Zwift spins

lennymc · 17-03-2020 7:26pm #1

Given a lot of us are looking at turning to zwift for cycling fix, and as RobFowl mentioned on another thread, is there any interest in a Zwift Meetup, or even Boards.ie events?

If so, stick your zwift name down here, and I will look to set up something. Meetup would be invite only as I understand it (set time, set course), or alternatively, we could agree to attend one of the existing public events (as zwift are not allowing new events at the moment).

https://zwiftinsider.com/meetups/

Thoughts welcome!

Daroxtar · 17-03-2020 9:07pm

There's a Zwift Ireland group, I think interest was waning a bit over the last few months but try contacting them. Maybe a few new names might give them a boost and get things going again
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2309735349260946/

jamesd · 18-03-2020 8:09am

From a read on the Facebook it looks like it was more aimed for speed and not for leisure riders.

nilhg · 18-03-2020 8:26am

For anyone who doesn't want the racing/expense/cartoon style of Zwift, BigRingVr are doing a freebie during the Corona virus crisis,

https://www.strava.com/clubs/187025/posts/8528677

PC/Mac/Linux only I think but the software works very well, and with 11 free courses well worth a look if you are stuck indoors, supports group rides as well though I've never used that functionality.

CantGetNoSleep · 18-03-2020 9:58am

Great idea.

I'm a leisure rider, go for solo rides, commutes, Sunday club spins, do a few sportives and was hoping to maybe do a 200k this year.

When I use Zwift - I've found it a bit boring to do leisure rides aside from organised tour type events like Tour of Zwift where it is a bit of a challenge to finish. Maybe some sort of challenge could keep it interesting for non-racers?

CramCycle · 18-03-2020 11:08am

The only thing I can see missing from Zwift is the ability to set up your own races/spins, this I would have liked. Is it possible? would love to set up my club league races for those who could do it.

Weepsie · 18-03-2020 11:19am

CramCycle wrote: »

The only thing I can see missing from Zwift is the ability to set up your own races/spins, this I would have liked. Is it possible? would love to set up my club league races for those who could do it.

You can so this in road grand tours, which also lets you upload a route and it creates it for you

Crocked · 18-03-2020 12:54pm

RGT is free as well. But you need a sub if you want to create your own race or create a route. Might be an option for clubs to run a Club league. Club takes out one premium sub to create the race and everyone else can then join that race for free

Weepsie · 18-03-2020 9:54pm

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/rgt-cycling-goes-completely-free-in-light-of-covid-19-452020

Rgt completely free for time being.

Whether they cope with numbers is another thing as it's not long out of beta.

CramCycle · 18-03-2020 10:16pm

Weepsie wrote: »

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/rgt-cycling-goes-completely-free-in-light-of-covid-19-452020

Rgt completely free for time being.

Whether they cope with numbers is another thing as it's not long out of beta.

Briliant business move, alot of people will be starting out and have put off the cost fo a smart trainer because its pricey, this will sway alot of people over. I was looking at it earlier and it doesn't look too bad. I will certainly be giving it a try.

martyc5674 · 18-03-2020 10:58pm

CramCycle wrote: »

The only thing I can see missing from Zwift is the ability to set up your own races/spins, this I would have liked. Is it possible? would love to set up my club league races for those who could do it.

It is possible. You just need to contact them. They will ask you a few details and set it up for you. But as someone mentioned above maybe they are not taking new events st the moment.

Anyway to the OP I’m interested for sure. Leisure type ride around 2.5 would suit me fine. No point stressing the body in these times.

Daroxtar · 18-03-2020 11:22pm

I've been using this app for the past few months. https://cms.bikethe.world/
Loads of fantastic HD videos of great routes and climbs from around the world. Real video as opposed to the RGT or Zwift set-up.
And it's free, still in beta

Weepsie · 18-03-2020 11:26pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Briliant business move, alot of people will be starting out and have put off the cost fo a smart trainer because its pricey, this will sway alot of people over. I was looking at it earlier and it doesn't look too bad. I will certainly be giving it a try.

I used the very first iteration of it for a while and liked it. Phone wasn't good enough for this new version which is a shame as I had free access as an early user.

