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Am I not “racy” enough?

Old 07-01-21, 06:05 PM
  #76  
livedarklions
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Originally Posted by rydabent
Wrong on most counts. Nothing triggers a racer boy than seeing a bent ahead of him. Locally I have caused them to bust a gut so to speak, riding up a hill into a 35 mph wind.
If Penthouse Forum letters had been about bent riding, they'd be more credible.

See, I'm old, too.

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Old 07-01-21, 06:07 PM
  #77  
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
^^^ Is Rouvy like Zwift in that the "climbs" are about half as difficult as real life? Even if that's the case, it's cool to get even a taste of what they experience.
You are misinformed. Zwift climbs feel half as steep if you leave the trainer difficulty setting at 50%, but it takes the same amount of power to cover whatever the route is and you would simply go slower. All virtual trainer platforms require similar power and effort as outdoor rides, because they all simulate real world physics.

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Old 07-01-21, 06:25 PM
  #78  
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Originally Posted by surak
You are misinformed. Zwift climbs feel half as steep if you leave the trainer difficulty setting at 50%, but it takes the same amount of power to cover whatever the route is and you would simply go slower. All virtual trainer platforms require similar power and effort as outdoor rides, because they all simulate real world physics.
So it would make a 15 degree climb feel like 7.5 degrees but twice as long? That's a lot different from a 15 degree climb, even if you ultimately use the same amount of energy. Can you set the trainer to replicate actual real world routes? Sorry if this is too basic or OT.
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Old 07-01-21, 06:30 PM
  #79  
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
So it would make a 15 degree climb feel like 7.5 degrees but twice as long? That's a lot different from a 15 degree climb, even if you ultimately use the same amount of energy. Can you set the trainer to replicate actual real world routes? Sorry if this is too basic or OT.
It's essentially virtual gearing. It only takes twice as long if you put out half the power you would on something twice as steep, which is not what people do. And yes of course you can set it to 100%.
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Old 07-01-21, 06:35 PM
  #80  
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Thanks! 100% if you want the most realistic experience, turn it down if you need to. Makes sense now!
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Old 07-02-21, 08:35 AM
  #81  
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
Thanks! 100% if you want the most realistic experience, turn it down if you need to. Makes sense now!
I once read an in-depth blog post about all the math about trainer difficulty; I can't remember now if it was on Zwift Insider or DCRainmaker but anyway it hurt my brain because I don't math good. All I know is on the default settings I can climb virtual Alpe d'Huez in 60-90 minutes and even though I've never climbed a mountain on my bike IRL I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to sustain that kind of speed on an 8% climb for 8 miles or whatever it is.
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Old 07-02-21, 08:45 AM
  #82  
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
If Penthouse Forum letters had been about bent riding, they'd be more credible.
He's definitely fantasizing again.
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Old 07-02-21, 08:47 AM
  #83  
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Originally Posted by rydabent
Wrong on most counts. Nothing triggers a racer boy than seeing a bent ahead of him.
That's because the bent rider usually has his music turned up to eleven and can't hear my bell.
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Old 07-02-21, 08:55 AM
  #84  
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Originally Posted by surak
All virtual trainer platforms require similar power and effort as outdoor rides, because they all simulate real world physics.
I just refuse to believe that indoor trainers are as effective as outdoor riding. The fitness you get from indoor trainers isn't the same as fitness you gain by riding outdoors in the real world.
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Old 07-02-21, 09:08 AM
  #85  
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Originally Posted by Reflector Guy
That's because the bent rider usually has his music turned up to eleven and can't hear my bell.
Wrong!!!!!!!!!!! I despise loud music on the trail.
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Old 07-02-21, 09:22 AM
  #86  
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
I just refuse to believe that indoor trainers are as effective as outdoor riding. The fitness you get from indoor trainers isn't the same as fitness you gain by riding outdoors in the real world.
They're different, but the fitness translates; getting stronger on the trainer gets you stronger on the road.
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Old 07-02-21, 09:27 AM
  #87  
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As a flat bar commuter who lives and dies by cat 6, I have a few tips for you OP.

If you can, downgrade your bike and add stupid pointless stuff to it like a flag or basket. Nobody likes being passed by an inferior bike, this is a surefire way to trigger a race. Eat the aero loss and extra weight, you don't care. Maybe ride a tandem solo

Hands off your handlebars. Your are out for a casual ride and not trying hard, once you start hammering you can get in your drops.

Lower your speed, if someone passes you, destroy them. varying your speed gets people overconfident and thinking they can hang with you.

When passing someone, compliment their pace and tell them it took a lot out of you to catch them, especially if they were slow. Lots of people are out for base miles, but you can mess up their recovery ride if you're savvy enough. Remember that its their fault for blowing themselves up chasing you.

