Zwift Chat

[<Tommy>]

Speaking of the whippet... would of been ‘interesting’ if Bertyy had a power meter last summer when we rode the real alpe d’huez as we were together all the way from the bottom to the top. No chance of drafting behind something the size of a first class stamp either

 

[Whorty]

You're safe, genuine shorty

There is no need to get too serious over it

Does that also cover Shorty Whorty ?

 

[Whorty]

Not exactly scientific but...

Zwift alpe:

Bridgy= 50:36 @ 289w & 78kg

Me=51:18 @ 299w & 79kg

(Weight taken from zp)

I say not very scientific because I haven’t compared the variation in applied power. And the course doesn’t have a continuous consistent gradient. Also Bridgy was in a race and I don’t know if there was a drafting effect.

I was going to compare me and Lee later. Same height. Big weight difference but probably similar watts on our PB's (I averaged 260 watts in a time of 58 mins). I'll check when on pc later.

 

[CXRAndy]

Speaking of the whippet... would of been ‘interesting’ if Bertyy had a power meter last summer when we rode the real alpe d’huez as we were together all the way from the bottom to the top. No chance of drafting behind something the size of a first class stamp either

Its a slight guess, I was riding with a small chap who weighed 61kg. He was a very strong climber. We were comparing power numbers going up a climb. I was at that point @280W, he was @ 230W. His threshold wattage was about 240-245W. He had a SRM PM. which he recalibrate d before each ride . He had years of data, being an keen sporty bloke. Never used Strava!

He gave up marathon running because he could only do 2h30 for 25 miles

 

[<Tommy>]

He gave up marathon running because he could only do 2h30 for 25 miles

I was the same Andy. Just couldn’t break the two hour mark. And that giant rhino suit... don’t get me started!

 

[Whorty]

I was the same Andy. Just couldn’t break the two hour mark. And that giant rhino suit... don’t get me started!

I did the Great South Run back in 2001 .... 10 miles which for me was a long way as I'm not really a runner. The most heartbreaking point was 1 mile from the finish, on the sea front in front of lots of spectators (including my wife and friends) when I was overtaken by a tree!! Every time any running event is on tv to this day, if there are people in fancy dress, my wife brings this up

 

[Norry1]

I did a 10k around Silverstone a few years back, thought I was going well until I got overtaken by a woman pushing a pushchair complete with toddler in it

 

[Whorty]

Quick check on the verified Alpe segment in Strava between me and Lee ....

Lee : Time: 48:38 ; Power : 265 ; Weight : 65kg
Carl : Time: 58:18 ; Power : 260 ; Weight : 78kg

For arguments sake lets assume our power was not significantly different as it's close enough .... Very rough estimate would suggest that for each kg of weight less you save about 45 seconds climbing.

Divide Lee's time of 48.6 minutes by 65, or my time of 58.3 minutes by 78 then both show a ratio of 0.747. So, at a power of 260-265 each kg of weight adds (0.747x60) 45 seconds to the climb.

Quite interesting If you're a nerd like me At my target weight of 70 kg therefore, assuming I push at 260 watts, I should be climbing the Alpe in about 52 minutes

Edit: just did the same calcs on @TurboTommy and @bridgy 's numbers. At their power (which is very similar) the ratio is 0.65 minutes per kg. There is a 1kg difference between the 2 which returns 0.65x60 = 40 seconds (roughly). Their climbing times are 'roughly' 40 seconds different.

Using these numbers and knowing your weight you should be able to estimate your climb time for a given (average) watts for the climb

 

[bobinski]

I think that's Lee's "heavy" weight and he is often lighter but he doesn't lower his zwift weight . Its probably ne of the reasons the whippet is stronger IRL than his already strong zwift rides suggest

 

[JuhaL]

There is also a limit how much is reasonable lose weight that you can keep weight/power ratio in a good level. People are individuals so there are diffence with vo2-max and muscle cells.

 

[Whorty]

I think that's Lee's "heavy" weight and he is often lighter but he doesn't lower his zwift weight . Its probably ne of the reasons the whippet is stronger IRL than his already strong zwift rides suggest

I hope he never puts his real weight on there then

Assuming he is really 60kg, and he holds the same watts as his PB he'd be doing the climb in 45 mins

 

[Whorty]

There is also a limit how much is reasonable lose weight that you can keep weight/power ratio in a good level. People are individuals so there are diffence with vo2-max and muscle cells.

That is true, but I'm a shorty and my excess weight is all fat. For me to get down to 70kg I'd still have enough spare lard to keep me warm at night When I used to play a lot of football and do lots of weights in my younger years I was 10.5 stone, so about 67kg. i know, therefore, at that weight I could still be powerful and fit and not compromise that power. Anything less and I think I'd be suffering.

This is why I'm targeting 70kg initially and losing weight slowly. This way I can monitor my power and ensure I don't start to lose any as the weight comes off (if anything, I'm actually getting strong as I lose weight so bonus )

 

[bobinski]

I hope he never puts his real weight on there then

Assuming he is really 60kg, and he holds the same watts as his PB he'd be doing the climb in 45 mins

Yep, he is a bloody annoying mix of light weight and power.

 

[Aleman]

That was the issue for Wiggo, when he went from the track to the tour in 2012. They wanted him to drop weight, without losing any of the muscle mass. He ended up on a boiled brown rice and grilled chicken diet, strictly calorie controlled .... He got down to 8% body fat!! 15% is considered a good number for 'normal' athletes!! I'm at 13%, which is one of the reasons why I'm not loosing as much weight as I would like to, as quickly as I would like to

I've sort of promised myself a Canyon Endurace CF SL 8.0 Disc Aero Di2 if I get to 62Kg!! It just looks so Good in that Hellfire red!!

 

[JuhaL]

That is true, but I'm a shorty and my excess weight is all fat. For me to get down to 70kg I'd still have enough spare lard to keep me warm at night When I used to play a lot of football and do lots of weights in my younger years I was 10.5 stone, so about 67kg. i know, therefore, at that weight I could still be powerful and fit and not compromise that power. Anything less and I think I'd be suffering.

This is why I'm targeting 70kg initially and losing weight slowly. This way I can monitor my power and ensure I don't start to lose any as the weight comes off (if anything, I'm actually getting strong as I lose weight so bonus )

Your progress is been a glaring in this year, you are on a good road. Food selection is getting more vital now that you are that far.