Zwift - Pacer Group Ride: Volcano Flat in Watopia with Bernie

Zwift - Hard 20:00

Zwift - Watopia

This was to try to set a representative time on my B662 TT course in full race trim. I had changed the tyres on the TT bike to 25 mm Vittoria Corsa G+. I'd switched to Conti Light tubes, rather than the Supersonics, as I'd grown tired of the repeated punctures; it doesn't matter how fast you're going if you never get to complete the course! This would also give me the opportunity to see how the TT bike rides now I'd moved the bars fractionally off-centre in order to get a better position for mounting my Garmin. I had picked out my Castelli San Remo speedsuit, which fits nicely again now, Castelli aero gloves, SIDI overshoes, and Giro Selector aero helmet.

The wind wasn't particularly helpful, being a westerly at around 16 kmh, but dropping. That meant I was going out predominantly into the wind, but getting less help from it on the return leg, assuming the report is accurate.

Prior to this I'd managed a short 23 on the EC-130E running deep section wheels a fortnight ago. I'd had a run on the TT bike, but not using aero clothing, a couple of days after that. That attempt had been curtailed. I had estimated I was on for around a 22:35 and that I should have a short 22 in me when in full race trim. See https://www.strava.com/activities/1011206900 for the road bike effort and https://www.strava.com/activities/1014650298 for the TT bike effort.

Happily I was getting on okay with the offset bars. It also meant I had a much better view of my Garmin which I had left pacing me against my road bike effort. I was definitely spending too much time looking down at the data, and thus not keeping the aero helmet where it needed to be for best effect.

I was a little concerned to see how much time I was losing early on and at the rate I was falling behind had estimated I would be about 35 seconds down at the turn, so needing to find around 50 on the return leg if I wanted the KOM. I was able to remain disciplined, not panic, and keep the effort level high but managable, rather than trying to bring the gap down. I knew that the previous time was set with a tailwind on the way out and this time I had a headwind. I was certain I would pull back time on the return leg, it was just a question of how much.

As it happend, once getting clear of Clopton and onto the downhill stretch the rate of change in the gap slowed somewhat, and I was able to hold it to no more than 28 seconds, and even started pulling time back. Presumably this was down to the aero properties of the TT bike having more of an effect on the faster parts of the course. By time I made the turn I was at +24 seconds.

I didn't get a brilliant run through the roundabout, but it wasn't disasterous. There was a lot of traffic approaching but I managed to ease off on the approach and time my arrival to maintain *some* momentum, and not have to stop or unclip. I'd estimate I lost maybe three seconds, and possibly another second on the exit given I was going a lot slower and had to work to get the bike back up to speed.

I was expecting the gap to start falling rapidly. That didn't happen. Although it started to come down it was nowhere near as fast as I expected it to. Once again I was able to remain calm and keep correct pacing rather than "chase the rabbit". I was aware I lost most time over the first three miles out in the open, so I anticipated I would find most time over the last three. That turned out to be the case. Once through Clopton the gap started tumbling. I could see I was on for a short 22, would easily beat my PR and would take the KOM. It was then just a case of settling into a rhythm and pushing for as much time as I could find. I did move onto a bigger gear for the last mile, but couldn't really get on top of it.

In the end I finished with a 22:11 which, IMO, compares favourably to my PB of 22:03 from August 2014. See https://www.strava.com/activities/174615645/analysis/866/1340 On that day I was dealing with a light cross wind, was much more familiar with riding the TT bike hard, and with long, hard TT efforts generally. The F2/10 CAX course is arguably faster as well. There is less elevation change, the turn is easier, the surface is smoother, and dual carriageways typically ride faster due to the traffic. That day power was estimated at 365 watts, and I had an average speed of 27.5 mph. Today power was estimated at 360 watts, for an average speed of 27.3 mph. Although there are a lot of vagaries with estimated power given I know bike, clothing and weight were all similar I think I can take something from the delta, if not trusting the absolute values.

I think with a bit more practice, better weather conditions and a bit more luck on the turn I could probably break the 22:00 barrier for that course. Of particular note, cadence seemed a bit low for me when compared to typically holding 100+ rpm for the one to three minute KOMs I've been picking up lately.

On the way back I thought given I was on the TT bike, and wind was generally helpful I would have a slight detour to try to pick up the "Woolley Road (Junction to Junction)" segment. I managed to equal Paul's time, but beating it will require a concerted effort with very favourable wind.
-- myWindsock Report --
Weather Impact: 2.5%
Headwind: 55% @ 12.4-26.8km/h
Longest Headwind: 33m 37s
Air Speed: 35.4km/h
Temp: 16.7°C
Precip: 0% @ 0 Inch/hr
-- END --

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Mark Roberts

Ride - Day 498 - Breaking Out The Heavy Artillery

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Zwift - Pacer Group Ride: Volcano Flat in Watopia with Bernie

Zwift - Hard 20:00

Zwift - Watopia

Zwift - Pacer Group Ride: Volcano Flat in Watopia with Bernie

Zwift - Pacer Group Ride: Volcano Flat in Watopia with Bernie

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