Talk to me about Zwift.....
Discussion
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
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
keith2.2 said:
My issue with cycling as an e-sport is - and I'm happy to be corrected - there is absolutley no skill involved in Zwift? It's just a test of fitness?
Riding outside takes a heap of skill to win races - climbing, descending, cornering etc.
Beating someone else on a computer game generally requires the player to be more deft with the controller.
But Zwift? It's just a fitness test?
And not even that - someone not quite as fit but with a better Air Conditioning setup in their basement could beat someone whose room is 5 degrees warmer?
So fine - online avatar fitness test I'd accept, but e-sport? nah.
(tbh I'm also against using the term sport in the context of computer games so at least there is some form of physical exertion at play here)
RE the air con set up, that's a moot point....you can argue variations like that until the cows come home....everyone could have one if they wanted, and you could be a better climber outside with a different cassette, so let's ignore that point.Riding outside takes a heap of skill to win races - climbing, descending, cornering etc.
Beating someone else on a computer game generally requires the player to be more deft with the controller.
But Zwift? It's just a fitness test?
And not even that - someone not quite as fit but with a better Air Conditioning setup in their basement could beat someone whose room is 5 degrees warmer?
So fine - online avatar fitness test I'd accept, but e-sport? nah.
(tbh I'm also against using the term sport in the context of computer games so at least there is some form of physical exertion at play here)
Yes, your point largely stands, although there's still a skill to be used in zwift races which is knowing WHEN to attack. No, there isn't a skill in descending, using the brakes etc.
Either way, it shouldn't annoy some people, or get people worked up, like it seems to. If you don't like it....just ignore it and move on
After breaking my collar bone last year, I've decided it's not worth the risk riding outside in dodgy weather. I genuinely find more enjoyment riding indoors doing a good session than riding in the cold for 3 hours. If I enjoy it, and thousands of others clearly do as well...just let us be
It could quite easily be classified as a sport. You say it's not a sport because it's just a fitness test? So....what about power lifting competitions etc? Are they not a sport because they're just a test of strength/fitness? Not trying to cause an argument, but there are pros and cons to each, and as long as we enjoy what we do, we should all be happy.
JPJPJP said:
The is plenty of stuff that zwift doesn’t do (yet) that tp does
It is going to be interesting to see where this heads in future. Will more users use more platforms? Or will there be a move towards just one, or a couple?
I know of one rider with active subscriptions to strava premium, training peaks, zwift, trainer road, sufferfest and go rouvy
The subscription costs are a good few bob but, as he says, ‘less than a decent gym membership.’ Which is true I suppose - and he would know as he has one of those as well!
I can’t recall the last time I saw him log more than 7 hours riding in a week...
If he enjoys it, and gets what he feels is a decent amount for his money, who cares if he doesn't log more than 7 hours a week?It is going to be interesting to see where this heads in future. Will more users use more platforms? Or will there be a move towards just one, or a couple?
I know of one rider with active subscriptions to strava premium, training peaks, zwift, trainer road, sufferfest and go rouvy
The subscription costs are a good few bob but, as he says, ‘less than a decent gym membership.’ Which is true I suppose - and he would know as he has one of those as well!
I can’t recall the last time I saw him log more than 7 hours riding in a week...
I am on TR, TP, zwift and sufferfest....although TR may not get renewed in September, I'm not sure yet. I don't do Strava premium, but I think TP is very useful for me
I've got an Everesting coming up which I know is going to be tough. I ended up buying a kickr climb to accompany zwift....which is good for working you as you would as if you were actually climbing....also makes it much more interesting and engaging.
Not sure how long it's going to take me....quite a while! Trouble is....The momentum you get on the descent is all wasted as you need to brake and turn around at the bottom....not fair!
Not sure how long it's going to take me....quite a while! Trouble is....The momentum you get on the descent is all wasted as you need to brake and turn around at the bottom....not fair!
Nothing like a complete turnaround of opinions!
Nice looking setup there. I've got a Kickr and Kickr Climb..... The climb adds another dimension of realism to it especially up the really steep stuff! No, it's not riding outdoors, but all of these things make it more enjoyable to me.
Well done and also thanks for giving it a go, and being honest enough to eat humble pie. You'll still be viewed as sacrilegious on here by many though.
Usget said:
E65Ross said:
I've got a Kickr and Kickr Climb.
