Talk to me about Zwift.....

[E65Ross]

For a few years I've been consistently using trainer road and also the sufferfest, but when the weather is miserable and I want to do some form of longer ride (eg 2 hours so so) I don't always want to kill myself (sufferfest) or do really long tedious intervals like on trainer road.....so what's zwift like? Sometimes when riding outdoors I like to just do endurance/tempo stuff, other times I like to work hard up hills, for example. What can zwift offer me that the others don't?

I know people can "race" others online, but what about the days I just fancy going for "a ride"?

Already have a Kickr, power meter etc so I'm all kitted up

Thanks

[Dannbodge]

The days you want to go for just a ride you can do exactly that.
Pick the route you want and crack on, go as hard or easy as you want. Just like IRL it has KOM and sprint sections along with circuit timers so it can all be controlled by what you want.

Hard training will be miles better on sufferfest but for killing time I'd be on Zwift every time.

[E65Ross]

Dannbodge said:

The days you want to go for just a ride you can do exactly that.
Pick the route you want and crack on, go as hard or easy as you want. Just like IRL it has KOM and sprint sections along with circuit timers so it can all be controlled by what you want.

Hard training will be miles better on sufferfest but for killing time I'd be on Zwift every time.

Just did 90mins using a free trial. Much more immersive than just long intervals on TR, and I like you can go as hard as you want (as you say). Few things which would be handy for the KOMs would be knowing how far you've got to go (it only starts telling you this when you're already around 1/2 way through) and perhaps a gradient profile as well. Overall a really enjoyable indoor experience. Quite expensive at £13/month but I think I could use it between November-April and cancel through the summer as I reckon I'll only use it for general riding, more structured or harder stuff I'll use Sufferfest or Trainer Road.

How do you join a group ride of similar ability? My FTP is around 4.5-4.6W/kg.

I was also surprised how many people were typing messages....I mean, how do you do this when you're cycling...they need to ride harder

Cheers

[Paul Drawmer]

E65Ross said:

..

I was also surprised how many people were typing messages....I mean, how do you do this when you're cycling...they need to ride harder

Cheers

Voice recognition.

[GOATever]

Personally It’s got to be 6 ft deep snow and about -12 to stop me going out and riding properly, but I understand why people use things like zwift et. al. #5 #9. But each to their own I guess.

[E65Ross]

GOATever said:

Personally It’s got to be 6 ft deep snow and about -12 to stop me going out and riding properly, but I understand why people use things like zwift et. al. #5 #9. But each to their own I guess.

Thanks for that useful bit of information which helps answer my original post, you big, strong specimen of a man!

[Dannbodge]

GOATever said:

Personally It’s got to be 6 ft deep snow and about -12 to stop me going out and riding properly, but I understand why people use things like zwift et. al. #5 #9. But each to their own I guess.

So why do you feel the need to comment in this Zwift specific thread?

[Jasper3.0]

E65Ross said:

Just did 90mins using a free trial. Much more immersive than just long intervals on TR, and I like you can go as hard as you want (as you say). Few things which would be handy for the KOMs would be knowing how far you've got to go (it only starts telling you this when you're already around 1/2 way through) and perhaps a gradient profile as well. Overall a really enjoyable indoor experience. Quite expensive at £13/month but I think I could use it between November-April and cancel through the summer as I reckon I'll only use it for general riding, more structured or harder stuff I'll use Sufferfest or Trainer Road.

How do you join a group ride of similar ability? My FTP is around 4.5-4.6W/kg.

I was also surprised how many people were typing messages....I mean, how do you do this when you're cycling...they need to ride harder

Cheers

4.5-4.6w/kg are you Chris Froome. 😁

[Dannbodge]

E65Ross said:

Just did 90mins using a free trial. Much more immersive than just long intervals on TR, and I like you can go as hard as you want (as you say). Few things which would be handy for the KOMs would be knowing how far you've got to go (it only starts telling you this when you're already around 1/2 way through) and perhaps a gradient profile as well. Overall a really enjoyable indoor experience. Quite expensive at £13/month but I think I could use it between November-April and cancel through the summer as I reckon I'll only use it for general riding, more structured or harder stuff I'll use Sufferfest or Trainer Road.

