Watts Up in Watopia: Group Chat and Segments
We know we’re not alone noticing that group runs and rides on Zwift are more enjoyable when the group is chatty. Encouragement, validation, sharing a bit of our lives…all go a long way to help each other push through the next interval or pass the time quickly on a recovery workout.
After the customary hellos from your corner of the world and sharing your local weather, let us know what’s going on. Send a group text in-game or using the companion app. Any target races coming up? Season goals? Recent accomplishments? Songs from your playlist? Shout outs? Erg or no erg to earn those stars on the bike? Let’s hear from our regulars and new folks dropping in.
Check out what we have planned for this week on Zwift.
Guest World Schedule
You never know when Zwift is going to add more route badges, so it’s always good to keep tabs on which ones you have and which ones you have yet to earn. Here’s this week’s guest worlds, so you can plan to earn some of the route badges you are missing:
Monday: London & Yorkshire
Tuesday: London & Yorkshire
Wednesday: Makuri Islands & New York
Thursday: Makuri Islands & New York
Friday: Makuri Islands & New York
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. This week’s workout is Who Wants a Rest Week?
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 Feel the Burn.
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. This week’s workout is Tempo + Bursts.
Other Events to Watch For
Segments: The Race within the Race
Back in 2009, many of us were convinced that segments were going to ruin the group ride and run. Segments are sections of road designated in real life and on Zwift. Fastest elapsed time across the segment takes the crown. Love them or hate them, segments are here to stay. Major Gran Fondos are now scored on segments, rather than overall winners. That format is carried over in Zwift with particular cycling and running races scored based on placement within segments. Look for these races on Zwift, scored on points for segments and on the finish. On Monday, the FZR Segment Killer Race is scored based on segments. This is sure to change up the race dynamics and potentially put you on a Zwift segment leaderboard.
PTO Collins Cup Group Runs & Rides
How is your team doing? If you check the standings you’ll see that Team Europe (blue) is dominating with a commanding lead in the points. But it’s not too late, Team International (yellow) and Team USA (red). Plenty of rides and runs in August, including double-points day on August 23rd. If you are just tuning in, 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 your team earns. The Collins Cup consists of 12 separate head-to-head races among male and female triathletes from each of the three teams battling it out in Slovakia on August 28th.
