Swapping out for a Zwift race

Ha! I find outside easier.

  1. I’m never looking at numbers. You’re either on the wheel, in the group, or off the back. Numbers do not matter.
  2. While the surges might be longer and more violent, the group pace is usually well below threshold. I say usually, because there is a lot of climbing here in Taiwan and that is when things get ugly :sob:

in contrast to TR where:

  1. It is all about numbers. Numbers that countdown so slow :sweat_smile:
  2. The base pace/wattage is constant and high. There is no coasting or let off. The threat of the ERG Spiral of Death makes sure of that.
4 Likes

I was thinking about this today. If I can have ‘fun’ getting in a similar training stimulus then it’s a no brainer.

Zwift races are quite different to crits (or at least the ones I’ve done) Zwift racing is a lot of holding threshold with maybe the odd bigger effort (or not). More like a TT. Crits often involve bursts of power and quite a bit of coasting.

IMHO you could probably justify swapping out an over/under workout for a Zwift race - or that could just be me trying to avoid OUs cos I hate them!

1 Like

I don’t race a lot on Zwift, but from my experience and those I have watched, you are on point.

They usually start super hard (like a CX or MTB start), but roll down to a more stable level for the majority (and become largely TT-like as you mention). So I think they work well for a Threshold workout (to include over-unders).

I did one just the other day for fun and because the course profile works well with a goal race about 2 weeks out. It was a blast to ride with “no holds barred” and see what I have gained from months of work. I ended up with a ton of All-Time power PR’s that was super cool to see. In that light (and others) I think the occasional Zwift race (or outside equivalent) is very worthwhile.

1 Like

I did not know that about the rider sitting up. I always opt for the tron bike… I look really good on it

2 Likes

If I can’t get motivated for my next hard TR workout I will enter a occasional race or fast group ride just to stay motivated and get a good workout. But whenever I have this debate with myself I feel like a TR workout keeps me honest. I have to go the full length of the interval or I get the spiral of death. If I’m in a race I can willingly let up and sit in or completely drop back to the next group. I do believe the Zwift races give me a great workout and probably great adaption but it’s just not as specific so I am not one to race to often. Also, try climbing the Alp du Zwift for a great threshold workout.

1 Like

No one pays me to ride a bike so if I fee like doing a race, I race. Zwift saved me this year. Group rides ended up being a great way to get in A LOT (2-3 hrs of more or less sweet spot on Saturday and sundays) of sweet spot time. Just adjust your weight and height (OMg WEIGHT DOpER REPORTED) so you can sit on the front right in sweet spot and not spoil the ride for others. After a couple rides you’ll get it dialed in.

My threshold shot up over a couple months of this.

Now I do vo2 intervals playing sweeper or letting the group get 30secs to 1 min and catching back on.

2 Likes

The only bike the rider doesn’t sit up when in the draft is the Tron!!

Here’s a N=1 for you…

I’ve done 5 year structured training and improved consistently over the years. Managed to get a decent 10 mile TT PB and a few top ten results (maybe 5 in 6 years of racing). This winter, after having a spell out through injury, I just decided to do what gave me the most pleasure over the winter. That ended up being Zwift racing. I raced the whole winter, and did no structured training at all. Now, after only a couple of months into the season I’ve have a win and not finished outside the top 10 in every race I’ve done. My FTP is almost 30W up on last yr. No shame in riding on Zwift. It’s fun and, controversially, you do get faster😊

7 Likes

That’s good to hear. Did you still schedule your racing like a training plan. For example on Tuesday and Thursday or every other day?

I have had both you @AndyGajda and @mcneese.chad on my Zwift friends list for a while now but don’t think we have ever crossed paths. Most of my riding is around 5am

1 Like

I sent you a PM to get your name and add you as a followed friend in Zwift.

Found you!!

Most of my riding is evening, UK time. I do follow a kind of schedule…

Monday - usually sweetspot workout
(Tuesday - KISS EU race)
Wednesday - Summer Indoor Specialist Team Celebration Series/Winter - Deeside Crit league
Thursday - XRS race
Saturday - EVR Europe morning race
Sunday - ZHR Masters Weekender or whatever Fondo etc is on!

2 Likes

Four races a week? How do you avoid burn out (physically and mentally) on that schedule?

He’s Scottish, I think.

2 Likes

This!!! LOL

Mentally I’ve not got burned out because I love it!! I had mental burn out with intervals, but the competitive aspect is what keeps me on it! I’ve not got burned out physically as I know to pay attention to recovery weeks.

2 Likes

I went from barely hanging on in C group rides in early feb to upping my height and weight so I wasn’t a flyer now. Only long group rides (2-4hr) at good times for me are C’s. The mental stimulation of the group rides really got me over a rut I’ve been stuck in for a long time.

Now sweet spot work isn’t improving me like it was so I’m back to using TR for Tuesday (vo2) / Wednesday (threshold) / Thursday (sweet spot or group ride). Then I do the 2-4hr group rides on the weekend. Hoping for more improvements using this approach.

1 Like

For me the best option is to go for TR low volume plan and add some Zwift races and/or group ride.

1 Like