How do you join a group ride of similar ability? My FTP is around 4.5-4.6W/kg.

I was also surprised how many people were typing messages....I mean, how do you do this when you're cycling...they need to ride harder

Cheers

Download the companion app on your phone and it has all the races/group rides listed. You can search by your category (you'll be Cat A with 4.5w/kg)

As for the gradients, the map (top right) will show you to some degree but apart from that you will soon learn how steep parts are and how long the segments are.

A lot of people messaging are in group rides so probably aren't working too hard.

[E65Ross]

Jasper3.0 said:

E65Ross said:

Just did 90mins using a free trial. Much more immersive than just long intervals on TR, and I like you can go as hard as you want (as you say). Few things which would be handy for the KOMs would be knowing how far you've got to go (it only starts telling you this when you're already around 1/2 way through) and perhaps a gradient profile as well. Overall a really enjoyable indoor experience. Quite expensive at £13/month but I think I could use it between November-April and cancel through the summer as I reckon I'll only use it for general riding, more structured or harder stuff I'll use Sufferfest or Trainer Road.

How do you join a group ride of similar ability? My FTP is around 4.5-4.6W/kg.

I was also surprised how many people were typing messages....I mean, how do you do this when you're cycling...they need to ride harder

Cheers

4.5-4.6w/kg are you Chris Froome. ??

definitely not.

My background is in middle-long distance running, always been fit and active, had to cut running out of my life (long story!) so turned to cycling. Due to be a distance runner I'm very, very light, but also quite short. I'm only 166cm but I only weigh between 54-55kgs, my FTP is only 250W. I'm no power house! My anaerobic/sprint power is poor but I can keep going at near threshold for a long time. I'm good up steep climbs though

[GOATever]

E65Ross said:

Thanks for that useful bit of information which helps answer my original post, you big, strong specimen of a man!

1. ballstostormemma

[johnwilliams77]

GOATever said:

Personally It’s got to be 6 ft deep snow and about -12 to stop me going out and riding properly, but I understand why people use things like zwift et. al. #5 #9. But each to their own I guess.

I find the cold quite unpleasant on my hands and feet, I just struggle to stop either of them becoming completely numb in the cold #wimp.

Dannbodge said:

So why do you feel the need to comment in this Zwift specific thread?

So he can feel better about himself.

[E65Ross]

GOATever said:

E65Ross said:

Thanks for that useful bit of information which helps answer my original post, you big, strong specimen of a man!

1. ballstostormemma

Yeah we get the picture. You think you're hard as nails. Fact is.... I'd probably be quicker up the hills

Cycling and sport is about enjoyment. Some people don't enjoy cycling in bad weather (like last year when I broke my clavicle), and, is it hars to imagine that.....get this.... People may ENJOY indoor training? Some times I enjoy indoor training every bit as much as outdoor training. Just because you hate it and can't understand why people do it, try to remember we're all different. Some people enjoy spin classes than going cycling outdoors. Some people like ballroom dancing.... Not me.... But it doesn't make me go on threads about yoga saying I'm a hard man saying I don't like ballroom dancing and prefer spending my time skydiving instead.

[simonF10]

Try doing some races on Zwift. If you are the competitive type you’ll soon get hooked on them.

People say it’s poor training and you need structured this and structured that. I just find they keep me motivated to be on the turbo and I can end up pushing myself a lot harder to try and hold a wheel or catch a break.

Group training rides are also good to get onto. Social aspect of them makes training far more engaging than following the blue bars of death.

[GOATever]

simonF10 said:

Try doing some races on Zwift. If you are the competitive type you’ll soon get hooked on them.

I hear that a lot.

simonF10 said:

People say it’s poor training

It is.

simonF10 said:

and you need structured this and structured that.

If you’re the serious type, and improving technique / fitness / power is vitally important to you, then you do.

simonF10 said:

I just find they keep me motivated to be on the turbo and I can end up pushing myself a lot harder to try and hold a wheel or catch a break

It’s better than not riding at all, in some respects.

simonF10 said:

Group training rides are also good to get onto. Social aspect of them makes training far more engaging than following the blue bars of death.

