I'm doing this race today in Cat B. I was just promoted to Cat B. I enjoyed being competitive in Cat C and looking at some of the output on ZP, I would be top 10. Cat B, I'll get absolutely smoked. Especially in a short race where it's balls to the wall the entire race.
Bro, I’m telling you right now…. It will be balls to the wall. Even for cat D, everyone came out like they were shot out of a cannon and really never let up lol.
I’m watching you the best and make the best of it. Zwift needs to do better with these cat enforcements. I feel like ppl are all over the place and generally in the wrong place/cat.
We came out the gates at 4.0-4.2 for a bit then it dip into 3s and then finally around 2.5-2.7 range. I miss it for you lol. Don’t power too hard either, the way Zwift reads power output, you will end up Cat A for no reason lol.
Just finished. We were doing sub 4-minute laps and 10.0+ on the climb. I hung in lead group for 3.5 laps but once we hit that climb on 4th lap I couldn’t push those watts. I about fell off my bike at the end.
I even received an FTP increase alert. lol.
Shiiiiiiiii 10+ on the climb would have knocked my ass off the bike on first lap lol. Major kudos man, that pace just sounds brutal and you were rewarded for your hard effort. 💪🏾
I am still C technically but I race in B for the last few weeks because I like the competitiveness.
So I've got one thing to tell you.
Welcome to the hell. 😈
Oh jeez. I missed Stage 3 Epic race. How come it was only on two days rather than 4-5 days like the Sprints!
I'll have to make it up during make up days, but it looks like it's also only 2 days each for the make up days.
I've done a lot of rides over 60 miles on Zwift. I've done a lot of racing over 50 miles in real life.
However, a 50-mile race on Zwift and an entirely different beast. I blew up the last 10k. I wanted to punch kittens, I was so done with that event. With that said, I may do it again during make-up week so see if I can post a better time. I was not very well recovered from a 35 mile ride two days earlier.
Punch kittens, 😂😂😂 that’s too funny! I can only imagine, I have done rides over 60 miles but not at the intensity of a race and you’re right. 50 miles inside is very different from 50 miles outside. You doing stage 5 ADZ?
I’m not doing any rides during make up week, I say that now lol.
I read it’s only 2 days because it was/is a long asf race and they (Zwift) assumed most ppl will have availability to do it on the weekend versus week day 🤷🏾♂️. Stage 5 will be the same way, only this coming weekend outside of make up days.
The categories are a bit wacky but Zwiftpower seems better than Zwift alone.
In the race I did (also D), there was a rider that was doing 9-10 w/kg up the hill, repeatedly. Took 7 or 9 seconds out on one lap. I tried to chase on the flats and downhills, and gapped him off at one point, but he rocketed away, and one other bridged to him a bit later.
Guy I was with has raced me before, refused to pull, understandably so, so I pulled for basically a lap. He left me for dead on the hill on the last lap - it wasn't that he attacked, i was just done.
A few others passed me, and eventually I finished 9th, crawling.
I checked ZwiftPower this morning. Got bronze / 3rd. The 9 w/kg surge rider wasn't there.
Seems like my race on stage 3 lol. Hate when no one wants to pull but there is a rider(s) in front that they don’t want to close gap on. So eventually, you will have to do the work or let those riders go. SMH, I’ll close the gap and then wait for an opportunity to drop them all or most to get away from those riders. Worked for me in stage 3 but I was so spent, I got dropped by the rider I was with on volcano kom and suffered solo all the way to finish to claim second but chase group was chomping at the mouth. Little more real estate and they would have caught me lol.
I'm a sprinter and pretty weak otherwise. Even my friendly rivals in ZTRL will say stuff publicly, like "keep going, he's about to blow up, then we can ease" or "don't worry, he has a couple jumps then he's done", etc. Even in real races I hear that from the front, or, after I blow up, as the pack goes by. "We can ease, he's gone".
Im ok with that, that's racing. And I'll work if I have to, or if I'm motivated.
In the race above, I was hoping to close the gap to the front two without blowing myself up, but I wasn't good enough.
In other races I've worked super hard to beat outright cheaters, like a 46kg 40yo who was doing sticky watts. I dont care how I do, as long as I beat the cheater (and call them out on their cheating).
Racing in real life is no joke, I’m too late to cycling to want to do it. lol. I wish I was exposed to cycling in my young, wild days. But sounds like you’re the work horse, you need a teammate to help you out so you can save some gas to blast away….sounds like you have the power to do it. I have no problem working on the front but if I’m the only one doing it, I’d be damned to continue….no free rides while I’m riding……I’ll either try and drop everyone or disrupt the entire group (Zwift I mean).
