Zwift rolled out a new running mission for May, in partnership with Goodr sunglasses. Here are all the details!
Signing Up
Signup is easy – click “Let’s Do This” in the Goodr I.P.A. Mission box at the top-left of the Zwift startup screen. Agree to the terms, then start running!
Finishing the Mission
Mission progress
To finish the mission, you must complete one of each type of Goodr Mission runs by May 18th:
I’ve been a big fan of Wahoo’s TICKR ever since I bought my first in 2015, replacing the two Garmin HRMs I had destroyed in a single season. While it’s quite rare for a simple product like a heartrate monitor to inspire a dedicated Zwift Insider tribute post, the TICKR left me no choice – it just worked too well, and took all the abuse I threw at it!
The original TICKR was released in 2014, and it has since become a hugely popular heartrate monitor – certainly the most recommended HRM if you ask the Zwift community.
Today Wahoo released long-awaited updated versions of the TICKR and TICKR X. Simple labeled “TICKR V2” on the back of the unit, the new TICKRs are incremental but welcome upgrades to an already established and hugely popular first generation line.
New Features
The TICKR and TICKR X include the following new features:
Wahoo TICKR V2
Increased battery life: Wahoo claims to have increased the battery life of the new TICKRs by nearly 50%, meaning you’ll get up to 500 hours of use on a single battery. If you ride 10 hours/week with 2 weeks of vacation annually, that means you’ll only need one 2032 coin cell annually!
Slimmer and lighter: most athletes want to be slimmer and lighter… why not ask the same from our heart rate monitors? 😃 The pod itself is about the same depth as before, but lighter in weight. The strap ends which attach to the pod are much thinner, making the whole assembly thinner. (Note: although Wahoo claims these are the lightest HRMs on the market, DC Rainmaker says otherwise!)
3 Bluetooth connections: most Bluetooth devices only allow themselves to be connected to one device at a time – so (for example) you could pair the old TICKR to Zwift Companion, but not your Apple Watch at the same time. The new TICKRs support up to 3 different Bluetooth connections – like the Wahoo KICKR and KICKR Core smart trainers do after last year’s big KICKR firmware update.
LEDs more visible: the indicator LEDs have been moved to the top of the unit for easier visibility, so you can easily check to make sure your TICKR is connected and recording data.
All nice upgrades, though probably not significant enough to get anyone to go out and buy a replacement for an already-functioning HRM. The multiple Bluetooth connections is a feature rarely seen in HRMs, though, and it can come in handy if you’re running two training programs concurrently (eg, Zwift and Trainer Road) or want to connect to your watch or phone as well as Zwift via Bluetooth.
In addition to the upgrades above, TICKR X includes these new capabilities:
Wahoo TICKR X V2
Enhanced ANT+ running dynamics: enhanced running dynamics data can be transmitted to compatible smartwatches (Garmin watches, basically) via ANT+, giving runners real-time access to their cadence, vertical oscillation, and ground contact time. TICKR X also offers runners a proprietary Running Smoothness ® score through the Wahoo Fitness app, helping to improve their efficiency and form.
Expanded memory: TICKR X can also store up to 50 hours of workout data (up from 16 on the original TICKR X). This data will sync to your smartphone via the Wahoo Fitness app.
TICKR X is especially popular with runners – most of the features it supports beyond the standard TICKR are run-specific. It can even transmit your running pace to Zwift, which is handy if you don’t already have a RunPod, NPE Runn unit, smart treadmill, or some other way to get your pace into the game.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a new heartrate monitor, I can’t recommend the TICKR enough. Read this post for a list of the 7 features which made me love my original TICKR, then go buy a V2 TICKR yourself! Retail price is $49.99US for TICKR, $79.99US for TICKR X.
Note: this post contains affiliate links to Wahoo. Zwift Insider makes a small commission on purchases made from these links, so please shop through them to support our efforts!
Simon, Shane and Nathan return for more chat on the latest in Zwift.
This episode, Steve Beckett, Zwift’s Chief Marketing Officer, is a special guest, with lots to say on Zwift during and beyond the crisis, plus thoughts on Family Subs, Club Functionality, and community racing.