There's also OneLap. A Chinese Swift competitor. Completely free and had a velodrome option on its first software. Havnt used the new one

martyc5674 · 18-03-2020 11:36pm

Daroxtar wrote: »

I've been using this app for the past few months. https://cms.bikethe.world/
Loads of fantastic HD videos of great routes and climbs from around the world. Real video as opposed to the RGT or Zwift set-up.
And it's free, still in beta

It says nothing about utilising smart functionality though?(resistance changing relative to gradient etc)

nilhg · 18-03-2020 11:58pm

martyc5674 wrote: »

It says nothing about utilising smart functionality though?(resistance changing relative to gradient etc)

https://cms.bikethe.world/how-to-get-started/

Go to the smart trainer section

CramCycle · 19-03-2020 12:23am

Sorry for my stupidity. So I have a smart trainer (well I will tomorrow). I have a phone, a laptop with no bluetooth or ANT+ and a TV. Can I connect the trainer to the phone for watever program I use and then connect it to the TV via a DMI to the laptop or do I have another expense. Have a ton of cables. I presume I will run Zwift or whatever through my phone, and then connect that to my laptop over wifi, and just use the TV as an external monitor or is it more complicated.

andy69 · 19-03-2020 12:32am

lennymc wrote: »

Given a lot of us are looking at turning to zwift for cycling fix, and as RobFowl mentioned on another thread, is there any interest in a Zwift Meetup, or even Boards.ie events?

If so, stick your zwift name down here, and I will look to set up something. Meetup would be invite only as I understand it (set time, set course), or alternatively, we could agree to attend one of the existing public events (as zwift are not allowing new events at the moment).

https://zwiftinsider.com/meetups/

Thoughts welcome!

I think this would be a great idea!! Was only thinking about this earlier today as I was rolling around some empty backroads here in the midlands.
Like if an event was cancelled (thinking maybe Orwell Randonnee for example, seeing as it's the nearest 'biggie' and we're probably looking at the summer before we're let out again properly, that we could have a virtual event on that day to 'mirror' it, and we could even have an organised break halfway round for people to grab a quick bite to eat and have a toilet break etc). Could make it a tough climbing route to match the experience... have leaders at x-watts/kg so there's a blob for drafting etc.
In an actual event on Zwift you can't see other people on the roads except for those in the same event with you....not sure how the meetups work, would it be the same if there was 13k other randomers on the same roads....how you'd keep all of us on the same route... who's in the meetup, who's just also on the roads...

if it was something we could put together, I'm in! anyone got experience in setting up an actual event I wonder? I might research it if I get a chance...up to me eyes with work at the moment though but will try find something out.

martyc5674 · 19-03-2020 12:39am

andy69 wrote: »

I think this would be a great idea!! Was only thinking about this earlier today as I was rolling around some empty backroads here in the midlands.
Like if an event was cancelled (thinking maybe Orwell Randonnee for example, seeing as it's the nearest 'biggie' and we're probably looking at the summer before we're let out again properly, that we could have a virtual event on that day to 'mirror' it, and we could even have an organised break halfway round for people to grab a quick bite to eat and have a toilet break etc). Could make it a tough climbing route to match the experience... have leaders at x-watts/kg so there's a blob for drafting etc.
In an actual event on Zwift you can't see other people on the roads except for those in the same event with you....not sure how the meetups work, would it be the same if there was 13k other randomers on the same roads....how you'd keep all of us on the same route... who's in the meetup, who's just also on the roads...

if it was something we could put together, I'm in! anyone got experience in setting up an actual event I wonder? I might research it if I get a chance...up to me eyes with work at the moment though but will try find something out.

Email events@zwift.com with your idea.
They will help you set it up.

Crocked · 19-03-2020 11:21am

martyc5674 wrote: »

It is possible. You just need to contact them. They will ask you a few details and set it up for you. But as someone mentioned above maybe they are not taking new events st the moment.

Anyway to the OP I’m interested for sure. Leisure type ride around 2.5 would suit me fine. No point stressing the body in these times.

Its really hard to setup events now as they wont let you clash with any other simialr event. Trying to find a time for an event is tricky as all the popular timeslots are full these days. Given lots of people off work now maybe possible to schedule something during the day when there are less events on

Crocked · 19-03-2020 11:27am

CramCycle wrote: »

Sorry for my stupidity. So I have a smart trainer (well I will tomorrow). I have a phone, a laptop with no bluetooth or ANT+ and a TV. Can I connect the trainer to the phone for watever program I use and then connect it to the TV via a DMI to the laptop or do I have another expense. Have a ton of cables. I presume I will run Zwift or whatever through my phone, and then connect that to my laptop over wifi, and just use the TV as an external monitor or is it more complicated.

Zwift will let you use your phone as a bluetooth/ant+ bridge for the laptop.