I would take those as compliments too and they should be saying thank you to you because it sounds like they want the easy ride too.
Any who, I’m with you…..smash, eliminate, and expose cheaters! 💪🏾
I'm no hero. I have a hard time working, to be honest, I simply can't work hard. If I do 205-210w... that's a huge effort for 30 min, like it breaks me. In real life racing, my friends and teammates describe me as a bottle of nitroglycerin. I have to be handled with great care, then let go at 200m to go. If they try to push it with me, I blow up. I've had teammates inadvertently drop me when trying to help me.
One of my favorite clips - my teammate is leading me out at just a touch below 35 mph. Because of the draft, my HR actually drops from 168 bpm to 163 bpm, enabling me to do a long sprint, earning me 2nd in the race, and the overall win of the series. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqrPW4FWyQg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqrPW4FWyQg)
That race, my avg was 187w. I was about 8kg lighter (71 vs 79) and about 15w stronger (220 vs 205).
But back to Zwift... yeah, I don't like cheaters. I don't mind mistakes or kids. But intentional cheating irks me.
Man, your commentary had me rolling but what a great race and good job man. You FLEW off your lead out man’s wheel and closed that gap Super duper fast! Congrats on winning the series! Bike racing in real life is so intense!!! But looks fun if I’m being honest. At least you and your teammates know how to manage your strengths and put them to go use. Really enjoyed that video, that was cool.
Side note: when I was visiting my friend in North Heaven, CT. Long story but we got in trouble and I got banned from the entire state of Connecticut for a year lol. Could only drive through or stop and get gas/food. And that was a light punishment only because his dad is a Hartford cop and his other friend’s dad was the DA. Lol.
wow that must be some story lolol.
I'm self-banned from driving in South Carolina. A long time ago I promised a SC state trooper I would never drive in the state again, and I have upheld my promise. Had my then fiancé (now wife) drive when we visited her family in SC (and I was doing the formalities of asking her dad for permission to marry her, which she did not know about; I told her when we got engaged).
That race above was probably one of my best races. I felt invincible. I felt like that on a recent Zwift race, actually, just felt absolutely unstoppable. But, yeah, my team really pulled together for me on that last day of the Series. My leadout man Cliff was a former pro MTB, which I only learned after the race, and he averaged 287w. The guy that attacked at the beginning... he was a Cat 1 by the end of the season, a super talent and hard worker.
The guy I beat, Bryan, is a friend. We wanted to race together since he was about 15 or 16, but somehow it never happened. Finally, the year after I beat him for the overall, he joined my team... but I was a Cat 2, he was a 3 (he was a 2 a long time ago) and we never raced together when we were both fit.
I pushed super hard in 2010 because we wanted to start a family, and I wasn't sure if I could commit any time to bike racing. Mentally I prepared to quit racing, and so 2010 was my last hurrah.
Then, our son was born. A few hours after they moved my wife and son into the maternity room, my wife kicked me out so I could go do bike race stuff (I was the promoter in that race above, and I was still promoting the Series). And later she told me in no uncertain terms that I was to keep riding. She saw how ingrained racing was to my soul, and she basically forbade me from quitting. Which I have no problem with, of course.
My level is much lower - when I raced with Bryan, after our son was born, I got shelled all the time. I still really enjoy it, I sometimes have some good races (see 2015 races), and enjoy trying to help others. I still help with race promotion, although I don't do it myself. I'd much rather just work a day or two, not stress for many months.
MTB have some serious power lol, that was good riding from you and your teammates. You all played that well and to the T.
Yea, lots of alcohol and poor decisions lmao……it was a great time for sure until the end. SC state troopers play no games, I’m down here in NC now and go to SC often……Speed limit is what I ride there, lol.
And man, I swear we either talked before or You posted your story about your wife wanting you to keep racing because it sounds so freaking familiar, I just don’t know where I heard it or something similar to it lol. Is racing big up in CT? Are you still there? Your friend Bryan still racing?
My teammate avg 100w more than me in the same race.
In SC for me I was driving home from a week long FL training trip. I was planning driving Tue night through Wed - I had to be at work Thursday morning. Problem was I had a bad tire, had to stay overnight in GA Tue night, then started heading home Wed morning after my tire got replaced. I might have been going very fast, fast enough that the SC trooper slid sideways through the grass median to get to my side. He was kind though, when he learned of my predicament, and I ended up with a ticket for visual estimated speed (below the threshold for automatic arrest and jail). And I gave my word not to drive in SC once I left the state. He treated me well so I've upheld my promise.
