Zwift Beta - Do you want in?

[KTeves]

From the Feb. 2015 Zwift Beta Update:

We’re getting closer and closer to taking Zwift into open beta, and that means we’re going to get as many people riding as possible! What does this mean for you?

1.If you’re not in the beta yet, but you have a Windows PC and the hardware as outlined in the Support FAQ, open a ticket via http://bit.ly/zwiftsupport so we can get you in!

[rusto]

Mac support on the way soon as well...

[tsavage]

I see the Garmin Speed-Cadence Sensor is on the list. Can I do Zwift with just that or do I need power meter too?

[Mkidd3]

I think it will work without power. It will give you virtual power based on cadence, speed, and weight.

[rusto]

I see the Garmin Speed-Cadence Sensor is on the list. Can I do Zwift with just that or do I need power meter too?

Pretty sure it needs to know exactly what device your bike is attached to (brand/model of rollers/trainer), to be able to estimate virtPow - the same way TrainerRoad does.

[tsavage]

Got this in reply to my request:

Thanks for signing up for the Zwift beta! Your invitation survey showed that you’re using rollers for indoor training and don’t have a power meter...which you’ll need in order to Zwift.*

[KTeves]

@Todd - I don't understand that response. As others have stated Zwift will use virtual power like TrainerRoad based on the trainer that you specify. Maybe because you're using rollers?

[pace21]

Maybe because you're using rollers?

For sure. Unless there is a resistance unit on the rollers there's no way to calibrate it for VP

[Bruce]

Mac version working well

Does anyone know how to get clued in on organized rides

[KTeves]

A lot of group rides are being posted on the Zwift group discussions in Strava—you should probably join the group. Review the existing posts as there have been more than one post touting apps or forums from which group rides are being posted and tracked. I know there are Tuesday races going of at 6-6:20, 6:30-6:50, and 7:00-7:20 EST.

[rusto]

Got my beta set up this am (Macs ROOL!) and did about a lap and a half. A few questions:

How do you end a ride?

How do you record/download a completed ride?

I'm on a trainer, how does the displayed wattage translate to my effort and correlate to the terrain? I was harassing Kevin T for a while and even though we were going up a hill, seemed a little to easy for me. Won every sprint w/out really trying.

[KTeves]

Hey Russ,

I just forwarded a message that Alan H. had sent to Chris B. and me—it will answer many of your questions. Do you have your weight set correctly? Your speed on the course is determined by your power-to-weight ratio. So if your weight is not set correctly you speed will be skewed. Login to Zwift.com to set, and you can also create a connection to auto upload your rides to Strava.

Good riding with you this morning, and hope to see you on the island again soon (once your weight is not set to 120 lbs.)

[rusto]

Had my weight in there ok (just double checked) and am connected to Strava. Looking forward to a proper trip around the island!

[KTeves]

Does anyone know how to get clued in on organized rides

FYI: I just came across this under the Zwift General Discussion board:

• "I came up with another way to organize group rides...
  
  I started virtualgrouprides.com, just playing around to see if this will work better for now as far as getting together for rides. When you sign up to the forum I've included forms to put in your last known FTP and your Avg FTP Watts per Kilo, so you can match up with riders of equivalent fitness if you'd like. Anyway, in the long run I'm sure zwift will have something similar, but I know they're hard at work on more important things, so until then I hope this helps.
  
  Joe Kipfer •February 11, 2015 21:48 •Share

[rusto]

Keyboard shortcuts, very handy:

Zwift keyboard shortcuts list

• Keys # 1 to 9 = change views (camera angles).
• Key # 0 = brings camera to a panoramic view (of currently selected view)
• U = toggle units from metric to imperial
• L = Locks/logs out of Zwift
• ESC = Exit the ride (will prompt to save) (hit esc twice to pause ride, hit again to resume)
• Hitting the big X (top corner) = exits the ride (will also prompt to save)
• T = change gear / setup during a ride
• M = send message (will disappear after 10 seconds)
• A = Ant+ setup
• Spacebar = use Power Ups (PU)
• Clicking on any rider in the rider list = camera will jump to that rider and camera angle will change after every few seconds. Will also see current top 5 lists for Green, Orange and Polka Dot jerseys.
• F1 = Elbow flick
• F2 = Wave
• F3 to F9 = various sounds
• F10 = take a picture / snapshot

[ahamilton]

Stumbled across this today. Closest thing to a Zwift user manual I've seen.

http://goo.gl/W8XeeX

[Bruce]

very cool

[tsavage]

I think this means I was voted not to join the island?

In order to ride in Zwift using rollers, you need a power meter so that we can measure your power output. Zwift does not support virtual power for rollers. More information on what equipment is compatible with Zwift can be found

[Bruce]

Todd I have a Kurt Kinetic if you want to borrow it