Zwift Chat

[mjd1988]

Spoiler

Wow, just Wow

Spoiler: Do we even need spoilers for sprint stages anymore?

unbelievable

 

[Alongo]

GCN Francais version of Tommy and Lee‘s big day out .

View: https://youtu.be/6lGErTEJyU4

 

[theboxers]

Spoiler: Do we even need spoilers for sprint stages anymore?

unbelievable

Spoiler: wait whut :huh:?

What can the competition do when you have the current World Road Race Champion acting as the start off lead out man at 2km

 

[Legs]

Epic.

 

[Whorty]

So two of the three completed now, and it’s fair to say we’re both buzzing. Lee is a million miles stronger than me at this point. But we can smell the finish line now and the though energy levels are lagging somewhat, the optimism is on the up!

View attachment 597607

Most people who try the three climbs leave the Sault side until last as it’s the easiest of the three. The big mistake we both made is hearing what we wanted to hear. Easiest it may be. Easy it is not!!! 😬

We start to descend down to the bottom so we can begin our final attempt. And we soon start to question, internally, and then between eachother, when is this descent going to stop! On and on it goes. Noticeably less gradient than the other two sides, but not does it make for it in distance. And it’s fair to say I was completely bollocks at this point and the feeling of dread was hard to get away from no matter how much I tried. But… we get to the bottom, stop off for a couple of scoops of cheeky sorbet each, and off we go!

Well what can I say about the last climb… it was a toughie, but there you go. Lee was immense. Spinning away and showing the way forward. And dragging me along with him.
View attachment 597608

View attachment 597609

And then, eventually, after 9 hours + on the bike. We can see the finish line, we can smell the end. And everything is good 👍👍

We reach the summit for a third and final time. On the way to the line we meet a bit on an electric bike cycling up with his father. We all congratulate eachother and the boy tells us he has chromes descease. His father could not look prouder of his son and frankly rightly so. It puts what we’ve done into proportion very quickly. Truly magnificent effort. It’s actually making me a little emotional thinking about it now. What a little champion.

Anyway… this is us View attachment 597610

We did it! There’s very few people at the top now, the light is fading, but we made it. And the feeling is well very emotional. Very good. Just very happy. We had to jump some hoops just to get to France. Gutted more of the group couldn’t make it over. But here we are…


View attachment 597611

Empty but happy. Thanks again Whippet, the devil on my shoulder as always! View attachment 597612
100 miles and 15,000 feet of climbing!

Whats next? 😄

Great write up Tommy ... well done both you and Lee.

 

[Aleman]

Spoiler: Who's the daddy!??

Bouhani, Philipsen, Colbrelli ... It ain't you!! ?

 

[BurningLegs]

What do people here think about Cav’s comments regarding Bike Exchange’s riding to try and make the time cut tough for Cav?

He has been pretty critical of it and it seems to have irritated him.

He has suggested it’s a poor tactic and “the sort of thing to expect from them” but to me it’s all part of racing as a sprinter, a legitimate tactic for one sprint team to try and push another beyond the time cut by riding hard on the front?

 

[kipster]

What do people here think about Cav’s comments regarding Bike Exchange’s riding to try and make the time cut tough for Cav?

He has been pretty critical of it and it seems to have irritated him.

He has suggested it’s a poor tactic and “the sort of thing to expect from them” but to me it’s all part of racing as a sprinter, a legitimate tactic for one sprint team to try and push another beyond the time cut by riding hard on the front?

I agree all part of racing, and they have Michael Matthews 2nd in the points standings so why not make it hard for Cav to give their rider a chance.

Disclaimer, BEX ride bianchis and I have two, this has not influenced my comment 😜😂

 

[steverob]

The full info for the Zwift Classics has been released on the WTRL site. Not going to list all of it here, as you can quite easily check it out yourselves (https://www.wtrl.racing/zwift-classics/#home) but will note one or two interesting things.

• The European time zones have races at 17:30, 18:45 and 19:45 (for Cat 1; +1 min for each lower Cat) so at least one of those times should suit most of us. Alternatively if you're not working, you can join the Aus/NZ ones at 08:00, 10:00, 11:00 or 12:00 UK time.
• Scoring system is the same as ZRL, with the usual FTS, FAL and points at the line, but this is a solo competition and not a team event (nothing to stop you using team tactics of course)
• However there is no overall GC; each event is going to be treated as a separate event. I'm guessing this is because the AutoCat may put you in a different Category each time, so it's not really fair to compare points gained in different Cats.

 

[steverob]

I agree all part of racing, and they have Michael Matthews 2nd in the points standings so why not make it hard for Cav to give their rider a chance.

Disclaimer, BEX ride bianchis and I have two, this has not influenced my comment 😜😂

From the interview I saw (might not have been the same one), I didn't think he was complaining all that much, more the comment was put to him by the interviewer that BikeExchange were going to do this (while Colbrelli said Bahrain weren't deliberately targetting Cav) and asked for his thoughts. He said that this was a tactic BikeExchange had used in previous races, it was something they were known for doing, so he wasn't too surprised. He did acknowledge it was a legitimate tactic but did throw a little shade their way by insinuating that it was easier to win a jersey by eliminating your opposition than to actually beat them on the road, but I think that was just to try and get under their skin!

 

[Spartak]

Rode my 1st TT in the real world in nearly 2 year last night.

With the travel news saying that the old Severn Bridge was closed to high sided vehicles I knew it was going to be a tough ride with the SW wind giving a gutsy crosswind.

Only 10 riders braved the conditions, the wind did help for the first section but once the course opened out into the countryside the wind certainly played a part especially after the turn.

Oddly the U103 is a 12 mile course rather than the usual 10 & the final 2 miles do hurt....

I was 2 minutes down my PB finishing in 34:03 and in 8th position.

 

[mjd1988]

What do people here think about Cav’s comments regarding Bike Exchange’s riding to try and make the time cut tough for Cav?

He has been pretty critical of it and it seems to have irritated him.

He has suggested it’s a poor tactic and “the sort of thing to expect from them” but to me it’s all part of racing as a sprinter, a legitimate tactic for one sprint team to try and push another beyond the time cut by riding hard on the front?

I would be super disappointed if he doesn't make the time cut but totally legitimate and part of the reason Cav has only won one green jersey! Great team to help ferry him home though

 

[Whorty]

I've signed up to this Bath sportive, 22nd Aug, if anyone fancies a spin out : https://www.bikebath.co.uk/

I'm starting from Frome and signed to the 80 miles.

If anyone from out of area fancies it, and needs a bed for the night before, then let me know - I have loads of space

 

[bobinski]

I would be super disappointed if he doesn't make the time cut but totally legitimate and part of the reason Cav has only won one green jersey! Great team to help ferry him home though

I couldnt tell if a bit of needle or a plea to slow down!

 

[Del C]

Just catching up after a week away and a rather painful visit to the dentist yesterday (repairing damage first caused by a bike accident in 2014!)

Anyhow, more important than that, great report from @<Tommy> and great effort by Tommy and @berty bassett !!