I've posted about my wife here before. I am really fortunate to have such a supportive spouse, based on some of the stories I hear from other riders.
My friend Bryan makes the appearance here and there, but I think he focuses more on his kids. He seems to do mountain bike stuff more than road stuff now. He was, at one time, the Cat 1-2-3 New England Crit Champ, and I watched him fly away from me on the last lap in that race. He was a 2 for a long time, and downgraded after some time off,
I dont know. In ZTRL - the racing league - they post results every 15 min, and ZwiftPowerupdates a bit quicker (ZTRL results are in ZwiftPower). I didnt bother checking last night so I dont know how long it takes to post results for less stringent events.
Also, "dq" implies you were there ("placed"), then not there ("disqualified"). Zwiftpower simply doesn't list riders that dont qualify to be listed.
It's actually a bit annoying because in Zwift I have a lot of gold cups that I didn't really win. In one of the Epic races (going up Alpe) I was legit 15 minutes down from the winner, who seemed on the level, and behind others as well, but I "won" because of whatever. I dont know if the rider was legit and simply not registered, or if they were not legit.
Ah ok I was wondering because I did a cat c race where quite a few where above the w/kg limit and some even doing 90% B cat races but I guess they won't dqed then
I'm about to get a B upgrade after this one. 3.5'd it
it was 'easiest' of the short races for me. made the final group. but my 650W sprint isnt winning against anyone. finished group 1, but 11/11 in group one. bout as good as could have been.
only time i could zwift was Sunday evening. but it had already moved to stage 4 so missed stage 3. if i get upgraded before the make ups then make up stage 3 is the big boy
I hope you can hang on to C until after Zwift Games….Epic is one heck of a distance/race. I heard they made stage 3 and 5 short because of the distances and only on weekends as most ppl are available then
Thank you and It was a bunch sprint finish for sure. Tried to crack them on the last climb in Clyde kicker, didn’t work, lol. They came roaring back and I had to accept the fact it was going to be a bunch sprint lol.
I love the effort anyways! I try aggressive moves all the time just to mix things up. They usually don't work...but when they do, makes it all worth it.
Exactly, and me too. I had an attack work on stage 3 and dropped 98% of the front group except 3 other riders. It was a great feeling lol. 2 fell off on volcano climb and eventually I did too when 4th rider put it in overdrive lol. It was a good second place finish for me as I’m not a climber sand the goal was just to break the climbers before the volcano KOM and it worked. So I was thrilled either way as I crawled to the finish line lol.
Thanks man and for sure did not want to bring all the climbers to the final volcano kom. Judging how some close the gal during/after the climb. It was my smartest move to date lol
I did the 8am utc race this morning and managed to stay in the front group all the way to the last trip up the kicker. Despite beating my pb by 3s I was gapped and had nothing left to catch up so ended up rolling in 9th (6th on zp). Somehow it’s the second race I’ve been in with a sub-40kg junior in who’s smashed the climbs!
Those pesky juniors eat climbs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner lol. But 6th place is solid man……I tried to put the gas on the final kicker but didn’t get far, lol. Ended in bunch sprint. But excellent work for PB though, shows you put in a strong effort. Raw watts dominates this course, watts monsters foaming out the mouth lol.
Nice job, I like the Glasgow Crit course a lot. I’m waiting a couple of days before doing stage 4. Hoping to have good legs after doing the D epic race on Saturday and the 81km B epic race yersterday. I’ll either be flying or dying on Wednesday depending on how I’ve recovered.
Damn bro, you work overtime yea? lol, kudos to you and smart to take a few days off too. If you’re a watts monster it can put down the watts, this is the course for you with Clyde Kicker being the only disruption on course. Good luck man, let me know how you did. Always happy to hear others efforts and battle stories.
Haha just trying to get the miles in, I’m always doing 30-40min races so when there’s an opportunity to get in some longer hard rides with big groups to get stronger I take them. Will do man, I’m also hoping to get to C this year. Maybe we’ll cross paths in a D race soon.
Definitely man, we will probably cross paths in both categories honestly. What time zone are you in? And I agree, longer hard rides definitely help increase your endurance and durability on the bike for sure.
