I was a little disappointed when I looked at my average speed and was less than 23 mph and pushing over 300 watts. I guess that shows you the importance of being aero. I was sitting up riding the hoods and going as hard as I could, but the wind was too strong.

I have done that same route on my tri bike at over 24 mph, but I can't compare the wind direction or speed so that plays a big role. But overall I am at least 1 mph faster on the tri bike on average, and probably faster with more headwind.

If your FTP is 5+ w/kg and you are getting dropped in Zwift races, then I'd say, yes, you are doing something wrong.

Since you ask, I'm new in the last 2 years to swimming, cycling and running, I did my first triathlon and first full Iromman last year and once COVID passes by I'd like to try and qualify for 70.3 WCs (other commitments pending!)

At my current rate of progression I'm confident I can get somewhere in the region of 390W - 400W FTP in the next 3 months but I'm really not sure whether that should be a goal or whether ultimately that will actually help speed up 70.3 distance bike leg. I've been considering whether to start a thread on that very topic, but imagine it has been done to death!

I wish I was that good. I am not even close to front pack. I am 53, don’t race anymore since my running days are behind me, and am not fast. I was working hard and could only manage 22+ mph for an 8 minute interval.

I hope my PM pedals are accurate. Not sure how I would test that, but I have been using them a long time and they appear to be accurate. For instance, last week I did 20 minutes at about 90 percent effort at 258 watts on the trainer. I have always been able to produce more power outside.

But still, the average speed for my 8 minute intervals is not great. The power I was putting out should have resulted in a much faster average speed I would think.

This is something I cannot comprehend. You are cycling. Indoors. Presumably, for the sole purpose of getting in better shape. On a video game. Giving up the chance to get better in real life to do better on a video is a odd goal that I cannot quite wrap my head around.

On this note, does Zwift offer non drafting rides/races?

On this note, does Zwift offer non drafting rides/races?

Zwift drafting is not like real world drafting where you often can really coast in the draft. In Zwift, the draft effect feels less pronounced that real world. If the pack is putting out 250w, being the draft will mean you will be 220-240 watt range - it's certainly not coasting unless the 250w pace is already easy for you. Not at all like real world crit riding where it may spike to 900w-1100w and then zero pedal, back and forth.

More importantly, in Zwift though, is that if you fall out of that pack that's 'only' putting up 220 watts, you will suddenly need like 300+w for a sustained push to latch back onto the group. It's really dramatic, so in Zwift it's absolutely a kiss of death in the race if you lose touch with the pack.

Oh ok cool! Sounds like some serious power. Yeah I'm trying to qualify to 70.3 WCs too this year for Utah 2021.

Cheers -

I decided to do an FTP test last night outside. Most times I just use the trainer. I found a flat slightly rolling stretch of road to do the 2x8 minute test. I was proud of myself that I was able to hit an all-time high power average. So I start my cooldown and then gradually picked up the pace to steady (zone 2) but not hard as I made my way home. My Garmin Varia picks up a cyclist behind me. All of a sudden a guy comes flying by me on a rode bike and passes me like I am barely moving. He was absolutely flying. I tried to pick up the pace and at least get close to him but there was no chance of that happening. He had to be going over 23 mph and was not even riding in the drops with his head down.

So I went from excited about my new FTP to deflated in a matter of minutes lol. There is always someone faster. Why couldn't he have been behind me when I was doing the second 8 minute interval?

It's possible that your PM numbers might be off (?miscalibrated).

Even though you don't race, with a real FTP north of 270, you should feel like one of the fastest riders in public, even in a bike-crazy place where I live in Norcal where serious road cycling is prevalent. You should literally be blowing by the vast majority of riders at what seems like 2x the speed while doing steady state or higher efforts. You should certainly feel 'fast', if not 'super fast' compared to every other cyclist you randomly encounter on the roads.

For sure, if you did race in triathlon though, FTP 270+ will have you dominating your AG on the bike in local/regional races. You definitely will not be just front of middle of pack even with terrible aerodynamics on a road bike, with that kind of FTP.

I understand how it works mechanically. I just can’t comprehend the desire for “drafting”. In a video game. Maybe I will change my mind one day if I try it.

Make sense. And I get that it is still hard. It’s not like I never draft when doing group rides. But, I would prefer there was no drafting. I guess Zwift is just catering to roadies who are used to it. Personally, I would just rather see how things stack up with no draft.

Same in Zwift, just a little bit of fun riding faster through a segment that I normally would.

Make sense. And I get that it is still hard. It’s not like I never draft when doing group rides. But, I would prefer there was no drafting. I guess Zwift is just catering to roadies who are used to it. Personally, I would just rather see how things stack up with no draft.