Fun day racing on Zwift yesterday
Started with a lunchtim, British Cycling Race Series in Insbruck. A friend of mine moved to Singapore in Jan, and invited me to join for this event. Despite 450 riders, we both found ourselves in the same group. 308w average for a 179th place finish, shows just how high the level of competition was
Then at 4pm I joined Salisbury Tri Club, doing the Zwift Time Trial Tuesday, a flat 17.7km ride. Despite tired legs, due to racing 2 hours earlier, and racing every day for past 3 days, Training Peaks reports a new FTP of 316w (an increase of 1w). On Zwifpower 8th place in the TT, which I am really pleased with. I really recommend these Time Trial races
just 30 minutes after I finished the TT, I did the Tour Of Watopia stage 2. Plan was to take it nice and easy, to sit back in a mid field pack… Started as planned, then the competitive juices started to flow, finished in 25th place, with an AP of 260w, and even took the sprint in in the group I was riding with
I am already in the cycling form of my life: when lockdown ends, I may not be swimming fast, but will catch everyone else on the bike
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You know, they have a sport dedicated to just that … it is called bike racing!
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Yes, but when I compare myself to proper cyclists, they are in a different league, however, I can run, while lots of decent cyclists can’t
I often what the % of folks ‘racing’ on Zwift have actually ever raced IRL. Power is important but proper race craft is a world away from anything you’ll experience on Zwift. Having said that, if it gets people out there after all this is over to actually pin on a number, that’s a good thing.
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When I first started Zwifting three years ago, I couldn’t believe how many good cyclists there were. I thought that I was pretty handy on a bike, however, I was racing in Cat C and getting my ass handed to me in every race.
I improved, I learned about Zwift Tactics, and progressed to Cat B. Still watched in wonder at the Cat A riders disappearing down the virtual road. At this level Zwift racing is highly tactical, managing a very fine line between power, endurance and pain. Knowing the courses also helps.
Finally I progressed to Cat A, initially it was a case of hanging on and not embarassing myself too much. But In many respects racing in Cat A is easier than the lower categories - Most Cat A’s will put in massive power at the start to build a group that comprises mainly of Cat A riders. However, once the group is established there is a level of discipline that you don’t see in the lower categories. There are less surges, the flats are used for recovery, no one tries to break away or increase the pace, there will be an effort to split the pack on the hills, but you know it is coming, so if you want to go with the split, stay near the front, if you are stuggling stay at the back and go with the slower half after the split. Don’t try to hold a group that is too strong you’ll just burn too many matches and will be spat out of the back, riding solo, and will be mugged by the following groups, which you won’t be able to hold as they pass. I typically ride with the second big group, I would guess that roughly 30-50% of riders in the lead group get dropped
Its strange, but by the end there are very few Cat B’s who keep up. You often have a few Cat Bs early on, typically sitting at the front of the group, wasting too much energy, trying to drive the pace, they almost always get spat out on the hills
You see, and here’s why I treat Zwift with a pinch of salt.
You clearly love it and I can’t knock your results.
In the real world, there is no one time trialling that would do a 10 mile TT two hours after another race - it’s not sensible prep.
The only time I’ve tried similar was a trip to the F11/10 10 mile TT for a lunchtime vets event with @newarktricky then we sped back up the A1 to do an evening Lincolnshire League Road Race - needless to say both of us were spat out early doors and had a competition for who could do the slowest last lap.
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Fully agree with this comment. In the real world, the time taked to attend a second race, entry fees etc, just doesn’t make sense, however, in Zwift, there is no penalty, no costs, no travel, no wasted time, in fact the only downside is a loss of face from putting in a bad performance.
What is interesting / valuable is riding at my ftp for 30 mins, and then setting a new ftp 2 hours later. Rather than thinking about this as 2 30minute efforts, this was more like doing a 60min ftp test
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This is completely normal in amateur racing in the UK, stage races are very much a thing, although I only remember a couple where the TT is the full 10miles ('cos it tends to be too dominant compared to how many road stages)
The problem with zwift is the short races are bearable, but longer Z2 stuff is super boring (says a guy who did 6hrs of Z2 Over the w.e)
So everyone is pushing z4/Z5 and neglecting endurance
And because its spring we all think we should be upping our intensity
But reality is everything is pushed back 6 months; international events will take place in autumn etc if weather allows. or it will move to 2021
Thats a long long time to do peaking!!
Instead we should pretend its Nov; and its base phase
If you wrote this year off and had no race pressure and really focused on aerobic engine (which takes years to develop) you would be in a very strong place come 2021 race season
In some respects, the most fun ‘race’ I had was when my PC (or PM) had a moment, and I was left standing on the start-line of a race. I then spend the rest of the race trying to pass as many people as possible. I’d catch a group, take a breather, then springboard. Quite good actually! Works best with big fields obvs.
What would you call that, it’s on the tip of my tongue.
I took part in the 7am 10mile TT this morning, it was surprising how many riders could put out 4.5-5 WKG. Emma Pallant smoked me this morning riding the same watts but she is a lot lighter. I like the TTs as I’m only racing myself
Is that the 17.6km Tempus Fugit course?
A simulation. Racing on Zwift is like paddling in the sea with your wellies on, it’s kind of the same but ‘nah’…
IRL, the strongest don’t always win, the mix of race craft and fitness will but race craft will always be the king.
You can have all the power in the world but if you freak out when someone is on your inside in a tight bend whilst someone is on the outside leaning on your shoulder, that won’t end well.
I’m not knocking Zwift, I love it. But it’s not RL racing, it’s Zwift racing and the two aren’t comparable IMO.
…and that still leaves out the elephant in the room: cheating! (weight or other IT hacks)
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Yes, for me chasing folk down was the motivation as we were released in groups every 15 seconds
My kickr reads 25w higher than quarq at z4/z5. So it’s not just cheating. It’s inaccuracies. I did Alpe yesterday and loads of people (50+)doing 4.5w for 50 mins. Whereas irl 4.5w is very good
My Direto also reads about 10w higher than my P2M. But I don’t take power from the Direto, I take it from the P2M. That’s what all my TSS metrics are based upon, so it would throw all of those off if I went with the trainer numbers. I’d no doubt do better in races however, with an extra 10w.
Ultimately though, I’m interested in developing my own cycling performance on the TT bike IRL.
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That’s kind of the way I look at it too… so what if someone beats me on Zwift?.. the real test comes on an actual 10mile TT course, or the bike leg of an IM.
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I use my Assioma’s for power, because that it what I use on the road, so good to keep things consistent. However, the difference between Assioma and Tacx is only a couple of watts.
Agreed on all; this is training for real life. But you can be sure some people will click the source that gives them the highest power so their avatar goes faster. Such is human nature,…