In ZRL Season 2 we don’t have as many TTTs, but they are still an important part of the season. As Zwift Insider’s resident TTT passionista (I just made this word up), I will give you a profile of the upcoming route, guidance on bike choices, and maybe a few route-specific tips.
Review of RGV and ZRL-2
The last ZRL TTT was in France. One fast lap of the beautiful R.G.V. course. At just 24.5km and flat this ride flies by. R&K Droids had an awesome ride – everyone putting in 110% – with one minor problem… one of our key riders had been promoted to B the day before which led to us being DQd.
I love to celebrate successes and personal growth – and the Droids have had a spate of riders promoted as their fitness improves, which is wonderful. I’ve seen this across my whole division as well. So many of the frustrations we faced in season one with riders in the wrong categories have dissipated. Is there still work for WTRL to do? Of course. Bt for my part, Season 2 has transformed into a tough but fair competition. As I posted on Facebook a few days ago – now I feel like I’m in the same ballpark as all the guys beating me!
Off to the Big Apple
Across the Atlantic this week, to New York’s Central Park. Mighty Metropolitan is named for New York’s giant Metropolitan Museum of Art, which houses 2 million pieces in its permanent collection, across 2.2 million square feet. Despite living in the greater New York area for 2 years I never went to the Met so I can’t say more than that about it.
All I can say, is don’t ride in formation like these jokers… nice kit though.
I’ll be frank… New York is my least favorite Zwift world. All the undulating surface roads, and those diabolical futuristic rollercoaster roads… I can never get in a groove. When the New York world was released Dave Chauner, racer from the 60’s, said “Rode the new Central Park course this morning. It’s been a long time but I recognized every meter of the circuit.” Clearly he stuck to the surface roads, which is not what we’ll be doing in Tuesday’s race.
Here’s the course preview from Rick and No Breakaways:
Unlike RGV, this route is seriously technical – no flat, mostly undulating and one big hill right in the middle to split your six riders up. The route is 20km with a 400m lead-in, making it 20.4km (12.6 miles in old money).
Having looked at Eric’s verified segment I have never ridden this route, but I’ve been up that KOM plenty of times. The always-handy Veloviewer route profile below shows every undulation you will need to navigate.
While the whole ride will take care and attention, it is the 1.1 km Reverse KOM ascent and corresponding descent that will define your ride. The ascent averages 5% but that’s misleading. Break it into three bumps with a short respite between each
- 350m at 7%
- Slight break for 150m
- 200m at 10%
- Slight break
- 100m where it gets up to 15%.
Get up there together and you will be in better shape than most teams.
Don’t forget the descent though! Many a team break up when the tables are reversed and heavier riders supertuck down and lose their lighter members. (It may not be legal in UCI races, but it’s still legal on Zwift!)
What to ride?
This is not a day for pure aero. Too many bumps along the way, including the reverse KOM which peaks at over 15%. I will be riding Tron, and recommend you all think carefully about what bike in your garage best suits a bumpy day in the saddle.
Route Recon Rides
Not many days left for a recce – but there are a few rides you can take. Check out the event listing on zwifthacks.com to see for yourselves.
Wrap up
This week is all about discipline. Lighter team mates need to be disciplined on the ascent, heavier riders need to be disciplined on the descent. Work as a team and you will have a great ride.
wpDiscuz
