jouster
Moderator
Awesome pictures. Very jealous.Spent more time lugging the bikes on our back.... But so much fun. Id definitely recommend MTB in the snow.
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Awesome pictures. Very jealous.Spent more time lugging the bikes on our back.... But so much fun. Id definitely recommend MTB in the snow.
View attachment 1438803View attachment 1438804View attachment 1438805
Awesome pictures. Very jealous.
Create an account on zwift power and link it to your zwift account. That will tell you what category you are based on your group rides and races. 3.5w/kg is cat b. That is pretty hard core.I had a ride two or three years ago where the snow had melted a bit, frozen then snowed a bit more on top which even for the fat bike made for tricky conditions. We ended up doing about 5 miles in three and a half hours having to walk a lot of the uphill then sliding down some of the lethal downhill on my rear end dragging the bike behind me. It's hard to explain to people why that can still be a lot of fun but it was a good night.
I had a go at a TT race in Zwift for the first time which is quite a cool set up but not sure I'd try it again as it really killed me, I know it's supposed to do that but felt pretty rough afterwards . I quite fancy trying a normal race but I'm not really sure where to start since there's a lot to choose from and many of them seem to take it very seriously. In particular power categories seem a real bone of contention with many warning about disqualifications, I don't really know what power level I'd be. In the TT race I finished at 3.5w/kg but there's no way I could sustain that pace for any longer.
I'm getting better at staying on the rollers for longer now since I can drink without getting off and I can briefly stand on the pedals to give my rear a break but the main problem is dealing with the sweat. I've tried using a towel while riding but it seems to muck up my balance although I may be better now, I was looking at head bands but wondering if they could feel a bit suffocating. I was also looking at arm bands so I could easily give my head a quick wipe but I'm wondering how others manage this,
Not using a fan is exactly why you are feeling so awful. Seriously, you need one. There are loads of articles about how overheating can do you damage, and with no air movement at all indoors, overheating can happen a lot more quickly. I use a fan all year round. It gets turned on further into the ride in the winter but it is still needed every ride.The 3.5w/kg is pretty misleading since I'm fairly light at ~60kg and it was a flat 11 mile race. Normally with road riding I pace myself for endurance so I'm not great at pacing myself on intense rides, I don't know if it's better to start at Cat D and possibly go over that or start at cat B or C and drop down if I'm not good enough.
I've not been dripping sweat because before I reach that stage I have to stop and wipe the sweat from getting in my eyes. I've seen the thinner lycra type headbands so I'll give one of them a go. I'm not using a fan because I'm setting it up in the kitchen where there's a lot of loose stuff about and it's fairly manageable at the moment although that may well change in summer.
Exactly that, when outside you have airflow to keep you cool. Pedaling your arse off for a couple of hours indoors with no fan is a recipe for disaster.interesting...I rarely overheat when on my bike, but do kettlebells 3 times a week in the living room and turn the heating off and open the window (even if it's -5 outside! but I still sweat like mad...will check this out further...
Not using a fan is exactly why you are feeling so awful. Seriously, you need one. There are loads of articles about how overheating can do you damage, and with no air movement at all indoors, overheating can happen a lot more quickly. I use a fan all year round. It gets turned on further into the ride in the winter but it is still needed every ride.
Zwift won't disqualify you for being out of category but Zwift Power will which is like the official tool used for races. Just create an account and it will work out what cat you meant to be in. I was high C until I got my kickr, and now I am low c.![]()
That's exactly what you said. Only trying to offer advice from my own experience and what I've read.I didn't say anything about feeling awful it's just after riding for a bit the sweat gets in my eyes so I wipe it off before it gets to that stage. Having had a very overactive thyroid I'm very familiar with overheating problems and I'm nowhere near that situation currently. I've managed 100 miles in one go this way without 'disaster' but the problem is needing to stop which isn't going to work with races.
I had a go at a TT race in Zwift for the first time which is quite a cool set up but not sure I'd try it again as it really killed me, I know it's supposed to do that but felt pretty rough afterwards .
Scotch Guard just as simple really. But any automotive pain sealant or wax will help repel wet stuff.just saw thus advertised on amazon...
do you think it would be beneficial to use this (or similar product) on your bike to help keep the frame clean etc..?
has anyone done it before?
Amazon product
pretty sure these products rely on windflow to keep water off as well....it might help a bit but wont be the sameIt's good for motorcycle visors and the like, where you really want water to clear quickly. Not sure I see much point on a bike, given that you'd still need to get the mud out of the mechanical parts, and wiping the frame clean is quick and easy by comparison.
I covered my new bike with 3M Ventureshield to try and protect it from scuffs and scratches.
My bell on my bike is genuinely starting to wear out. It's insane.Quick 50k today and it was Wet Wet Wet.
Once I got a bit mucky I just gave up avoiding and tore through everything.
shame there was no snow left but more is forecast for next Saturday so fingers crossed.
what's it with people who just seem
Unable to conduct themselves outside. It’s like they’ve never been walking pre lockdown.
pedestrians just walking in the middle of the road when the paths are clear and expecting cars to wait for them And people on paths/trials who just don’t have no idea how to make room for others (on bikes or not).
It’s embarrassing
I've started doing a lot more sub 2w/kg group rides and really enjoying them. I've stopped worrying about FTP and focusing more on enjoying the ride, chatting with random people all over the world, and just getting in the kilometers. I'm not finding it a drag any more which I was when I was trying to go all out every ride.I enjoy Zwift, but I do sometimes find the data gathering spoils the ride.
If I've made the effort to haul myself out of bed and onto the bike, and I have a ride that feels like hard work, that's bad enough. If the power graph at the end of the ride shows that I was well down on power compared to my previous best, that's a kick up the backside I could well do without.
I'm definitely a 'D' too. Not much chance of ever being anything else TBH - but if regular exercise stops me dropping dead of a heart attack, that's all I really need.
I enjoy Zwift, but I do sometimes find the data gathering spoils the ride.
If I've made the effort to haul myself out of bed and onto the bike, and I have a ride that feels like hard work, that's bad enough. If the power graph at the end of the ride shows that I was well down on power compared to my previous best, that's a kick up the backside I could well do without.
I'm definitely a 'D' too. Not much chance of ever being anything else TBH - but if regular exercise stops me dropping dead of a heart attack, that's all I really need.
Ultimately I'm just wanting to maintain my fitness
Have you tried cycling outdoors?