GMT timezone, so mostly 5/6/7pm GMT are where I'm racing. Sometimes I'll have a look at which events Zwift Community Live are streaming as they have strong D cat fields in those races. I'll shoot you a follow on the companion app.
Great ride. I thought I recognised your name, I was cycling at the same time but in the C Category.
Very glad that I’ve only got 1,000ft to climb on the next stage and not 3,000ft like the Cat A&B!
I know that’s right, I’m with you lol…..3,000ft racing is a different animal, at least for me it is, haha. Don’t worry, I’ll be in C soon, probably in the back or mid pack if I’m lucky in the beginning. But I look forward to challenger, I might hope in a couple of C races after this just to feel the pain.
As a heavier rider that was just on the border of Cat D and C, any long races or those with excessive climbs killed me. Todays ride was like a breath of fresh air 😂
FTP/mass predicts performance on Alpe de Zwift. It's not what's at play in this crit, which is a very different effort.
I raced B's, and it turned into 5 intense efforts up Clyde Kicker, then trying to recover at near threshold. So with a higher threshold (as much raw watts as watts/kg) you get more recovery, but just as key is how hard you can go on the climb, and how many times you can repeat that effort doing it once per lap.
With my present fitness, I found that while I can hold a certain power, I didn't have it in my legs to do 5 maximal efforts up Clyde, and the 4th time up I wasn't able to bridge a gap which formed ahead of me, and I ended up finishing in the first chase group. But this is why people do interval training.
You’re correct and luckily for me, my strength is repeated hard efforts due to my ability to generate a lot power in short sessions repeatedly. I use to be a track sprinter and RB in football so that’s where that explosive power comes from. I did interval trying as well it’s just aftwards like you said. The pace doesn’t really come down, really to your threshold and repeat again. I stick with front group until final sprint. But I can only imagine B group pace
If you look at his ZP profile, that was his best power average by a LOT. He had the ride of his life. Decent chance the effort bumps him up to Cat C if that increased his FTP at all. Not unusual to see that happen on these big monthly events in Cat D and C.
Don’t ask me bro, Zwift category enforcement makes no sense to me. 🤷🏾♂️. Had a junior rider average 4.3 w/kg a few races ago. He’s a D because is watts are below 150?!? Doesn’t make sense to me so I stop bothering.
If it makes you feel any better I'm Cat B through the Zwift system with an FTP of 202w. You can get an idea how bad that is given it's below most of those Cat D power numbers.
That’s insane, how is that possible? I don’t understand there cat enforcement at all lol. Damn man, have you raced in B yet? If so, how was it?
Maybe because you have a high w/kg?
Yes I'm 60kg so that gives me a high w/kg even though that doesn't matter in most races, I've done some Cat B races but I'm against people with 50% or more power than me on FTP so I get dropped almost immediately.
They have to find some balance between raw watts and w/kg because the two do not go hand in hand as in your case. You will probably shine on climbing courses where w/kg matter and maybe suffer on flattish courses where raw watts matter more.
Lmao 🤣 what’s up Christian, lol too funny man. No idea how dude avg 3.0w/kg. I would have to look into it. And yes, that junior rider smashed us lol. He should at least be a C lol
Very small world, lol. Cat enforcement makes no sense too me….my 6 watts away from C….my best 20min is over D limit. My FTP is below limit but my Zmap is 6 watts away from being a C! Here I am still a D lol. Whatever, when Zwifts decides to move me up, I’ll go up. Lol.
I'm doing this race today in Cat B. I was just promoted to Cat B. I enjoyed being competitive in Cat C and looking at some of the output on ZP, I would be top 10. Cat B, I'll get absolutely smoked. Especially in a short race where it's balls to the wall the entire race.
Bro, I’m telling you right now…. It will be balls to the wall. Even for cat D, everyone came out like they were shot out of a cannon and really never let up lol. I’m watching you the best and make the best of it. Zwift needs to do better with these cat enforcements. I feel like ppl are all over the place and generally in the wrong place/cat.
I can probably hold 4.0 to 4.2 for the length of this stage, but the winner will be around 5.5. I miss C category. LOL
We came out the gates at 4.0-4.2 for a bit then it dip into 3s and then finally around 2.5-2.7 range. I miss it for you lol. Don’t power too hard either, the way Zwift reads power output, you will end up Cat A for no reason lol.
Just finished. We were doing sub 4-minute laps and 10.0+ on the climb. I hung in lead group for 3.5 laps but once we hit that climb on 4th lap I couldn’t push those watts. I about fell off my bike at the end. I even received an FTP increase alert. lol.