RGT runs off your phone anyway, you have to run it on your phone which controls everything .The laptop is merely for running the screen on RGT

If you have an appletv at home its perfect for running zwift/rgt but bluetooth only and only allows two devices to pair. Less of an issue now that wahoo can broadcast bluetooth on multiple channels and tacx were sending cadence etc with power anyway. You'll need a bluetooth hrm though which if you have an old one (garmin) is probably ant+ only. Newer garmin and wahoo ones are dual ant+ and bluetooth

martyc5674 · 19-03-2020 11:43am

Crocked wrote: »

Its really hard to setup events now as they wont let you clash with any other simialr event. Trying to find a time for an event is tricky as all the popular timeslots are full these days. Given lots of people off work now maybe possible to schedule something during the day when there are less events on

Yeah I never set one up but was planning on it and went through the motions(few months back maybe it’s different now)
But I couldn’t see them having an issue with clashing times- lots of events start at same time. Worth investigating for sure maybe the meet up is the way to do it n

Crocked · 19-03-2020 2:05pm

martyc5674 wrote: »

Yeah I never set one up but was planning on it and went through the motions(few months back maybe it’s different now)
But I couldn’t see them having an issue with clashing times- lots of events start at same time. Worth investigating for sure maybe the meet up is the way to do it n

I race with a team on Zwift, and our organiser and the organiser with another team we are frenemies with, have both talked about how hard it is getting a slot at peak times as they won't allow clashes with similar race types. You can setup meetups where you can all ride together any time you want though. You can do that in the Zwift app youself now.

Zwift have said club functionality is coming, indicated as this summer. This will allow hopefully for organising private races etc. They might move this forward given current circumstances and increased numbers on the platform for this time of year. Eric Min also said recently though that they don't do major updates at peak on-boarding times, which now maybe the case so it may even lead to a delay now on it.

martyc5674 · 19-03-2020 6:08pm

Crocked wrote: »

I race with a team on Zwift, and our organiser and the organiser with another team we are frenemies with, have both talked about how hard it is getting a slot at peak times as they won't allow clashes with similar race types. You can setup meetups where you can all ride together any time you want though. You can do that in the Zwift app youself now.

Zwift have said club functionality is coming, indicated as this summer. This will allow hopefully for organising private races etc. They might move this forward given current circumstances and increased numbers on the platform for this time of year. Eric Min also said recently though that they don't do major updates at peak on-boarding times, which now maybe the case so it may even lead to a delay now on it.

What time would be people be thinking of??
I can contact them again.

This was there reply last time

Hi Marty,

Apologies for the delay. I'd be happy to help you setup a group ride like that. I'll need a description, title, course and distance/time selections and a list of any leaders. We do ask that every group ride have an active leader every time.

Thanks,

—
Logan

19-03-2020 6:14pm

RGT premium features are now free for the duration.

https://www.rgtcycling.com/covid-19/

Macy0161 · 20-03-2020 10:34am

Tried the free trial ride on zwift this morning - virtually killed my phone battery life, and that wasn't even controlling the turbo (I did my TrainerRoad workout). I'm not sure it was any more entertaining than the 2012 Paris Roubaix I watched on youtube yesterday to be honest. Actually it was less entertaining than Tommeke in his pomp!

Maybe a group ride would be better. I've signed up for RGT, but reluctant to download anything to my only available laptop at the moment, given it's a work one!

mr spuckler · 20-03-2020 2:24pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Sorry for my stupidity. So I have a smart trainer (well I will tomorrow). I have a phone, a laptop with no bluetooth or ANT+ and a TV. Can I connect the trainer to the phone for watever program I use and then connect it to the TV via a DMI to the laptop or do I have another expense. Have a ton of cables. I presume I will run Zwift or whatever through my phone, and then connect that to my laptop over wifi, and just use the TV as an external monitor or is it more complicated.

I literally only did 2km on my new smart trainer this morning to get it setup. Have connected to my laptop using ANT+ and bluetooth (not sure bluetooth is needed when connecting via ANT+ ?) HDMI cable from laptop to my tv. Didn't get far enough to get to a hill to see if resistance would kick in though!
360 cycles in Clontarf happened to have ANT+ dongles in stock for €25 so got one of those when collecting the trainer.

I'm going to try to do an hour tonight after the kids are in bed so should have a better sense of it then. Have already had to move it to the garage though as once up to speed the noise on the raised timber floor in the sitting room is a bit too much...

