My first Zwift race!

[jenic]

Hi guys,

I did my first ever Zwift race last weekend, probably the hardest I've gone on a bike for a long time, it was intense from the off! Not seen my HR that high for a while

I also made a little video of the occasion here, please subscribe if you enjoy it

I'll be doing another crit soon on Zwift for sure, a lot of fun was had!

Cheers
Mike

View: https://youtu.be/7vyfh9qPkxQ

 

[DCLane]

Well done. I've got my first one today depending upon whether my 15yo's racing as well. He's an A whereas I'll be as a C.

If you raced as a D did Zwift Power accept the result given your watt output?

 

[jenic]

Well done. I've got my first one today depending upon whether my 15yo's racing as well. He's an A whereas I'll be as a C.

If you raced as a D did Zwift Power accept the result given your watt output?

I'm really new to it all, I don't have a Zwift Power account, do I need one?

I thought it would be simple and all contained within Zwift!

 

[DCLane]

I'm really new to it all, I don't have a Zwift Power account, do I need one?

I thought it would be simple and all contained within Zwift!

Yes - Zwift Power exists to regulate Zwift racing so that riders are in the correct category. You register at https://www.zwiftpower.com . It's linked and funded by Zwift and they regulate all racing together with keeping race records. A heart rate monitor is usually needed to avoid being disqualified.

Without registering your race result wasn't official. Sorry, but I'll put it here before someone on Youtube does. Edit: they already have.

You register, link your account to Zwift - which is faffy but worthwhile - and then enter races. It lists races by watts/kg category.

I asked because your wattage output and estimated weight from the video would probably put you at a B, not a D. That's a compliment by the way

My son started as a C in April and has now progressed to an A, getting himself disqualified at least once along the way because of a too-high power output: https://www.zwiftpower.com/profile.php?z=598978

Me? I'm starting as a C although I think I'm borderline C/D: https://www.zwiftpower.com/profile.php?z=2539021

 

[jenic]

Yes - Zwift Power exists to regulate Zwift racing so that riders are in the correct category. You register at https://www.zwiftpower.com . It's linked and funded by Zwift and they regulate all racing together with keeping race records. A heart rate monitor is usually needed to avoid being disqualified.

Without registering your race result wasn't official. Sorry, but I'll put it here before someone on Youtube does. Edit: they already have.

You register, link your account to Zwift - which is faffy but worthwhile - and then enter races. It lists races by watts/kg category.

I asked because your wattage output would probably put you at a B, not a D. That's a compliment by the way

My son started as a C in April and has now progressed to an A, getting himself disqualified at least once along the way because of a too-high power output: https://www.zwiftpower.com/profile.php?z=598978

Me? I'm starting as a C although I think I'm borderline C/D: https://www.zwiftpower.com/profile.php?z=2539021

Awesome info, thanks!

I've just put a comment on the video too. Turns out I had a Zwift Power account (I think from years ago when I joined a club), and I'm starting to work it all out now.

So much to learn, I'll enter as a higher cat next week, looking at Zwift Power I would have been ok in C or B for qualifying I think, you think they'd let you off for your first race though, in real life you start at the bottom!

 

[DCLane]

So much to learn, I'll enter as a higher cat next week, looking at Zwift Power I would have been ok in C or B for qualifying I think, you think they'd let you off for your first race though, in real life you start at the bottom!

That's fine. Zwift Power has a lot more detail on the race, other riders, etc. than Zwift which often just has the number of entrants.

If you're borderline I'd suggest aim for a B start rather than a C: my son had to slow down towards the end his last B race to avoid being disqualified due to his watt/kg being too high.

It's all learning, as I'll not doubt find out this evening swapping with my son from parent/DS to rider.

 

[DCLane]

Came in 3rd in the C's: https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=868232 [edited: was 4th but someone got DQ'd]

Having a second screen, relayed by my 15yo in my case, helps because you know gaps and which riders are 'real' by being registered on Zwift Power. Others don't count. It also helps with knowing how close you are to the watts/kg category limit. That's normally my job.

Oh, and @jenic - I've seen you've posted the video on the Yorkshire Zwift riders Facebook group. Andy Akers runs two decent rides on Monday and Wednesday, in theory for the youth but open to all. Well worth joining if you want a good workout. I tend to ride on the Monday one.

The downside? I've been upgraded to a B

 

[Milkfloat]

Having a second screen, relayed by my 15yo in my case, helps because you know gaps and which riders are 'real' by being registered on Zwift Power. Others don't count. It also helps with knowing how close you are to the watts/kg category limit. That's normally my job.

I have never thought of that, I am such an idiot. There has been many times when I have busted a gut chasing someone to find out they were not on Zwift Power afterwards. I have also been DQ’ed a couple of times when ’in-between’ categories and picking the wrong one.

 

[jenic]

Came in 3rd in the C's: https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=868232 [edited: was 4th but someone got DQ'd]

Having a second screen, relayed by my 15yo in my case, helps because you know gaps and which riders are 'real' by being registered on Zwift Power. Others don't count. It also helps with knowing how close you are to the watts/kg category limit. That's normally my job.

Oh, and @jenic - I've seen you've posted the video on the Yorkshire Zwift riders Facebook group. Andy Akers runs two decent rides on Monday and Wednesday, in theory for the youth but open to all. Well worth joining if you want a good workout. I tend to ride on the Monday one.

The downside? I've been upgraded to a B

Congrats, yep I'm in York myself!

Ah cool, I will try and find the midweek rides. I'm more of a winter Zwifter usually, but it looks like winter has already started up here now

I don't have a second person to spot atm, although I could facetime a friend to do it, might consider that in the future!

Did a B race last night, video will be up Thursday but man was it hard! Finished mid pack, was quite happy with the result overall. I've also learnt so much more now, like the fact Zwift Power actually tells you the cat you need to race and the reason I'd already been forced to race in B is because previous non race events I've done have actually counted towards pushing me up the cats.

 

[DCLane]

Did my second race on Monday after the Yorkshire Zwifters group ride threw me out due to a glitch. My result: and I'm back down to a C (almost B), which was the real aim. The B's start was so much faster than the C's the previous week; I was pushing 500 watts and getting dropped

 

[jenic]

Did my second race on Monday after the Yorkshire Zwifters group ride threw me out due to a glitch. My result: and I'm back down to a C (almost B), which was the real aim. The B's start was so much faster than the C's the previous week; I was pushing 500 watts and getting dropped

I know the feeling, the B race is tough!

My latest effort:

View: https://youtu.be/NYMOsbO2rNI

 

[DCLane]

B is tough, A is daft; my son's doing the Norseman race as an A this evening https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=878770

 

[jenic]

Seem to be getting a bit better at this!

View: https://youtu.be/8vt398OXyZs

 

[DCLane]

I got my first win on Tuesday, although with a very small field of finishers. Most dropped out because there was a small group at the start which broke clear.

 

[jenic]

I got my first win on Tuesday, although with a very small field of finishers. Most dropped out because there was a small group at the start which broke clear.

Congratulations, that's awesome!