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Old 07-02-21, 09:30 AM
  #88  
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
I just refuse to believe that indoor trainers are as effective as outdoor riding. The fitness you get from indoor trainers isn't the same as fitness you gain by riding outdoors in the real world.
Believe whatever you want, pro teams already know indoor training is effective (and triathletes have known for even longer).
​​​​​​
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Old 07-02-21, 09:35 AM
  #89  
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Originally Posted by surak
Believe whatever you want, pro teams already know indoor training is effective (and triathletes have known for even longer).
​​​​​​
I mean he's technically correct, it's not as effective as outdoor riding -- it's much, much more effective.
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Old 07-02-21, 09:36 AM
  #90  
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Originally Posted by ksryder
All I know is on the default settings I can climb virtual Alpe d'Huez in 60-90 minutes and even though I've never climbed a mountain on my bike IRL I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to sustain that kind of speed on an 8% climb for 8 miles or whatever it is.
Knowing when you've never tried, that's solid evidence right there.

Anyone with a powermeter who knows how to stay below threshold so they can pace themselves can make it with sufficient gearing. Not being able to do it IRL has more to do with lack of awareness of one's power and the appropriate gearing.
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Old 07-02-21, 03:59 PM
  #91  
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
I just refuse to believe that indoor trainers are as effective as outdoor riding. The fitness you get from indoor trainers isn't the same as fitness you gain by riding outdoors in the real world.
For real, there's no buicks overshooting the stop signs, the sweet rotten aroma of garbage trucks, lawn sprinklers spitting when it's 40F, nor any poorly trained [hungry] animals lunching at your ankles.
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Old 07-02-21, 04:52 PM
  #92  
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Originally Posted by ksryder
I once read an in-depth blog post about all the math about trainer difficulty; I can't remember now if it was on Zwift Insider or DCRainmaker but anyway it hurt my brain because I don't math good. All I know is on the default settings I can climb virtual Alpe d'Huez in 60-90 minutes and even though I've never climbed a mountain on my bike IRL I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to sustain that kind of speed on an 8% climb for 8 miles or whatever it is.
From what I read, personal experience from myself and lot's of friends that ride zwiit the up hill part is about the only real accurate part. IRL say 10% hill at 10 miles miles take you an 60 minutes at xxx watts. That's about what it would be for you in zwift. At those slow speeds you don't have the benefit of assuming the perfect bike, aero position, smooth road. etc.. just weight/grade/power(watts)

now the flats in zwift you must be on the best bike, tires, zero wind, and great smooth road and in the perfect body position for aero. While at home doing zwift you might be on the hoods bolt upright blocking wind like a mac truck.

Down hill in zwift is even more silly. your bike has unlimited gears. you can pedal like at 45+ mph. zero pot holes. no cars, squirrels, dear, turns, dirt/leaves on the ground. just crank up your 300+ watts like there is no tomorrow.
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Old 07-05-21, 01:22 PM
  #93  
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Originally Posted by Bah Humbug
Every morning (almost literally) I wake up, put on spandex, and go out riding one of my “Tour de France-type” drop bar bikes. Every day I pass flat bar bikes of all sorts - mountain, hybrid, whatever. Not one of them has ever tried to race me. None has ever passed or dropped me. Do I just not look racy enough to get them fired up, or is there something else I’m missing about all these stories here from flat-bar riders?
I did try to race, and it took 1 minute and 16 seconds for you to be so far ahead of me i could no longer see you.
I, however, didn't care.
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Old 07-08-21, 07:56 AM
  #94  
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So this morning i did get passed, twice. But...

1) it was a two-man paceline
2) of tri geeks
3) the leader wasn't wearing a helmet
4) I was on my gravel bike
5) doing anaerobic intervals on climbs, and got passed during the rest interval on either side of one of them
6) while wearing a one-piece sleeveless tri kit

How should I feel?
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Old 07-08-21, 08:04 AM
  #95  
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Originally Posted by Bah Humbug
So this morning i did get passed, twice. But...

1) it was a two-man paceline
2) of tri geeks
3) the leader wasn't wearing a helmet
4) I was on my gravel bike
5) doing anaerobic intervals on climbs, and got passed during the rest interval on either side of one of them
6) while wearing a one-piece sleeveless tri kit

How should I feel?
Hoo boy, complicated situation, but I think the question is how you DO feel, which is to say, your body may be giving you the answer subliminally. I think perhaps some basic mindfulness exercises, concentrating on the feeling in your chest and buttocks while reliving the experience, may help.
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Old 07-08-21, 10:08 AM
  #96  
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I would take a week off and decompress.
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Old 07-09-21, 06:55 AM
  #97  
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Originally Posted by Hermes
I would take a week off and decompress.
Does 66TSS of recovery ride count?
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Old 07-09-21, 07:10 AM
  #98  
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Originally Posted by Bah Humbug
So this morning i did get passed, twice. But...

1) it was a two-man paceline
2) of tri geeks
3) the leader wasn't wearing a helmet
4) I was on my gravel bike
5) doing anaerobic intervals on climbs, and got passed during the rest interval on either side of one of them
6) while wearing a one-piece sleeveless tri kit

How should I feel?
Sup Larry!!
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Old 07-09-21, 07:21 AM
  #99  
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You need to race where I race... on the MUP against 6-year-olds with their Paw Patrol or Minnie Mouse bikes.
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Old 07-09-21, 07:57 AM
  #100  
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Originally Posted by rydabent
Wrong on most counts. Nothing triggers a racer boy than seeing a bent ahead of him. Locally I have caused them to bust a gut so to speak, riding up a hill into a 35 mph wind.
This is just sad.
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