SAM SO NITE · 21-03-2020 5:13pm

Im finding it so hard. Id be a decent weekend warrior and I'm going like the clappers but my character on the screen is barely moving. Im bolloxed after ten minutes.

All joking aside I think i have a tech issue. Tacx Vortex plus apple tv.

martyc5674 · 21-03-2020 5:52pm

SAM SO NITE wrote: »

Im finding it so hard. Id be a decent weekend warrior and I'm going like the clappers but my character on the screen is barely moving. Im bolloxed after ten minutes.

All joking aside I think i have a tech issue. Tacx Vortex plus apple tv.

Check your weight in settings is correct. A friend of mine had his weight and height mixed up. He entered about 90cm height and 170kg which proved difficult to get up th hills!!

SAM SO NITE · 21-03-2020 7:56pm

Weight is fine. Im going full gas here and it says im putting out 45 watts. my character is doing 4 kmph and I'm in the big ring out of the saddle in a full sprint.

SAM SO NITE · 21-03-2020 8:05pm

0.6 watts per kilo im putting out going absolutely flat to the max. 80 kgs is weight

martyc5674 · 21-03-2020 8:24pm

SAM SO NITE wrote: »

Weight is fine. Im going full gas here and it says im putting out 45 watts. my character is doing 4 kmph and I'm in the big ring out of the saddle in a full sprint.

Ah something wrong there... my 10 year old can hold 100watts for half an hour!

SAM SO NITE · 21-03-2020 9:09pm

martyc5674 wrote: »

Ah something wrong there... my 10 year old can hold 100watts for half an hour!

100 percent. my character is crawling along and im flat to the mat. Very disheartening.

CramCycle · 21-03-2020 9:21pm

SAM SO NITE wrote: »

100 percent. my character is crawling along and im flat to the mat. Very disheartening.

Could it be a calibration issue with whatever power meter you are reading?

SAM SO NITE · 21-03-2020 9:59pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Could it be a calibration issue with whatever power meter you are reading?

its reading the trainer for cadence power and control.

i do have vector 3's on my other bike though.............

martyc5674 · 21-03-2020 11:17pm

SAM SO NITE wrote: »

its reading the trainer for cadence power and control.

i do have vector 3's on my other bike though.............

I take it it’s a new trainer??
Try pairing it with just your phone for now to try eliminate stuff... knock off anything else Bluetooth in the vicinity.

Macy0161 · 23-03-2020 12:07am

I've the work phone running zwift, casting to the TV, and then the companion app on my personal phone. This morning I did Innsbruck for my first sim mode ride, after indexing my turbo bike (had only used it in erg mode up to now, so just had it indexed on one gear!). Between that and the companion app I'm beginning to "get" zwift a bit more now.

Signed up for a month anyway - I like the structure of TrainerRoad, but a week or two just riding on zwift will do for a bit of change as no events in prospect to actually train for. Although I did a TrainerRoad workout controlling the turbo, whilst broadcasting to zwift, before I did the indexing yesterday morning. Less convinced by the added value of that so far.

dahat · 23-03-2020 8:21am

I've a work phone en route & hoping it will allow me install Zwift though the work laptop won't. If it does I'll connect to a TV somehow and see if my non smart dd turbo can zwift enough to do a session here n there.

CramCycle · 23-03-2020 9:11am

dahat wrote: »

I've a work phone en route & hoping it will allow me install Zwift though the work laptop won't. If it does I'll connect to a TV somehow and see if my non smart dd turbo can zwift enough to do a session here n there.

Took me ages to figure out getting back Microsoft Store on the work laptop so I could install stuff. My partners work laptop is alot more strict, any attempt to plug in a USB or install non work software and it locks out.

Macy0161 · 23-03-2020 9:23am

I just didn't want to risk the work laptop at this time - it's the first thing my support ask/ blame if something goes wrong!

I'm mirroring the my phone screen via chromecast fwiw.

mr spuckler · 23-03-2020 11:49am

mr spuckler wrote: »

I'm going to try to do an hour tonight after the kids are in bed so should have a better sense of it then. Have already had to move it to the garage though as once up to speed the noise on the raised timber floor in the sitting room is a bit too much...

Just following up on this, I've mine running via my laptop using ANT+. I did the Yorkshire course Friday and Innsbruck last night, for some reason my HR strap wouldn't work on Friday but I got that working last night.

So far I'm finding it really good, much more enjoyable than I'd expected. The one thing that confuses me a bit relates to turns on the course that you seem to be able to select - as in last night I went back up the big climb in Innsbruck instead of just finishing the lap as I'd assumed would automatically happen...I'm assuming familiarity will iron out those kinks though.