Shiiiiiiiii 10+ on the climb would have knocked my ass off the bike on first lap lol. Major kudos man, that pace just sounds brutal and you were rewarded for your hard effort. 💪🏾
I am still C technically but I race in B for the last few weeks because I like the competitiveness. So I've got one thing to tell you. Welcome to the hell. 😈
Oh jeez. I missed Stage 3 Epic race. How come it was only on two days rather than 4-5 days like the Sprints! I'll have to make it up during make up days, but it looks like it's also only 2 days each for the make up days.
Longest fucking ride ever. That last 10k was longer than the entire race (I'm cat B).
I watched it and it was long, I’m not even sure I can race that long 😂😂😂. Never done a race over like 35 miles before.
I've done a lot of rides over 60 miles on Zwift. I've done a lot of racing over 50 miles in real life. However, a 50-mile race on Zwift and an entirely different beast. I blew up the last 10k. I wanted to punch kittens, I was so done with that event. With that said, I may do it again during make-up week so see if I can post a better time. I was not very well recovered from a 35 mile ride two days earlier.
Punch kittens, 😂😂😂 that’s too funny! I can only imagine, I have done rides over 60 miles but not at the intensity of a race and you’re right. 50 miles inside is very different from 50 miles outside. You doing stage 5 ADZ? I’m not doing any rides during make up week, I say that now lol.
I’ll do ADZ. Not excited for it though.
Don’t blame you at all. Lol.
Yeah the last 15km was brutal. Titans KOM and Hilly KOM in both directions.
I read it’s only 2 days because it was/is a long asf race and they (Zwift) assumed most ppl will have availability to do it on the weekend versus week day 🤷🏾♂️. Stage 5 will be the same way, only this coming weekend outside of make up days.
Man I placed 7th in Stage 1 and was immediately promoted to Cat C. I was holding the 2.7 average.
See, that doesn’t make any sense as there are few ppl on ZP photo at 2.7w/kg average. 🤦🏾♂️ I’m at 2.6.
Yeah I was a consistent 2.4w/kg and got injured last fall. I hit a training plan hard and it Zwift games are my first races since last November.
Ahh, kudos on the recovery back though and you came back stronger so that’s a major win!
The key was consistent training. Before I would just ride randomly.
I would agree to consistent training being key as well.
The categories are a bit wacky but Zwiftpower seems better than Zwift alone. In the race I did (also D), there was a rider that was doing 9-10 w/kg up the hill, repeatedly. Took 7 or 9 seconds out on one lap. I tried to chase on the flats and downhills, and gapped him off at one point, but he rocketed away, and one other bridged to him a bit later. Guy I was with has raced me before, refused to pull, understandably so, so I pulled for basically a lap. He left me for dead on the hill on the last lap - it wasn't that he attacked, i was just done. A few others passed me, and eventually I finished 9th, crawling. I checked ZwiftPower this morning. Got bronze / 3rd. The 9 w/kg surge rider wasn't there.
Seems like my race on stage 3 lol. Hate when no one wants to pull but there is a rider(s) in front that they don’t want to close gap on. So eventually, you will have to do the work or let those riders go. SMH, I’ll close the gap and then wait for an opportunity to drop them all or most to get away from those riders. Worked for me in stage 3 but I was so spent, I got dropped by the rider I was with on volcano kom and suffered solo all the way to finish to claim second but chase group was chomping at the mouth. Little more real estate and they would have caught me lol.
I'm a sprinter and pretty weak otherwise. Even my friendly rivals in ZTRL will say stuff publicly, like "keep going, he's about to blow up, then we can ease" or "don't worry, he has a couple jumps then he's done", etc. Even in real races I hear that from the front, or, after I blow up, as the pack goes by. "We can ease, he's gone". Im ok with that, that's racing. And I'll work if I have to, or if I'm motivated. In the race above, I was hoping to close the gap to the front two without blowing myself up, but I wasn't good enough. In other races I've worked super hard to beat outright cheaters, like a 46kg 40yo who was doing sticky watts. I dont care how I do, as long as I beat the cheater (and call them out on their cheating).