There’s also an interview with Guy Voisin, the head of cycling at Eurosport on what changes he’d like to see in-game to make racing a more appealing TV proposition.
Australian pro triathlete Sarah Crowley joins us for this week’s episode, and we pick her brain about the all-important coach/athlete relationship. Sarah has always been vocal about crediting her team, and there’s no doubt that coaches play an important part in every athlete’s success. Sarah sheds some light on just how important that relationship can be!
We apologize that the audio quality is not up to our usual standard, due to Covid-19 and social distancing we can’t use our usual recording equipment.
About the Podcast:
The Zwift PowerUp Tri Podcast is hosted by former pro triathletes Matt Lieto and Jordan Rapp, lending their in-depth knowledge of the multisport to the Zwift Tri audience.
UPDATE: the test results below are now outdated, due to Zwift modifying their Pack Dynamics. See the latest version of these tests for accurate data.
Drafting plays a huge role in road cycling and thus was built into Zwift’s physics engine from the early days. Of course, Zwifters (especially racers) have debated the “correctness” of Zwift’s draft since the early days as well!
Perfecting a virtual draft is no mean feat, especially when you consider that there is no way to steer or brake on a trainer (not yet, anyway). Because of these restrictions, Zwift’s draft has a bit of “stickiness” to it, so if you approach a rider from behind, and your speed is close to theirs, you will get “stuck” in their draft. This allows riders to get into the draft and stay there more easily, but can be a bit annoying when you’re trying to come around another rider.
There are, perhaps, some improvements which could be made to the draft. In the past I’ve advocated for Zwift to let us “feel” the draft by changing resistance based on our draft status. And Zwift themselves implemented “double draft mode” back in 2018 – an optional event mode which increases the draft effect substantially so it’s more in line with outdoor levels. (It’s still used in some events to help groups stay together, but racers have found that it makes races less exciting since it raises overall pack speeds, making it more difficult for attacks to stick.)
We had already done some testing of the draft effect, but only with two riders. Our initial draft tests showed a wattage savings of approximately 25% when drafting behind a single rider. We also looked at draft savings up climbs and down descents. But what everyone really wants to know is how the draft behaves in larger groups! How much power am I saving if I’m riding 5th wheel, instead of 2nd? What’s the most efficient power plan for a team time trial?
Here’s a screenshot I grabbed from a recent GCN race broadcast. It shows a special secret “draft viewing mode” – fascinating! But just how powerful is that draft?
It’s much harder to test the group draft, because you have to have multiple Zwift accounts set up, each on separate machines, and be able to control each rider individually on a flat course without interference from outdoor riders. Zwift certainly has ways to do this internally, but for the rest of us mortals it means cobbling together a lot of Zwift accounts, computers, and ANT sticks… then figuring out a way for just those accounts to ride by themselves!
That last bit was the sticky part for us – there was no way to hold a “private” group ride, until Zwift released “Meetup-Only View” this week. Now we can arrange a Meetup on any Zwift course, and only have those we invite visible. Perfect! Let’s test the group draft!
Test Goals
This initial group test set out to answer just two questions:
Is it more efficient to ride in a standard TTT format (single-file line), or for riders to simply hold high power and “churn” continually on the front like we see in most Zwift races?
If it’s more efficient to ride single-file, what sort of power savings occurs in each successive rider in a typical TTT formation?
Test Parameters
All of the test riders were set to 183cm height, 75kg weight, and rode Zwift Carbon bikes with 32mm Zwift wheels.
Interesting side-note: Zwift’s draft effect actually takes rider height and weight into account – similar to outdoors! So a taller rider will create a stronger draft than a shorter rider, and a heavier rider a stronger draft than a light one. Zwift computes an estimate of a rider’s frontal area and uses this to compute the wind resistance they encounter, as well as the draft “wake” they produce.
Test Methodology
Tests were done in “Meetup-Only View” on Watopia’s Tempus Fugit route because it’s the flattest on Zwift, and it has a timed section (Fuego Flats Reverse, 4.4 miles long) which could be used to measure the speeds of each test formation.
All of the tests were done with four riders. Because I ran out of ANT sticks and computers!