I do need to get the laptop closer though and possibly set up the companion app on my phone too.

nilhg · 23-03-2020 3:12pm

Nice zwift setup here, though you'd want it for 250km...

https://www.strava.com/activities/3207759584

Daroxtar · 23-03-2020 9:57pm

nilhg wrote: »

Nice zwift setup here, though you'd want it for 250km...

https://www.strava.com/activities/3207759584

He rode close to my FTP for 7 hours. I'm going to eat some cake now.
Thanks.

lennymc · 26-03-2020 11:02am

Cycling ireland have set up a race league - i see a few people on there that i recognise.

http://www.cyclingireland.ie/downloads/cycling%20ireland%20zwift%20league%20final.pdf
http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/irish-eracing-series-zwift-workouts/

I've signed up for the craic, May as well get dropped in my kitchen as out on the road.

CramCycle · 26-03-2020 11:25am

I done my first zwift race last night, it is certainly different than road racing, more like CX mixed with Track racing. I like the going from the gun mentality but I had issues with set up and eventually just used my phone. I was on the line for most of it when the sweat caused my hands to slip and tun my screen off, by the time I unlocked the phone there was a gap of 200m so I willingly packed it in.

lennymc · 26-03-2020 11:48am

yeah - zwift racing is balls out for the duration of the race - and surprisingly competitive. Trying to 'make the calculashun' to the guys ahead and behind you, figuring out who is in your group, trying to catch the guy in front of you. I thought it would be hard to find the motivation to dig in etc, but once you pin those virtual numbers on.....

This was an interesting article on it. https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/11-things-know-race-zwift-407278

Weepsie · 27-03-2020 10:08pm

If anyone is interested in Road Grand Tours , I've a Sally Gap, Wicklow Gap and Military Road route set up for it. Can Schedule cycles and such on it and have set up a group ride for it tomorrow morning at 9, though can change it

http://app.rgtcycling.com/event?code=408m7a

Link has to be opened on a phone or tablet

Daroxtar · 28-03-2020 2:32pm

I did the Cycling Ireland Zwift league race this morning. Pure slaughter. Entered the B cat which was roughly A3 looking at the names I recognised on screen and definitely above my grade. Managed to hang with the front bunch for about 3/4 of a lap then drifted badly back for a few minutes before giving it another good lash for the last 15km or so. Well done everyone who took part.
https://www.strava.com/activities/3226918577

iwillhtfu · 28-03-2020 2:54pm

Daroxtar wrote: »

I've been using this app for the past few months. https://cms.bikethe.world/
Loads of fantastic HD videos of great routes and climbs from around the world. Real video as opposed to the RGT or Zwift set-up.
And it's free, still in beta

I gave this a bash this morning and I have to say I'm impressed, such a nice change from the cartoon world of zwift but certainly miss the interaction of chasing other riders etc. I did el tiede for a bit and it was good, power changes were good also. It's missing a gradient map so you never really know what's ahead but I'd use it again. I'm still on the fence whether I'd pay for it or not but more so because everything seems to be a small monthly fee these days and it's getting like death by 1000 cuts.

FYI if you don't follow Anthony Walsh you should for the banter he's good wholesome craic.

Cheers OP

CramCycle · 28-03-2020 3:03pm

Mistimed the sprint as I remembered the distance wrong. I currently can't walk right. I was roughly 310 but need a bigger screen for the next time as it's hard to keep track of what's going on. https://strava.app.link/qk4P8tfYd5

Daroxtar · 28-03-2020 3:46pm

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I gave this a bash this morning and I have to say I'm impressed, such a nice change from the cartoon world of zwift but certainly miss the interaction of chasing other riders etc. I did el tiede for a bit and it was good, power changes were good also. It's missing a gradient map so you never really know what's ahead but I'd use it again. I'm still on the fence whether I'd pay for it or not but more so because everything seems to be a small monthly fee these days and it's getting like death by 1000 cuts.

FYI if you don't follow Anthony Walsh you should for the banter he's good wholesome craic.

Cheers OP

Try Gamonitero, some of the the most stunning scenery you'll ever see especially the last 5km (hell of a tough climb too!!)

CramCycle · 28-03-2020 4:31pm

Wonder when the CI official results will be going up, using Zwift power I am 7th in C but I know by the names, a load of people have messed up the CIZL team joining and I am really 20th. I can walk slowly up a stairs again. Hooray

Zwift spins

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