Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

That cut scene at the start of Jarvis is a once off.

g-boaf wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 13, 2024 12:22 pm

That cut scene at the start of Jarvis is a once off.

Good! If I'd been really clever I would have cranked it up to 10W/kg for that bit and really set the cat among the pigeons.

So I've discovered the answer to 'how many consecutive C grade races do you have to win to be promoted to B grade' is 'more than 5'.

I think I have one left. B grade is going to be good for the fitness but potentially bad for the soul. I suspect my tactic of 'attacking every climb and waiting for everyone to break' is not going to work quite so well.

Mr Purple wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 14, 2024 1:12 pm

So I've discovered the answer to 'how many consecutive C grade races do you have to win to be promoted to B grade' is 'more than 5'.

I think I have one left. B grade is going to be good for the fitness but potentially bad for the soul. I suspect my tactic of 'attacking every climb and waiting for everyone to break' is not going to work quite so well.

you should record them for future prosperity in your older years when you want to laugh

I started a tour of watopia stage 2 minutes late. challenged myself and overtook over 100 before the event

jasonc wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 14, 2024 1:30 pm

you should record them for future prosperity in your older years when you want to laugh

It is funny, because it's all so stupid!

The funny thing is if someone actually takes me down in 'C' grade I know they're cheating. Because I'm cheating and they're faster than me. Even though strictly speaking I'm actually playing by the rules.

From what I can recall of 'B' grade last time around I'll be in the lead pack until the last 500m and then get walloped in the sprint. In 'A' grade it was the same, but I never even managed to pretend to attempt a sprint after holding on with my fingernails the whole time.

Mr Purple wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 14, 2024 1:38 pm

jasonc wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 14, 2024 1:30 pm

you should record them for future prosperity in your older years when you want to laugh

It is funny, because it's all so stupid!

The funny thing is if someone actually takes me down in 'C' grade I know they're cheating. Because I'm cheating and they're faster than me. Even though strictly speaking I'm actually playing by the rules.

From what I can recall of 'B' grade last time around I'll be in the lead pack until the last 500m and then get walloped in the sprint. In 'A' grade it was the same, but I never even managed to pretend to attempt a sprint after holding on with my fingernails the whole time.

I've attempted sprints in zwift before. it turns out I can't sprint, well not vs everyone else

jasonc wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 14, 2024 1:44 pm

I've attempted sprints in zwift before. it turns out I can't sprint, well not vs everyone else

My only chance is to be so far ahead by the time the sprint eventuates that everyone has forgotten I'm there.

There is this strange Catch 22 that goes on with Zwiftpower numbers. You can't have good sprint numbers if you never have to sprint, and your 20 minute power never goes up if you never race anyone faster than you. It's weird but in the lower grades I can win with a lower W/kg than everyone else, when it comes to the higher ones I have a higher W/kg than everyone but still lose.

I assume it's something to do with 'everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face'. All the strategy and tactics go out the window when you're just trying to stay alive.

I treat it as make believe and have no interest in make believe competition sorry.
Back on it yesterday in a pace group again. It felt harder with less draft than previously. Maybe a bit of decline from me but I averaged reasonable watts according to the kickr core. More than I do for an outdoors ride, though they are always longer.

warthog1 wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 14, 2024 3:23 pm

I treat it as make believe and have no interest in make believe competition sorry.
Back on it yesterday in a pace group again. It felt harder with less draft than previously. Maybe a bit of decline from me but I averaged reasonable watts according to the kickr core. More than I do for an outdoors ride, though they are always longer.

I'm with you. There's just no satisfaction in winning a Zwift race.

What it is, though, is a good motivation for indoor threshold efforts. I think I'll have a tilt at the top 100 in Australia just to see if I can get there, but I'll go back to Fulgaz if it's not making me faster outside as well.

I think it's having some effect outside. Last two outdoor rides were around the 150W mark because I'm still healing, but average HR was 123 and 130. I've never been that low. Suffering in the garage cartoon world may be useful.

