Zwifters

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Reiver Dec 2023 11:00am, 19 Dec 2023 5,188 posts	0 Reiver I failed to complete the Zwift Academy, as I was convinced that yesterday was the last day and had planned to squeeze in the final session 😔
Oranj Dec 2023 11:38am, 19 Dec 2023 4,032 posts	0 Oranj There was a very funny thread on Zwift Riders FB group yesterday started by someone who'd also failed to acknowledge the closing date/time - it was early morning on the 18th. It was easy to assume you'd complete it by doing one workout or race per week, but you actually needed to do them faster than that.
Chrisull Dec 2023 3:08pm, 19 Dec 2023 20,949 posts	0 Chrisull The best way to win zwift races (in B-D cats at least) is to be a big person with a strong sprint, so you can cruise around in the middle of the front pack (and quickly close a gap if it looks like one is opening ahead of you) for most of the race and then crush everyone else in the final sprint Ah so in other words I need to race on the cobbled climbs with its 1km uphill last bit. Which would also make sense of why I passed 8 people on the climb (and no-one came past me), my lighter weight playing into it. Ok gotcha - only race Alaphilippe/puncheur-type finishes otherwise I don't stand a chance :-).
Oranj Dec 2023 3:16pm, 19 Dec 2023 4,034 posts	0 Oranj Ah so in other words I need to race on the cobbled climbs with its 1km uphill last bit. I always lose out in flat sprints but that particular course suits me well. Racing 2 laps there recently I didn't pay attention at the start and found myself cruising round in a group at ~200th, but made up over 50 places each time we went through those climbs by killing myself for that section, particularly the 2nd and 3rd climbs "Sagan's Winning Move".
Windsor Wool Dec 2023 3:24pm, 19 Dec 2023 6,147 posts	0 Windsor Wool I completed the ZA. Still awaiting the email with the pro contract proposal attached! There were so many riders in those races that even I couldn't finish last. That brings me on to my proper point..... Chris - my zFTP is just a little under 4w/kg nowadays. It was actually over that a few years ago but I was thankfully never promoted to A as there was the rule that zFTP had to be > 250W to get there. TFFT!! Anyway, I'm still completely uncompetitive in B races - I just can't hold with the surges off the line as I'm just too weak. Unfortunately, absolute power matters for so much unless we make those big fellas chase us up a hill. Yes, there are some courses that end with a decent uphill, these give us an advantage but, for me at least, by the end I'm literally miles behind already. I've done some races on course such as Road to Sky or Bologna that are fun. You just need to avoid the ones that also include long downhills as there the benefit of being weighty is greater still!! It's all good fun though, isn't it?
Gobi Dec 2023 3:27pm, 19 Dec 2023 80,845 posts	0 Gobi I have to go for home 1 to 2kms from home on any course apart from mountain and then it's just ride the effort and what will be will be. I climb ok but lose to explosive people same as on the flat. Happens in real life as well and as recently as Sunday
Chrisull Dec 2023 3:40pm, 19 Dec 2023 20,950 posts	0 Chrisull So perhaps I shouldn't be wistful about missing out on cat B in 2021. And yeah I wondered about going earlier on sprints. Going 400-500m out (which isn't that far yeah I know) on a midpack cat C sprint is normally enough to take care of most. It absolutely wouldn't be near the front. I need to build my 1k all out speed. I think my problem is where the pelotons have that little kick up in pace with about 2km to go, and I quite often get detached there.
Chrisull Dec 2023 3:43pm, 19 Dec 2023 20,951 posts	0 Chrisull Of course this is all highly theoretical given my highest placing in any race ever is 14th (which again was probably midpack). But when I do most of my training on Zwift my FTP does jump up quite quickly.
Oranj Dec 2023 4:56pm, 20 Dec 2023 4,038 posts	0 Oranj PSA: If you're chasing XP and levelling up, this week's "Rewind" stage has double XP zwift.com
Gobi Dec 2023 5:08pm, 20 Dec 2023 80,855 posts	0 Gobi Levels are going up fast , up to 63 now.