Does anyone else think that there's too big a gap between D and C - and it looks like pace partners are in this bracket too. 1.5 or 2.5 has a big gap between them.
I have to agree, Pace Partners are great - I wish there was a bit more variety in their routes, but are far more involved and "fun" than cycling on your own. The majority of the RF500 was done behind a pace partner, even my 4th (final day) where I did 170km with the pace partner. I know just need to lose weight, I think I've got the fitness but 128kg and Zwift don't work well together.
@@bee_whisper aye - lockdown decimated my commute and social cycling. Even went car-less 5 ish years ago, so it's very much about finding my way back. Thank you for comments.
Shout out for Group Workouts! - you get to ride with other people at all different levels, but know that they're suffering as much as you are at your level too!! Pace Partners on Makuri islands now too
Loved that just got on Zwift my god it’s better than expected pushing far harder than if I go out solo on the road great simple explanation Katie just subscribed yep our weather not great here is it I’m in Norwich and people think Norfolk is dead flat it isn’t can be rolling in places and always windy!!!!
I’ve only been on Zwift for a year and I love it! I’m only on my dumb trainer with cadence, speed and HR sensors, but I still get loads out of it. First workout program I did was the epic, 13 week FTP builder. It did that! My current go to are the Pace Partners. C Cadence is great for racking easy miles up, BB is my usual partner, but I’ve had a few sessions with A Anquetil! I’m 15kg heavier than AA, so it’s bloody hard when you hit the hills! But I love it!!
Pace Partners are an excellent way of getting fit…. I often do 2hrs with either C or B and you can cover some distance. And you cannot stop pedalling otherwise you get dropped
I've only been using Zwift for a month and its breathed new life into my training and increased my motivation ten fold. The social rides I've tried for D's haven't really been social though! The ride lead goes out the back immediately while everyone else tries to pretend its not a race while doing through and off!
In early 2020 I was diagnosed with a brain tumour which was down to Lymphoma. Queue 6 months of high dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy. During this time I did as much as I could to keep active, but all low intensity, walking etc. in November 2020 I started to get a bit more serious and I did a “chemo to 5k” run training plan - with a coach setting sessions and using training peaks etc. also in this time I was out on my present to myself which was a new MTB. In August last year I added in swimming again - which was really hard because my shoulders had lost any flexibility. Anyway, I’m doing pretty good now, I still am doing most stuff at a low-ish intensity, but when I do some harder efforts- like say a Cross Country running race - I’m finding that the max my heart rate goes to, and my average - even during a race - is much lower than it used to be. So maybe a 5 mile XC race would normally be average HR of 165, now it’s more like 145. Do you think I’ve developed some kinda super “diesel engine” due to all the low intensity stuff I’ve been doing for 18 months, or has my lack of higher intensity meant my hr just never goes that high anymore, or is it because my chemo/radiotherapy has resulted in me never being able to get back to where I was. Thoughts anyone?? (Ps I’m 57 years old, happy doing what I’m doing, just wondering if this is it, or a could train myself back - at least some of the way)
First off, you are quite the inspiration! Chemo to 5k?? Wow!! That takes some determination my friend so good on you!! Also, I would love to be able to tell you about the reason for HR but I just don't know. Sorry I can't help further. I had a brain injury and my HR is slightly higher than before. I would prefer it to be lower. I would ask your coach or doctor! :) x
Thanks for all this info Katie - this series has landed just at the right time - my smart turbo trainer arrived yesterday so this weekend's task is to get it all set up and sign-up with Zwift.
Hi Katie! I have a question. I am new to Zwift and have started doing some training. I was looking through the training plans and I notice that some of the plans that i was looking for don't seem to be available to me. I am from Canada. Are some of the plans only available depending on where you live? Or maybe some of them have to be unlocked??
Curious as to how you maintain those power numbers. I strain to get a 100, but can't seem to hold that number on a Kinetic by Kurt Road Machine Smart Bike Trainer. I am thinking that I still don't have something correctly setup, but I can't be sure... Any of you have any advice?
