Mark O

Good session this evening. Enjoyed that.

G, go to settings on Zwift and use the slider to adjust ride effect. This is a Zwift thing not a turbo thing. Iain’s description nutshells it perfectly. as for road feel, you definitely feel the difference between tarmac and anything else such as timber bridges and gravel in the jungle section. Typically for me it will save 1 kph off speed for the same power.

Again, many thanks Iain. Appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge and insight. M

Cheers Iain. The outright power rather than W/kg on the flats comment does help to explain some of what I’m seeing/experiencing on Zwift. There must be some compensating factors for overall mass of a rider. It must take more energy (watts) to propel a 100kg rider at 20mph than it takes to propel a 60kg rider to the same speed. Perhaps I’m getting too hooked into watts rather than the calculated ‘speed’ output. Nevertheless it still doesn’t help with the grim reality of avatars leaving one for dead - clearly these will be pros riding under false names!!!!!

Just trying to get some sense of where things are at based on some of the chat on other threads. I get the W/kg bit. Same as the real world insofar as skinnies go up hill faster, not so skinnies go downhill faster. However on the flat being light doesn’t seem to be beneficial in anyway is that correct. I seem to perform better on the ramps than on the flat. My W/kg seems far better and maintainable on the climbs than on the flat. Also, I adjusted the resistance setting to 100% in early March (I assume everyone is also riding at 100% resistance) and my output is noticeably improved - ftp increased by 10%+, I had expected to see a poorer outcome. No weight doping going on here either - it is what it is. Any constructive thoughts from the more knowledgeable Zwifters. M ps the reports of W/kg of 5 or more are just scary. 😬 even if I dropped a stone I’d be nowhere near maintaining that output.

I think that's definitely called getting pumped out the back even before the flag gets pulled inside the car, George. 😈

I got stuck in traps. Had to reboot while the bunch disappeared up the road. Joined in via the front page for a while but evidently not part of the event as I soon found myself away up the road. Not having much luck with the technology. Did the hour. Will try again on Monday. Thanks to Jann for organising these. G - definitely a case of me dropping the bunch. I even have a witness.

Thanks for the info Mul. I wouldn't worry overly much about the the BC Zwift race series Billy. You can choose not to do them. Also, the advice above in Mul's post probably supersedes early statements or announcements by BC/SC. As for clarity - a premium commodity these days. I know of a number of global CEOs who'd sell their mums for some right now. Perhaps err of the side of caution, as the elderly are supposed to be at high risk. 🤧😷

More like getting beamed up Scotty.

What happened after about 50 mins in? My set up went a little awry. The bunch and all other avatars disappeared and I ended up riding completely solo and then found myself on the volcano circuit. No matter, a good work out for an hour. Apologies for the lack of chat and ride ons - struggling to read the screen on the phone. Middle aged takes no prisoners alas. M

might join you guys for this if I remember.

Sounds about right Darryl. I found that Zwift automatically searched for and connected with all the peripheral kit, including HR straps.

G - one has to keep up appearances even in doors. You never know when the window maintenance operative might appear!!! Out of general interest what times are being posted for the AdZ. Only ridden it once with 1hr 05mins on the clock.

Darryl, I was treated to a tacx neo T2. If your budget could be stretched I’d certainly recommend it. As to general set up, Apple TV, a smart TV and an Alexa microdot for music is what we’ve done. Hopefully a pic below. As for Zwift in itself, we have 2 bikes set up one for Zwift and one on a non-smart trainer (tacx flow). When we do joint sessions, Heather reports that just having the Zwift landscape on the screen does make an hour’s session go by quickly. Personally I do like Zwift -miles better than staring at a garage wall. Someone mentioned having 2 riders on a single screen. Potentially, I say potentially because I haven’t attempted this, you could with a smart tv run one account via Apple TV and a second via a laptop and split the screen with the laptop screen reflected to the TV. Heather uses this general approach when running webinars and wants illustrate something on her laptop mid broadcast. Admittedly it did take a bit of tech know how input from Apple. I’m going to look out for future rides Iain organises and join in. In the meantime, everyone out there stay safe and healthy. M