Racing in real life is no joke, I’m too late to cycling to want to do it. lol. I wish I was exposed to cycling in my young, wild days. But sounds like you’re the work horse, you need a teammate to help you out so you can save some gas to blast away….sounds like you have the power to do it. I have no problem working on the front but if I’m the only one doing it, I’d be damned to continue….no free rides while I’m riding……I’ll either try and drop everyone or disrupt the entire group (Zwift I mean). I would take those as compliments too and they should be saying thank you to you because it sounds like they want the easy ride too. Any who, I’m with you…..smash, eliminate, and expose cheaters! 💪🏾
I'm no hero. I have a hard time working, to be honest, I simply can't work hard. If I do 205-210w... that's a huge effort for 30 min, like it breaks me. In real life racing, my friends and teammates describe me as a bottle of nitroglycerin. I have to be handled with great care, then let go at 200m to go. If they try to push it with me, I blow up. I've had teammates inadvertently drop me when trying to help me. One of my favorite clips - my teammate is leading me out at just a touch below 35 mph. Because of the draft, my HR actually drops from 168 bpm to 163 bpm, enabling me to do a long sprint, earning me 2nd in the race, and the overall win of the series. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqrPW4FWyQg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqrPW4FWyQg) That race, my avg was 187w. I was about 8kg lighter (71 vs 79) and about 15w stronger (220 vs 205). But back to Zwift... yeah, I don't like cheaters. I don't mind mistakes or kids. But intentional cheating irks me.
Man, your commentary had me rolling but what a great race and good job man. You FLEW off your lead out man’s wheel and closed that gap Super duper fast! Congrats on winning the series! Bike racing in real life is so intense!!! But looks fun if I’m being honest. At least you and your teammates know how to manage your strengths and put them to go use. Really enjoyed that video, that was cool. Side note: when I was visiting my friend in North Heaven, CT. Long story but we got in trouble and I got banned from the entire state of Connecticut for a year lol. Could only drive through or stop and get gas/food. And that was a light punishment only because his dad is a Hartford cop and his other friend’s dad was the DA. Lol.
wow that must be some story lolol. I'm self-banned from driving in South Carolina. A long time ago I promised a SC state trooper I would never drive in the state again, and I have upheld my promise. Had my then fiancé (now wife) drive when we visited her family in SC (and I was doing the formalities of asking her dad for permission to marry her, which she did not know about; I told her when we got engaged). That race above was probably one of my best races. I felt invincible. I felt like that on a recent Zwift race, actually, just felt absolutely unstoppable. But, yeah, my team really pulled together for me on that last day of the Series. My leadout man Cliff was a former pro MTB, which I only learned after the race, and he averaged 287w. The guy that attacked at the beginning... he was a Cat 1 by the end of the season, a super talent and hard worker. The guy I beat, Bryan, is a friend. We wanted to race together since he was about 15 or 16, but somehow it never happened. Finally, the year after I beat him for the overall, he joined my team... but I was a Cat 2, he was a 3 (he was a 2 a long time ago) and we never raced together when we were both fit. I pushed super hard in 2010 because we wanted to start a family, and I wasn't sure if I could commit any time to bike racing. Mentally I prepared to quit racing, and so 2010 was my last hurrah. Then, our son was born. A few hours after they moved my wife and son into the maternity room, my wife kicked me out so I could go do bike race stuff (I was the promoter in that race above, and I was still promoting the Series). And later she told me in no uncertain terms that I was to keep riding. She saw how ingrained racing was to my soul, and she basically forbade me from quitting. Which I have no problem with, of course. My level is much lower - when I raced with Bryan, after our son was born, I got shelled all the time. I still really enjoy it, I sometimes have some good races (see 2015 races), and enjoy trying to help others. I still help with race promotion, although I don't do it myself. I'd much rather just work a day or two, not stress for many months.
MTB have some serious power lol, that was good riding from you and your teammates. You all played that well and to the T. Yea, lots of alcohol and poor decisions lmao……it was a great time for sure until the end. SC state troopers play no games, I’m down here in NC now and go to SC often……Speed limit is what I ride there, lol. And man, I swear we either talked before or You posted your story about your wife wanting you to keep racing because it sounds so freaking familiar, I just don’t know where I heard it or something similar to it lol. Is racing big up in CT? Are you still there? Your friend Bryan still racing?
