Zwift spins

dahat · 07-05-2020 02:48PM

JimmiesRustled wrote: »

I don't think so. You look at any computer game and you'll have cheating but you'll equally have measures that weed this out for the most part. Zwift have kind of just wiped their hands of trying to regulate any sort cheating within the program and have instead left it to volunteers at Zwiftpower to try and regulate it.

It's not exactly a cheap platform at €15 month. It's obviously been trying to cater itself to competitive cyclists what with e-nationals and big competitive events but has completely failed to try and bring in any sort of anti-cheat mechanism instead leaving this to ZwiftPower and it's mods.

I'm not talking about incremental weight/height changes. I'm talking about lads going from 90kg to 50kg in a day and then back to 90kg after a race. Same with height. That and offsetting calibration of power meters in order to produce bigger power figures.

It's fun for what it is but with the popularity of it growing, especially in the competitive scene, Zwift would really need to have some measures in place to root out some of these more obvious issues if they're looking for it to try and sit with regular road racing. Which, from seeing it on Eurosport the last few days, looks like the direction they might be trying to take it.

I thought ZP were directly associated with Zwift, i suppose Zwift need the cheaters as well as the honest lads for subs.

Are weight values not monitored by the platform? I'd have assumed a variation like so would be flagged on the system.

Macy0161 · 07-05-2020 02:56PM

Weepsie wrote: »

You get wheels top of the Alpe?

I've done it in just over an hour, but that was a race, my one and only, and I was in bits afterwards

The spinner at the banner may give Meilenstein wheels, which are the lightest and best for climbing. They can't be purchased.

Actually there's another variable - bike and wheel sets. They perform differently, and some are level locked (plus you need the drops).

JimmiesRustled · 07-05-2020 03:07PM

dahat wrote: »

I thought ZP were directly associated with Zwift, i suppose Zwift need the cheaters as well as the honest lads for subs.

Are weight values not monitored by the platform? I'd have assumed a variation like so would be flagged on the system.

ZwiftPower was just set up by the community and is where the push for racing came from on Zwift.

Weight is monitored by ZwiftPower but entered within Zwift. A large weight change is only picked up after the fact once the community over at ZwiftPower look through results.

iwillhtfu · 07-05-2020 04:03PM

dahat wrote: »

I thought ZP were directly associated with Zwift, i suppose Zwift need the cheaters as well as the honest lads for subs.

Are weight values not monitored by the platform? I'd have assumed a variation like so would be flagged on the system.

I got those wheels on my second time up and I couldn't tell you any difference.:D I take it for what it is though and I definitely work harder on zwift than I would just tipping away on the trainer. Some folks go mad trying to collect badges and likes I just don't get that side of it at all.

The group spins with the Irish zwift group and other organised spins are a bit of craic rolling around the bunch etc. Nothing compared to real life in my opinion as it's constant effort on zwift in a bunch.

I think at the end of the day some people are expecting far to much from it. If you have a complaint about it you can cancel your subscription but for €15/month it's a pretty good deal imo.

Daroxtar · 07-05-2020 04:14PM

martyc5674 wrote: »

The thing is- my last trainer only went to 6 or 8%- and I had it set to 100% and Its only now im realising why i was regularly getting dropped on descents. I put it down to me being relatively light, but its because i had it set to 100%.

But now I have a new trainer that goes to 25%- and even set @ 50% its a totally different animal.
So unless everyone is on a top end trainer capable of replicating the course there will always be differences even if everyone is set to 100%.
Marty.

It's funny, I find the opposite on descents. If I'm set at 50% I spin out. If I set at 100% I can keep the watts up on the downhills and accelerate away.
For the Zwift TTT races I often set up at 50%or less to keep a smooth cadence and steady power all the way to stop surging off the front of the group or dropping off the back on little bumps

Macy0161 · 07-05-2020 04:40PM

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Some folks go mad trying to collect badges and likes I just don't get that side of it at all.

