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Saturday Zwift Group Ride
I'm starting this thread in deference to the Sunday crew, so that signals don't get crossed. We *tried* this morning, but so many of us were new to Zwift, that it was more of a shake-out cruise for most of us. Here's hoping we can continue to meet just before 0800 PST on Saturday mornings, and link up better once more of us get comfortable with (a) Interaction with the Zwift environment and on-screen data, (b) the Zwift Mobile Link, which allows off-line creation of a list of riders to follow, (c) the proper use of the Discord app for real-tie voice communication, etc. So much to manage, I'm happy just to have ridden for 10-20 minutes with a few team-mates today.
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Among the many things I learned about Zwift yesterday...there are at least 4-5 different Zwift platforms even in the Mac ecosystem: On my laptop: Website, application, app. On my iPad: App, and the iPhone Mobile Link.
The key to finding other team mates seems to be in the iPhone Mobile Link. That's the only place I could find to easily identify and "follow" specific people. From the app's Home screen, click on "Zwifting Now", then click on "Zwifters you follow". Finally "Find Zwifters Now". Type in first or last name or both, then click to select...
Then, when I fire up the Zwift Application on my laptop, and click on "Ride", if I'm lucky, the ZwiftApp will materialize. (Sometimes it does, then immediately disappears, and I have to try again.) Once I'm logged in, and I connect all my ANT+ and Bluetooth paraphernalia, I get a "Start" Dialog box, with the option, "Join Another Swifter?". At the top of the list of all riders on the course are any Zwifters I follow. Click on one of them, and in 1-3 seconds, they fly by. I then have 5 seconds to keep up, or they're gone.
If I leave the mobile app running on my iPad, it becomes linked to my ride on the laptop. But I probably won't do that next group ride, as I'll want to use Discord to communicate.
-best to run discord of an apple device, I am going to retest my android in the next week, I have been using my ipad.
-it's been seen that wireless headphones have a lag with discord, so go with wired head phones
-see the Zwift group me where Patrick put up some setting screen shots yesterday
-look for times that you can join others when they are riding to test and sort out discord, much easier when you aren't on a trainer trying to sort out zwift. Coach P & Brian both said they can be available most anytime during the day if you ping them on the group me thread to test with you
stick with it, while I haven't done it much yet, the group zwift rides are a game changer for your training.
@Al Truscott - what's with all the mirrors?? just curious
I believe there is opportunity for improvement on our use of Discord. Even if the background noise is a little per person, the background will add up to a lot. My thought is it would be best for us to use the "Push to Talk" mode in the voice settings until you get confirmation from another person that your settings are good. The heavy breathing on the climbs is fine, but the squeaky trainers and drive trains is rough on the ears.
I am going to attempt to do a video this week on how to best set up you audio setting and post in a separate thread for Discord. I will post a link in here and in the Saturday thread.
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:
Setting up Zwift before the Sunday Ride
Setting up Group Chat before the Sunday Ride
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:
0’ to 15’ @ 2.0 W/KG
15’ to 30’ @ 2.3 W/KG
30’ to 45’ @ 2.6 W/KG
45’ to 60’ @ 2.9 W/KG
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
Don’t worry so much about your Watts per kilo under your name on the right sidebar.
The leader at any given point (in the front of the pack) should pay attention, otherwise, your job is to stay in the group.
W/kg rules for all elements of terrain until the 60’ mark.
Additional User Tips
Camera Angles...you can view the ride from different perspectives.
1 – Default 6 O’clock view
2 – Third person view
3 – First person shooter perspective
4 – To the side front-Left of the rider – Good for a jersey shot
5 – Rear view from the right of the rear wheel – Excellent action shot
6 – Head on to the rider
7 – Spectator view
8 – Helicopter view – and sound effects
9 – Birds eye view
0 – Maintains camera lock to a rider
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.
You earn points and experience as you go, which unlocks new gear and cool stuff..but you only earn them by riding!
I'll attempt to join!
Can you confirm my understanding of the roll out??
My FTP = 190
Weight = 70.3 in KG.
140 watts/70.3 = 2.0
160 watts/70.3 = 2.3
0’ to 15’ @ 2.0 W/KG -> this means I am already in high Z2 when I start @.74 zone
15’ to 30’ @ 2.3 W/KG-> this means I am already in high Z3 @.84 zone
30’ to 45’ @ 2.6 W/KG - by now I am am most likely being dropped.
45’ to 60’ @ 2.9 W/KG - this is beyond my abilities...one week out from AZ. lol.
The group-ness of the ride is a real bonus for me when it comes to getting in an ABP type ride. I can do VO2 and FTP intervals quite nicely by myself; the focus required kinda precludes socializing anyway. But getting in 1-2.5 hours @ 0.8-0.85 IF indoors when it's dark and raining outside - that requires some shared work, I think.
It would be great to get our #s into double digits. Two weeks ago, I had zero experience in Zwift, and I'm an old dog. So if I can learn the new trick, I'd assume it ain't that hard. I'd advise someone who wants to join EN group rides to do a few learning rides on Zwift first - don't make the group ride your first Zwift ride. And be prepared for some frustration as you get used to trying to ride with the group. It's not you, its virtue reality...
Are all of you guys level C and B? I'm around 2.6 watts/kg which I think puts me in Level D
@Ann Sloan I think we are close but you're at IMAZ this weekend!
My goal is to get to level C before OS is over. I can find racers on Zwift that are level D but are strangers ... I'm not afraid of Stranger Danger.
I'm gonna take my only chance this month to go check out Richmond this afternoon.