Zwift Haute Route Ventoux - Virtual Suffering!

 

It has been a while since I posted a race report - probably because of no racing 8-(  So, as I approached the latest Zwift Global event, the Haute Route Ventoux (Virtual), as a proper race opportunity (with a proper taper to be fresh) I thought that I would write a full race report. As it turned out, this event was just as tough as any IRL race! 

Haute Route Format

This Zwift event was officially part of the actual Haute Route event series, with a specially created kit and race format of a ride/race (all Zwift rides are races?!) over 3 consecutive days. This event had become a short-term goal for me but the format would not suit my poor old man recovery abilities 👀. However, I was feeling all the IRL race trepidation and I was very well motivated to hit the first day hard. What I had not realised was that the normal category system (A, B, C, D) used to segregate riders by ability was not being used. A points system was used to create a GC result table. I still do not understand the scoring method and I seem to be listed as completing 2 events, rather than 3 - oh well, the racing was real and my placings were amongst all cats - including A and A+. All in all, I am pleased with the results and I seemed to recover sufficiently well to record decent performances.

Stage 1 - Petit Boucle. 7th

This was the longest stage of the 3-day event at 63k. But the route had a different dynamic compared to the next 2 stages, which were pure climbing pain-fest stages.  As with all Zwift races, getting a good start is crucial. This means hitting huge power numbers for the first 5 min at least, to try and stay in the front group. If you lose the group there is no way back and you leak time massively. I managed to stay with the front bunch but I was on the limit after only 10 min. After around 30 mins, the pace did ease slightly and the rolling terrain made it possible to grab some micro-rests! The race finished with the Petit KOM, which is only 2.6k in length but succeeded to split the field. So I had hopes of streaking off the front, leaving all in my wake. . . . .  cough; maybe not.

AS the race progressed, we caught some A Cat groups that had started 2 mins ahead of the B Cat riders. When a big group catches another big group the danger is that the draft affect actually caused you to lose the wheels of the faster group that you are in. To combat this risk, it is best to stay near the front of the faster group. This happened at least 4 times during the ride and I got caught out at around 50k, losing the wheels of my group. I fought hard to get back to the lead group but it was in vain. I caught a couple of riders that were shelled out the back of my previous B Cat group and we basically rode hard to the end.

I figured that pushing to the max on the climb would yield the best results for me, as I am a lightweight rider. I did catch quite a few riders but these were mostly A Cat folk. AS normal, approaching the end in a group of 3, I was 3rd man over the line. I cannot sprint and it shows every tie I am faced with a group at the end of a Zwift race!

But happy with the result. I wondered how the legs would feel for the next stage the following day, which would basically be a mountain time trial up Ventoux - the longest and hardest climb in Zwift.

Stage 2 - Ven-Top. 5th

Stage 2 was a mere 21k. But 19k was the Mt Ventoux climb. I wanted a measured ride on this ride, keeping the power spikes as low as possible. Yesterday's stage was a very up and down type of ride; sometimes sustaining 300+W and other times hiding in the bunch at 200W. This would not be possible on this route and a constant power would be the efficient way to ride.

The start was not as fast as a normal Zwift race - everyone no doubt aware of the constant incline to come. The climbing starts almost immediately and the Ven-Top KOM arrives after only 2k. My plan was to sustain 250W and try to up that during the last 4k. 

My best time on the KOM was 1:12:04, which I set in the L'Etape Tour race. I wanted sub 1:10 if possible. After 6k I was feeling ok. The legs were responding, though I was pushing perhaps too hard. I was aware that the climb comes back to bite and I would feel the fatigue after a while. I was maintaining a good position in the top 15. I knew that I was riding the climb more efficiently than my last attempt but with 5k to go, I was getting ragged, struggling to keep the Watts above 240. But everyone else was struggling by the looks of it and I started to pass a few dying riders!

As the line approached I was wrecked and, again, lost a couple of places to fast finishers. But my finish time for the KOM was 1:09:46. Happy with that. I enjoyed the spin back down the climb to try and flush the legs out for the final stage the next day. I was sure my legs would not be working at all for Stage 3. . . . .

