Not always the best choice. I've ridden off the front in a Zwift race before. More should know key areas to make hard attacks that make bridging harder. Where to force splits to happen is more key. You should only work on the front for good reasons if not attack.
@@sigfreed11 when it comes to racing I like breakaways an solo moves so I have to hit the group a few times in lap or the hardest climb on the route an dig deep for a gap until they stop chasing on climbs. For general training smooth is fast not slow. An when ive gone with slow groups my legs stall out for going so slow. An just like to carry speed just got to surfer the terrain lots of free speed.
What a great race! I really enjoyed that. It's why I love Zwift so much - you find your level and race the guy next to you and don't let the guy behind catch! If you really want some fun join us for a Team Time Trial....
Really great effort. Even if you were fatigue in the second race you did better with a more stable heart rate because you stayed in the pack longer catching the draft.
Impressive level of suffering (180bpm for two races)! Lots of race craft to learn, but your ability to hold that level of suffering will do you very well in crit racing!
Great catch when you almost lost the wheels in the first race, Ryan, but even better one in the second one! Both excellent moments. And it looks like you were the only rider in race two who'd completed both events. That put you at a huge disadvantage. So you did amazing to beat half the field with a 20km race in the legs already.
Strangely I felt my endurance kick in on the 2nd race, it was just my sprint and start that was affected which was evident. Yes, I was the only one the complete both races which I was surprised by.
Why gave you not yet got Zwift Play?? It makes hanging on drafting more efficient, you can corner better and activate your power upside more easily. They work really well. I definitely ride better with them...Low hanging fruit mate.... You can even drop drafters by moving left or right as you increase power/sprint...
Great effort Ryan, jus like you I’m a corporate obese because of career choices, not that it’s an excuse that justifies it, but I can relate to where you were at and the sacrifices made to get there. Recently picked up Zwift and although I’m no where near on my path towards progress compared to you, your videos inspire and give tips and insights that I, and I’m sure many others, greatly value. Don’t give up and thanks for the entertainment and motivation!
Man!! That was fun to watch..just kept yelling at you from over here. Your steady efforts are improving. Now gotta get those sprints up. You have the weight advantage, so now gotta mash it into the pedals at the finish.
Well done, Ryan. Glad to see you spinning more. With the power you’re making, you might get bumped up into C category soon. If you want to win in D first, race as much with your brain as with your heart and legs. Unless you’re fully committing to a breakaway, there’s very little payoff to riding off the front. It just burns energy you can put to better use later, and it forces you to generate more power, which sooner or later is going to tell the zwift algorithm that you belong in a higher category.
"F... D category!" Oh, it only gets better in C when the margin between the bottom and the top is huge. Awesome work as always Ryan. Getting strong, playing the game and enjoying the journey.
Really enjoyed those 2 races. Much better cadence. Seat height is now much better. You arnt having to stand up. Enjoy Cat D. That win will come soon enough. I followed you on Zwift. Happy to free ride with you any time. Maybe do the Alpe some time and I’ll show you how I train on that route to improve my average watt output
You're improving so much well done, just a few pointers about race craft, just before you get back on the group come off the power so you dont yoyo through and conserve energy in draft. Try standing up for more raw power? and at the end of the first race watch the distance to go, get on the power earlier to slingshot through the riders with momentum. 2nd race you're wasting energy trying to push off the front and the winners had a lot of power in the last km. Enjoying your videos 💪💪
Hi Ryan, just wanted to say my fiance and I both love your content - we've been binge watching our way through your Zwift videos in particular. Love your attitude, Ride On and Merry Christmas!
I just want to say i love your videos. I am following your progress and i am right there with you mate. And your music and extras particularly in this last video are great. I am a C cat and been zwifting since beta but im just same as you. We are all good for us! Racing on Zwift is relative and you WILL win a race. Looks like soon too.