Tests and Results
Test 1
All riders @ 300W Segment time 10:14.8 Speed: 41.34 kph (25.64 mph)
Notes:
All four riders continually “churned” on the front, alternating between poking their nose into the wind, then getting slowed so another rider could come around to the front. This is what you typically see at the front of a non-TT Zwift race.
Test 2
The second test had the lead rider holding 300W, with the other three riders in single file behind, holding the minimum wattage possible to stay in formation. This is what you would see in an outdoor team time trial:
The “minimum wattages” stated for riders 2-4 on this test and other tests below should be considered approximations, as it is impossible to figure out the precise wattage required to hold formation due to Zwift’s dynamic physics engine and very small undulations in terrain, even on Fuego Flats.
Riders received power savings of 23%, 32%, and 34%. So the more riders you’re behind, the bigger the draft effect.
In a TTT situation with all riders taking equal pulls on the front at these wattages, each rider would average 234W.
Test 2’s segment time was 23.1 seconds slower than Test 1’s, despite riders holding no higher than 300W in both tests. This may seem odd at first, but it’s a well-known result of the way Zwift’s physics engine works at the front of packs. In the “churn”, riders are speeding up while in the draft, then shooting ahead into the wind, only to be slowed and have another rider shoot past them. This little speed boost accounts for a significant time difference, as we see here!
Test 3
Next, I tried to guess what wattage the lead rider would need to hold in order to beat the time set by the churning group of 300W monsters from test 1. I settled on 320 watts – here are the results:
Riders received power savings of 23%, 30%, and 33% (2nd, 3rd, and 4th rider respectively). This lines up with the power savings seen in other tests.
In a TTT situation with all riders taking equal pulls on the front at these wattages, each rider would average 275W. This is crucial to understand: that even with Zwift’s “speed churning” from test 1, the four riders in this test significantly beat test 1’s time by riding efficiently in single file formation.
Test 5
For the fifth test, I bumped power up to around the max we might see in a TTT. I also wanted to see how the power savings (in terms of %) changed with higher power on the front:
Riders received power savings of 23.5%, 31%, and 35% (2nd, 3rd, and 4th rider respectively). This lines up with the power savings seen in other tests.
In a TTT situation with all riders taking equal pulls on the front at these wattages, each rider would average 311W. So just 11 watts higher than all riders held in test 1: but much, much faster due to smart use of drafting efficiency!
Test 6
For the final test, I reduced power down to the 3 w/kg line, where many D and C riders may ride a TTT effort:
Riders received power savings of 23%, 31%, and 36% (2nd, 3rd, and 4th rider respectively). This lines up with the power savings seen in other tests.
In a TTT situation with all riders taking equal pulls on the front at these wattages, each rider would average 175W.
Conclusions
Power savings in a single file line of riders is quite consistent in terms of a percentage, even when the front rider’s wattage varying from 225-400W in the tests. Savings for the 2nd rider ranged from 23-24%, 3rd rider 30-32%, and 4th rider 33-36%.
Clearly, the single-file TTT formation is the most efficient way to travel in a group on Zwift. Racers competing in TTT competitions would be smart to practice riding in formation with a focus on holding that minimum wattage needed to stay on the wheel of the rider ahead. This is more challenging on Zwift compared to outdoors due to delayed response times and a lack of steering/braking, but riders can become very proficient with practice. And that will pay off in a big way in terms of TTT race results!
Zwift’s latest update includes a new FutureWorks event type called “Boost Mode”. It’s already been the source of no small amount of controversy, with some Zwifters complaining they don’t want “fake” watts/artificially-boosted Strava segment times, Zwift should spend their time developing features Zwifters are requesting, and “we don’t want Mario Kart – we want a realistic cycling simulator.”
Fair enough. But I would push back on those complaints:
I don’t want fake watts: this isn’t like riding an ebike! Your own watts charge your “battery”, then you release those watts when desired. Zwift has been clear in saying there are “no free watts” in Boost Mode. In-game segment PRs are disabled in Boost Mode events. As for Strava segments – my guess is the boosts aren’t long enough to affect segment times, except on short sprints.