Stage 3 - La Reine. 7th

As I set up for stage 3 I pondered on a plan of attack. Assuming that my legs would be fatigued and knowing that the route was very similar to Ven-Top, in that there was constant climbing for the majority of the ride, I had to measure my effort in order to not blow a gasket. But the first 8k was on rolling/flat roads. If I lost the bunch I would haemorrhage massive amounts of time. So the plan was to try and get in the lead group no matter what and then measure the climb to stay at 240W. Success! My legs were ok - why? I have no idea! But I made the base of the climb feeling tired but not frazzled. 

I held 252W for the course and a new PB at 1:02:40 for the whole race. That was another 3 min faster ride. Happy wit that.

But I was drained!

So what next! I have enrolled on the Zwift Academy Road Training Plan. That will give me a good focus during Oct - Nov 20. My hip injury is still preventing any running volume and I am lucky to run twice a week over short distances. But lately it seems to be improving and I am structuring a return to running journey. Currently I am aiming to run every 2 days for 2 mins. Then, I aim to run every other day for 15 mins - all at Z2 HR. If the hip is good I will develop the Z2 efforts further, with a goal of bringing in some increased efforts mid-Nov 20.

Onwards and upwards

Racing Fix. . . . . .Zwift

 With the pesky injury not any better, even after a few days total rest, I returned to some bike events that gave me my fix for racing. I completed a nice outdoor (IRL!) ride on the single speed bike, spending a decent amount of time in the TT position. I felt strong and I am sure that the consistent Zwift training has really put me at another level on the bike.

Yesterday, I raced on Zwift in the GCN vs GTN event. This was held on the Road to Ruins course, which is not my favourite as it takes you round the Jungle Loop. The race was still enjoyable and the added value of racing withe GCN/GTN presenters was enticing. However, as no GCN presenters seemed to be there, this was disappointing. But the race itself was really intense. I pushed to the absolute limit, especially at the start. Pushing 5W/Kg is way too hard for my old legs but it was full commitment or bust!

I held tough in the front group for around 8 mins. But once the incline kicked in on the Epic KOM the bunch split and was instantly strung out. I ended up in a decent group of 10 riders and we stayed together pretty much all the way to the last 2k. I got detached from this group and remained a ta

Tantalising 2 sec behind, unable to connect - doh. I finished 19th, 'Only' 3 mins behind Phil Graves - 

happy with that result.

Legs pretty shot now and I was near to barfing in this race - good effort then!

  

Longest Ride since 2014 with Jase W

 Yesterday was August (2020) Bank Holiday Monday. AS the weather was ok(ish) I had arranged to gran a ride with long-standing Tri buddy Jase Walkley. If you scroll back a few years, Jase and myself have managed to meet up every now and then for great rides. We rode some sportifs together too and even raced together at the 2008 World Ling Course Champs in Almere - I won't mention the 2011 Almere Ironman meltdown that we did together. . . .Doh, I mentioned it! Not forgetting the many TTs that we raced also.

Anyway, Jase has become an Ironmen legend in his own lifetime, with numerous low 9 hour IM finishes. And last year he rode a crazy 3:47 100 mile TT! But this year he has suffered from a heart condition that necessitated surgery. I think he will get back to full fitness, but I am no Doctor. He has been slowly bringing training back into his life and our ride was the next step in his recovery. We ended up riding around 130k! He looked strong too; his years of conditioning obviously helping his recovery. I look forward to some Zwift meet ups during the winter and seeing Jase race at the highest level again in 2021. Pop

P

The ride was very enjoyable and the weather was nice too. That was my longest ride since I can remember. . . . probably my longest since 2014 when I races the Outlaw and rode a 100 mile TT. I felt good too but was tired after I stopped turning the cranks. All my Zwifting has really got me in shape. Now I need to regroup and focus on conditioning to get rid of this injury niggle to enable a peak in April 21 at the London Duathlon. To build properly I will need to be sensible and not get sucked into racing too many Zwift events at max intensity!

Injury, Byee FB and Le Tour

 As normal, I’m not too happy to be struggling with injury. Over the years I’ve had numerous niggles -  some worse than others. This niggle is something I remember having previously. 

