The Yorkshire Regional British Cycling team have started a twice weekly Zwift ride aimed primarily at club youth and junior riders to help maintain fitness throughout the Covid 19 period.
Details of how to get up and riding with Zwift and how to access the online BC Yorkshire rides is outlined below.
So what is Zwift?
It’s an online ‘virtual reality’ platform that allows you to link up a bike and a turbo trainer via a PC/Laptop/ iPad/ Mac to the internet – and by using the Zwift programme it gives you access to an assortment of ‘worlds’ where you can ride with others.
Zwift is British Cycling’s official online training partner and as a BC member you can claim exclusive benefits – follow this link.
What do you need to be able to join the organised rides?
A bike, a turbo trainer, a suitable PC or iPad, internet access and a Zwift account (free for under 16’s).
There are a number of variations of group rides supported by Zwift including races, organised events (virtual tours) workouts and training plans, our rides follow the ‘Meet Up’ format which means that they are open to all ages and abilities and that the group members stay together irrespective of how each individual rider is working – so if someone is pushing out 400 watts another rider producing 100 watts will not be dropped and left behind.
This means that the ride leader can coach the group and encourage riders to benefit from a good workout and everyone works at their own level.
The technical information and details of suitable bikes, turbo trainers and the app can all be found online here.
Once you’re set up how do you join the BC Yorkshire group rides?
Meet Up rides are ‘hosted’ by a particular rider. Other riders need to follow this person through Zwift and let the host know that they would like to join the ride.
The ‘host’ will then invite that rider to join via the app.
The rider accepts the invitation, and then prepares for the ride by setting up bike, turbo, Zwift connection 10-15 minutes ahead of the agreed start time.
The rider’s avatar will appear on screen and as the start time approaches a prompt will appear inviting the rider to ‘join event’. Click on this to be placed at the allotted start area automatically along with the others in the group.
At the start time all riders set off together following a short countdown. The lead rider will have a gold coloured ‘beacon’ above his avatar. Riders should try to stay in the vicinity of the beacon during the ride.
During the ride the ride leader will send instructions to the group which will appear as text on the screen – details of cadence/intensity of effort/recovery period etc will appear here – this is the way the structured workout is communicated to all riders.
All riders are able to communicate in this way with each other during the ride.
Another method of communication is to use Discord – an app that allows real time voice message conferencing during the ride.
Regular Ride Times
Monday 5:00pm
Wednesday 5:00pm
Ride Host: Andy Akers BC Yorkshire (follow on Zwift and request a place on the ride)
Ride structure: each workout will be different and will focus on various aspects of cycling fitness.
All riders of any age/ ability are invited to join the rides, however there is a limit to each group of 50 riders.
If you have any questions, suggestions or comments please email contact Andy:
AndrewAkers@BritishCycling.org.uk
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