Mr Purple wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 14, 2024 3:39 pm

I'm with you. There's just no satisfaction in winning a Zwift race.

What it is, though, is a good motivation for indoor threshold efforts. I think I'll have a tilt at the top 100 in Australia just to see if I can get there, but I'll go back to Fulgaz if it's not making me faster outside as well.

I think it's having some effect outside. Last two outdoor rides were around the 150W mark because I'm still healing, but average HR was 123 and 130. I've never been that low. Suffering in the garage cartoon world may be useful.

You would kick my backside.

Prescribed yourself some beta blockers, then you'll really see what low heart rates are
105-110 bpm is my typical average. 130 bpm is getting to threshold!

am50em wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 14, 2024 4:01 pm

Prescribed yourself some beta blockers, then you'll really see what low heart rates are
105-110 bpm is my typical average. 130 bpm is getting to threshold!

I think a beta blocker would kill me!

Looking at this morning's 'cruisy breakaway win in a 30km cat C race' 48.9% at tempo (152-170), 45.1% at threshold (170-189) and 4.9% at anaerobic (>189 with a peak of 196).

'A' grade numbers in peak Brisbane summer are going to be a little interesting.

jasonc wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 14, 2024 1:44 pm

Mr Purple wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 14, 2024 1:38 pm

jasonc wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 14, 2024 1:30 pm

you should record them for future prosperity in your older years when you want to laugh

It is funny, because it's all so stupid!

The funny thing is if someone actually takes me down in 'C' grade I know they're cheating. Because I'm cheating and they're faster than me. Even though strictly speaking I'm actually playing by the rules.

From what I can recall of 'B' grade last time around I'll be in the lead pack until the last 500m and then get walloped in the sprint. In 'A' grade it was the same, but I never even managed to pretend to attempt a sprint after holding on with my fingernails the whole time.

I've attempted sprints in zwift before. it turns out I can't sprint, well not vs everyone else

You are probably smaller than those other sprinters on Zwift. It’s the domain of the bigger folk who spend all their time in the gym…

You also need the right smart trainer and power meter pedals to give best benefit…

My heart rate is also fairly low in Zwift most of the time.

Well I have been bagging Zwift out as boring and a poor substitute for outdoors cycling when you have good outdoors close by.
However I decided to do one of their training sessions again yesterday. First time in a long time. "#8" it was called. Was quite a good use of time. May do a few more of them whilst I am away at work.
I don't train for any events and am in age based decline where I am getting slower not faster. Regardless it was still good to do a structured session. I almost enjoyed it!

warthog1 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 15, 2024 12:40 pm

am in age based decline where I am getting slower not faster.

I resemble that! And am struggling to come to terms with it

Arbuckle23 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 15, 2024 1:16 pm

warthog1 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 15, 2024 12:40 pm

am in age based decline where I am getting slower not faster.

I resemble that! And am struggling to come to terms with it

Same.
Oh well, still going, just enjoying the scenery more!

warthog1 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 15, 2024 12:40 pm

Well I have been bagging Zwift out as boring and a poor substitute for outdoors cycling when you have good outdoors close by.
However I decided to do one of their training sessions again yesterday. First time in a long time. "#8" it was called. Was quite a good use of time. May do a few more of them whilst I am away at work.
I don't train for any events and am in age based decline where I am getting slower not faster. Regardless it was still good to do a structured session. I almost enjoyed it!

Workouts are much better than just droning along in a robopacer group at 2.5w/kg for 45 minutes or 60 minutes.

You have to concentrate and work hard, if you do them the right way you can get some good results.

g-boaf wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 15, 2024 8:16 pm

Workouts are much better than just droning along in a robopacer group at 2.5w/kg for 45 minutes or 60 minutes.

You have to concentrate and work hard, if you do them the right way you can get some good results.

Yeah might do a few more.
There is always time pressure though as I am generally on call. So annoying when you don't get it finished.
I usually pick a pace group that makes me work. Less annoyed when it gets interrupted though.