However, my recollection is that I managed to just run through the problem. This time, I continue to feel the dull pain when walking. I have not ran for 4 days now. The fact that I continue to ride may not be helping. My cycling training load has had a massive increase over the last 6 months - take a look at the last year according to Strava:

The massive blue blocks from March onwards are mostly cycling sessions since lock down on Zwift. So Lots of the sessions are Really intense. This is probably the prime reason for the injury. Next week I’m going away with Jueby for a few days - no bike and no running. So I’ll just take the instruments of torture for rehab

Today is the start of the 2020 TDF. I love watching this event and I have find memories of seeing the race live in 2010 when we visited Annecy - yearn to go back there but with COVID travel restrictions it is too risky. I will have to carry on pretending I’m at Le Tour whilst in my garage

Nearly forgot, stupid FB locked me out. So I try to reset and FB wants a photo ID - passport or driving licence. That’s isn’t going to happen! So byee FB. Can’t be doing with the invasive nature of this social media thing. Who needs it anyway when I have this Blog! Only thing is, I’m now the only one accessing the Blog 8-)   Good for posterity in years to come.  Maybe my girls will read my adventures and have something to remember me by.  

More Zwifting and the Injury Monster Returns!

 With no real race goal for 2020, my enthusiasm for training remains as high as ever, which is a really good thing. However, this pesky injury niggle in my hip/pelvis bone is still impacting my running. I rest a few days and then try to run; the niggle returns each time. So I booked an appointment with one of the NTC Tri Club's physio type bods. He identified a pelvic mis-alignment and gave my old body a decent bit of torture. He also prescribed some stretch and flex exercises. Furthermore, I also now have some instruments of torture for trigger point therapy/rolling - yest it does hurt. . . .In a good way!

Despite this new rehab routine I aim to take a few days of complete rest next week. My increased cycling volume on Zwift may well have contributed to my injury - especially those long climbing races up Mt Ventoux. But hey, I did manage to win a Cat B Zwift event!

Yup, still really enjoying the whole Zwift experience. The next big event is a 3-day Haute Route party! This is based in the France World and will mean another full on effort up Ventop. The really gruelling aspect of this event is that there are 3 stages on consecutive days. So just like a real Haute Route event, pacing on each ride is crucial. All this Haute Route talk has me yearning to ride in the French Alps again. I looked at the Haute Route website. . . .  over £1500 just to enter! Then accommodation and travel on top of that. Cannot see my managing to ride one of these other than the virtual version  8-(  Oh well, soon be too old anyway. . . . . 

Injury Niggles

Summer progresses and everything feels a bit odd. No racing and WFH is actually ok at the moment. I'm still heavily engrossed in the Zwift platform and really enjoying it. The risk is I will over-train. I am entering more Zwift events and these make the time in the saddle go by so quickly - I'm finding myself prefering to ride indooors, abive a riad ride. Clocking up 300+k a week has really bumped my bike training volume. Hopefully, that will pay off when a real race is in the cards.

Training for What? And L'Etape Virtual!

Well the news was received that the London Duathlon has been postponed until Apr 21. So that was my last chance for a 2020 goal to race gone. I know that everyone is in the same boat but I am disappointed that I no longer have a race target for this year. I think I am in decent shape too. That said, last Monday I ran and was left with a very sore hip. Not sure where this came from but it was really stiffening up the next day. Two days later and it seems much better. I will try a short run today. The other big development is the demise of my Elite Direto Smart Trainer! Yes, after just 3 months the belt is shredded. I am in touch with ELite, who are very responsive for warranty claims but the belts are just not up to the task. After researching the topic, it appears that there are many instances of belt failure. The solution seems to be just keep changing the belt. However, after changing my belt, the problem remains - slippage and clinking when turning the belt. I was (and still am) totally fed up as the smart trainer linked to Zwift has been a life-line for me. Sounds a bit heavy, I know. But mentally, it has been a huge benefit to me. And my training is the best t has been for 3 years. So I took the plunge and splashed out on what is said to be the best smart trainer out there - the Tacx Neo First impressions? Amazing. It is almost totally silent and so realistic. You even get vibrations when riding over cobbles. The power response is instant and I cannot recommend this smart trainer enough - get one! I gave the trainer a good test during some of the Virtual Tour Rides on Zwift and it was flawless. Zwift have introduced new Worlds to coincide with the virtual Le Tour. This has been even more motivating! I ventured out into France yesterday and grabbed a Mt Ventoux KOM. Probably the only time I will get this KOM jersey as the route is not yet fully open to all riders. The official Ventoux Virtual L'Etape is this weekend. I may have a full gas effort with this ride but it will hurt! I rode yesterday at a constant 190W 3.3W/Kg and it took me 90 mins. I may be able to ride at 230-240W and it will be really testing - can't really say no!