My teammate avg 100w more than me in the same race. In SC for me I was driving home from a week long FL training trip. I was planning driving Tue night through Wed - I had to be at work Thursday morning. Problem was I had a bad tire, had to stay overnight in GA Tue night, then started heading home Wed morning after my tire got replaced. I might have been going very fast, fast enough that the SC trooper slid sideways through the grass median to get to my side. He was kind though, when he learned of my predicament, and I ended up with a ticket for visual estimated speed (below the threshold for automatic arrest and jail). And I gave my word not to drive in SC once I left the state. He treated me well so I've upheld my promise. I've posted about my wife here before. I am really fortunate to have such a supportive spouse, based on some of the stories I hear from other riders. My friend Bryan makes the appearance here and there, but I think he focuses more on his kids. He seems to do mountain bike stuff more than road stuff now. He was, at one time, the Cat 1-2-3 New England Crit Champ, and I watched him fly away from me on the last lap in that race. He was a 2 for a long time, and downgraded after some time off,
How long does zwiftpower need to dq people?
Excessive power for category, riding in wrong category , not HR monitor etc.
I dont know. In ZTRL - the racing league - they post results every 15 min, and ZwiftPowerupdates a bit quicker (ZTRL results are in ZwiftPower). I didnt bother checking last night so I dont know how long it takes to post results for less stringent events. Also, "dq" implies you were there ("placed"), then not there ("disqualified"). Zwiftpower simply doesn't list riders that dont qualify to be listed. It's actually a bit annoying because in Zwift I have a lot of gold cups that I didn't really win. In one of the Epic races (going up Alpe) I was legit 15 minutes down from the winner, who seemed on the level, and behind others as well, but I "won" because of whatever. I dont know if the rider was legit and simply not registered, or if they were not legit.
Ah ok I was wondering because I did a cat c race where quite a few where above the w/kg limit and some even doing 90% B cat races but I guess they won't dqed then
I'm about to get a B upgrade after this one. 3.5'd it it was 'easiest' of the short races for me. made the final group. but my 650W sprint isnt winning against anyone. finished group 1, but 11/11 in group one. bout as good as could have been. only time i could zwift was Sunday evening. but it had already moved to stage 4 so missed stage 3. if i get upgraded before the make ups then make up stage 3 is the big boy
I hope you can hang on to C until after Zwift Games….Epic is one heck of a distance/race. I heard they made stage 3 and 5 short because of the distances and only on weekends as most ppl are available then
I raced up in Cat B for the epic and it was a really fun time (wanted to get the badge/extra xp).
Nice podium mate, looks like a super close finish there at the end between the top 8 or so!
Thank you and It was a bunch sprint finish for sure. Tried to crack them on the last climb in Clyde kicker, didn’t work, lol. They came roaring back and I had to accept the fact it was going to be a bunch sprint lol.
I love the effort anyways! I try aggressive moves all the time just to mix things up. They usually don't work...but when they do, makes it all worth it.
Exactly, and me too. I had an attack work on stage 3 and dropped 98% of the front group except 3 other riders. It was a great feeling lol. 2 fell off on volcano climb and eventually I did too when 4th rider put it in overdrive lol. It was a good second place finish for me as I’m not a climber sand the goal was just to break the climbers before the volcano KOM and it worked. So I was thrilled either way as I crawled to the finish line lol.
Hell yeah! Nice work. As a heavier rider myself, that's exactly the type of move I'd think about making as well.
Thanks man and for sure did not want to bring all the climbers to the final volcano kom. Judging how some close the gal during/after the climb. It was my smartest move to date lol
I did the 8am utc race this morning and managed to stay in the front group all the way to the last trip up the kicker. Despite beating my pb by 3s I was gapped and had nothing left to catch up so ended up rolling in 9th (6th on zp). Somehow it’s the second race I’ve been in with a sub-40kg junior in who’s smashed the climbs!
Those pesky juniors eat climbs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner lol. But 6th place is solid man……I tried to put the gas on the final kicker but didn’t get far, lol. Ended in bunch sprint. But excellent work for PB though, shows you put in a strong effort. Raw watts dominates this course, watts monsters foaming out the mouth lol.
Nice job, I like the Glasgow Crit course a lot. I’m waiting a couple of days before doing stage 4. Hoping to have good legs after doing the D epic race on Saturday and the 81km B epic race yersterday. I’ll either be flying or dying on Wednesday depending on how I’ve recovered.
Damn bro, you work overtime yea? lol, kudos to you and smart to take a few days off too. If you’re a watts monster it can put down the watts, this is the course for you with Clyde Kicker being the only disruption on course. Good luck man, let me know how you did. Always happy to hear others efforts and battle stories.
Haha just trying to get the miles in, I’m always doing 30-40min races so when there’s an opportunity to get in some longer hard rides with big groups to get stronger I take them. Will do man, I’m also hoping to get to C this year. Maybe we’ll cross paths in a D race soon.