Zwift should spend time on other features: Zwift employs around 300 people, and there are always many projects underway in various stages. Just because Zwift’s developers are working on one thing doesn’t mean they’re neglecting another. Boost Mode is a great example of this – I first heard about it back in December 2019, when Zwift was talking about releasing it! So it was in development for months prior to this, along with a slew of other features.
We don’t want Mario Kart: here’s the thing: some people do! Zwift is different things to different people, which is why events have options. Boost Mode isn’t going to be used in every race – far from it. But it may be used in some races, and you can take part in those, or not.
Yesterday I saw that the Jarvis Club has a private test event set up: “Boost Mode Test 1a”. 10 Laps of Crit City’s Downtown Dolphin, and the first-ever live test of Boost Mode. I had to sign up! I wasn’t entirely sure how Boost Mode worked, but I figured it would be simple enough. Turns out I was both right… and wrong. Boost Mode takes Zwift strategy to the next level! Here’s the story of today’s Boost Mode race.
The Warmup
Today’s warmup was a bit longer than my usual, because the race wasn’t until 8am and I was antsy to ride. So I got on around 7am after chewing three pieces of caffeine gum and slapping some PR lotion on the legs. I had to spend a little extra time tweaking my trainer setup, because I was testing out some new Garmin Vector 3 pedals and had my bike hooked to Monica’s rocker plate and Tacx Neo trainer.
A few hard efforts got my heart rate up to 160, then it was time to head to the Crit City start pens. Let’s race!
Welcome to Boost Mode
When I clicked to join the event, I was greeted with a “Welcome to Boost Mode!” screen. This introduced me to Boost Mode, and let me set my options:
Here’s how Boost Mode works:
You have three different “Boost Types” to choose from, and you have to choose one. You only get to pick one of these for your event, and you can change it until the event begins. Think of these as on-bike batteries which you charge yourself.
For this test event, the three Boost Types were:
Efficient: 50w boost for up to 90 seconds. Requires 50w to charge. Adds 11lb to your weight throughout the event.
Balanced: 200w boost for up to 17 seconds. Requires 100w to charge. Adds 16.5lb to your weight throughout the event. This is the boost I selected.
Power Burst: 500w boost for 5 seconds. Requires 150w to charge. Adds 22lb to your weight throughout the event.
Each boost type has a different number of “stages”. You can store up 4 boosts with “Efficient” mode, 2 boosts with “Balanced”, and only one boost in “Power Burst”. Tapping once on the charge or discharge button will charge/discharge one stage. Tapping multiple times will charge/discharge as many times as you tap.
During the event, buttons in Companion and on-screen let you decide when you want to charge your Boost, and when you want to use it.
Small green icons show next to rider names when they are using a boost. You have no way of knowing which boost type they selected, or when they are charging their boost.
The Start
The clock hit zero and our small band of ~15 B’s headed out of the pens. And that’s when I encountered my first problem: the A’s showed up! I hadn’t looked closely at the event details, and didn’t realize we’d be mixing in with the other categories. (Have I mentioned how much I dislike racing with other categories?)
I pushed extra hard to hang with the front group, knowing the longer I could hang with the A’s, the better my chance at a race win. But I was off the back almost immediately – not surprising considering the A’s included heavy hitters like Kim Little, Casey Schumm, Nathan Guerra, and James Hodges!
My First Charge
Once the failed fight for the front finished, I turned my attention to Boost Mode. I needed to charge my first boost! So as I began descending the twisties, I tapped the battery icon in Companion. This reduced my power by 100 watts while it charged, as indicated by the “-100w” graphic below the power number at the top-left of the screen:
Charging my boost
Zwift doesn’t change your power numbers shown on screen (pure watts or w/kg number) when you’re charging or using a boost. And they shouldn’t! We all want to see accurate power.
Crucially, Zwift also doesn’t change the power numbers it records while you’re charging or boosting. So your final fit file will be accurate, showing the actual power you put out during the event.
Timing Bug
There was one bug that Zwift will need to fix, though. I didn’t notice this until after the race, when I was watching my recording… but it took the same amount of time (8.5 seconds) for me to charge my boost as it took for the boost to discharge. Why does this matter? Because charging only cost me 100w, but discharging boosted me by double that (200w)! So I was getting 100 free watts for 8.5 seconds every time I used a boost!