How do you like the Climb?I have absolutely no need for one whatsoever - I don't think anyone needs one, as such - but I really, really want one, just because they're so geeky!
Keith - I'd suggest a sweat bra for the bike, something like this --> https://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-sweat-cover-1/ otherwise you'd be amazed the damage sweat can do!
Not cheap but if you can afford it why not?I am off work today and in prep for my Everesting I want to see what my endurance is like, and I plan on doing a VERY long indoor ride....the longest I have ever done was when I did a Sufferfest Knighthood which was about 9 hours of riding time. I plan on about 6 hours today so that'll easily be over 100 miles on Zwift! I plan to do to a mix of Sufferfest (reduced intensity!!!) and Zwift....but when on Sufferfest I can use my kickr for that but the power meter on Zwift so I can still log up the miles, be interesting to see how far it is.
I would go outside but the weather is miserable and pretty cold, and I suffer from Reynauds when it's cold, especially if I'm out for a while....plus I'm doing this alone, and I can't carry enough food/drink by myself (and I'm not leaving my Canyon outside somewhere!).
I must be mad....!
I would go outside but the weather is miserable and pretty cold, and I suffer from Reynauds when it's cold, especially if I'm out for a while....plus I'm doing this alone, and I can't carry enough food/drink by myself (and I'm not leaving my Canyon outside somewhere!).
I must be mad....!
JPJPJP said:
nice ride
in terms of Everest prep, how are you feeling after that little (!) session?
It's given me a fair bit of confidence to be honest. I felt strong and certainly wasn't wilting. I will make sure that I keep the intensity factor of the Everesting below 0.7 so I should be good. I do anticipate Everesting still being over 500tss which is a bit scary. in terms of Everest prep, how are you feeling after that little (!) session?
I can't back out of Everesting now, I've already raised over £7300
JPJPJP said:
I don't think there is any doubt that you will complete the Everesting - certainly not from me.
It will be a nice thing to get under your belt
And the fund raising is stellar - well done.
Just over 3 years ago I raised £10280 for a different charity (Brain Tumour Support), that was after gift aid. I'd LOVE to raise that, but it's a tall order doing it a 2nd time around!! still a little while to go though, and the £7300 doesn't include gift aid.It will be a nice thing to get under your belt
And the fund raising is stellar - well done.
I've upped my hours fairly considerably in the last 10 weeks or so, I was doing around 8-9hours/week but am now doing at least 11, usually nearer 12 or more and I'm actually feeling strong. Recently did the Sufferfest Full Frontal and got new bests in every aspect of the test compared to last time.
Bare in mind I'm only 55kgs I got 842W for the 5s, 315W for 5mins, 255W for 20mins and then 405W for 1min (I was pretty shagged by that point!!).
Everesting will be a seriously long day, I'm both looking forward to it and dreading it. Just need to nail my nutrition!!
JPJPJP said:
Does your preparation involve a trial on the specific hill you are using?
A 'half everest' or 'quarter everest' for instance?
All I have done far is just 15 reps up/down it relatively gently to get an idea of time. I need to do 98 reps, I may decide to do a day where I do a fair number of reps up there, but I'm not sure yet. Going pretty easy, 1 rep was 8mins (up and back down), so I figure 10mins per rep for the event, call it 100x.....1000mins.....eep!A 'half everest' or 'quarter everest' for instance?
JPJPJP said:
Have you got some supporters / feeders / helpers organised for the event, or is it purely a solo thing?
Yeah, some of my friends from my cycling club will be joining me for bits of it. The hill I have chosen starts literally about a 20second ride from the building I work at, I'm going to use that to store my spare clothes, drinks, food etc etc which will be a bit of a godsend!Mr Ted said:
wemorgan said:
blade runner said:
The only annoying aspect is that I seem to get a 4-6 second resistance lag on my trainer when I hit an uphill or when I crest a climb. The lag on the uphill parts is not so noticeable, but on downlhills it's really frustrating - especially in the races where if you loose the wheel, it's very tough to get back in contact afterwards. I've been dropped a couple of times now off a group because of the resistance lag after a climb and it's the only thing I'm not happy with. Anyone else have any similar issues? Not sure if it's a Zwift problem or something to do with the trainer.
Stab in the dark - what Trainer Difficultly level is yours set on? Mine is 50% (default I believe)Might also be worth using: https://zwiftalizer.com/
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