I'm definitely sucked into that side of it (the badges not the likes). Trying to work my way through the routes, pushed on from Sundays Uber Pretzel for the 100mile badge! Always been a sucker for a medal though.

iwillhtfu wrote: »

€15/month it's a pretty good deal imo.

Yeah, I was trying to justify it and my TrainerRoad sub. The reality is the cost of both is less than I'd spend in coffee shops/ cafes over a month of club spins. Now I'm on Apple TV, zwift just works (as does TrainerRoad on Android). That's what has put me of RGT so far.

dahat · 07-05-2020 05:08PM

Essentially the game aspect of Zwift is perfectly fine for me. I find the structured workouts I'm doing are proving to be more beneficial than staring at a headunit for a period of time while dying trying to hold watts.

Also I'm looking up more which is a welcome benefit after looking down for near 6 months training.

Trying to replicate road feel & be a legitimate racing platform may prove too much unless huge investment is made to regulate entrants.

dahat · 09-05-2020 08:32AM

Looks like staggered starts for each CI race this morning, near 300 in the B race.

Daroxtar · 09-05-2020 12:08PM

Looked like pure heartbreak in the A race, Shane Dolan seemed to have got the jump on McGlinchey in the sprint only for his WiFi to drop out and he disappeared off screen just before crossing the line.

Bambaata · 09-05-2020 12:12PM

I've a feeling he may have been flagged by Zwift for his power, looked back at the commentary and saw some form of warning symbol over him just before he cut off?

16th for me today and I think about 5th or 6th Irish. I was lacking a bit of top end with being some 200W off my top power in the sprint but good race overall. Ive always liked that circuit, the climb really splits things up but if you can hang in there or stay close you get a recovery on the descent with another opportunity to catch back on if you are just off the back.

Daroxtar · 09-05-2020 02:00PM

Bambaata wrote: »

I've a feeling he may have been flagged by Zwift for his power, looked back at the commentary and saw some form of warning symbol over him just before he cut off?

16th for me today and I think about 5th or 6th Irish. I was lacking a bit of top end with being some 200W off my top power in the sprint but good race overall. Ive always liked that circuit, the climb really splits things up but if you can hang in there or stay close you get a recovery on the descent with another opportunity to catch back on if you are just off the back.

I looked back at it again, saw that triangle pop up and no HR in the display. 750w for about a minute is some achievement alright for a 15 year old

CramCycle · 09-05-2020 02:06PM

I was super hungover, sun was too bright, couldn't read the screen. I was sweating buckets from the start. Just after the start line I was 280th, or essentially last, clawed my way up to 130th. Made one dig and pulled a group back and made it too 83rd but then last night's shenanigans started causing me to drag. Crossed the line in 145th. Knew I had no sprint so went for a long way out pull, got off the front but just couldn't hold it.

dahat · 09-05-2020 02:07PM

Cracking race today and although I thought the course would suit & had the aim of winning the Irish B race. However I was again lacking in the gallop with the from three getting a gap somewhere that wasn't closed by our group.

Overall I'm finding the racing enjoyable but finding it hard to grasp where I or the group is on the road. Maybe a bigger screen than the laptop is needed.

Finished 12th in the Irish B race, onto the next one.

dahat · 09-05-2020 02:09PM

Daroxtar wrote: »

I looked back at it again, saw that triangle pop up and no HR in the display. 750w for about a minute is some achievement alright for a 15 year old

He got DQ'd during the week as well as far I know.

Suspicious set up? I don't t know the lad at all.

Macy0161 · 09-05-2020 02:51PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

I've tried to use it, several times, and got bored of waiting for it to load. Going to try it again over the weekend with The Cycling Podcast "Our Giro" routes.

Did the Our Giro ITT this morning. Much quicker connecting this time. However, I couldn't work out why it wasn't simulating. Via in game chat I was told sim mode only with any+...

Got my work Samsung Phone, and wasted half an hour trying to connect via ant+. The RGT app kept turning on Bluetooth! Tried otg cable and ant dongle on my personal phone. Just couldn't get it to see my hammer. Free or not, I'd rather pay for things that actually work.

