Official Zwift Thread [Updated Instructions Inside]
Zwift Always Be Pushing (ABP) Ride Instructions
> Find or Organize Your Own Ride (Zwift Events)
> Talk All Things Zwift & Cycling All Day (Zwift Chat)
Step 1: Zwift | Step 2: GroupMe | Step 3: Start to Ride | Step 4: Etiquette | Step 5: Tips & Tricks
What: Sunday ABP rides with your EN Teammates online.
When: Rides are on Sunday Morning; Wheels Up at 9am EST. We will start easy and build the effort over the first hour...then stick at your target effort as long as you can!
Where: Zwift.com
How: Connecting to Zwift.com and Chatting on GroupMe App (instructions below)
There are Three-Step Instructions:
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Setting up Zwift before the Sunday Ride
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Setting up Group Chat before the Sunday Ride
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Starting the Ride on Sunday
Step 1: Setting Up Zwift Before The Ride (Time: 15 minutes)
1) Make sure you have a Zwift account (www.zwift.com), software downloaded, everything paired and working ok. If you are new to Zwift go here.
2) Update your last name so it looks like this: McCrann TeamEN (B) So this is "your last name" plus TeamEN plus (your FTP category). Please select a category (your FTP divided by your weight in KG). this will help if we break into smaller groups. Directions on how to update your name are here.
(A) 4.0+ w/KG FTP (B) 3.2 - 3.99 W/KG FTP (C) 2.5 - 3.19 W/KG FTP (D) 0 - 2.49 w/KG FTP
3) Make sure your weight is accurate. It is very important, because Zwift determines your speed based off your weight and power output.
4) Open Zwift on your PC/Laptop/Mac/Ios Device or however you Zwift
5) Pair your devices or press "Skip"
6) Click "Ride" - But don't start riding - this will allow you to edit your stuff.
7) Select "Menu" - if you have a smart trainer - you may want to go into settings and turn down the smart trainer setting. It will make it easier to hold the goal watts.
8) Go into the user customization and select the "Basic 5 jersey" (which is black and red). If you can't do that, then choose the standard Zwift one.
9) Make sure you select a ROAD BIKE. There is drafting effects in Zwift, but tri bikes do not get the effect. It will help everyone stay together if you select a road bike.
11) Save everything and back out and click "End Ride"
Step 2: Setting Up Group Chat
The GroupMe is where we will “Chat” during the ride on our Smartphones. This just makes the ride fun...until it gets too hard, and then it’s more riding than texting (hour two, etc).
1) You can join the group directly via this link: https://groupme.com/join_group/29902223/JHEyw3
If you have problems with joining the group, please post to this thread and we’ll help you out.
Step 3: Starting & Riding on Sunday
Just Like Any Ride - Get everything paired and calibrated, tires pumped, fluids filled, grab a towel and have the fan ready to go by 8:55 AM EDT. You just need to wait.
1) For course, select "London 8"
This is super important..if you select a different course, you won’t stay with us. Note this changes every month, but for now this is what we roll with.
2) Soft pedal up to the start banner and form a bunch to start together.
You can view names in the Right Sidebar (look for that TeamEN last name!).
3) At 9am EST, start pedaling!
4) Follow the incremental pacing guidance.
Since everyone will have a separate goal watts for their ABP (Zone 3) Ride, this is what we’ll do so we all start together:
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0’ to 15’ @ 2.0 W/KG
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15’ to 30’ @ 2.3 W/KG
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30’ to 45’ @ 2.6 W/KG
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45’ to 60’ @ 2.9 W/KG
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60’ and Beyond...your choice of W/kg as determined by the group and texting!
Please Note: You will stop increasing when you reach your goal ABP / Zone3 W/KG. For me, it is around 3 W/KG. If we roll it out this way, groups will form at each level depending on how many people show up.
Riding Etiquette
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Don’t worry so much about your Watts per kilo under your name on the right sidebar.
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The leader at any given point (in the front of the pack) should pay attention, otherwise, your job is to stay in the group.
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W/kg rules for all elements of terrain until the 60’ mark.
Additional User Tips
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Camera Angles...you can view the ride from different perspectives.
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1 – Default 6 O’clock view
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2 – Third person view
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3 – First person shooter perspective
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4 – To the side front-Left of the rider – Good for a jersey shot
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5 – Rear view from the right of the rear wheel – Excellent action shot
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6 – Head on to the rider
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7 – Spectator view
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8 – Helicopter view – and sound effects
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9 – Birds eye view
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0 – Maintains camera lock to a rider
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You can use the Zwift Mobile App to follow your friends in Zwift. I dropped out and had to rejoin the group. Since I follow a number of you guys in the Zwift Mobile Link, I was able to restart Zwift and choose "Ride with Patrick McCrann" and rejoin the group.
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You earn points and experience as you go, which unlocks new gear and cool stuff..but you only earn them by riding!
Comments
Here are some great reources:
http://staminist.com/zwiftorg
http://zwiftblog.com/
http://www.titaniumgeek.com/cycling/zwift-user-manual-unofficial-running-updates/
https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000440003-A-Guide-to-the-Zwift-HUD?section=200993429
How to Zwift on the cheap? No smart trainer required! Here is a good resource for that:
One part that I have been struggling with; is that speed in Zwift is determined by W/KG. Your ABP may be 3.5 W/KG, someone elses may be 2 W/KG. If there is enough interest, we could have an "A" and "B" group, or something similar.
Anyway, I am in and happy to help organize.
I have spoken to a few of you, and can see your guidance...but I need your help as I can't do this on my own.
- I need someone to create the Team for Endurance Nation. I looked online at the resources, but there's no "create a Team" button.
- I need someone to create that first ride on a Sunday, for say 9am EST? I don't know what's the best time for all time zones...or we could do 8am and then LEFT COAST folks can show up at 6am there time? Can you do that with a ride?
- How do we all get the same jersey so we can play nice?
- I can create the forum announcement and push to the team...but ^this^ has to happen first!
I am kind of looking at you @Brian Hagan But I don't want to make any assumptions...I am afraid if this remains on my plate for too long, we'll miss some weekends.Fingers crossed,
~ Coach P
Then I decided to get after it for one loop.... 350 NP for 6:00...gotta be a new PB for me...
Very impressed thus far! See you on Sunday and change your last name to have "TeamEN" in it please!!!
I would totally do this, but taking kids on spring break ski trip. If you keep it going I will be the caboose
@Brian Hagan - thanks for posting the dumb trainer information, I'm looking into it.
SS
@Shaughn Simmons I almost "erupted" after the interval...yikes!
@William Bejin - every Sunday is the idea!
@Doug Sutherland - we'll be here!
1. Are helmets optional?
2. Can we pee on the bike?
3. One or two piece kits.....i.e., shorts only?
.....etc.......
SS
@Shaughn Simmons - just from personal experience it turns out my husband gets really irritated if I pee on the bike trainer...