Nice video. You are geting close to the point where you can stay at the front of these Cat D races on cruise (way below threshold), so you'll be able to do a proper breakaway attempt or have enough for a sprint. Agree with other commentators here - practice staying in the bunch - when I saw you catch the group and then go straight through to the front, I just winced: effort to get back, and then effort to get out in front. Giving everyone a free ride and making it easier in the sprint for them.
Thanks Kevin. I'm there now. Doesn't take max effort to stay at front. I only go to front with momentum, I always float back so no energy lost. Thanks for the tip. New vid coming next week.
Well done, stay motivated, zwift racing is hard, coming out on top of even 10 other guys is tough and even if you discount the cheaters I’m sure a lot of guys build their rest days and training plans around being fresh for racing.
Excellent efforts, Ryan! I would still recommend an actual warmup before any race. But I sometimes feel good about doing more than one race; really get those legs in the zone. Hang in there, man. You’ve improved so much. And a lot of people probably wouldn’t even have started that second race, let alone finish 5th in it. Only small piece of advice is maybe to hide in the pack a bit more. Save the watts for the end.
Great video, especially the second race. 👍🤣 Your racecraft is getting better, you stayed in the lead group and used the least amount of energy. Suss out who the stronger riders are and where you are strong. You've got enough power to attack and get a gap but not sure you have the stamina to hold it. Knowing when to attack is key. Too early and you'll die, leave it too late and the sprinters get the win. In the end there an amount of luck involved. Your doing great.👍
I thought you were gonna do it on the second race….2 races unreal!..unlucky great effort.Get your watts up to 400+ for the sprint,pedal like your life depends on it 🚴🏼👍
Thanks! I appreciate that. I think my sprint (or lack of) is down to two things. Max threshold being reached well before 200m so nothing left in the tank and pure lack of cycling "muscle memory", I haven't ridden a bike since 1998 so knowing what gear to be in or even saddle height is a disadvantage.
@@RyanCondon watching your videos should que you in on what you need to do. From what I can see from your last video where you showed several races. Your sprint gear is probably 15. It looks like your pacing gear (the gear you ride in most) is 11. You're right about you being tapped out going into a sprint and not having anything for it. Try to always ride wheel for the whole race. If you do go to the front don't push. Just try to slow down a little. If others are riding your wheel, they will slow down also to stay in your draft. Do everything you can to save yourself for the sprint. Then when it's time to sprint start to spin your cadence up then change to your gear to 12 or 13. Spin up again (this is your ramp up and should be done seated). Once you hit 95-100 rpm shift to 15, stand up and go. This should give you a good starting point. If 15 feels like the resistance is fighting you try 14 the next time. You don't want the resistance to fight you the entire time you're sprinting. That's what it looks like is happening when I watch you sprint standing...your cadence really slows because you are trying to muscle through. Sorry about the long post!
Was it a combined series with points considered from both races? Did 5th take that into consideration? Anyway, enjoyed the watch, great effort and result, should be proud. Race management looked better 2nd race when conserving energy - though I still had a little cry when you shot off the front 😂
I dont really understand the point of why it was two races as I was the only one who raced both. Weird! Also, I'm working upto practicing for a last minute breakaway so gave it a shot.
I totally get that - did some races this morning and was in the same situation, never going to win a sprint and was bored sitting in a lead pack who were saving themselves for the end, so I channeled my inner Condon, dropped the aero boost 1.5km from the finish and sprinted away building a nice 20 sec gap, blew up and swallowed by the pack 10 secs later 😂 A breakaway win would be so satisfying so keep going for it.
Probably, you should train your standing position during sprints. Like in 20:04, but for much longer. In this timestamp you use lower part of handlebars and stand which is great to produce extra watts :) Usually when I do my "last" sprint I close my eyes and try to use every single part of my muscle :) Btw. 2 days ago, during my 6th try I finally finished Four Horsemen in 3h 30mins. Without you I wouldn't get enough motivation to try it over and over again :)
Thank you! I very rarely know in advanced 😅. I only normally plan them when I need a particular race for something otherwise I just jump on one I see during the day.