I chatted with Wes Salmon at HQ about this – and he made it very clear that their goal here is for boost mode to give no free watts. Which is exactly how it should be. So this is just a bug which will be fixed in short order – probably by the end of today, according to Wes.
Wes also said they’re building in a bit of a “charging tax”, so the watts you get when activating your boost should be a little less than what you put in – like charging a real battery.
The Middle
As the race continued, I started paying more attention to what was going on around me, both in terms of the overall race situation, and how other riders were using Boost Mode. Our B group was quite scattered, with a few riders up the road with some A’s, and me with a small pack of B’s in what I assumed was the second group. (This is one reason why I don’t like racing with mixed categories – it makes it harder to track who is where!)
I had my eye on Chris Pritchard, who was up the road with some of the A’s. I figured he (as well as others) were live-streaming this effort, and you know how that goes: when you know the world is watching, you push yourself to the max!
My boost charging and discharging fell into a more regular pattern as the race continued. I would charge on the descending twisties, because descents are where it’s easiest to keep speed high even if watts drop off. Conversely, I would use my boost on the brick prime climb, because climbs are where wattage boosts help your speed the most. This had the effect of making my effort more “even” over each lap.
Extended Animation
But just because it evened out my effort doesn’t mean it made the race boring! The opposite was true, in fact: Boost Mode really animated this race, in ways I have never experienced before on Zwift. Having a boost in my back pocket gave me the gumption to attack hard on the climb or bridge up to riders ahead, when I would have otherwise sat in with my group. Instead of the typical Crit City race of attrition, I found myself in a constantly-changing small group of riders as we caught some up the road, dropped others, and got caught by others using boosts to chase us down!
The 200w boost was definitely noticeable – it made a huge difference in terms of effort up the prime climb, and really boosted my speed on the flats. The -100w hit when charging was also noticeable, but not too bad when done on the descent.
There was an entirely new level of strategy at play here as riders tried to leapfrog groups or attack hard and drop others. All of the Boost Mode madness was mixed in with the standard powerup fun, too, so it was possible to (for example) use a feather plus a 200w boost on the prime climb.
The Finish
In the final lap I found myself with a pack of two other B riders: Mike Ellis and Chris Pritchard. There were just a couple B’s well up the road, as far as I could tell… so we were fighting for a podium spot or two.
Mike had been putting in some hard attacks throughout the race, and I figured Chris had a strong sprint. I had held onto an aero helmet powerup for the final sprint, and charged both of my boosts. So I had 17s of a 200w boost to use, plus a 15-second powerup. What was my best strategy in the final meters of this race? Now you can see how Boost Mode brings another level of thought to Zwift racing! And my poor addled race-brain was having a hard time deciding the best move.
Given how I’d seen Mike attacking thus far, I figured he would go hard on the prime climb and try to stay away. Pritchard, on the other hand, had been racing smart – sitting in the draft. So I decided I would try to follow the wheel of anyone who attacked hard on the climb, using one Boost if needed. And I would save my other Boost plus aero powerup for the final sprint.
Mike jumped on the prime climb as expected – and he jumped hard! Watching the replay, he must have used a Boost, because he flew away quickly. I was gapped, even with my extra Boost power. Pritchard used a Boost as well as a feather powerup to make it up the climb easily, and we traded pulls as we chased Mike on our way down the descending twisties to the final sprint.
Timing the boost and powerup wasn’t easy, with Mike just within reach and Chris right on my tail. I hit both of my “assists” probably earlier than I should have, getting out ahead of Chris then passing Mike before Chris came roaring past in the final meters. I was right – he did have a strong sprint!
In the end I got 4th place. One nice thing about Jarvis Club private events – no sandbaggers! Our in-game results matched ZwiftPower’s results.
My big takeaway from this event is that Boost Mode is going to be a big deal in Zwift racing. It will never be used for all races, and it shouldn’t be, because some racers want a more “pure” race experience (no powerups, either). But I believe once Zwift gets Boost Mode dialed in, Zwifters will find they really enjoy the way it animates races and adds strategic options.
