Early Impressions of Zwift

Zwift is really old news for a lot of people. I am conscious of the fact that I am way behind the times in terms of catching on to an indoors cycling platform that has been popular worldwide for a few years. Zwift is something I have been meaning to look into for ages and I had promised myself I would set it up in time for this winter; which is exactly what I have done. Now, after a few weeks of using it, I have the opportunity to share my perspective as both a competitive rider and as a coach.

Why Indoor Training?

If you know me, are coached by me or have been coached by me in the past, you will know that I am a huge believer in indoors training. You get massive 'bang for your buck' in terms of quality vs. time invested. I find it greatly amusing when people tell me that training indoors is not 'real training'. Come and spend a few minutes watching me in my shed and I will change your mind! It is also a far safer option in the early morning and night when it is dark and in winter it keeps you out of the elements. If you know me well you would probably be aware that I have battled chronic sinusitis for the majority of my life. I made some significant changes around diet and nutrition in the last two years and have set myself a '5 degree rule' when it comes to training in the cold (less than 5 and I train indoors). These changes have had a major positive impact on my sinusitis and I am looking to keep things going as they are. Whether or not there is any scientific basis for my '5 degree rule' or not, my N=1 study of myself has been positive and I am not prepared to modify things. This does mean that at this time of year (where I live often has sub-zero mornings), I am indoors most week days, as I have no opportunity to train later in the day and afternoons can be very challenging due to work and family commitments. This is where Zwift looks like it will be an absolute live saver. Zwift helps overcome some of the boredom and mundane nature of training indoors and the races are a superb workout (more about the races later).

Computer Set Up

The Zwift website has all the information you need about this. For the record I am just running my Quarq power meter (s), using an Elite Turbo Muin trainer and a standard laptop connected to a 4G mobile modem. A little ANT+ USB dongle connects the Quarq to the laptop. From a technology point of view, this set up has been spot on so far.

Training

Any established indoor workout is transferable to Zwift. You just ride around any of the courses and do the prescribed efforts. There is no difference in the end with what you are actually doing on the bike, but the Zwift courses make the time pass a little easier. Even longer rides and things like hill repeats work well on Zwift and are a great training option.

Racing

For me, the races are the best thing about Zwift. A quick Google search will get you all the information you need about how to join a race. In a nutshell, the races depend completely on the watts / kg formula (FTP / weight) as this is translated into speed on the current gradient. Amazingly, drafting works as it requires less power to stay behind someone at a given speed. When you first read how the racing works, you kind of wonder how realistic it can actually be. The answer is 'very'! I am absolutely loving the racing; great fun and an awesome workout. The only issue I am having with the racing is the use of the watts / kg formula. You need to be honest when you enter your data (although I am sure that a lot of people lie). For me, my FTP / weight puts me at close to 4.28 watts. Zwift races have grades like regular races, and anyone over 4 watts ends up in A grade (sigh). The issue for me though, is that like a lot of riders, I have a noticeable gap between the power I produce indoors vs. outdoors. If I used indoor only data to determine my FTP, I would come in at close to 3.92 watts, which would put me in B grade. So I am kind of 'stuck' with this situation. No doubt about it, I am getting an absolute flogging in A grade, normally finishing in the last few riders, but I am getting a brilliant workout. I also somehow feel that going with the 3.92 number would be cheating, but the races would be easier and I would have more of a chance. For now (given that for me Zwift is all about quality riding) I will stick with A grade. I do see though, that a series of masters races has just started where you race with riders in the same age categories as normal masters championships races (regardless of power). You have to actually submit evidence of your age (a copy of your racing licence) to be allocated an age group. This sound extremely interesting and I am looking forward to getting involved.

Negatives

To be honest, there is not much about Zwift that I don't like. The only bugbear I have is that the process where you exit a ride and have it save and upload to Strava is extremely temperamental (this seems to be a known issue). Other than that, I am liking it a lot.

Summary

So there you have it...I am completely hooked! A fantastic indoors option in the cold weather that gives one hell of a workout. See you out (in) there soon!

Race Report: World Masters Games, 26-28 April 2017

The World Masters Games are held every four years and the event claims to be the world's largest multi-sport event. 28,000 athletes competed and 300 of those were in the track cycling program. There were 17 riders in my 40-44 years division. The games were based at Auckland but the track program was held at the Avantidrome, in Cambridge (about two hours south of Auckland).

3 km Individual Pursuit

This event went above expectation for me. I qualified with a personal best time of 3.34.14 (previous personal best was 3.36.5). That is a big chunk of time and I was exceptionally happy with that. Fortunately, that was enough to qualify me in second place and a spot in the gold medal final later that day. I was up against Argentina's German Ariel Lopez, who had qualified fastest in a very impressive 3.30. I had to try something to close that gap. I put a bigger gear on and started harder than I ever had before. We were dead even at halfway but I blew up and faded pretty badly after that. I ended up with a 3.38 and German with a 3.33. But in the end, I was pretty happy with my silver medal. New Zealand's Andrew Grainger took the bronze:

20 km Points Race

This was a fast and furious affair with two Argentinians riding very aggressively and a group of strong New Zealanders determined not to let them get away. I sat back and watched this battle unfold for a while. Eventually the elastic broke and I chased hard to get across to the two Argentinians and we were gone. We lapped the field before too long and secured the three medals. Both riders were a lot quicker than me in the sprints, so I ended up with the bronze. Marcos Pettovello with the gold and German Ariel Lopez with the silver. Another result that I am very happy with. I also need to mention that in terms of safety, this was one of the wildest track races I have ever done. My two breakaway companions were not too worried about the safety of everyone else; me top of the list!