I also often get bored sitting in the pack and will try the odd push. Two things I never push too hard, just enough to liven things up and never too close to a section I’m weak on (hills) I am also D cat old, heavy and minimal endurance but win a few races by having a decent sprint. Always try to keep a little energy spare for the last km. Great videos, I’m looking forward to seeing the winning video!@@RyanCondon
@@RyanCondon well Ryan I’m not going to stop a maverick but I am going to point out that a cycling fan watching your tactics would say that guy hasn’t got the discipline to win. It’s more tactical than you’re giving it the credit of being
Love these videos but struggling to understand the tactics, going off the front when at threshold, using the feather on a small incline, using the draft and going off the front. Finally, not using your 100kgs in the sprint by not getting out the saddle... That's unbelievable.... If you can't do that then you need to get in the gym and strengthen your posterior chain. Guy your size should be producing twice that wattage in the final straight. That's all meant constructively btw.... Your videos are phenomenal and I'm a sub.
Thanks for the comment. Your comment and comments like yours are the reason I have made a new video this week. I'll let you into a secret. I don't know what I'm doing except trying my best. I go to the gym, I don't know what a "posterior chain" is and probably more importantly nor do I care. It's fun to chase the dragon, if I balls up using a Feather in that process then ok... I race for fun and the fun gets be back on the bike when I'm not a cyclist and hadn't ridden a bike since 1998 before May last year. I mean my response constructively and I appreciate the sub. 👍 Watch out for this Fridays vid. You may know about Zwift dynamics and arse muscles but maybe you'll learn something about motivation.
That was a really good effort. My best and most memorable performances are not in the races I have won. I agree with @charles-etiennedubrule9339. You were too aggressive in the first race and lost a lot of energy trying to lead. In the future stay humble and low in the pack enjoying the draft and only show your power at the end. The bike fit improved your performance for sure.
1 tip only from me. STAY OFF THE FRONT AND SAVE YOUR ENERGY FOR THE LATER STAGES.
Not always the best choice. I've ridden off the front in a Zwift race before. More should know key areas to make hard attacks that make bridging harder. Where to force splits to happen is more key. You should only work on the front for good reasons if not attack.
@@sigfreed11 when it comes to racing I like breakaways an solo moves so I have to hit the group a few times in lap or the hardest climb on the route an dig deep for a gap until they stop chasing on climbs. For general training smooth is fast not slow. An when ive gone with slow groups my legs stall out for going so slow. An just like to carry speed just got to surfer the terrain lots of free speed.
What a great race! I really enjoyed that. It's why I love Zwift so much - you find your level and race the guy next to you and don't let the guy behind catch!
If you really want some fun join us for a Team Time Trial....
Really great effort. Even if you were fatigue in the second race you did better with a more stable heart rate because you stayed in the pack longer catching the draft.
Impressive level of suffering (180bpm for two races)! Lots of race craft to learn, but your ability to hold that level of suffering will do you very well in crit racing!
Great catch when you almost lost the wheels in the first race, Ryan, but even better one in the second one! Both excellent moments. And it looks like you were the only rider in race two who'd completed both events. That put you at a huge disadvantage. So you did amazing to beat half the field with a 20km race in the legs already.
Strangely I felt my endurance kick in on the 2nd race, it was just my sprint and start that was affected which was evident.
Yes, I was the only one the complete both races which I was surprised by.
Why gave you not yet got Zwift Play?? It makes hanging on drafting more efficient, you can corner better and activate your power upside more easily. They work really well. I definitely ride better with them...Low hanging fruit mate....
You can even drop drafters by moving left or right as you increase power/sprint...
@@quickkiwi on Santa's list. 👍
great race, awesome comeback you are getting there not long to go
Well done mate. Im currently 146 kg, and lost 12.7kgs. I plan on starting in zwift soon. I cant eait to compete with you🤩
12.7kgs is an amazing effort, welldone.
