Over the past few weeks, the world has gone crazy. What started in China spread to Italy, Spain, Iran and now the rest of the world. With COVID-19 bringing massive lockdowns to cities, states and entire countries there is no better place to ride a bike than the world of Zwift.
With many newly-arriving Zwifters worldwide there are a few tips that I think all of us experienced Zwifters need to follow. Let’s cut these newbies a little slack and lend a teaching hand as these new riders find out how many meters the Tron bike actually requires, how to see the real race results on Zwift Power, and most importantly how to connect with the Zwift community more intimately. Whether that’s through group rides, races or just a social club environment, let’s make these folks feel welcome.
Shawn, you are absolutely right. On the message boards and in chat when people ask about why they are stuck with a mountain bike or why there’s a setting for trainer difficulty, or why some people have little screens in front of their bikes, the sarcasm is hurtful. We were all new on Zwift once. We all had our first ride on Zwift at some point. We all had these questions at some point. There’s enough crap going on in the world. It will not hurt to extend a little kindness, or even a lot.
Conversely if Zwift had a satisfactory tutorial all these common questions would be mass addressed in game, rather than people needing to seek advice individually online.
Jerome, there are a slew of tutorials on YouTube by Shane Miller and Eric has covered a lot of things here that can be searched for. But people would rather ask than go through the trouble of searching or watching because it’s easier. It’s just human nature. I’m the type that would rather search than ask but most people are not like that. The best thing to do is if a question annoys anyone, for them just not to answer it and let somebody else who has more patience answer it. It actually takes less effort anyway.
I think what Jerome is saying though is that people shouldn’t have to come here or YouTube to learn basic functionality on Zwift. When I first started a few months ago I had no idea what was going on, what the various icons meant or little things like the screens etc that you mentioned were, let alone more detailed things like how drafting works, how different frames, wheels and terrain effect your riding etc. I only discovered this site a couple of months ago (and ZwiftPower a little after) and I must say it’s been a revelation in the things… Read more »
nobody reads tutorials or even basic instructions, and honestly if I am ever a bit sarcastically short with people on Zwift it’s because they ask questions that make it clear they didn’t even try…
Those of us that take the time to read tutorials, don’t tend to ask stupid questions… (of course the inverse is just as true..)
Although it hasn’t been updated in awhile the unofficial Zwift ‘user manual’ by titaniumgeek was invaluable for me starting on Zwift. It still has a lot of good info for any Zwift nOOb (we were all there once getting our first 1km and saying what is that +20XP on the screen for?)
I typically travel for work but like everyone else has been on lockdown so I find myself with a lot of free time right now. I’ve been on Zwift since the beginning, but don’t get to do a lot of the big events because they don’t fit my schedule. The Tour of Watopia could not have come at a better time for me and I love seeing the huge groups out there on each ride. I feel like the community has been great given the situation and I get fired up every day to ride a stage.
Finding out there was another 40k meters after the Everest challenge was a demoralizing kick in the gut. At least I only have about another 6k to go and I plan to do a third of that on the mountain bike to finish the cape challenge.
40k meters left to what?
The tron bike. It’s 50k total meters.
Look on the bright side, you did get an awesome climbing 🚴 bicycle 🚴 on your way to Tron! Good luck and happy climbing! Highly recommend Alpe du Zwift climbs…as they give you Prizes! Collect them all…and if you don’t get something new, you get 250 XP towards your next level.
If I get another glove…. LOL, the Alpe has been a big part of getting there. Doing the Alpe on the mountain bike is terrible though. Someday I’m sure I’ll get the wheels!
I got the wheels on my 15th run … Keep trying you’ll get it .. I also got all the kit but love hitting it as it’s extra 1000 do less it was dropped down
I got them yesterday on the mountain bike!
Be kind outside and in the worlds of Zwift. Pass out the Ride Ons generously, it boosts the recipients drop rate briefly. And encourages the recipient. Ride on everyone!
As someone who is new relatively new to Zwift (a little over a month now), I have been very impressed by how friendly and kind the community is. I must say that Zwift Insider has been an invaluable resource from tips and tricks to race strategy. I’d also recommend the Zwiftcast and the Zwift Power Up podcasts. Ride On!
I’m a Zwift newbie but my husband is a long time Zwifter, he kindly offered to cycle a ride with me and while doing so suggested I usea feather to get up the hills…I replied on zwift connect that I didn’t have a feather but a bridge. Well he was rather confused as to what I was talking about so dismounted his bike in the garage wandered into the house to see and explain then managed to go back on his bike and was still enough ahead of me on the ride that he had to wait while I caught… Read more »
If you’re going to be a jerk, ride the New York map. 😉
I am a very new rider on Zwift having bought my turbo trainer 3 weeks ago . I am constantly on You Tube and Zwifts Q&A page to try and understand some of it . I did my first Swarm ride last week , I thought I had got it sorted but no , I realised I hadnt a clue how to chat to the other ladies so I pedalled ‘mute ‘ and read all the others imput . I’m an outside rider , usually swapping between mountain bikes and road and this sort of riding has been a revelation… Read more »
A number of rides use an app called Discord that makes it possible to actually talk with other riders in real time. It’s a free download and will work with pretty much any headset you currently use for your phone. Highly recommended…
Hi everyone
Zwift newbies
We have all been newbies
And we are all still learning
Let’s help each other
Welcome to zwift newbies
I’m answer any questions from new riders and happy to give anyone a wheel even you Shawn
Ride strong, ride hard, ride on
And enjoy your ride
As of noon eastern time on Saturday March 21, there are19,517 Zwifters. Wow. Yes, be kind. Give ride on’s. I hit that circle constantly when riding and enjoy making it rain. I check in on the Companion app and hit the ride on icon all day so those I follow hopefully get a bit of motivation. I started Zwift in October last year with very little knowledge on how it all worked. I’m far from an expert and lean on this site and many others to learn and even remember what I’ve forgotten. Glad I got on this platform and… Read more »
I hear the Omnium Overdrive trainer can be used on zwift with a speed sensor ? How can this be ?