750 m Time Trial

This event is normally one for the sprinters and this would be no exception. I rode 53 seconds (which I was actually quite happy with) and finished in 8th place.

10 km Scratch Race

I like my scratch races a lot longer than this. Despite that, I rode  aggressively and tried very hard to escape the bunch. There were still ten or so of us left at the finish and I ended up 6th.

So overall, a silver medal and a bronze medal. An outcome I am very (very) satisfied with.

The other highlight of the trip was hanging out with a very fun and supportive group of Aussies (including Queenslanders of course). Too many to mention by name, but the middle of the track was a lot of fun! 

I must admit though, I am relieved that track season 2016 / 2017 has finished. I have trained through four major championships since October last year and I am grateful to be able to stop. I couldn't be happier with how the season has gone. I won't bore you with a list of what went well, but I will just leave this here (blatant brag picture coming up). Thanks as always to my coach Mark Brady for helping make this happen and my ever-supportive wife Nadine as well:

So what's next? Some road racing before long. I have just had a week off the bike which I thoroughly enjoyed. Queensland Road Team Series Round 1 with Colliers Racing Team is just five weeks away.

Race Report: Australian Masters Track Titles, 10-11 March 2017

This track season continues to progress better than expected. To be honest though, I am working really hard for this at the moment, making some big personal sacrifices and really pushing myself hard in terms of training and diet. With one major competition to go (more about that later) I am hoping to keep things rolling well until the end of April. 

Before I discuss the races from Sydney, I want to make a comment about how impressed I was with the Queensland camp. I have never really spent time with the twenty or so Queensland masters riders who attended the nationals. They are a truly supportive, helpful and extremely friendly bunch. I felt right at home and was completely impressed with the level of camaraderie; great stuff!

Masters 3 Individual Pursuit

I had an important lesson on temperature and air pressure during this event. I was hoping to beat my PB of 3 min 36 sec, which I set at the new Anna Meares Velodrome during the Queensland Titles.  I produced a qualifying ride with ten more watts of power than when I set my PB, but missed it by three seconds with a 3 min 39 sec. A much cooler track with higher air pressure being the reason. This did qualify me in third place after two NSW riders bettered my time. I raced Sheldon Olivier from Queensland for the bronze medal that afternoon (incredibly, Sheldon and I have now pursuited against each other five times in a row). I managed to ride a 3 min 37 sec to take the bronze medal. I am extremely satisfied with this result. I honestly believe I can go quicker than this next year, with continued improvements. 

All Ages (Open) Masters Team Pursuit

A few weeks back, Stephen Storer (Gold Coast), Sheldon Olivier, Andy Patten (Brisbane) and myself, agreed that we should enter a Queensland Team Pursuit line up in the Australian Titles. We had one training session at Anna Meares Velodrome, which went very well. Although we had limited training time together, we are all extremely experienced and had strong hopes for the event. It was a high quality field with six different teams starting. We rode a 3 min 24 sec to qualify in first place, securing a ride off for the gold medal the same day. Hunter District (NSW) rode much stronger in the final against us than they had in qualifying and pushed us all the way. We managed to produce a 3 min 21 sec ride to win the gold medal and the Australian title by 1.5 seconds, missing the Australian record by less than a second. Obviously, a result that the four of us are very proud of! Especially as we are the first team from Queensland to ever win this Australian title. 

Two events and two Australian medals. Happy days:

So what's next? World Masters Games, 26-28 April in Auckland, New Zealand. I have entered the full program of five events (yes, even the sprints). The Individual Pursuit though, will be my main focus and that is run on the first day. I am very much looking forward to this event.

The only other 'biggie' for me on the calendar between now and than is the Masters A Tyalgum Cup road race, which is in early April on a tough circuit just over the Queensland / NSW border. I do have my 'track legs' on, but hopefully I can persuade them to be 'road legs' for the afternoon. 

Product Review: Cycles Fanatic Sprinter Aero Road Handlebars

Hopefully you have ended up here because you are looking for a review of carbon components sold by Cycle Fanatic USA. This is a link the their website:

http://www.cyclesfanatic.com

I had been searching for a long time online for a pair of carbon handlebars for my track bike that were quite deep, shallow and also had enough cut away / sweep that I didn't hit my wrists on them when sprinting. The Fanatic Sprinter Aero Road Handlebars looked like they may be exactly what I was looking for. This is a link to the product on the Cycles Fanatic Website:

http://www.cyclesfanatic.com/fanatic-sprinter-aero-road-handlebars-carbon-short-shallow

The bars arrived a short time later and I was extremely disappointed. 

Firstly, I attempted to install the bars. The recommended torque rating was 6 nm. Using less than that with a torque wrench, the bars cracked. Obviously no quality there at all.

Secondly, I then noticed that the bars were clearly being sold as a Zipp 'knock off'. This was plainly obvious by the fact that the bars carried a 'legal disclaimer' sticker that indicated that Zipp were the manufacturer:

Thirdly, I contacted Cycles Fanatic USA twice by email and once by Facebook message, seeking a refund and my attempts to communicate have been ignored. When I purchased the bars initially they had communicated with me on that email address no problem at all.

My experience with these handlebars has been extremely negative and based on that, it is my opinion that prospective buyers should avoid Cycles Fanatic USA.