Jumped in last night on a whim and enjoyed the experience much more than I thought. That is why I actually had not done one until now. I also had not raced my road bike in at least 10 years.
Did the WBR Hilly London Loop at 9:15 EST and ended up second in C (13th overall) with a 278 watt and 3.3 w/kg average for that 30km race. Signed up for C because I typically ride around 2.5w/kg when I ride and had not averaged over 250w before.
Is it time to move up to B?
Jumped in last night on a whim and enjoyed the experience much more than I thought. That is why I actually had not done one until now. I also had not raced my road bike in at least 10 years.
Did the WBR Hilly London Loop at 9:15 EST and ended up second in C (13th overall) with a 278 watt and 3.3 w/kg average for that 30km race. Signed up for C because I typically ride around 2.5w/kg when I ride and had not averaged over 250w before.
Is it time to move up to B?
I ride B with a 230W FTP for 3.4W/kg and I typically finish in the bottom third. The way I see it, I’m far enough over the usually suggested B/C threshold (3.2) that it’s not legit to ride C. I know there are people with higher power, and higher power to weight, than me, and they kick my ass in Zwift. That doesn’t bug me in the least and doesn’t reduce my enjoyment of Zwift by one iota. IWBMATTKYT (yes, I also subscribe to The Sufferfest). That’s what it’s about. I ride the trainer when the weather sucks so that when the weather gets good I can be ready. Zwift, SUF and the other simulations are just ways to get me to use the trainer.
Those are some big Watts.
Nice job.
I’m just getting started with Zwift. Hang around C for a while so I can try and catch up to ride with you:-)
Jumped in last night on a whim and enjoyed the experience much more than I thought. That is why I actually had not done one until now. I also had not raced my road bike in at least 10 years.
Did the WBR Hilly London Loop at 9:15 EST and ended up second in C (13th overall) with a 278 watt and 3.3 w/kg average for that 30km race. Signed up for C because I typically ride around 2.5w/kg when I ride and had not averaged over 250w before.
Is it time to move up to B?
You are probably a B level rider. It is based on your FTP in W/Kg. Check out Zwift power and you’ll learn more about those around you.
Oh, and congrats on your first race. It is pretty cool, huh? I actually find myself buckling and bending my elbows as I hit a small quick descent and bob my head down feeling in the moment. And since I have a PM not a smart trainer, I laugh every time the incline goes up to 5% and suddenly every racer around me is standing.
B level FTP is 3.2-3.99 W/kg
C level FTP is 2.5-3.19 W/kg
Ride on
Interestingly enough there were plenty of D riders ahead of me the first 10km until we hit Box Hill, and for a while I thought I may have to sign up as D next time.
But I think I outclimbed most folks in that race and did a 9.01 up Box Hill on the first lap and 8:46 on the next lap.
In the end I finished second to a guy who has a better finish. He beat me by 2 tenths of a second and averaged 290 watts on 3.2 w/kg
I don’t know if this factors in your decision or not, but ZwiftPower already bumped you to B.
I can’t see this
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Interestingly enough there were plenty of D riders ahead of me the first 10km until we hit Box Hill, and for a while I thought I may have to sign up as D next time.
But I think I outclimbed most folks in that race and did a 9.01 up Box Hill on the first lap and 8:46 on the next lap.
In the end I finished second to a guy who has a better finish. He beat me by 2 tenths of a second and averaged 290 watts on 3.2 w/kg
My ftp is 3.2 w/kg so I am a straddle guy
I cannot hold 3.5 for 3/4 hr+
You will learn about sprint timing and lots of other stuff. Big numbers-good job.
I haven’t cracked 9 min for box hill in several races now and I am a middle/high third c level and got creamed in b but hope to be there again soon
A long time ago I was a professional mountain biker, and I mean a loooooong time ago as in the early 1990s. The last few years I have ridden less and my 750 miles on Zwift this year is more miles than I have done the last 3 years on the road.
But I will want to take this fitness outside now and see what I gets me.
Will start with the Charlotte Speedway TTs
Great job getting back at it. Cycling is superb for heart healthiness. You will get better and better-and faster than you think with zwift.
Look for me
Dale Toce-Cyclonaut
Good luck in your comeback
Edit
And if I am correct in knowing your name I believe you are now a big S/R proponent. I had a blast at casco bay-long course. First time in my life I felt like I could think of myself as a real swimmer cuz I didn’t die. 😋
Yep, plenty of category sandbaggers on Zwift. Sign up for C and get in the B peloton. If you can hang and finish, zwiftpower will upgrade you in the race. If you get dropped, soft pedal back to C front group and steal a podium spot if you time it right. Happens in almost every race. I typically sign up for B group and often see the A and B front group riding together after the initial 2 mins of 5w/kg sorting out. Any sort of 5%+ grades on the chosen race course will eventually separate the true As/sandbagger Bs from everyone else in the first group.
But, all in fun since its just a game!
Already was bumped to B and that is fine
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Yes I mostly race SwimRun events now but still love bicycles. I also organize SwimRun NC and see myself as an ambassador for the sport
Great job getting back at it. Cycling is superb for heart healthiness. You will get better and better-and faster than you think with zwift.
Look for me
Dale Toce-Cyclonaut
Good luck in your comeback
Edit
And if I am correct in knowing your name I believe you are now a big S/R proponent. I had a blast at casco bay-long course. First time in my life I felt like I could think of myself as a real swimmer cuz I didn’t die. 😋
Glad you had fun
Race B and get stronger as you race more
Everyone I know who tried it reacts mostly like you.
I was in the beta testing groups and never really got Zwift. A friend convinced me to give it another shot late last year and I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy it. The racing is fun… as long as you remember it’s a virtual game and ignore the obvious weight dopers. I’ve set quite a few power PR’s at the various times, including a new 20 minute max power several times. I am a mid to upper level C and usually try to hang with a group of B’s as long as I can until my legs give up. I still have yet to time a sprint correctly, and 2 years of long distance tri training has definitely put me at a disadvantage at times, but I’m loving it.
B is the right place for you! Although now it’s going to be much harder to get near the front!
When I started I was upper C. Now I’m low to mid B. I’ve virtually zero chance of getting near the front of a B race even early on but that’s fine.
I may be physically capable of matching your numbers from that race but I doubt it and I’m pretty sure I never have. My FTP based on 20 minute testing is currently right at 3.5W/kg but I’d really struggle to hold 3.3W/kg for more than 30mins so that figure is perhaps optimistic - or I’m a wimp!
I think so too. I am really getting into it this year and pushing cycling more, so I expect to see a bit more improvement. But honestly not too concerned where I place in Zwift, and was shocked when I fought for the win in my first race. But as it turns out, according to Zwift Power I am now last in B and not narrowly beaten for the C title. 
Well done!
There are kind of ‘tactics’ and you’ll get better with practice.
The w/kg cats don’t really work if you are an outlier. I’ve won a KISS EU B race with 3.4w/kg… mainly because I am fat 
There’s plenty of mass start races too where you get a good race regardless.
Truly thank you all
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sort of off topic but where did you ride/race primarily back in the day? Asking as we may have rubbed elbows a few times back then. I was out of Jackson, WY and primarily raced in Wyoming (duh), Utah and CO with a little bit of MT and ID in for good measure.