For the past few months I have been putting together recce’s for the weekly Thursday Team Time Trial from WTRL. I race in a hungry mid-pack Latte (usually) team for Rowe and King – the Hyenas, and now I captain the R&K Ewoks on Tuesdays as well. Eric asked me to put together a similar recce for the Zwift Racing League TTTs every-other Tuesday.
This is the last race of ZRL Season One. We have had a fantastic 9 races mixing it up between scratch races and TTTs, and this is the last one. Good luck everyone!
Tuesday 15th December – Two Laps of Tick Tock
Watopia’s Tick Tock route races across the Fuego Flats desert, up the Col Du Saddle Springs, and into the undersea tunnels heading towards downtown before swinging right back into the desert. The TTT on Tuesday does this route twice for a grand total of 36.3km.
What to ride?
This course is mostly flat… only the Col Du Saddle Springs as a bump. Aero wins here. At the top end, you are looking at Venge/Super-9 over Tron, with the Aeroad following close behind.
See bike and wheel recommendations at various levels >
Route Recon Rides
There are so many ways to recce this route – the simplest being to hop on and select Tick Tock. If you want an organized ride or race follow this link to Zwifthype.
Paceline skills are going to be a huge differentiator this week – so If your team wants to do some paceline practice remember you can always set up a private group ride in Companion!
Race breakdown
Here’s a course preview video from Rick and No Breakaways:
I break this route into two – the flat of the desert to Saddle Springs, then the Col du Saddle Springs to the start/finish gate. It’s two laps so do that twice.
Part 1 (and 3) – Across the desert
There is a slight rise into the desert itself, but mostly this is a flat, fast race across the desert. Heads down, get in formation and ride like the wind.
Part 2 (and 4) – Col du Saddle Springs and home
This section starts at 10km (and 27.1km). The col is the small rise that comes right after the futuristic building you pass on your left (it’s a copy of the LAX Control Tower). After a lengthy flat this is a perfect opportunity for your lighter, stronger climbers to jump ahead and create a split! Rein in those riders and keep everyone together. This first little hill is just 2% for 900m before you head back down and into the undersea tunnels.
The undersea tunnels, of course, are flat. The route starts climbing as you exit the tunnels, and continues gently upwards as you turn right towards the desert. Once you reach the Titans Grove junction the road flattens into the desert to the start/finish gate.
Wrap up
The first half of the lap is flat, the second half is a little bumpy… but there are no climbs so severe that you will have to worry about splitting the group. Good communication and teamwork will get you through this TTT.
This is the last race of ZRL Season 1 – other than any playoffs. Season two starts in January and I hope to see you all there.
