Zwift for beginners: How the indoor platform for roller training works
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Races, sprint classifications, lap times, group rides, multi-week training plans - Zwift presents itself as a colourful reward paradise with varied routes and numerous competition modes. But how is a cyclist without much smart trainer experience supposed to find their way around this overabundance of options? Our step-by-step guide for indoor beginners shows you what you need to be able to use new training software with your roller trainer and what options virtual training offers.
The technical requirements: What do I need for Zwiften?
- Smart/interactive roller trainer (preferably with direct drive) >> to the roller trainers in the TOUR test
- Bluetooth-enabled laptop/tablet/smartphone >> available here
- Floor mat >> available here
- Welding protection >> available here
- Fan >> available here
- ANT+ stick (optional) >> available here
Laptop or smartphone with training software and smart trainer can communicate with each other via two wireless connections - either via Bluetooth or via ant+. For the usually more stable ANT+ connection, an ANT+ stick is required, which is installed in the USB slot of the laptop/tablet - this is not usually included with the smart trainer! To make the smartphone ANT+-capable, all you need to do is download a corresponding app free of charge. All of the devices equipped with a power meter Smarttrainer are ANT+-capable as standard.
If you train indoors, you will sweat a lot more than outdoors due to the lack of airflow. A fan is therefore recommended. Regardless of this, a sweat guard on the top tube of the road bike makes sense - otherwise there is a risk of corrosion damage to the frame material due to extreme sweating. And: Always wipe dry after training! Also make sure you drink enough water and electrolytes. For longer indoor sessions (over an hour), you should also take energy bars or gels. Important: Before your first ride, check that the quick release is secure and that the roller trainer is stable. The trainer and bike should not be in danger of tipping over, even when pedalling out of the saddle!
Troubleshooting for connection problems
Software problems are common. No or unstable connections are high on the hit list of possible errors when training with smart trainers and software such as Zwift. It often helps to disconnect, close programmes, switch off Bluetooth and then restart the devices. After re-pairing - with only one device in the room - try again. Update the firmware. Remove unnecessary Bluetooth devices from the room. If necessary, use another device for control or switch between ANT+ and Bluetooth.
How the Zwift cosmos works
Once the roller trainer and end device are connected ("paired"), indoor roller training can begin. With over 1.5 million paying users worldwide and around 2.5-3 million accounts created, the American company Zwift is currently the market leader. The concept: compete with other racing cyclists in races, training groups or free rides in animated landscapes.
The routes at Zwift
At the end of 2022, there will be a total of nine different worlds, each with several routes: Watopia, Richmond, London, Innsbruck, France, Paris, New York, Yorkshire. and Makuri Islands. Zwift determines on which days which world is available in addition to Watopia, which can always be selected.
If you want to select the world individually, you can use the following trick: Before logging in, open the "prefs.xml" file in the Zwift folder on your hard drive with the text editor and edit the world tag: <WORLD>1</WORLD> stands for Watopia, 2 for Richmond, 3 for London, 4 for New York, 5 for Innsbruck, 6 for Yorkshire. iOS users can make the change via iFunbox. Caution: Before you ride races or group training sessions, you should undo this change - otherwise you may find yourself on the wrong track and have to ride alone!
The modes with Zwift
If you don't just want to pedal along, you should take a look at the event calendar, which lists group rides and Race on Zwift lists. The Race are divided into up to four power classes, based on the average watts per kilogramme values of the riders. Just like in real life, you'll be racing right from the start. The current ranking is displayed in the top right-hand corner of the screen below the map - that's motivating! Please note: Some racing series cancel starters who are not on the Zwift Power platform are registered, from the results lists. Here you have to enter your height, weight and heart rate. Only those who have a heart rate monitor throughout the race are counted. The aim is to identify riders with conspicuous jumps in performance and prevent "Zwift doping".
Zwift offers various multi-week Training plans as well as the option to customise individual training sessions. In group workouts, users of different abilities can train together, as all riders are held together by an invisible band regardless of their power output. All group rides, whether training or free ride, are organised by a group leader who sets the pace and ensures that riders who fall behind are brought back up to the field by stronger riders (so-called sweepers).
The Zwift reward system
If you ride a lot, you collect a lot of points and can therefore level up in the game. On the one hand, this unlocks new sections (the Alpe d'Huez copy Alpe du Zwift, for example, is only available from level 12). On the other hand, the user can buy in-game bikes, accessories and clothing with the experience points earned, called "drops" by Zwift. More about the drop shop.
Special achievements, such as completing a circuit, a mountain classification or a sprint classification, are also rewarded with bonuses displayed at the top left of the screen. These rewards allow the avatar to ride better in the slipstream ("Draft Power Up"), carry less weight uphill ("Lightweight"), sit more aerodynamically on the bike ("Aero Power Up") or receive additional experience points for the drop shop ("Bonus").
Many personal milestones, called "badges" by Zwift, are unlocked on-the-go, including new records for speed, wattage or collected ride-ons. The "Challenges", on the other hand, must be selected in the menu before the ride and then add up the kilometres or metres in altitude regardless of whether you are completing a free ride, a training session or a race. The rewards for completing the challenges are faster racing bikes.
The reward system is also integrated into the game as a social factor: Next to the names of other riders on the right-hand side of the screen, an outstretched thumb lights up orange. If you click on it, the rider in question receives a "Ride-On", similar to "Kudos" on Strava. With the Zwift Companion app for mobile devices, you can distribute several "ride-ons" to riders in the vicinity at once by holding down the arrow that indicates your own position.
