Smashed

So last night was my first attempt at racing in the Zwift Racing League for my new Zwift-based cycling team, Galaxy CC, and boy I got a hiding 😂

At 7.04pm, 80 riders departed on what must be one of the hardest circuits to race on the platform, the 2019 Harrogate UCI World’s route. It’s hard anyway because there is no flat, it’s absolutely brutal to race on like I found out last night. I knew I would struggle but it was harder than I expected, the 3 lap, 41km distance just smashed me to bits.

To cut a long story short, I started fast, in the red, remained in the red for an eternity until I got dropped on the big climb before the end of the first lap. Somehow the top riders seemed to find another gear here when I needed another pair of lungs n legs. It was then a solo TT for the next 2 laps. I think if it wasn’t a team-based event I’d have been a DNF but I got round. Full gas for 76 minutes. 🤮

I gave myself the best chance. In Zwift, ‘drops’ are the currency you earn by just riding. Your balance gradually ticks upwards as you pedal which is accelerated by speed, distance and elevation gain. You can then spunk a chunk of it on new frames and wheels in Zwift’s ‘Garage’ which maybe faster, lighter or just look good. Having read an article on the blog ZwiftInsider who has tested a host of frame and wheel combos to work out the fastest, they offered some recommendations so I dropped 2.5M on a new Cannondale SuperSix EVO LAB71 frame and some Enve SES4.5 PRO wheels

So how did we do? In Race #1 which was a Team Time Trial they came 12th. Last night was Race #2, a Points Race where points are awarded for fastest through segments (FTS) and first across the line (FAL). We came 6th (I was 68th/80). We were originally posted as 7th but we moved up once my points were added which prompted a nice message from the Team Captain to say thank you for finishing and making the difference.

So what did I gain from it?

Well firstly an appreciation for how fast the top guys are. I finished about 13 mins down on the winner but I could flip it and equally appreciate how unfit I am still LOL. My points making the difference to the leaderboard was a WIN and I PB’d my 5 min power too which underlines how hard the start was. It will take a few races at this intensity to adapt. My legs are shredded today but it has spurred me on as I expected because my pride won’t let me finish last in my team for long LOL. I only just crept into Cat B last week so I couldn’t really expect any better but I have to be happy moving from Cat D to B so quickly.

In a twisted way, I quite enjoyed it

Adios

PS If you want to see me get dropped and struggle throughout, here you go