Watts Up in Watopia: Celebrate Major Taylor
In many parts of the world, August is harvest season. For many athletes, this means “the hay is already in the barn” and now is the time to accomplish important goals and peak for target events. But, we are also almost at the point where we are setting new goals for next year and making plans for what we hope will be a normal season of events. Our Slowtwitch rides and runs on Zwift are designed to keep you progressing toward your goals now and in the future.
Check out what we have planned for this week on Zwift.
Guest World Schedule
How is your route badge hunting coming along? If you are at all concerned with leveling up to earn more virtual gear, route badges are an efficient way to boost your experience points. Here’s this week’s guest worlds, so you can plan to earn some of the route badges you are missing:
Monday: Innsbruck & Richmond
Tuesday: London & Yorkshire
Wednesday: Makuri Islands & New York
Thursday: France & Paris
Friday: Richmond & London
Slowtwich Indoors Event Preview (All Times Eastern)
Go to Zwift Events to sign up for these rides and runs.
Monday Group Run, 7:00 AM & 7:00 PM
Join us for a group run on the virtual track of May Field that will kick start your week.
Tuesday Ride of the Valkryies Workout (Women Only), 6:00 AM
This event is by and for women. It’s an almost no-drop, rubber-banded Structured Training workout, featuring a warm-up, set of intervals, and a cool-down. Led by Sonic Endurance coach and 2018 Ron Smith Award winner Kelly Burns Gallagher. This week’s workout is Just a Little Bit of Fun.
Tuesday Structured Training, 7:00 PM
Our Tuesday ride features triathlon-focused cycling workouts written by coaches and pro athletes affiliated with Slowtwitch. The workouts last 60 minutes and will help add variety and interest to your weekly training schedule. This week’s workout is May the 4th Be with You.
Wednesday Group Run, 7:00 AM & 7:00 PM
A more scenic group run on the Quatch Quest course.
Thursday Rise & Grind, 5:35 AM
This workout is a 55-minute early morning bracer for the East Coast crowd. Be sure to get a warm-up in and enter the staging area at least 5 minutes before the start. The groups will be fenced with the exception of designated KOMs and sprints, as well as the last 10 minutes of the ride. This ride is double-drafted, so don’t let gaps open up, or you’ll be off the back quickly!
Thursday Hilly Vanilli Chase, 6:55 PM
This double-drafted ride uses a chase format with the D group getting a 5 minute head start on the C group, which will get a further 5 minute head start on the B group. The goal is to have all three groups complete roughly the same amount of distance by the end of the ride. The D and C groups will utilize the fence until they are caught by the group behind. Teamwork is key to the groups catching or staying away. Gather some friends and get them organized to chase!
Friday Festina Lente, 9:00 AM
This structured training workout is designed to get you geared up for the weekend. Roughly translated as “make haste, slowly,” Festina Lente features a workout that will get your engine running but still leave some in the tank for the big rides and races you have planned for the weekend. This ride is led by members of the Kanberra Cycling Team as lead beacon. August will feature a progression of four workouts designed by Craig Polston of EVOQ.BIKE. Craig should be on the ride, having recently returned from Masters Road Nationals in New Mexico.
Other Events to Watch For
Celebrate Major Taylor
On Tuesday, August 10th, ride to celebrate the anniversary of Major Taylor’s 1899 World Cycling Sprint Championship on the track. Major Taylor is the first African American to win a world championship in cycling and continues to inspire young cyclists of color today. Join the ride leaders from the Major Taylor Association for an hour ride on the Ocean Lava Cliffside Loop in Watopia. The ride is offered at many times throughout the day (10:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 10:00 PM). This ride is part of the Black Celebration Series, which provides rides and runs that support the Black community throughout the year.
PTO Collins Cup Group Runs & Rides
Which team are you helping all this month? Team Europe (blue), Team International (yellow), and Team USA (red) are going to be battling it out in the Collins Cup in Slovakia on August 28th. The Collins Cup consists of 12 separate head-to-head races among male and female triathletes from each of the three teams. By participating in Collins Cup group runs and rides on Zwift, you help your team accumulate points that determine the team selection order for the first head-to-head match up. Look for your team’s color (blue, yellow, or red) when selecting a PTO Collins Cup group run or ride, then choose your distance. The longer you go, the more points you earn. August 23rd is a double points day, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to give your team the edge.
