10 Things I've Learned About Zwift Racing

Normally this would be me sharing my racing experience from Tuesday night's ZRL at Libby Hill After Party - but since it was less of a race and more a sociable type ride once I missed the chance to stay with the race after the first sprint, I am taking my chance to highlight 10 things I've learned whilst making my first real foray into Zwift racing.  If you are reading this and thinking of giving the Zwift Racing League a try, maybe you'll find something useful.  If you are an experienced racer, maybe you could share your thoughts and key tips as well?

1.  Prepare for a fast start.  There is no easy roll out in a Zwift race, and there is nothing worse than being at the back and on your own within the first 5 minutes; with a long and lonely ride ahead of you.  So, log in to the race pen as soon as you can after it opens, then either warm-up there, or quit and go and ride somewhere else on Zwift and rejoin closer to the start time.  You should have a good position still in the pen.  Then, with 10 aeconds to go start to pick up the power, and be prepared to ride hard for a minute or 2 until the race settles down and you can grab a bit of a recovery.

2.  The Internet glitches.  This will depend on your set-up, netwrok connection quality etc. but I find all too frequently that all the other riders will disappear for a few seconds.  If they don't come back quickly it could be race over - but generally its a short blip.  My advice - up the power immediately as you will have lost draft benefits, and when people come back be prepared to keep the power on until ypu are well back in the group.

3.  Know when the efforts are coming.  This is especially relevant if you are riding in a category where you are towards the lower end of the power range.  Wherever there are sprints, short climbs and so on, the pace and power will pick up.  If you aren't ready for it a gap can quickly form, and then you are working hard to catch-up, or are back cycling on your own.  If you can, make sure you've ridden the course to know where this might happen.  If not, ask your team members for their views and thoughts so you can be prepared to put the efforts in at the right time.

4.  Don't try and be too clever.  Its fine to know what's coming, but I keep getting caught out by trying to predict how the field might react and being a little bit too tactical.  A little bit less thinking and a bit more turning the pedals faster is sometimes the simplest and best approach to stay with the faster riders.

5.  Not everyone thinks the same as you.  It would be nice if you could easily chat and agree with those around you that you'll all work together to close down some gaps.   But its not so easy on Zwift as irl, and it may be that those other riders are quite happy not to chase down anyway.  So don't rely on them helping you out - if, like me, you get into a position where you need this its probably because you've already made some other mistake.

6.  Close gaps quickly.  If you want to catch people up, don't wait.  The longer you wait the bigger the gap, and the less likely you are to close it.  An earlier effort probably means less overall effort.  And if anyone is going to help you, they are more likely to do so if you make a move than if you sit on their wheel.

7.  Sometimes conserving energy is the best ploy.  If you do find there's a big gap and you aren't going to close it as a group, there's little point in expending energy and driving the pace.  Better to bite the bullet, sit in with other riders and think about where else you might be able to improve your race position.

8.  It's much easier in a group.  Make sure you watch the riders around you and the time gaps.  Groups getv draft benefits and will go faster for the same amount of energy.  If there is a group a short distance ahead it is probably worth the effort to close to them, and if there is a group closing on you from behind you are unlikely to stay ahead of them.  Be aware, and get into a group whenever you can - even if that means slowing down and letting people close a few seconds to you.

9.  Supertuck!  I am so glad I had this explained to me.  On decent descents, and especially in a group, you can go faster by not pedalling - plus you get a rest.  Make sure you know the route and where there will be a sufficient gradient for you to do this.   But also, make sure you know when you need to get the power back on - get this wrong and you're on your own and sprinting to get back to the group.

10.  I need to learn to climb hills on Zwift.  Since I changed to a direct drive turbo my ability to hit and maintain high power on hills has gone - I either spin at low watts, or grind at slightly higher ones.  This is simple, I just need to practice so I get the gearing right, and probably simply get stronger!  But, if you are new to this, don't underestimate how much changing your technology will change how the races feel.