You mean you can't wait to suffer with me... 😅
Great effort Ryan, jus like you I’m a corporate obese because of career choices, not that it’s an excuse that justifies it, but I can relate to where you were at and the sacrifices made to get there. Recently picked up Zwift and although I’m no where near on my path towards progress compared to you, your videos inspire and give tips and insights that I, and I’m sure many others, greatly value.
Don’t give up and thanks for the entertainment and motivation!
Thanks for taking the time to comment Vashizm. I really appreciate that.
Good luck in your efforts, you'll get there. 💪
Man!! That was fun to watch..just kept yelling at you from over here. Your steady efforts are improving. Now gotta get those sprints up. You have the weight advantage, so now gotta mash it into the pedals at the finish.
If you keep banging out PR's then that is a win in itself. Keep up the awesome effort 👍
Both huge efforts mate! Well done. 👍
You are improving every race Ryan! Soon you`ll take a win! ;) Love your videos mate.
Merry Christmas to you and yours :)
Merry Christmas Richard!
Well done, Ryan. Glad to see you spinning more. With the power you’re making, you might get bumped up into C category soon. If you want to win in D first, race as much with your brain as with your heart and legs. Unless you’re fully committing to a breakaway, there’s very little payoff to riding off the front. It just burns energy you can put to better use later, and it forces you to generate more power, which sooner or later is going to tell the zwift algorithm that you belong in a higher category.
"F... D category!" Oh, it only gets better in C when the margin between the bottom and the top is huge.
Awesome work as always Ryan. Getting strong, playing the game and enjoying the journey.
"FUCK THIS CATEGORY BLOODY HELL" was the most english thing I've ever seen haha
😅🙈
Really enjoyed those 2 races. Much better cadence. Seat height is now much better. You arnt having to stand up. Enjoy Cat D. That win will come soon enough. I followed you on Zwift. Happy to free ride with you any time. Maybe do the Alpe some time and I’ll show you how I train on that route to improve my average watt output
Hitting your PBs harder than last time! Nice!
Merry Christmas...hope Zwift play was in your prezzie pile! 🎄
You're improving so much well done, just a few pointers about race craft, just before you get back on the group come off the power so you dont yoyo through and conserve energy in draft. Try standing up for more raw power? and at the end of the first race watch the distance to go, get on the power earlier to slingshot through the riders with momentum.
2nd race you're wasting energy trying to push off the front and the winners had a lot of power in the last km.
Enjoying your videos 💪💪
Thanks 😊 you are going to do this.😊
Hi Ryan, just wanted to say my fiance and I both love your content - we've been binge watching our way through your Zwift videos in particular. Love your attitude, Ride On and Merry Christmas!
Thank you very much for the comment. I'm pleased you like them. Merry Christmas to you and your fiance. 🙌
This is awesome, Ryan! Keep it up - great videos/races - true discipline! You are already winning across so many fronts!
I just want to say i love your videos. I am following your progress and i am right there with you mate. And your music and extras particularly in this last video are great. I am a C cat and been zwifting since beta but im just same as you. We are all good for us! Racing on Zwift is relative and you WILL win a race. Looks like soon too.
Thank you! 🙌
Keep working on that Zwiftcraft. You got this buddy!!!! 🤙🏽
Thank you sir!
Keep op going bro really great effort and improvin a lot , love it , you are allmost there. gogogo
🚴💨 💪
Nice video. You are geting close to the point where you can stay at the front of these Cat D races on cruise (way below threshold), so you'll be able to do a proper breakaway attempt or have enough for a sprint.
Agree with other commentators here - practice staying in the bunch - when I saw you catch the group and then go straight through to the front, I just winced: effort to get back, and then effort to get out in front. Giving everyone a free ride and making it easier in the sprint for them.
Thanks Kevin. I'm there now. Doesn't take max effort to stay at front.
I only go to front with momentum, I always float back so no energy lost.
Thanks for the tip. New vid coming next week.
