mtbNJ Zwift Club

Road to Ruins Monday 6:45

Screenshot_20240218_155510_Companion~2.jpg
 
Am I going to have to remember to pick a gravel bike…. Or have they reduced the dirt penalty enough that the gravel won’t drive me crazy. ☺️
 
Didn't realize that next Monday is the last Monday of the month.
Projected forecast is 50°

I'm planning on gravel riding after work.
River road park in Bedminster.
Please join me.
 
Tentatively in. Not loving the thought of being on a few of the busier roads during a twilight rush hour Doe. Even with the varia radar. (But it’s better than alp de Zwift)
 
As I'm stuck riding inside and I am completely over my 'gym warm up model' stationary bike I'm interested in jumping on the Zwift band wagon (I also now realize there's no connection to the world renowned break up singer which makes it more palatable). Once I purchase the equipment what is the monthly/yearly damage in $$$ for the subscription? Is it just the $200/yr or $20/month as advertised or are there hidden expenses? I see there's a bunch of offers for smart trainers as well, which one would be preferable? I'm in the Garmin farm for bike computer, HR monitor etc. so there's that but I'm open to other brands...
 
serviceguy said:
As I'm stuck riding inside and I am completely over my 'gym warm up model' stationary bike I'm interested in jumping on the Zwift band wagon (I also now realize there's no connection to the world renowned break up singer which makes it more palatable). Once I purchase the equipment what is the monthly/yearly damage in $$$ for the subscription? Is it just the $200/yr or $20/month as advertised or are there hidden expenses? I see there's a bunch of offers for smart trainers as well, which one would be preferable? I'm in the Garmin farm for bike computer, HR monitor etc. so there's that but I'm open to other brands...
Click to expand...
Leo you should copy/paste this into this thread and join the Indoor cycling thread - lots of good info there:

Jeremy

Thread 'The Indoor Cyclist's support thread'

Listen, It's ok. We live in a digital world. There is no shame in riding inside, "connected", in front of a screen, on a trainer, maybe a spin bike you bought second hand, maybe one of those peloton bikes you cashed in your 401k for (Or maybe sold a half bitcoin for before it tanked). Whatever your current situation is, you have decided that you enjoy the convenience of setting up shop inside. At least till it warms up enough... because then you must only ride your bike outside!! or maybe not, and then you begin realize, you enjoy the indoor life.

And if you think...
  • Like

there's a lot to consider depending on your budget. you can go for the new Zwift Ride setup that @Glenn Rides After 4 PM CST and @Norm have , or you can get a beater bike for the basement and a basic trainer and go low tech. Somewhere in the middle with a wheel off smart trainer is probably a good place to start IMHO as prices for smart trainers these days are pretty competitive and reasonable.

you would not need your Garmin for indoor rides and the HRM is also probably going to work just fine with Zwift as is.
 
iman29 said:
Leo you should copy/paste this into this thread and join the Indoor cycling thread - lots of good info there:

Jeremy

Thread 'The Indoor Cyclist's support thread'

Listen, It's ok. We live in a digital world. There is no shame in riding inside, "connected", in front of a screen, on a trainer, maybe a spin bike you bought second hand, maybe one of those peloton bikes you cashed in your 401k for (Or maybe sold a half bitcoin for before it tanked). Whatever your current situation is, you have decided that you enjoy the convenience of setting up shop inside. At least till it warms up enough... because then you must only ride your bike outside!! or maybe not, and then you begin realize, you enjoy the indoor life.

And if you think...
  • Like

there's a lot to consider depending on your budget. you can go for the new Zwift Ride setup that @Glenn Rides After 4 PM CST and @Norm have , or you can get a beater bike for the basement and a basic trainer and go low tech. Somewhere in the middle with a wheel off smart trainer is probably a good place to start IMHO as prices for smart trainers these days are pretty competitive and reasonable.

you would not need your Garmin for indoor rides and the HRM is also probably going to work just fine with Zwift as is.
Click to expand...
I'm recycling the 'gravel' elmar for this hence the smart trainer idea, I'm just a complete ignoramus on the matter (like many other matters) hence the question.

I've seen some results so far (weight loss, improved the number of calories/hour etc.) but the current setup, while convenient, makes the experience dreadful, which I'm afraid will eventually make it fizzle out...how does Zwift fit into this? I'm hoping it will feel 'closer' to a real ride, as opposed to my current stationary bike which I tried to ride a) watching YT video, podcasts etc. b) watching TV c) reading a book...with mediocre to disappointing results mostly. For reference, I only spend 1hr and change on the bike almost every day, mostly early in the morning..
 
@serviceguy
It's $213 and change after tax.
I would probably pay for a few months before diving in for the year.
Smart trainer only it's pretty useless without one.
You won't feel the hills or the down hills.
Group rides are impossible with a dumb trainer.
I don't watch anything other than the Zwift screen. It's easier to catch on to a group or wait for one to catch up and then hop in. Watching the heads up display you can see who's ahead or behind.
As well as see how had they are pushing the pedals. W/kg # ....
 
serviceguy said:
I'm recycling the 'gravel' elmar for this hence the smart trainer idea, I'm just a complete ignoramus on the matter (like many other matters) hence the question.

I've seen some results so far (weight loss, improved the number of calories/hour etc.) but the current setup, while convenient, makes the experience dreadful, which I'm afraid will eventually make it fizzle out...how does Zwift fit into this? I'm hoping it will feel 'closer' to a real ride, as opposed to my current stationary bike which I tried to ride a) watching YT video, podcasts etc. b) watching TV c) reading a book...with mediocre to disappointing results mostly. For reference, I only spend 1hr and change on the bike almost every day, mostly early in the morning..
Click to expand...

What Dan said - def smart trainer.