Gave up on ventoux/ RGT, and went back to zwift (and salvaged the morning with a sub 59 Alpe!).

andy69 · 09-05-2020 03:48PM

CramCycle wrote: »

I was super hungover, sun was too bright, couldn't read the screen. I was sweating buckets from the start. Just after the start line I was 280th, or essentially last, clawed my way up to 130th. Made one dig and pulled a group back and made it too 83rd but then last night's shenanigans started causing me to drag. Crossed the line in 145th. Knew I had no sprint so went for a long way out pull, got off the front but just couldn't hold it.

Ha! Similar here...you must have made it to the nice little group I was in actually because at the front I was in I think 82nd spot and at the back 102nd. Like you (as well as being hungover today) I found it hard to see the screen cos I was out in my garden and the sunshine makes it REALLY hard to see anything once Zwift puts us in night/dusk mode.
I was gearing up to finish in the top 100 for myself but when using my towel I must have just lost the wheels as someone put pressure on and boom...gone... 5m gap, couldn't pull it back and then to rub salt in the wound 6 others caught me before the line. Had a little hissy fit to myself!!

Thought that was a great event today now. Was delighted with the staggered start.

nilhg · 09-05-2020 04:19PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

Did the Our Giro ITT this morning. Much quicker connecting this time. However, I couldn't work out why it wasn't simulating. Via in game chat I was told sim mode only with any+...

Got my work Samsung Phone, and wasted half an hour trying to connect via ant+. The RGT app kept turning on Bluetooth! Tried otg cable and ant dongle on my personal phone. Just couldn't get it to see my hammer. Free or not, I'd rather pay for things that actually work.

Gave up on ventoux/ RGT, and went back to zwift (and salvaged the morning with a sub 59 Alpe!).

I think ant+ in RGT is only supported through the screen app on your computer, if you have an ant+ dongle on there, bluetooth through the phone ok. I had one go at it, did a few laps of the Pienza and Borrego Springs laps and found them nice but TBH I cant summon up any enthusiasm to sit in the shed anymore. The Vets are running a TT league on Zwift, I thought about it, thought about it some more then took the trainer apart and put it in the press in the garage, it's staying there till November, I'd rather ride loops in the rain than go back on it, but that's just me.....

Macy0161 · 09-05-2020 04:25PM

nilhg wrote: »

I think ant+ in RGT is only supported through the screen app on your computer, if you have an ant+ dongle on there, bluetooth through the phone ok.

I'm using apple TV for my screen. I assumed the pairing was through the phone. That's me out from them then, as apple TV only supports Bluetooth, and I'm not buying something to bridge just for that, especially as I can't see me ever paying for RGT.

nilhg · 09-05-2020 04:29PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

I'm using apple TV for my screen. I assumed the pairing was through the phone. That's me out from them then, as apple TV only supports Bluetooth, and I'm not buying something to bridge just for that, especially as I can't see me ever paying for RGT.

Yeah, the documentation is poor enough, but can your hammer not connect via BT?

Edit, found this

https://roadgrandtours.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/1/topic/8af0428f-0b89-4109-8d60-1e3b6684f48b/article/678526977

Macy0161 · 10-05-2020 08:55AM

nilhg wrote: »

Yeah, the documentation is poor enough, but can your hammer not connect via BT?

Edit, found this

https://roadgrandtours.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/1/topic/8af0428f-0b89-4109-8d60-1e3b6684f48b/article/678526977

It'll only do sim mode via ant+. It connected fine via Bluetooth, but that only takes power, not control the turbo.

martyc5674 · 10-05-2020 01:47PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

It'll only do sim mode via ant+. It connected fine via Bluetooth, but that only takes power, not control the turbo.

I’m using RGT on and off with Apple TV too- it works fine- your phone picks up the trainer and passes it to the ATV.
I’ve done the stelvio a few times and it’s the free version and it 100% controls the trainer.

