured out the logic). There are definitely some considerations when setting up any additional logic during group rides or races as opposed to general riding, the options could also be applied or utilized during then as well.
Anyway, Saturday races...I'm going to call a 5 minute truce for Kissenas (or anyone willing) for an additional warmup before the big watts start.
How do you guys feel about the 90 minute race? Better if it were shorter?
Dec 21, 2016 at 05:39 PM
I feel like to "race" for an hour is enough, but I like having that neutral roll out for 5-10mins before throwing down. More of a traditional computrainer feel to it.
Dec 21, 2016 at 06:48 PM
Yeah, a 90 minute Zwift race is brutal. I'd be good with an hour.
While I really enjoy "Zwifting" I find the racing doesn't really simulate a real road race. I don't get the real world tactile cues that I am drafting behind someone so its hard to modulate the effort and get a real rest while sitting in the pack. 90 minutes in a PP race seems easier to manage then a 90 minute Zwift race even though my power output is often similar.
While I really enjoy "Zwifting" I find the racing doesn't really simulate a real road race. I don't get the real world tactile cues that I am drafting behind someone so its hard to modulate the effort and get a real rest while sitting in the pack. 90 minutes in a PP race seems easier to manage then a 90 minute Zwift race even though my power output is often similar.
Dec 21, 2016 at 07:10 PM
Cool, I just requested to reduce for an hour. Again, if you all feel like it, let's agree to a neutral start for 5 minutes or so and then bust a lung.
Dec 21, 2016 at 11:09 PM
I have a general cap of ONE HOUR for all my indoor rides....so I'm happy with this
Dec 22, 2016 at 04:16 PM
Your happiness makes me happy, yackaroo, even when it is misguided and strange.
We're on! 60 minutes of virtual racing Saturday mornings @ 9:15am
http://zwift.com/events/view/4042
http://zwift.com/events/view/4078
- Club members, please add "(Kissena)" after your last name in your profile so we can identify each other!
- We'll have a gentlepeople's agreement between club members that the first 5 minutes after start will be neutral rollout at 2.5-3w/kg. I'll communicate this publicly as well if any non-members want to follow it.
- If you want to shoot off the front to compete with the watt monsters, be our guest
- I'm using Discord primarily for voice chat (available on both computers and mobile devices). Use Zwift's messaging feature for text chat since jumping between apps/programs will be difficult at zone 5+ heart rate
We're on! 60 minutes of virtual racing Saturday mornings @ 9:15am
http://zwift.com/events/view/4042
http://zwift.com/events/view/4078
- Club members, please add "(Kissena)" after your last name in your profile so we can identify each other!
- We'll have a gentlepeople's agreement between club members that the first 5 minutes after start will be neutral rollout at 2.5-3w/kg. I'll communicate this publicly as well if any non-members want to follow it.
- If you want to shoot off the front to compete with the watt monsters, be our guest
- I'm using Discord primarily for voice chat (available on both computers and mobile devices). Use Zwift's messaging feature for text chat since jumping between apps/programs will be difficult at zone 5+ heart rate
Dec 22, 2016 at 04:47 PM
I'll start my micro dosing today
Dec 22, 2016 at 05:01 PM
Edited the Zwift event link in my previous post to reflect the new race URL.
Dec 24, 2016 at 02:21 PM
where is everryone
Dec 24, 2016 at 03:45 PM
Yackoroni you are the absolute worst at Zwift.
Good to see Theirry (happy birthday, homie!), Bruce, and Jim on the ride. I really liked the 5 minute neutral start. Surprisingly most people followed it and it was a much more organized start.
We stayed grouped together for half the race. Eventually Bruce and Theirry slid back at their own pace. Jim threw down a few break attempts in our little group of about 6 or 7 riders, but we mostly stayed together for a while until towards the very end when there was a mini split and he fell about 25 seconds behind. I couldn't stay above threshold much longer so sat up and waited until we rode together again for a while cooling down. I did one more hard sprint/1min effort and Yack who was tailing us pushed out some big watts and rode off into the sunset. I sat up and watched as Jim flew by towards the Zwift sprint point and took 2nd overall for the race.
Good stuff! Hope to see more of you all as it gets colder and grosser outside.
Good to see Theirry (happy birthday, homie!), Bruce, and Jim on the ride. I really liked the 5 minute neutral start. Surprisingly most people followed it and it was a much more organized start.