There’s plenty of strategy and variability in outdoor bike racing which we don’t get on Zwift: wind, mechanicals, pack positioning, braking/surging, etc. Boost Mode, in my opinion, will bring some much-needed variability to Zwift races.
My second takeaway is that I’m happy with how Zwift is letting Jarvis Club members test these new FutureWorks features. This is exactly how it should be done – let experienced Zwifters test stuff out and provide feedback so things can be polished then released to the entire Zwift community. For Boost Mode in particular, Wes mentioned that next week they’ll have more events, and the numbers for the boosts will be tweaked, as HQ dials in what works best for charging wattage, boost wattage, and charge times.
Your Thoughts?
What do you think of this boost mode idea, now that you’ve read/seen it in action? Share your thoughts below!
Editor (Eric’s) note: Monica wrote the original version of this post over 3 years ago, and since then has become quite a cyclist herself, completing the challenge of riding all Zwift routes (among other things). With many couples stuck at home these days and looking for ways to stay active, we thought this would be a great post to re-share. Enjoy!
As the non-athletic spouse of a very devoted and disciplined cyclist, I’ve become the recipient of encouragement to also become a cyclist. I don’t use the term “encouragement” jokingly. My husband has truly been a champion when it comes to turning me into a regular spinner of the wheels. It’s probably been a tough battle for the poor guy, having to balance his desire to see me ride with not turning into an annoying nag, even when I’m being a baby-whiney-pants about it. He’s been awfully patient with me through it all and although I’ve not become as passionate as he, I do call myself a cyclist and enjoy a good ride fairly regularly.
If you have someone you’re trying to encourage to become a cyclist you may find these tips, taken from what Eric did for me, helpful…
#1: Be Patient
Another word for patience is “long-suffering.” Sounds fun, doesn’t it? But if you can ride 50 miles on that little seat, on those little wheels, in those tight clothes, in those weather conditions, you can probably hold your tongue more often when working to get someone on a bike. Dear Eric has long-suffered for two years now!
A text I’d get some mornings, after Eric took the time to put my bike on the trainer when he was done using it. It took away another excuse for me to not ride.
#2: Make it Easy
It’s near-impossible as a non-cyclist to look at a bike and be excited about riding it, especially when you know you won’t be anywhere near your cycling friends’ abilities. So when they first start, let them wear their baggy clothes over the best bib shorts you can find. And let them use platform pedals instead of clip-ins. And let them drive their truck with the bike in the back to the flattest, least-busy part of town to ride where they are comfortable. Anything that makes it difficult will just be another excuse for them to not ride. Let them start small without feeling the need to correct them.
#3: Help Them Gear Up
When they have the neighbor’s old bike that was headed to the dump and your least favorite riding shorts there won’t be much of a draw to ride. Borrow a bike that fits them, or buy a used one to begin with. Along with that, they need a bike fitting from the LBS and may need to work getting a proper seat dialed in. And for the love of all that is good and kind, get them a good pair of shorts!
#4: Be Excited for Them
When they do ride give them kudos on Strava, tell your other friends about it in front of them, tell them you’re happy, and ask them what they thought. Yes, you rode 50 miles at 5am, averaging 22 mph the same day they rode 6 miles at 10am, averaging 12 mph, but they aren’t you and they have to start somewhere.
#5: Get Them on Zwift
Don’t just tell them about Zwift, set it up for them. Help them with the trainer, the fan, the connections. Favorite them in Companion so you get an alert when they ride, and can easily give them a Ride On. And ask your friends to give them a Ride On too. Riding on Zwift takes away some of the pressures of cycling (like balance, wind, dogs, and cars) while they gain strength and confidence.
#6: Suggest Group Rides (but don’t expect them)
Group rides can be daunting. To ease them in you can start by riding with them, then eventually invite an extra friend or two along. Invite friends who will be courteous and realize this isn’t the time to take that KOM. Eventually they’ll be more excited about group rides, if they see how forgiving and kind cyclists really are.
You can also encourage them to do group rides on Zwift where they won’t feel bad if they are much slower than everyone else. Set up a small group Meetup ride on Zwift with people you both know and be sure to ride together at the pace they set.
