Tour de Fitness

Wednesday, 22 April 2020

Lockdown Zwift Racing Video

Just uploaded my latest lockdown Zwift Racing video from last night’s virtual cycling race .. it’s a slightly different format from my last, and a bit more of a home made cine film than normal 😉

I’m thinking lockdown is finally taking its toll on me!

On the bike I'm in my yellow & black AVP race kit, while my avatar on the screen is wearing the Rapha grey pink & white race kit 😉

Thursday, 9 April 2020

SW Zwift Racing Championship

Thursday's Round 6 Hare & Hounds race, was brutal.

This was a Zwift group handicap race covering 4 laps of Central Park, NY, in which riders set off at timed intervals, the quickest going last; the aim being for a group to catch the one in front and/or stay away from the group behind them in hot pursuit. The key to success was supposedly to work together, as no lone rider should be capable by themselves of catching the group ahead. That is at least what the race book says.

There were however groups all over the road, it was carnage, but the end the result between the 3 AVP entrants was no surprise. Although starting some 5 minutes behind us, Richard G cruised past Keith H and I at the halfway point! I got off to an outstanding start, leading group C from the outset, but I was soon reeled in and it was then just a race to keep ahead of Keith. In the event before last, I suffered the indignation of seeing Keith gaining a second a mile on me and there was nothing I could do to stop him passing me 5 miles from the finish. This time, knowing he was carrying an injury, I was not going to let him pass. I even accelerated away from drafting in a group who were going just that bit slower than Keith. Sorry Keith, I know as the race book said, we probably should have worked together, but our race was done by then 🙄

We're now sitting in 24/45 position and as far as I can make out, ahead of even 1st Chard Wheelers, who I believe are in 37th position! I'm pleased to be able to claim only to being a first class domestique for the club in these races, as it is Richard who is channelling Froome in gaining the majority of our points .. so if any one else would like to join us, please do.. we earn a point for every finisher and it's amazing good fun! The next race is on the 21st, so plenty of time to get set up.

I cut this short 3.5 minute video of this race if you'd like to see what it's all about. https://youtu.be/AQ_leWUPCyo

There's loads going and it's quite confusing being there let alone as an observer looking in. So if you have questions please shout. I probably won't make another recording (phew! I hear you say), as I'm sure the distraction and weight of the camera equipment lost me the valuable minutes, I allowed Richard to make up on me!

Saturday, 28 March 2020

Coffee Club Social Distancing Zwift Ride

The Coffee Club did a social distancing group Zwift ride this morning following the Muir and the Mountain Route on Watopia .. a 22 mile ride through forests and across the snow-line, climbing 2,700 ft up a mountain!

5 started out, Nick (our ride leader), Richard, Mark, Keith and yours truly. Keith neglected to load the route before heading out and so he powered off into the sunrise never to be seen again. Richard G joined up with us briefly on the climb; I felt I was giving him a run for his money before team orders pulled me back to the peloton.

It was probably one of the most crazy 90 minutes I've ever spent on a bike, with Nick's commentary and instructions delivered via random dictated text while Richard Q's bouffant avatar had us in tears! While we need to work on keeping together the formula worked a treat and I can't wait to see where next week's ride will take us!