All aboard ZZRC’s GROOVY TRAIN our friendly, longer length, group ride on a “School Night”/”Before School Starts”/”During School” (depending on your time zone).
This is a GROUP RIDE, we aim to support each other. It's not a race, but it's also is not a "no drop ride".
Total duration between 1hr 15mins and 2hrs 30mins (depending on route). But there’s no obligation to complete the full distance, you’re welcome to join for as long as you have available and we’re very happy to have you along.
TUNES
Each week a route appropriate Spotify Playlist will be available to rock to while we roll.
A link to the playlist will be posted on the ZZRC Facebook page and in the ZZRC Discord server (in #zzrcsub3 text stream) at: https://discord.gg/xN5dEBFOpens a new window
PACE
This ride is a medium-paced group ride and we expect the ride leader to average somewhere around 2.5 to 2.7 w/kg. This is AVERAGE pace for the whole ride and at times, especially on sprints and climbs, the ride leader will often significantly exceed average pace.
• FLAT SECTIONS – Approx. 2.5 w/kg. We ride the flat as a group.
• CLIMBS/HILL - 2.7+ w/kg. Things get stretched on the climb, that's fine, we're chilled with that, we REGROUP AFTER (see below).
REGROUPING
We regroup so the faster riders, who want to push hard on the climbs, wait for leader and slower riders. Leader will pace climbs as an average advertised climbing pace (ie around 2.7w/kg sometimes a little more (especially the final “tank empting” final climb).
Try to keep up with or in front of the leader on the climb. The leader will roll through the regroup points rather than stop.
We regroup after main descents, so for example on Watopia Pretzel:
• First trip up mountain – regroup after descent at Marina, just after the Sea Planes.
• Second trip up the mountain – regroup after descent at the Jarvis Tree.
To regroup either come to a complete stop or if you’re in a cold garage/shed and need to keep warm, gently roll on at below 1.0 w/kg until the main group catches up.
BEING DROPPED
Nobody likes being dropped, we’ve all been there (some of us many, many times), we understand the frustration. Bear in mind this is not a “no drop ride”.
The draft effect means if you’re off the back of the main group you need to pace well over group pace to bridge the gap and catch. As a guide 3.5 or 4.0w/kg is needed to chase down a group at 2.7w/kg.
Sweepers are not in operation and if you find yourself further back:
A) Shortly after the start - Consider exiting the event and re-joining as a late joiner (late join is available for the first 30 minutes). Zwift's late join feature SHOULD teleport you into the main pack when you re-join.
B) After a signal drop out - Send a message to the group we may be able to arrange for some of the stronger riders to drop back and help. Just as long as you’re not on a TT bike (they don’t draft) or over a minute back (that’s a big ask).
Otherwise check the mini-map for riders around you, form a grouppetto with them, support each other (#DoubleDraft is on), chat, give "ride ons", make Zwift buddies.
TOP TIPS
- Stay close to the ride leader (or in front on climbs), don’t let a gap form and the elastic snap! This is especially important on descents as the leader will often roll through the regroup point at the bottom.
- Stay away from the Fence – it is evil!
- Visit the ZZRC Facebook page.
- Most important of all: HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE RIDE.