Edit- I’m only using Bluetooth aswell. I’ve no ant + receivers.
It’s important u select your trainer as “trainer” not as “power” as per the link someone just posted.
If you select your trainer as power source it won’t know to control it.
Marty.

nilhg · 10-05-2020 09:29PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

It'll only do sim mode via ant+. It connected fine via Bluetooth, but that only takes power, not control the turbo.

Will it work correctly with zwift on apple TV?

I'm presuming it's on the latest firmware?

Macy0161 · 11-05-2020 10:45AM

nilhg wrote: »

Will it work correctly with zwift on apple TV?

I'm presuming it's on the latest firmware?

Yes, works fine on Zwift. It was an RGT guy in the chat/ messages that told me that RGT only does sim mode over ant+, and not bluetooth. No problem connecting RGT via bluetooth, but whatever about zwift, there's really no point of RGT without sim mode (for me)!

martyc5674 · 11-05-2020 01:13PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

Yes, works fine on Zwift. It was an RGT guy in the chat/ messages that told me that RGT only does sim mode over ant+, and not bluetooth. No problem connecting RGT via bluetooth, but whatever about zwift, there's really no point of RGT without sim mode (for me)!

Is it specific to your trainer??- RGT controls my trainer absolutely perfectly over bluetooth connection with ATV.

Macy0161 · 11-05-2020 01:15PM

martyc5674 wrote: »

Is it specific to your trainer??- RGT controls my trainer absolutely perfectly over bluetooth connection with ATV.

I may try again. Although, seems like I'm not the only one with issues going on The Cycling Podcast facebook group. It may be specific to the Hammer - it was one of their tech guys that told me Ant+ only, but that was after asking what trainer I had.

martyc5674 · 11-05-2020 01:26PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

I may try again. Although, seems like I'm not the only one with issues going on The Cycling Podcast facebook group. It may be specific to the Hammer - it was one of their tech guys that told me Ant+ only, but that was after asking what trainer I had.

Yeah maybe trainer specific so - but one thing to watch is to set the trainer as a "trainer" not a power source- it wont try to control a power source whereas it will try to control the trainer (Weird that you have to tell it that)
Marty.

CramCycle · 11-05-2020 03:04PM

A question for recovery for Zwift races. I used to race on a Thursday night and with rare exception be able to commute Friday morning. Same for Saturday or Sunday races, I'd commute in on Monday morning. I found the Zwift races particularly sapping of energy. Any tips to aid recovery. I think part of the issue is stretching as I am definetly getting tighter muscles and I think that is due to the reduced ability to move on the bike compared to normal races.

lennymc · 11-05-2020 03:08PM

imho, it sounds like fatigue building up - the zwift races are quite intensive, and adequate recovery is important. Maybe take a week off racing, as if you are doing a couple of races a week, your CTL could be building up. Do you track any TSS or anything? you are on strava arent you? Maybe take a look at the effort over the past few weeks and look at the trend of effort vs recovery. Personally, i find the zwift races require more recovery than a standard race as they are so balls out, vs the usual peloton sitting up in a race. Also, ymmv, and i could be talking gibberish

JimmiesRustled · 11-05-2020 03:16PM

CramCycle wrote: »

A question for recovery for Zwift races. I used to race on a Thursday night and with rare exception be able to commute Friday morning. Same for Saturday or Sunday races, I'd commute in on Monday morning. I found the Zwift races particularly sapping of energy. Any tips to aid recovery. I think part of the issue is stretching as I am definetly getting tighter muscles and I think that is due to the reduced ability to move on the bike compared to normal races.

Yeah as Lenny alluded to, I've had a quick look at your Strava and your commutes look like tempo to threshold efforts. You're not doing a huge amount of hours on the bike but it looks like everything you're doing on the bike is pretty much full gas.

dahat · 11-05-2020 03:18PM

Alot of my zwift races are near 90% at threshold heart rate, unreal stuff.

The recovery is key here, sleep, stretch & adequate food with plenty water. I don't think the recovery process is complicated but honesty is key here for me. You need to recognise that maybe 2 races is ott? Or do just the one for a couple of weeks.

Now just to follow the above myself.....

Zwift spins

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