Since returning from our camping trip in North Wales, I have managed to squeeze a few more rides in.
Life sort of got in the way on some days but I still managed to cover nearly seventy virtual miles last week.
I managed two rides with the Wobble Cycle Club which I particularly like for the social side.
And, tonight, I had another bash at racing.
Throughout July, Zwift is hosting a series of Tour related events including a series of races. Each week, there will be numerous chances to ride each section.
The sections, or stages, are as follows …
- Stage 1 (Jun 30-Jul 6): Croissant
- 2 laps (21.78km, 122m)
- Stage 2 (Jul 7-13):Gentil 8
- 1 lap (25.78km, 258m elevation)
- Stage 3 (Jul 14-20):Champs-Élysées
- 2 laps (16.42km, 92m)
- Stage 4 (Jul 21-27):R.G.V.
- 1 lap (24.78km, 133m)
- Stage 5 (Jul 28-Aug 3):Hell of the North
- 1 lap (20.16km, 241m)
I started fairly well, obviously not keeping up with the few flyers but I did settle in with a small group which dwindled to three after a few miles.
I managed to hang on to the other two until a slight lapse of concentration and off they went. You really need to keep an eye on your fellow racers.
As I slipped further back, I found myself in eleventh place and with the next group a few second behind, I was determined not to fall back to them so I plodded on.
The group from which I fell off the back got to about seven second ahead but that was all so I thought that, perhaps, I could catch back up, which I did very slowly.
With a couple of kilometres to go, I did managed to get back into the group and stayed with them but in the final few hundred metres, I just had nothing left so had to settle for eighth place (out of seventeen).
In my ‘E’ category, I finished in forth place but using my Zwift Racing score, I came in eighth. Because of this effort, my score has increased from 70 to 73. Not a lot but in the right direction.
Once I’d caught my breath and started to rehydrate, I realised that I should be happy with that result. I’d averaged 151 Watts (excluding the cool down). I will need more practice but should, hopefully, improve especially if I do some of the racing workouts.
Nice effort Kev. I did the same course this morning. It’s really hard to keep up with the group, but really motivates you doesn’t it?
By no means an expert, but it appears that you need to start flat out and don’t get dropped.
That’s the theory but putting it into practice is the hard part !