It gamifies the riding experience.
On screen leaderboards, your current output (hr, cadence, watts, km), your overall progress recapped.
Goals of completing courses or segments - and it keeps track of your best efforts
There are power-ups - bonus aero helmet for 30 seconds, or drafting behind an invisible van, + more.
Then there is VC to upgrade your virtual bike - lighter wheels, frame
Earned in game, not purchased.
Participation events which unlock special kits.

If you do a ramp test (ftp replacement) it will put together a workout plan for you based on your goals,
this is displayed as intervals, and it controls the trainer - ie warm-up followed by 250W @ 90rpm for 30 seconds, then recovery at 120W @ 75 for 2 min, X 5.
it will hold the wattage (resistance), based on your cadence and prompt you to speed up or slow down.
It works - and no setting up the Garmin to do it. Cool thing here is you don't need to shift, just run the chain as straight as possible,
and the trainer does the rest.

The group rides are fun until Jeremy gets on and puts out >1,200w on a sprint and you never see him again.
like any group ride, the pace needs to be discussed, and if the leaders are going to wait at the top of the hills or after sprints.
Sitting in helps. Doing group rides in "the flats" helps too. Can also hold on as long as possible, and a little more each week....like IRL.

You'll need a handlebar phone mount - it acts as a second screen and controller for turns (if you don't follow the course), and waving,
or telling the riders you are pulling to come through. probably not 100% necessary, but useful. Also good for giving realtime kudos (they call it a Ride-On!)
I like the apple tv set-up. Very easy, consistent. I also have an iPhone, so tight integration.
Lots of people are running an older laptop - I like the tv for more immersion.
I do tend to watch Netflix on a separate TV. Also wearing a headset or earbuds.

There are also group events and races that are classed. So hanging with people of similar W/kg.
And there are pace riders out there at all times, so there is always a group to go hang with - moving to the front, and sitting in as you feel apropos.

I like the central park course - while enhanced, the location in the park is obvious from the scenery.
 
Glenn Rides After 4 PM CST said:
@serviceguy
It's $213 and change after tax.
I would probably pay for a few months before diving in for the year.
Smart trainer only it's pretty useless without one.
You won't feel the hills or the down hills.
Group rides are impossible with a dumb trainer.
I don't watch anything other than the Zwift screen. It's easier to catch on to a group or wait for one to catch up and then hop in. Watching the heads up display you can see who's ahead or behind.
As well as see how had they are pushing the pedals. W/kg # ....
Click to expand...
Patrick said:
What Dan said - def smart trainer.

It gamifies the riding experience.
On screen leaderboards, your current output (hr, cadence, watts, km), your overall progress recapped.
Goals of completing courses or segments - and it keeps track of your best efforts
There are power-ups - bonus aero helmet for 30 seconds, or drafting behind an invisible van, + more.
Then there is VC to upgrade your virtual bike - lighter wheels, frame
Earned in game, not purchased.
Participation events which unlock special kits.

If you do a ramp test (ftp replacement) it will put together a workout plan for you based on your goals,
this is displayed as intervals, and it controls the trainer - ie warm-up followed by 250W @ 90rpm for 30 seconds, then recovery at 120W @ 75 for 2 min, X 5.
it will hold the wattage (resistance), based on your cadence and prompt you to speed up or slow down.
It works - and no setting up the Garmin to do it. Cool thing here is you don't need to shift, just run the chain as straight as possible,
and the trainer does the rest.

The group rides are fun until Jeremy gets on and puts out >1,200w on a sprint and you never see him again.
like any group ride, the pace needs to be discussed, and if the leaders are going to wait at the top of the hills or after sprints.
Sitting in helps. Doing group rides in "the flats" helps too. Can also hold on as long as possible, and a little more each week....like IRL.

You'll need a handlebar phone mount - it acts as a second screen and controller for turns (if you don't follow the course), and waving,
or telling the riders you are pulling to come through. probably not 100% necessary, but useful. Also good for giving realtime kudos (they call it a Ride-On!)
I like the apple tv set-up. Very easy, consistent. I also have an iPhone, so tight integration.
Lots of people are running an older laptop - I like the tv for more immersion.
I do tend to watch Netflix on a separate TV. Also wearing a headset or earbuds.

There are also group events and races that are classed. So hanging with people of similar W/kg.
And there are pace riders out there at all times, so there is always a group to go hang with - moving to the front, and sitting in as you feel apropos.

I like the central park course - while enhanced, the location in the park is obvious from the scenery.
Click to expand...
Thank you both. I kind of already made my mind about the smart trainer but I was more interested in a experience based option...right now looks to me like the best option would be to purchase from Zwift a KIKR Core with the Zwift gear/remotes for the best riding experience (obviously I'll alsoneed a pc and Internet connection) ? Looks like I will be looking at a bunch of virtual orange/blue asses anyway, I wonder how motivating a group virtual ride would be in my current conditions...LOL. Right now the only metrics I have is that it takes me about 1 hr to burn 800 cal, at least according to my stationary bike computer.
 
serviceguy said:
Thank you both. I kind of already made my mind about the smart trainer but I was more interested in a experience based option...right now looks to me like the best option would be to purchase from Zwift a KIKR Core with the Zwift gear/remotes for the best riding experience (obviously I'll alsoneed a pc and Internet connection) ? Looks like I will be looking at a bunch of virtual orange/blue asses anyway, I wonder how motivating a group virtual ride would be in my current conditions...LOL. Right now the only metrics I have is that it takes me about 1 hr to burn 800 cal, at least according to my stationary bike computer.
Click to expand...

I like it.
when I was in decent shape, keeping the riders from getting away from me was very motivating.
I'll start it back up when this medical resolves (hopefully resolves)
 
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