Well done, stay motivated, zwift racing is hard, coming out on top of even 10 other guys is tough and even if you discount the cheaters I’m sure a lot of guys build their rest days and training plans around being fresh for racing.
Ye, you need to stop burning matches when there’s no need too. 195hr. Well done 👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
already know its a banger video before i even watch it
🙌
Keep it going Ryan you will get there.
Thanks Kevin. I appreciate that. 🙌
Excellent efforts, Ryan! I would still recommend an actual warmup before any race. But I sometimes feel good about doing more than one race; really get those legs in the zone.
Hang in there, man. You’ve improved so much. And a lot of people probably wouldn’t even have started that second race, let alone finish 5th in it.
Only small piece of advice is maybe to hide in the pack a bit more. Save the watts for the end.
Cheers Thomas. I do like to try for a breakaway. It looks fun.
On my threadmill zwift running. Resting my butt from all cycling 😊 Gonna be interesting to watch go for it!
Great effort Ryan - keep it up
Keep going Ryan your killing it. I’d suggest try draughting but I find it impossible 😂
Well done Ryan keep going as you are and you will get the WIN soon i reckon WELL DONE MATE 🎉
Cheers Chris. 👍
Great video, especially the second race. 👍🤣
Your racecraft is getting better, you stayed in the lead group and used the least amount of energy. Suss out who the stronger riders are and where you are strong. You've got enough power to attack and get a gap but not sure you have the stamina to hold it. Knowing when to attack is key. Too early and you'll die, leave it too late and the sprinters get the win.
In the end there an amount of luck involved.
Your doing great.👍
Cheers Nik. 💪
Was a good race, enjoyed it.
Dang! Good job man! I thought today was gonna be the day you got the win. Keep it up!
When it eventually happens, you'll know from the Thumbnail. 😅
I follow several zwifters cat A B and C but you’re my fcking hero. Great effort keep going pal you’ll get your win
I appreciate that. 🙏😅
Good one.
Great effort. Now this is pain on a level I recognize lol
I thought you were gonna do it on the second race….2 races unreal!..unlucky great effort.Get your watts up to 400+ for the sprint,pedal like your life depends on it 🚴🏼👍
I thought I was gonna win too. Thanks for watching.
Great job Ryan. I liked you "I Can't Win a Zwift Race" also! If you need some pointers on your sprinting let me know, I think I can help.
Thanks! I appreciate that. I think my sprint (or lack of) is down to two things. Max threshold being reached well before 200m so nothing left in the tank and pure lack of cycling "muscle memory", I haven't ridden a bike since 1998 so knowing what gear to be in or even saddle height is a disadvantage.
@@RyanCondon watching your videos should que you in on what you need to do. From what I can see from your last video where you showed several races. Your sprint gear is probably 15. It looks like your pacing gear (the gear you ride in most) is 11. You're right about you being tapped out going into a sprint and not having anything for it. Try to always ride wheel for the whole race. If you do go to the front don't push. Just try to slow down a little. If others are riding your wheel, they will slow down also to stay in your draft. Do everything you can to save yourself for the sprint. Then when it's time to sprint start to spin your cadence up then change to your gear to 12 or 13. Spin up again (this is your ramp up and should be done seated). Once you hit 95-100 rpm shift to 15, stand up and go. This should give you a good starting point. If 15 feels like the resistance is fighting you try 14 the next time. You don't want the resistance to fight you the entire time you're sprinting. That's what it looks like is happening when I watch you sprint standing...your cadence really slows because you are trying to muscle through. Sorry about the long post!
@@CBRMackie63 thanks for the tips. I appreciate that!
Was it a combined series with points considered from both races? Did 5th take that into consideration?
Anyway, enjoyed the watch, great effort and result, should be proud. Race management looked better 2nd race when conserving energy - though I still had a little cry when you shot off the front 😂
I dont really understand the point of why it was two races as I was the only one who raced both. Weird!
Also, I'm working upto practicing for a last minute breakaway so gave it a shot.
