Virtual Club Group Rides this Winter
As it's getting harder to get outside reliably, many cyclists move to indoor training in the off-season. Zwift has reinvented indoor cycling by incorporating a massive multi-user world where you can virtually ride alongside cyclists from around the globe on many famous cycling courses and cities. This allows for group rides and races in real time.
Getting started with Zwift is simple. You need your bike, a basic or smart trainer, and a computer or tablet. You also need a way of getting your cycling data to the computer. This can be as simple as using a supported trainer and having a speed sensor on your bike, or can involve power meters, heart rate sensors, and a controllable smart trainer to simulate climbing and descending.
Break-Away Bicycle Club is hosting "meetup" style virtual group rides in November on Tuesdays at 6pm. These "no-drop" rides allow you to ride at your own pace. As long as you keep the pedals moving, you will not be dropped from the group. Live chat is available via the free Discord app, so you can socialize with everyone in the group ride.
GCN outlines what you’ll need to start riding indoors
Zwift’s Interactive hardware chooser can guide you toward several sample indoor setups
Complete Zwift routes to unlock badges & bonuses in-game
Race or do group rides in Zwift - look for double XP to level up faster!
Virtual new bike day, maybe your real-life bike is available in-game in Zwift?
Once on Zwift, just "follow" the ride leader Brian Enyart or send him a note via the club Strava or Facebook pages and he'll send you a link to the meetup! It's a great way to stay active and in touch with your cycling friends during the off-season - and make sure you don’t get dropped in the first outdoor rides of 2021!