We stayed grouped together for half the race. Eventually Bruce and Theirry slid back at their own pace. Jim threw down a few break attempts in our little group of about 6 or 7 riders, but we mostly stayed together for a while until towards the very end when there was a mini split and he fell about 25 seconds behind. I couldn't stay above threshold much longer so sat up and waited until we rode together again for a while cooling down. I did one more hard sprint/1min effort and Yack who was tailing us pushed out some big watts and rode off into the sunset. I sat up and watched as Jim flew by towards the Zwift sprint point and took 2nd overall for the race.
Good stuff! Hope to see more of you all as it gets colder and grosser outside.
Dec 24, 2016 at 03:52 PM
Ouch.
I was warming up on the flat course when Jim came up alongside, warming up also. Said he was going to do openers and off he went - sorry I couldn't respond, but thanks for the heads up. Little did I know he was showing me what the upcoming hour had in store.
The 5 minute neutral start was a great idea, with about 25 of us in the race, figuring out how to keep pace with David, who sported a big yellow arrow so we knew where the leader was. David went off the front to eventually take the first sprint. Well done.
I brought it up to 300+ watts, keeping up with David, Jim, Thierry, and I think about 17 minutes into it or so, the leader's arrow became a great shaft of yellow as it drifted away from me. I held steady watts, with other riders around me, and brought it up to FTP and planned on holding it there for just a few minutes, but saw Thierry ahead of me just under a minute so kept cranking until I caught up to him. And then shot passed.
Sorry, T, I had some momentum going.
My racing experience has taught me that you don't give up. There's always more in me than I think there is, and sometimes in races unusual things happen that allow me to catch up. So with that in mind, I turned it into a hard workout with a race mentality. I know instead of dropping it into low tempo, it's a better workout, and better way to race, to keep the pressure on, even with breaks, so the next 30 minutes were spent at 2 minutes VO2Max, 1 minute Zone 1, 5 minutes tempo, repeat.
I got to the hour mark though there was no popup or virtual congrats. I simply got off my bike and sat in a pool of sweat for a while.
A solid workout. Thanks, David, for setting this up. This helps give me goals for 2017. Nice job, Jim. No idea how you guys do it, but I'll keep trying.
24.1 miles. 1 hour and 1 minute. 23.4mph Avg. 234W avg.
Dec 24, 2016 at 04:02 PM
Bruce, you're a watt monster. Just remember, while you're pushing out 300+ watts, I'm only doing 250 or so. Us little guys have it pretty good on those inclines, but on the flats you have plenty of power to crush all our hopes and dreams.
Dec 24, 2016 at 04:08 PM
In the spirit of...you can't make this shit up...Yacks dropped his chain ramping into the big ring at the start....couldn't figure out how to find anyone 
so had to restart and search for someone to ride with..
so had to restart and search for someone to ride with..
Dec 24, 2016 at 04:17 PM
What Yacks isn't showing you is the sexts (zexts?) he was sending me to try to distract me from kicking his ass during the race.
Dec 24, 2016 at 04:24 PM
I hope your cold gets worse and your mucus looks like this 
I was soft pedaling so often waiting for u that i thought I dropped my chain again..
I was soft pedaling so often waiting for u that i thought I dropped my chain again..
Dec 24, 2016 at 04:57 PM
That was fun. The neutral roll out worked well.
I knew I didn't have the legs to make those break attempts work but I was hoping they would force the others to chase and soften their legs for David later on. Hard to tell if that actually worked but I assume David didn't chase me down.
I wanted to get in at least 40 minutes of hard effort cause that's the length of next weekends cross race in Astoria. I was pretty toasted at that point and drifted off the pace. Felt a bit rested by the time I came to the last sprint so gave it a go.
Happy Holidays everyone.
I knew I didn't have the legs to make those break attempts work but I was hoping they would force the others to chase and soften their legs for David later on. Hard to tell if that actually worked but I assume David didn't chase me down.
I wanted to get in at least 40 minutes of hard effort cause that's the length of next weekends cross race in Astoria. I was pretty toasted at that point and drifted off the pace. Felt a bit rested by the time I came to the last sprint so gave it a go.
Happy Holidays everyone.
Dec 24, 2016 at 05:30 PM
oh man i wish i'd made it, sounds like a good time. haven't managed to set up the kickr here yet (out of town for the holidays)
Dec 28, 2016 at 03:02 AM
Wednesday already? See you cats 5:45a if you're not out riding laps in the park.
http://zwift.com/events/view/4227
http://zwift.com/events/view/4227
Dec 28, 2016 at 03:26 AM
my legs are cooked....too much fixie