Zwift Advice - which session next?
Discussion
reading other posts, it seems there are a few zwifters here.
I'm training for my first 100 at the moment, which as it stands means a 40 mile road ride once a week, this will increase each month until May (which is when the 100 is)
at the moment my average speed is holding me back from getting further (can't spend all day riding really) So i'm keen to up my mph levels a touch to make longer distances possible. Nothing crazy here, currently average 12.5mph on a 40, would like to up this to 15mph which is where I used to be a few years ago.
anyway, in order to do this I of course need to ride more.
it's easier to do intervals etc off the road (no traffic or lights or pesky hills!) so wondered if anyone could recommend a 30-60 workout I could use? I've done the gran fondo plan before which was great over winter but now i'm back on the road it doesn't allow for days off (which aren't really days off, they're on road)
just need a ride I could do perhaps twice a week which up my stamina and hill power but allow rest for the sunday big ride.
Plan will be to Zwift tuesdays and thursdays and road on Sundays. If anything my speed will increase due to weight loss!!
I'm training for my first 100 at the moment, which as it stands means a 40 mile road ride once a week, this will increase each month until May (which is when the 100 is)
at the moment my average speed is holding me back from getting further (can't spend all day riding really) So i'm keen to up my mph levels a touch to make longer distances possible. Nothing crazy here, currently average 12.5mph on a 40, would like to up this to 15mph which is where I used to be a few years ago.
anyway, in order to do this I of course need to ride more.
it's easier to do intervals etc off the road (no traffic or lights or pesky hills!) so wondered if anyone could recommend a 30-60 workout I could use? I've done the gran fondo plan before which was great over winter but now i'm back on the road it doesn't allow for days off (which aren't really days off, they're on road)
just need a ride I could do perhaps twice a week which up my stamina and hill power but allow rest for the sunday big ride.
Plan will be to Zwift tuesdays and thursdays and road on Sundays. If anything my speed will increase due to weight loss!!
miniwill58 said:
I think an FTP test is a good start if you haven't done one. I'm not sure about an FTP booster plan though - it will help generally but it's not likely to add a great deal to the plan of riding 100 miles.
I haven't used Zwift for a while but I recall there were numerous other training plans on there, is there one that's tailored to century rides or other long distances?
FWIW, I use TrainerRoad now and they have a century specific training plan that works on building up those base miles on the turbo (as previous poster said, it's boring)
I don't mind boring, it's more a case of having the ability to do some more specific training which you just can't do on the road - I mean it's hard to stick at 90% when a hill pops up or a descent, at least on the turbo i'm in control of where and how I can train. I haven't used Zwift for a while but I recall there were numerous other training plans on there, is there one that's tailored to century rides or other long distances?
FWIW, I use TrainerRoad now and they have a century specific training plan that works on building up those base miles on the turbo (as previous poster said, it's boring)
I've not used trainer road before might have to give it alook.
I mean Sundays rides are all about the base fitness - and mental stamina. I don't rush, I aim to get it done however having more strength would enable me to tackle hills easier. Yes there's always a school of thought that suggests to get better at going up hills you should go up more hills - which of course is true. But I am not a pro cyclist, time constraints need to be taking into account so having the turbo trainer is a great tool to use I think.
I'll look at the FTP test - think it nearly killed me last time!
but also look into trainer road.
What I don't want to do is spend 4 hours on the turbo. If I was going to cycle for 4 hours I'd just do it outside really. I want the turbo to be another piece of gym equipment rather than a ride replacement
cheers all.
I think i'll stick with Zwift but Terrain road does look interesting definitely. In all honesty Zwift graphics are fine but I agree - you tend to look at the numbers more than the avatar so changing down the line isn't out of the question.
Also, i'll probably up my time on rollers too, always good for long steady state slogs. and you don't get as bored as you constantly have to try not to fall off haha.
weather this weekend is looking too bad to head out so will need to do my 40 on either the turbo or rollers. Probably opt for the rollers to ensure i'm sitting at 70% and working on core too.
I think i'll stick with Zwift but Terrain road does look interesting definitely. In all honesty Zwift graphics are fine but I agree - you tend to look at the numbers more than the avatar so changing down the line isn't out of the question.
Also, i'll probably up my time on rollers too, always good for long steady state slogs. and you don't get as bored as you constantly have to try not to fall off haha.
weather this weekend is looking too bad to head out so will need to do my 40 on either the turbo or rollers. Probably opt for the rollers to ensure i'm sitting at 70% and working on core too.
i'm now doing 50 miles on the road as a long ride, then 2 upto 60 minute zwift sessions on the turbo. I've been doing SST (short) at the moment, which is boring but working on just churning out the effort.
In March I intend to step to 60 miles on the long ride. April 70 then probably do one 80 before the big 100 as I'm hoping longer stops and adrenaline will give me the energy for the last 20 miles untested.
In March I intend to step to 60 miles on the long ride. April 70 then probably do one 80 before the big 100 as I'm hoping longer stops and adrenaline will give me the energy for the last 20 miles untested.
interesting. And yes, it's exactly that i'm trying to avoid - that being said, I won't be reducing the weekend miles, even if the only thing I achieve is to complete it. That side of things is as much about the mental training as anything.
But, with my other training I do want it to be structured and helping the weekend ride become more enjoyable and of course increase performance on that ride.
Sadly the training plans offered on that article seem pretty expensive - especially if you pick the wrong one. But it's that what i'm after, I want the weekday training to be structured and actually give results rather than just knacker me out.
But, with my other training I do want it to be structured and helping the weekend ride become more enjoyable and of course increase performance on that ride.
Sadly the training plans offered on that article seem pretty expensive - especially if you pick the wrong one. But it's that what i'm after, I want the weekday training to be structured and actually give results rather than just knacker me out.
okgo said:
100 miles is not that though is it. Its just a long bike ride, that likely the OP could do tomorrow.
you've got more optimism than me hahaha, I struggle with 40/50. the thought of doing it twice scares me at the moment. I'm not looking to race 100, but getting it done before it gets dark would be nice. 15mph is what i'm aiming for over the 100miles so the training in reality is to ensure that's possible.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff