Talk to me about Zwift.....

[Dannbodge]

It gives you a preview when you select the route (overhead, not terrain)

The best way is just to google them quickly, you'll soon learn what the terrain is like from that

[wemorgan]

Minor point: If you have a smart trainer where there resistance is controlled by Zwift then in "ergo" mode you can ride at whatever power level you want, regardless of the terrain. Quite useful if you fancy a gentle spin.

[E65Ross]

wemorgan said:

Minor point: If you have a smart trainer where there resistance is controlled by Zwift then in "ergo" mode you can ride at whatever power level you want, regardless of the terrain. Quite useful if you fancy a gentle spin.

I think you mean OUT of ERG mode....because in ERG mode zwift controls the resistance. I have a gen1 kickr, great bit of a kit

Thanks

[wemorgan]

E65Ross said:

I think you mean OUT of ERG mode....because in ERG mode zwift controls the resistance. I have a gen1 kickr, great bit of a kit

Thanks

Sorry, I meant to say in Workout mode you set the power levels and set ERG to on.
But it sounds like you know what you're doing anyway. Enjoy.

[E65Ross]

wemorgan said:

E65Ross said:

I think you mean OUT of ERG mode....because in ERG mode zwift controls the resistance. I have a gen1 kickr, great bit of a kit

Thanks

Sorry, I meant to say in Workout mode you set the power levels and set ERG to on.
But it sounds like you know what you're doing anyway. Enjoy.

[E65Ross]

2 more quick questions if you don't mind....

When choosing a route it says the distance/climb, yet clearly you can change the route as you go....is the distance/elevation correct if you just ride and let it do its thing? I ended up doing one the other day in London/Surrey Hills and got stuck in London and wanted to get out

And with the levels....is it a case of the higher the level, the more XP points you need to level up? eg is going from level 2 to 3 easier than from level 12 to 13?

Thanks

[Dannbodge]

E65Ross said:

2 more quick questions if you don't mind....

When choosing a route it says the distance/climb, yet clearly you can change the route as you go....is the distance/elevation correct if you just ride and let it do its thing? I ended up doing one the other day in London/Surrey Hills and got stuck in London and wanted to get out

And with the levels....is it a case of the higher the level, the more XP points you need to level up? eg is going from level 2 to 3 easier than from level 12 to 13?

Thanks

Yes. If you select a route and then leave it to turn by itself the distance and elevation will be as stated, however you don't normally start where the route starts. Generally it spawns you about 0.5/1 mi away from the "start" of that route.

Yes, The gaps increase every 3 or 4 levels.
all explained here: https://zwiftinsider.com/points-levels-unlocks/

[gl20]

Dannbodge said:

Yes. If you select a route and then leave it to turn by itself the distance and elevation will be as stated, however you don't normally start where the route starts. Generally it spawns you about 0.5/1 mi away from the "start" of that route.

Yes, The gaps increase every 3 or 4 levels.
all explained here: https://zwiftinsider.com/points-levels-unlocks/

Spooky... was looking for the levels summary yesterday and my old link stopped working. Then I came across an old thread asking if they'd ever at any more levels beyond 25, then per the above I see they've done exactly that. Up to 50 levels... and I'm only at 15

[Ian Lancs]

Tried Trainerroad over last winter with varying success, but didn't really get out on the roads this year at all. Got Zwift 2weeks ago; trying the FTP builder. Mate at work convinced me to try a group ride, so tonight I joined the Pack Sub2 ride (despite having FTP of about 1.5w/kg - the joys of being too short for my weight!).

If only I'd read the info - there's a 1.5w/kg ride tomorrow.... Was straight out the back in the first mile, and stayed there pretty much until the end - think I only moved up positions as others dropped out

Knackered, sore and knackered doesn't come close. But I'll be back!

[Dannbodge]

I've been doing a lot more racing this year on Zwift.
Did the GCN one last night, came 320th of 970 people and 124th/221 in Cat B.

Heart rate was at 200BPM for the whole 50mins (averaged 3.5w/kg). If that's not a workout, I would hate to know what is.

[E65Ross]

50 levels? Jeez?! I've been using zwift a fair bit and found level 6 to 7 must be around 75 miles at a complete guess?! To think it gets more each level is nuts!

[wemorgan]

I've being using Zwift for 6 weeks now, almost all in workout mode and covered ~600miles.

I like the structure it gives me and having other rides on the road, a nice target to keep focusing on.

However:
The "riders nearby" list is too large and pointless for me. An on/off switch is needed.
Having a group of +100 riders ride near or over take me is visually annoying. An on/off switch for group riders would benefit.

Might try a race in the near future - when I'm happier with my fitness level.

It's well worth the money, despite it being cheaper last year I gather, so will continue throughout the winter at least.

[gl20]

In a race, is there a way to filter the riders nearby list to just those in your category and/or any other way to get a sense on screen of how far off the lead you are. I know there's the map view on the companion app br would be much easier on screen..

[Dannbodge]

gl20 said:

In a race, is there a way to filter the riders nearby list to just those in your category and/or any other way to get a sense on screen of how far off the lead you are. I know there's the map view on the companion app br would be much easier on screen..

Not that I know of.

[m444ttb]

I’ve tried Zwift a couple of times, but just can’t get into it. Largely I’ve used it to run workouts that were intended for outdoors (built in TrainingPeaks) rather than just pottering around for zone 2 rides and similar. Now I’ve taken to using the longer Sufferfest workouts at a reduced power setting (something that will improve further in the next iteration of their platform) instead. Strung together a good 3 hours of zone 2 using three ‘Base’ workouts with Col Collective footage.

[dojo]

So I've got everyone to get me bits for Xmas.

Wahoo Kickr Snap
Cadence monitor
Heart rate strap.

Do I need any thing else other than a bike, Ipad and Zwift membership??

[E65Ross]

Speed and/or power meter?

[Dannbodge]

Nope that list will do you.

Oh a big fan, maybe two big fans.

[E65Ross]

Dannbodge said:

Nope that list will do you.

Oh a big fan, maybe two big fans.

I've got 1 big (120W) fan....and a portable (well, 25kgs!) air con unit....works a treat

[dojo]

I'm going to outside in the garage so not sure I'll need a fan for first couple of months??