Many thanks for the input gentlemen - appreciated. Speaking to others in the know as well as taking on board your comments, zwift seems to offer the best all round package and links up well with Apple tv etc. Interesting comments on the reduced wattage figures when moving away from the tacx flow, G. Have had same experience on moving onto a wattbike. Which I'm advised marginally under estimates your output due to beefed up resistance. I'm told the neo will give me a few watts back. That said I guess if your benchmark and set up remains fixed then progress can be measured. A damp test has been done (two in fact). Neither was pretty or pleasant. Cheers M

Afternoon all, As a MASSIVE 'thank you!' for my time and effort spent on a project, I'm being treated to a new indoor trainer toy in the form of a Tacx Neo 2t. It's a done deal, so views on what's the bestest, mostest excellent indoor trainer are not required, and to look a gift horse in the mouth in the circumstances would be utterly ungracious of me However, what would be greatly appreciated would be sensible, positive and constructive views/thoughts/feedback as to which training software app to adopt - Tacx's own gubbens?, Trainer Road?, Zwift? or indeed some other app/software. To me they all seem much of a muchness, but I'm certain you lot will have views based on your own use and I'd be grateful to benefit from that experience. I'm decidedly in the luddite camp on the new fangled world of smart trainers and thus have an open mind on this one. I'm not particularly bothered about joining the on-line racing community but have access to a good size tv screen and would like to make the most of my new set up. Cheers M

Paul My thinking would be to call Celtic park ticket office or corporate office and see what's available. The choice might be limited to the main stand or hospitality seats due to season ticket holdings. If you can wangle a corporate angle and buy these through the business all the better. M

That was an amazing day out on the bike. I recall that I died a 1000 deaths on the Kilberry loop due to lack of food. Luckily we got into the Tarbert cafe stop for some serious re-fueling before a bunch of 5 Ferries peeps arrived. The table napkins were starting the look tasty!! Charlie rattled up the Clune at minus 5mph, talk about pedaling squares. Chapeau M'Lud for not getting off and walking that day - actually thot you were going to cry/die at one point. The Kilberry loop route would easily be 120 miles. Tried to follow the proposed route - Loch Awe / Inveraray / Portavadie and the Rest etc. I drove a similar route the other week there looking at holiday lodges for a client. That's a huge route and not flat. Loch Awe (west side) would be fun. Single track with passing places. Good luck chaps. If it's sunny and you start early I'll wave from the plane en route to Islay. M

Paul, Might be interested in the pedals. Will check piggy bank and get back to you. If you get a buyer before then - fair dos. M

Monument. There are only 5 in any given year and the chances are history will remember those winners. A stage win and a day or so in yellow are imo less prestigious. If it’s a choice between a grand tour and a monument, then the grand tour win for me.

Linda, The Sewing Bee was the under the radar name given to a Tuesday evening ride for non TTers. It was generally considered bad form to post up a ride which clashed with a club confined event, so the ride was publicised as a sewing bee. Very underhand and sneaky, but a lawyer was involved - ‘nuff said! The name kind of stuck, with the route used now going by the same name. Charlie’s suggestion was along the lines of “More ........ hills” but included bad words that I’d never heard before and caused me to blush. In those days I was a good bit fitter on a bike and a smidge lighter than I am currently. Perhaps one evening I’ll get to give M’Lud a doing again. Won’t be this year however.

Might meet y'all en route at Kilmaurs. 10.30ish sound right if you're leaving Miller St st 9.30? If I'm not at the tower when you roll through don't wait.

Darryl, I might have one tucked away somewhere. Not back home until late this evening and not about this weekend. I will check and post up to confirm a 10 spd with a 28 sprocket. M

Very sketchy Chung and have no wish to be prejudicial. One eye witness report states that the driver was turning left into Nithsdale Road. I also heard the bike was left without a rear wheel. All sounds quite horrible. It's a rubbish wee stretch between the lights at the top of Allison Street/Nithsdale Street and Nithsdale Road where the bus lane disappears and a left hand filter lane appears, added to which there are always parked cars to contend with.

Corporate cycling event in the Lothians with a bunch of lawyers tomorrow, Charlie. Saving the legs. This working malarky sometimes is not too bad a gig. Enjoy.