#7: Help Them with Goals and Rewards
Setting specific cycling goals and being sure of future rewards are both good motivators. Any goal from riding 40 miles in a week to completing a 30-mile ride by the end of summer would be beneficial to them. And if they are on Strava they’ll have a way to easily track those goals.
Join them in meeting those goals, encouraging them along the way. (And consider not telling them what your goals are. If your goal is to ride 6 centuries by the end of the summer they may feel their goal is pathetic.)
#8: Optional – Add Extra Fluff
Once the person you’re trying to coerce into cycling shows real interest, consider adding some extra fluff. If that person is anything like me they need it to be as easy and as comfortable as possible. Get them the very best gloves, the coolest-looking helmet, the most badass jersey, the trainer rocking plate, the sassy socks, the blinking red light, the rearview mirror, the trip to Southern California near their best friend that also happens to have a 50-mile ride going on…
Nagging won’t get your loved one to ride, but lots of long-suffering on your part just might. And babying them. Because who doesn’t like to be babied? You’ve got this!
Me and my long-suffering husband!
What About You?
Got some tips we didn’t include? Share them below!
Zwift just released updated versions of their Companion app on iOS and Android which bring a crucial feature to Meetups: the ability to hide everyone who is not in your Meetup!
Why is this important? Simply put, it’s very hard to keep track of your Meetup participants in a crowded virtual world. Hiding all Zwifters outside of your Meetup means you can pay attention to those in your event. It also means no interference from outside Zwifters – so you can hold what is effectively a “private race” and not worry about some riders getting an unfair draft advantage from outside riders.
Creating the Meetup
Meeting creation works the same as before, but there is one option added near the bottom of the setup screen – a toggle switch for “Meetup-Only View”. Tap the toggle to enable this view, and it clearly explains what this option does:
In this Meetup, you will only see other Zwifters attending the Meetup. Everyone else in the world will be hidden.
Creating your Meetup
This is the view Meetup participants will see
How It Works
We just tested the new feature, and it worked perfectly! As soon as you click to join the Meetup, you are transported to the Meetup start point, and all other Zwifters are hidden. All Zwifters outside of your Meetup will remain hidden from view until you exit the Meetup, or the Meetup ends.
Enjoying the open roads of Fuego Flats!
There are a few details worth noting:
In-Game Messaging: messages sent from within a Meetup are only visible to other Zwifters currently in that Meetup. This is true whether the “Meetup-Only View” option is enabled or not. Oddly, you will still see messages from non-Meetup riders while you’re in your Meetup-View Only event. Hopefully Zwift will change this soon, as it is distracting to see continual messages from Zwifters who aren’t even visible on screen.
Zwifter Visibility: non-Meetup Zwifters can see you riding/running in your Meetup whether the “Meetup-Only View” option is enabled or not. Meetup-Only View simply hides all other Zwifters from your view.
Want To Ride Alone?
Although we don’t encourage persistently antisocial/asocial behavior 🤗, Meetup-Only View makes it easier than ever to ride alone on Zwift.
Simply create a Meetup on whatever map/route you desire, invite one other person (which is required in order to save the Meetup) and enable “Meetup-Only View”. Voila! You can join your own Meetup by yourself.
Questions or Comments?
We believe Meetup-Only View will quickly become the default setting used by Meetup organizers. What do you think? Share below!
Jim Miller may not be a household name, but his influence on cycling in the USA is momentous. It includes being Kristin Armstrong’s life long coach!
Greg and Kristin both catch up with Jim as he shares stories from his illustrious 20+ year career. Plus, Matt talks about getting the balance right between riding up and down categories.
A special episode featuring the very best of the Zwift Community in these lockdown times.
Simon talks to BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin about the overwhelming response to her charity ride on behalf of the NHS. Louise tackled an imperial century – in the company of more than 1,500 other Zwifters.
Simon also chats to Jason Dyck, the Canadian coach who organised what’s thought to be the first-ever group ride for para-cyclists on Zwift. It was a resounding success and will now become a weekly fixture.
And finally Simon gets to know a little bit more about Netto Smith, the South African Zwifter who’s become a bit of a star because of his joyful videos riding Zwift in Lockdown.