I’ll grant you that.

[johnwilliams77]

Jeezo - who would have thought that a quiet little sub forum on a motoring website could attract so many knobbers?!

Funny they all seem to disappear after a couple of replies too.

[johnwilliams77]

simonF10 said:

Try doing some races on Zwift. If you are the competitive type you’ll soon get hooked on them.

People say it’s poor training and you need structured this and structured that. I just find they keep me motivated to be on the turbo and I can end up pushing myself a lot harder to try and hold a wheel or catch a break.

Group training rides are also good to get onto. Social aspect of them makes training far more engaging than following the blue bars of death.

I am tempted to try it out but don't have all the gear already (turbo) or whatever else is needed. I will see if I can have a shot of a mates to see if I think I could endure it. Part of the enjoyment for me is the social aspect and I typically use it for cross training.

[Dannbodge]

GOATever said:

simonF10 said:

Try doing some races on Zwift. If you are the competitive type you’ll soon get hooked on them.

I hear that a lot.

simonF10 said:

People say it’s poor training

It is.

simonF10 said:

and you need structured this and structured that.

If you’re the serious type, and improving technique / fitness / power is vitally important to you, then you do.

simonF10 said:

I just find they keep me motivated to be on the turbo and I can end up pushing myself a lot harder to try and hold a wheel or catch a break

It’s better than not riding at all, in some respects.

simonF10 said:

Group training rides are also good to get onto. Social aspect of them makes training far more engaging than following the blue bars of death.

I’ll grant you that.

Zwift isn't poor training.
Granted it's not as focused as TR or Sufferfest but it will beat just riding outdoors with no real efforts or plans.

If you want to get faster and fitter, then Zwift is fine.
If you race/take competing seriously and want that extra 5/10% to win races, then TR or Sufferfest will be better

For most people on zwift, they are happy with the first.
I certainly am, It made massive gains for me over the previous year of "just riding" over winter.

I'd much rather a 60/90 min session on Zwift, where I can barely stand up after over 4 hours in the cold stty weather just riding around.

[Dannbodge]

johnwilliams77 said:

I am tempted to try it out but don't have all the gear already (turbo) or whatever else is needed. I will see if I can have a shot of a mates to see if I think I could endure it. Part of the enjoyment for me is the social aspect and I typically use it for cross training.

The other option is your LBS.
Most have a turbo and zwift set-up in them now (My local Hargroves and Evans do)
Alternative is find someone local who uses it and ask for a go (If your mates don't)

[E65Ross]

GOATever said:

simonF10 said:

Try doing some races on Zwift. If you are the competitive type you’ll soon get hooked on them.

I hear that a lot.

simonF10 said:

People say it’s poor training

It is.

simonF10 said:

and you need structured this and structured that.

If you’re the serious type, and improving technique / fitness / power is vitally important to you, then you do.

simonF10 said:

I just find they keep me motivated to be on the turbo and I can end up pushing myself a lot harder to try and hold a wheel or catch a break

It’s better than not riding at all, in some respects.

simonF10 said:

Group training rides are also good to get onto. Social aspect of them makes training far more engaging than following the blue bars of death.

I’ll grant you that.

You didn't really respond to my response to your comment....Interested in why you feel the need to just say it'd have to be horrendous before you consider it, and leave it at that, as opposed to giving any valuable information to the question(s) at hand?

We get it, indoor training isn't for you. Some, myself included, actually ENJOY it a lot of the time. I've done many indoor sessions which I've enjoyed more than many outdoor rides. I ENJOY them more than riding in the cold (where I suffer Reynauds) and wet. Why should I not do that, if I enjoy them more? I'm also pretty committed when it comes to training, and using an indoor trainer has got me far, far stronger than I was before I used one. My average speeds have shot up, which makes outdoor riding more enjoyable too, than just plodding along at 15mph, it's nice being able to ride a 20mph average and not be absolutely done for after 40 miles. Never managed that before doing and committing to some indoor sessions.