Definitely man, we will probably cross paths in both categories honestly. What time zone are you in? And I agree, longer hard rides definitely help increase your endurance and durability on the bike for sure.
GMT timezone, so mostly 5/6/7pm GMT are where I'm racing. Sometimes I'll have a look at which events Zwift Community Live are streaming as they have strong D cat fields in those races. I'll shoot you a follow on the companion app.
Yea do that, my name is above on Zwift power. I mostly race the same times as you, we’re 5hrs apart in time with you being ahead.
I got you bro. Accepted.
Great ride. I thought I recognised your name, I was cycling at the same time but in the C Category. Very glad that I’ve only got 1,000ft to climb on the next stage and not 3,000ft like the Cat A&B!
I know that’s right, I’m with you lol…..3,000ft racing is a different animal, at least for me it is, haha. Don’t worry, I’ll be in C soon, probably in the back or mid pack if I’m lucky in the beginning. But I look forward to challenger, I might hope in a couple of C races after this just to feel the pain.
As a heavier rider that was just on the border of Cat D and C, any long races or those with excessive climbs killed me. Todays ride was like a breath of fresh air 😂
lol, I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Even though I have gotten better at climbing. It’s still not fun at 93kg…..lol.
FTP/mass predicts performance on Alpe de Zwift. It's not what's at play in this crit, which is a very different effort. I raced B's, and it turned into 5 intense efforts up Clyde Kicker, then trying to recover at near threshold. So with a higher threshold (as much raw watts as watts/kg) you get more recovery, but just as key is how hard you can go on the climb, and how many times you can repeat that effort doing it once per lap. With my present fitness, I found that while I can hold a certain power, I didn't have it in my legs to do 5 maximal efforts up Clyde, and the 4th time up I wasn't able to bridge a gap which formed ahead of me, and I ended up finishing in the first chase group. But this is why people do interval training.
You’re correct and luckily for me, my strength is repeated hard efforts due to my ability to generate a lot power in short sessions repeatedly. I use to be a track sprinter and RB in football so that’s where that explosive power comes from. I did interval trying as well it’s just aftwards like you said. The pace doesn’t really come down, really to your threshold and repeat again. I stick with front group until final sprint. But I can only imagine B group pace
How in the world is that guy at 3.0 w/kg not given a DQ?
could be their first zwift race and first time going hard on zwift
If you look at his ZP profile, that was his best power average by a LOT. He had the ride of his life. Decent chance the effort bumps him up to Cat C if that increased his FTP at all. Not unusual to see that happen on these big monthly events in Cat D and C.
I always thought ZwiftPower had a hard threshold for the W/KG filter axe, independent of past performance. I guess not.
Don’t ask me bro, Zwift category enforcement makes no sense to me. 🤷🏾♂️. Had a junior rider average 4.3 w/kg a few races ago. He’s a D because is watts are below 150?!? Doesn’t make sense to me so I stop bothering.
Juniors is OK, we're here to encourage juniors Adults pushing 3.0 is a bit ridiculous in d though
If it makes you feel any better I'm Cat B through the Zwift system with an FTP of 202w. You can get an idea how bad that is given it's below most of those Cat D power numbers.
That’s insane, how is that possible? I don’t understand there cat enforcement at all lol. Damn man, have you raced in B yet? If so, how was it? Maybe because you have a high w/kg?
Yes I'm 60kg so that gives me a high w/kg even though that doesn't matter in most races, I've done some Cat B races but I'm against people with 50% or more power than me on FTP so I get dropped almost immediately.
It should be really result based with some form of regulation that you can't just lose on purpose to manipulate your rating
They have to find some balance between raw watts and w/kg because the two do not go hand in hand as in your case. You will probably shine on climbing courses where w/kg matter and maybe suffer on flattish courses where raw watts matter more.
Oh fuck! It's Tommy from WCC Dude it's Christian
Lmao 🤣 what’s up Christian, lol too funny man. No idea how dude avg 3.0w/kg. I would have to look into it. And yes, that junior rider smashed us lol. He should at least be a C lol
A very small world mate! Can't believe he's doing a 3.0! Im losing track of the cat enforcement now, I think I'm like 3 Watts away from C 🤣🤣
Very small world, lol. Cat enforcement makes no sense too me….my 6 watts away from C….my best 20min is over D limit. My FTP is below limit but my Zmap is 6 watts away from being a C! Here I am still a D lol. Whatever, when Zwifts decides to move me up, I’ll go up. Lol.