Aha! So that’s what a social ride is! A cycling friend of mine had to dash off a work call awhile ago because he had committed to a social ride at 5pm and I assumed he meant with people that he knew! He said I should join one but I was too worried about being crap alongside all of his friends..! Now I see it was a completely open ride! So I will have a look at this! My early experience on Zwift was hit great as I did the classic thing of selecting an overly ambitious 12 week training plan. Couldn’t fit it in and failed it after 6 weeks and felt rubbish and never went back. Your series is making me review a return to the pain cave..! Especially when the weather is as grim as today! I’ve been watching with interest:) Thanks!
I can't stand riding an indoor trainer for much more than an hour even while watching a video of some sort. I can ride outside all day. I just signed up for Zwift two weeks ago. I'm going to check out the "pace partner" feature. That sounds about right for what I'm looking for when I ride indoors on cold windy days.
I think I'll try it someday; in southern France the weather is usually good but I don't feel like going out when it rains so that could be nice. I need to buy my road bike first.
Thanks for this. I always came up to a Pace Partner group and joined in but never figured out how actually join the ride from start. Guess I was not looking too closely. Great explanation. Well done and keep up the great work.
Thanks Katie, in 1.5 years of using Zwift, usually B or C pace partner, ticking off route badges, and also workout mode, i've never done a proper social ride! No idea why 😂 Looks great everyone in the same kit and may help me on those days I don't feel like it!
Hi Katie. I've just bought my first smart trainer and have a few questions. Do you keep your chain on the small ring on the front. And if you use a 10 speed cassette, is a 28 cassette enough gear for a smart trainer. Thanks again. I love your videos.
Really helpful Katie. Planning on getting a Wattbike soon, so will be able to use platforms like Zwift. Never used a power meter before, so your series is giving me as a ‘rookie’ some really good ideas about where to start. Currently ride outside whenever I can and ride indoors on a ‘dumb’ trainer which is so basic I can only manage 10 miles in a session as it is so boring! Looking forward to transforming the indoor experience! 🚴🏼♀️🚴🏼♀️🚴🏼♀️
Hi Katie I am also restarting on zwift after an injury. I am thinking to go for one of the training plans like build me up. I am wondering what to do with the FTP settings after a long(-ish) break though? Surely the old ones are no longer up to date. Doing a new FTP test my initial thought but this means going full gas. However this is often counter productive after an injury when the advise is to go gentle and only increase incrementally. Any thoughts?
Thank you Katie, that is a great video both succinct and clearly explained! I particularly liked the section on accessing a pace partner. If possible could you cover how to ride with a friend you know on Zwift please at some point? Is it something like inviting them to a session like a Zoom meeting ? Llawer o ddiolch / Many thanks! :)
You got this! It is a little bit daunting at first as it feels there’s a lot to learn but honestly it’s super simple once you get started. Any questions please feel free to ask! :)
Thanks Katie. Very useful as just started Zwift in the last few weeks. I can’t say it’s getting easier but I am beating my times each circuit. I do find I have a sore back after being on the bike. Hired my seat to see if I was too low?
It never gets easier, you just go faster. Can't remember who said it first. Unlikely to be your seat height alone that is hurting your back - how stretched out you are, how far below your seat the bars are etc. is all really tricky to work out, and you will get a stronger core to help with those issues. I have a bad back, but normally find that riding helps it rather than makes it worse. Good luck. I'd also advise having a faster rpm (how fast your pedals go round) rather than pushing a strong gear. Anything below 70 rpm is probably way too low. Have a look and see if you can ride in the 80s to start with.
My new kickr is ready but I am still waiting for the casette! But I was wondering if you have to adjust your derailleur every time you move your bike on an off the hometrainer?
@@KatieKookaburra it’s so addictive and I love it. Due to back problems I have had to stop running and needed an alternative. Also it’s perfect when you live far north where it’s snow for like 5 months a year. I am DEFINITELY racing the TDZ💜
Thanks Katie! I just started on Zwift in December and I learned about Social Rides and Pace Partners just now from your video! Pace partner sounds great if I want to add a little time in the saddle each week. I also signed up for my first training plan, I'm really looking forward to starting :)
