Zwift?

[Eve334]

I love my road bike but am fairly new to using zwift (use my DH account but will be setting up my own account today, bike all set up in front of 2 TVs
Please tell me your routine, what you enjoy doing, how often you zwift, tips & tricks? How to get the best out of it etc

I got into Zwift during lockdown as my husband uses it. I'm a runner at heart so use it more in the winter when it's dark and icy outside. I like the workouts, rather than group rides or anything because with ERG more on I don't have to think about changing gears, the smart turbo just does that for me. I've done various training plans which you can pick how many times a week you want to ride, I'd usually do 4 or 5. Currently just getting back into it, so not signed up for a plan yet, but have down an FTP test and quite happy just picking random workouts based on how much time I have.

I used Zwift regularly during lockdown - I’d use it now were it not for funding a gym membership too - I found it really run especially some of the Watopia rides. I didn’t do any of the group rides

Avid Zwifter here, race in a team and have been involved in elite level racing in a support role (racing for prize money etc). I got into it in lockdown and part of it for me was really getting into the nerdy game physics and how it works to emulate (or not) real life cycling.

This might not appeal to you, but find your niche that does. Try group rides (and try a variety of them as many community leaders lead differently. I have led group rides on there from time to time and I know I manage a group differently to some of my friends who again are different from each other. It’s not better just different). Try workouts, follow a training plan. Go badge hunting. Dabble in racing and maybe join a community or team. Once you find what you enjoy then stick with it. Try the pace bots too. Keeping up with others can help push you on.

I use it during the week especially in winter. I race in a league on either a Tuesday or Thursday at various points in the year and I use it to do workouts set by my coach when I don’t want to ride on the road in the dark after work in winter. Make sure you have a good fan to keep you cool and plenty of hydration of choice. I use the electrolyte tabs. I like to have music on but some people like to watch TV/youtube or podcasts etc. make sure everything is easy to connect so you aren’t faffing around as being at home it can be easy to sack it off if you arent really up for it.

If I take my bike out I always put it back on the turbo trainer when I get in, so I don’t go out and realise I have to do all the faff with taking out the back wheel etc when my event starts in 3 minutes 😂

Gaming tip, set the challenge to the climb Everest challenge straight away, so everything goes towards earning you the neon bike. That thing is cool!

Zwiftinsider is the place to google for doing the research so you don’t have to. Exploring new routes, game updates etc. all the info on here.

The training plans are great over the winter months but have turned me into an absolute wuss about the weather - I used to be out in all weathers but from November to April only go out for the weekend cafe ride - and only then if its dry! The 'Build Me Up' plan is probably the best general purpose one for people who are already used to cycling outdoors for decent distances.

The races are great, especially if you are in a team and all chatting to each other over Discord. The massive group rides and Tour of Watopia etc are also really good - it's weirdly fun to get into a breakaway and be working well with a handful of people you will never actually meet in real life (and then sneakily hit the invisibility power up and drop them...) Don't do what I did and not bother warming up before your first race thinking the first few km will be the warm up - my heart rate hit 190 within a minute and I nearly barfed. Luckily they settle down after the initial few minutes of madness.