I totally get that - did some races this morning and was in the same situation, never going to win a sprint and was bored sitting in a lead pack who were saving themselves for the end, so I channeled my inner Condon, dropped the aero boost 1.5km from the finish and sprinted away building a nice 20 sec gap, blew up and swallowed by the pack 10 secs later 😂
A breakaway win would be so satisfying so keep going for it.
@@louiskirkham9845 I feel this tactic is the best chance I have for a win. I can't do 800watts in a sprint atm.
Probably, you should train your standing position during sprints. Like in 20:04, but for much longer. In this timestamp you use lower part of handlebars and stand which is great to produce extra watts :) Usually when I do my "last" sprint I close my eyes and try to use every single part of my muscle :)
Btw. 2 days ago, during my 6th try I finally finished Four Horsemen in 3h 30mins. Without you I wouldn't get enough motivation to try it over and over again :)
Thanks for the encouragement.
Welldone on your 4 Horseman achievement, amazing time too. 💪
Zwift crit racing club is racing Downtown Dolphin all week, 10 laps like this race was. Could be a good chance of getting a win?
Thanks for the heads up
Great video this !! Relatable . Ryan can you let us know a race you are in , in advanced so we can join in too !!
Thank you! I very rarely know in advanced 😅. I only normally plan them when I need a particular race for something otherwise I just jump on one I see during the day.
No prisoners anymore Ryan 😂👍
I love your video's, but the music was way too loud :P
Username checks out. 😅👌
Next time maybe try to spend more time riding behind others or in a group. It uses up to 30% fewer watts.
Yes I know but I get bored and like the odd adrenaline rush. Thanks for watching.
I also often get bored sitting in the pack and will try the odd push. Two things I never push too hard, just enough to liven things up and never too close to a section I’m weak on (hills) I am also D cat old, heavy and minimal endurance but win a few races by having a decent sprint. Always try to keep a little energy spare for the last km. Great videos, I’m looking forward to seeing the winning video!@@RyanCondon
@@RyanCondon well Ryan I’m not going to stop a maverick but I am going to point out that a cycling fan watching your tactics would say that guy hasn’t got the discipline to win. It’s more tactical than you’re giving it the credit of being
Keep going you are going to get to c cat.
Cheers Dewi.
All times trial s are like this , do shorter route. Get your sprint s up to 800watts.
A bit of constructive feedback... That's absolutely shocking m8. Four minutes to tighten up one allen bolt and adjust your camera 😂
And I am as unorganised as I look on camera. At least I can hide most of my mistakes with good editing. 😅
Love these videos but struggling to understand the tactics, going off the front when at threshold, using the feather on a small incline, using the draft and going off the front. Finally, not using your 100kgs in the sprint by not getting out the saddle... That's unbelievable.... If you can't do that then you need to get in the gym and strengthen your posterior chain. Guy your size should be producing twice that wattage in the final straight.
That's all meant constructively btw.... Your videos are phenomenal and I'm a sub.
Thanks for the comment. Your comment and comments like yours are the reason I have made a new video this week.
I'll let you into a secret. I don't know what I'm doing except trying my best. I go to the gym, I don't know what a "posterior chain" is and probably more importantly nor do I care.
It's fun to chase the dragon, if I balls up using a Feather in that process then ok...
I race for fun and the fun gets be back on the bike when I'm not a cyclist and hadn't ridden a bike since 1998 before May last year.
I mean my response constructively and I appreciate the sub. 👍
Watch out for this Fridays vid. You may know about Zwift dynamics and arse muscles but maybe you'll learn something about motivation.
Losing the t-shirt to expose a hairy chest might give you a few extra watts.
I'll shave it to get more aerodynamic
That was a really good effort. My best and most memorable performances are not in the races I have won. I agree with @charles-etiennedubrule9339. You were too aggressive in the first race and lost a lot of energy trying to lead. In the future stay humble and low in the pack enjoying the draft and only show your power at the end. The bike fit improved your performance for sure.
Im a undisciplined enthusiastic wannabe... What can I say?