Like any worthwhile endeavor, Zwift has a learning curve. Even experienced cyclists will find they have new equipment to set up and software settings to understand. Less experienced cyclists have even more to learn, as they must also wrap their minds around new training terms, group ride etiquette, and more.
Here’s our second in a series featuring top tips from real Zwifters (read part 1). Thanks to the Zwift Riders Facebook group for supplying their best tips!
Get a high rpm fan and a second smaller fan. Two TVs one for Zwift one for whatever else.
Brian Degnan
Many Zwifters run two fans–some because they need the increased coverage of a second fan, some because they want to be able to turn the additional cooling off and on. And two TVs? If you’re the type of Zwifter who doesn’t want to focus on the ride, it’s nice to have a second screen for Netflix.
Don’t ride a time trial bike in a group ride as you won’t get the draft.
Mary Franklin
Oh Mary, we feel your pain. Bringing a TT bike to a group ride or race is a mistake you’ll only make once!
It is so easy to overtrain.
Kelly Ginther
Yes it is, especially on Zwift where it’s tough to keep your efforts low. Read How Hard is Too Hard? for a perspective on training and rest from certified coaches.
Racers at the start “ramp up” before the final countdown. I was wondering why I kept getting dropped at the start of races. I’m glad a friend told me this.
Lisa Stranc Bliss
Because there can be a slight delay between applying power to the pedals and Zwift receiving that data, it’s smart to start ramping up the power a few seconds before the clock hits 0. This ensures that you’ll have high wattage out of the gate.
How to join and event / race for beginners…
Jim Heesacker
Yes, many new Zwifters find this process confusing! Check out Shane Miller’s Swift Zwift Tip on this topic >
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I wish I knew that a chosen route self-guided through the turns. I kept tapping the pop ups and going off course because I thought I had to make the decision. Probably would’ve helped to have the map of Watopia too. Maybe that should come standard with any Zwift subscription.
Jer Walker
We think your poster with a subscription idea is excellent, Jer.
Get a USB extension long enough to get the ANT Dongle near the sensors.
David Orem
Yes! A million times, yes! If you’re using ANT+ and experiencing data dropouts, buy a USB extension cable. More info on fixing ANT+ dropouts on Zwift >
Get up out of the saddle or get a rocker plate or trainer that rocks if you want to spend a good amount of time riding. The trainer holding your bike makes for a stiff ride and that will get to you after some time.
Ken Lewis
Completely agreed. We’re big fans of rocker plates over here–check out a recent review of the SBR ROCKR.
Make sure liquid and snacks are within reach before starting an event.
John Clarketheus
You don’t want to be forced to climb off the bike to grab what you need if you’re in the middle of a big group ride or race. So make sure everything is within arm’s reach, or you’ve got a helpful assistant who can come to your aid.
That you don’t have to shift gears during a workout.
Andres Sulleiro
True! That’s the nice thing about ERG-mode workouts. That said, there are times when shifting in ERG workouts is a good thing.
Leave your ego at the door, you’re about to be put in your box.
Nathanial Boersma
You may be hot stuff in your local riding club, but Zwift is a worldwide phenomenon and some very strong riders come out to race. Expect a high level of competition, and when you get beat, let it inspire you to work harder.
You can switch back & forth between challenges. Climb the Alpe ⛰ with Everest selected, then switch to Italy for a flat ride…
Katie Levie
You have to gun it out the start gate on a race.
Stuart Campbell Lee
Zwift races always start hard, as strong riders push to make a “selection”–that is, to force a break in the pack, so the strong riders can get ahead without weaker riders sitting in. So head into the start pens nicely warmed up, and expect the hard effort to last 2-4 minutes before it settles down.
Don’t get on Zwift Riders Facebook group to boast that you ascended the Alpe du Zwift in a sub 45 minute time unless your power source is verified or you’re a pro or ex-pro rider, as it will probably end up with a flaming.
Chris Radley
Truth. Chris obviously speaks from experience.
If you race, make sure to sign up at Zwift Power.
Sylvia Granlund
Zwift Power is where the final results of Zwift races live. If you aren’t signed up, you are being automatically disqualified from all race results. So what are you waiting for?
What About You?
What do you wish you’d known when you started Zwifting? Comment below, and we may include it in a follow-up post!
I use three fans. Two for me and one for the trainer…the resistance unit gets ‘hot’ so I figure it benefits from some cooling air.
How many times I would be told that the solution to any Zwift problem was to get a TacX NEO
I have Flux and does just fine. And there are many other trainers from other brands that will do great as well.
Just when selecting a trainer, make sure it can put out more watts than you can produce. Started with a Vortex, and had to upgrade the next year.
I wish I knew about Zwift Insider sooner! First four months I was clueless and now I feel like I can help other newbies and am at the forefront of Zwifting due to this excellent site!
Just an addition to the Gunning it out of the Gate, is to get to the race early. If you wait till the last minute you’ll be at the back, and will really have to gun it to get to and keep up with the front.
And do a warm-up before any races.
Before you used to be able to ride and collect a power up before joining the race. Not sure if you can do that anymore.
Nope! Powerups are lost when joining a race. So, use em or lose em!
Thought that they made that change. Wasn’t always the case
One thing I wished I’d known:
It took me a while to realise that, before a junction, arrows appear on everyone’s shorts telling you which way they’re going.
Until I learned about “Indicator shorts” I’d be really enjoying riding with someone only to get to a junction and see them fly in a different direction.
Indicator shorts. LOL!
I see that you can’t draft with a TT bike, but can you get a draft from someone riding a TT bike?
Yup.
The tip about switching challenge is the one that makes me slap my own face for obliviousness.
Eric, I’m not sure where to submit suggestions/requests for future Zwift initiatives? So, I will just dump on you and maybe you can forward???
Email if you have an questions/comments.
What can you do with all the points that accumulate as you ride????
Also how do you give a group “ride on”??
You get two types of points as you ride: XP and Drops.
XP: https://zwiftinsider.com/points-levels-unlocks/
Drops: https://zwiftinsider.com/how-drops-work/
Group Ride Ons: https://zwiftinsider.com/giving-multiple-ride-ons/