tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49407540467663307832024-03-05T17:51:57.911+00:00Life in the saddleIf you want to be out front, act as if you were behind - Lao Tzu <br>
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Cycling, Spinning, Kranking, Health & Fitness and any other moans and groans.<br>
<br>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-66640979552502046062019-10-18T12:45:00.002+01:002019-10-18T12:47:18.813+01:00ZHR’s Background and Ethos<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2015, with a series of test races, I set out to create a different type of racing. Where it mattered not whether one had a power meter or riding on zPower, whether they were Cat A neo-pros or Cat D fighters. I wanted to make racing as accessible as possible for everyone not only to enter but also to win, without the need to jump through various hoops to be allowed at the start line. This led me to create the original Zwift Handicap Race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ZHR then developed into a philosophy of creating events of a different mould, many of which have been replicated by other organisers. On top of the handicap time trials, we’ve had three Grand Tours, mass-start time trials, the first Zwift group training rides, underground racing, the group handicap races that became the Hare & Hounds, races that cater specifically to climbers, endurance training rides, the Mountain Goat race on custom courses, the Man vs Mountain race where Cat A & B took a longer route to the finish than Cat C & D, Ladies-only races (long before there were any ladies’ teams), endurance sub-2w/kg group rides, Clydesdale racing, the 100km Audax leaderless rides, a social Weekend Group Ride, and Masters age-group racing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've pushed the boundaries of whatever technology was available to me but I'm no coder - it's thanks to Zwift HQ and the team behind ZwiftPower that make it possible for me to think up new challenges. I’ve had to limit the events I host, where it would be too much work or impossible to run them, e.g., Elimination, Points, team time trials, relays, nationality-based races, stage racing, and more group rides across all abilities. Sometimes, changes in the setup of Zwift or ZwiftPower means that it is no longer possible to run an event, unless I can modify it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>FAQs</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Does ZHR have a racing team? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We do - Team ZHR. For me as an organiser, it’s about creating rides for riders; as a racing team, it’s about fun, inclusivity, support, and being more like a community cycling club. Always open, all levels and ages welcome, regardless of gender. We don’t have a women-specific team (yet!) but Cassie is our team captain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Why don’t ZHR races require heart rate monitors (HRMs)?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Heart rate is highly individual, so nobody is capable of saying whether a rider’s rate is high or low; I’ve trained riders whose max heart rate was 140bpm, with others warming up at 180bpm. Even with a consistent picture of data across various events, heart rate can vary wildly from day-to-day due to environmental conditions, illness, fatigue, overtraining, coffee, asthma inhalers, adrenaline, anxiety, etc. As an organiser, requiring a rider wears a HRM would tell me nothing other than they were alive; it adds another barrier for riders and, besides, it can be easily cheated to simulate a specific heart rate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Why does ZHR allow zPower riders?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Contrary to popular myth, they are not cheats and their power does not necessarily read high. Yes, it is more unpredictable and can result in unreliable data, but a blanket ban is overkill and I will look at riders’ performance on a case-by-case basis. Not everyone has the money to buy a trainer specifically for Zwift, making do with whatever they have at hand; requiring them to buy one would be another barrier. I believe that by encouraging such riders to join the racing community, they will become hooked and eventually invest in a new trainer; this has happened on numerous occasions since ZHR’s inception in 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What about transparency?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While I believe that racing for prize money should have as many checks as possible, this can only be truly achieved when racing live. ZwiftPower has gone a long way to eradicating to most obvious forms of cheating but power meters can be skewed, even if using two different sources; HRM signals can be hacked; ANT+ signals can be simulated; weigh-ins can be cheated, even when captured on live video. So, as determined cheats will find a way to gain an advantage and there’s no way of either knowing this or stopping them from entering a race, I made the decision in 2015 to open up racing to as much of the community as possible, rather than limit it by placing numerous barriers for riders to clear.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Why don’t ZHR races have Zwift results appear at the end?</b><br />
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Zwift’s results are flawed because they allow riders to enter the wrong category or group, cheats are allowed to prosper, no rules can be applied to them, and organisers have no control whatsoever over them. This is especially critical in ZHR races, which are not standard mass-start events where categories don’t matter. Using ZwiftPower as the results service means I can enforce race rules, apply and remove DQs, manually amend results, set up leagues, and stop cheats from posting screenshots on Strava bragging how they’re such great racers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Why doesn’t ZHR have more group rides?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ZHR is just me. Although volunteers have helped with rides in the past, I’m always on the lookout for people to lead regular rides. As a cycling coach, I’ve had to give up Zwift rides because of new sessions and classes, or been unable to take over those run by volunteers when they had to give them up. I would love to host group rides every day of the week and across different timezones but there’s only so much riding I can manage! If you’re able to lead a regular ride, please do contact me.</span></div>
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Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-68362394397715578432018-02-04T13:26:00.002+00:002018-02-04T13:26:56.157+00:00Joining the ZHR racing team<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you may know - and it might be the reason you are reading this - I've set up a separate discussion group for riders on the Team ZHR racing team, to discuss all matters related to racing on Zwift: tactics, strategy, teamwork, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The group is only for those on Team ZHR, so here is a short guide on how to join the team on ZwiftPower.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 - Log on to your ZwiftPower account and select the Teams section</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4fTPzXOeC0cuMPhuZ-4_Uzt4F12sFBRPh8NogFUT3wLmdA-8QQv_-MHhef6pgcOdnDzU3jvFAW-Z7ZCfVtHEDZ7i9jiUifvV0uitdt44kvuv5G99ktnQk7usr5T9AoJV15HedHH7nXw/s1600/Home.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4fTPzXOeC0cuMPhuZ-4_Uzt4F12sFBRPh8NogFUT3wLmdA-8QQv_-MHhef6pgcOdnDzU3jvFAW-Z7ZCfVtHEDZ7i9jiUifvV0uitdt44kvuv5G99ktnQk7usr5T9AoJV15HedHH7nXw/s400/Home.png" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 - Scroll through the list of teams or search for ZHR; then click on the hyperlink name to take you to the team page</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4Ps8B4w2xzOAYcX8A7iwPbu9LPJ-Bo-mOoWdW5b_TdupwZe4qquVknWoo0iAxdyRAfJ3yqvvQAp20E3yGQxsrtT1YlDEIc7iLAc9mMb42zkWubvMnyGZijCYFX_D43X01FJ2Mcxv1C4/s1600/Teams.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4Ps8B4w2xzOAYcX8A7iwPbu9LPJ-Bo-mOoWdW5b_TdupwZe4qquVknWoo0iAxdyRAfJ3yqvvQAp20E3yGQxsrtT1YlDEIc7iLAc9mMb42zkWubvMnyGZijCYFX_D43X01FJ2Mcxv1C4/s400/Teams.png" width="400" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 - Here you can see the team's riders and their race results but also the link to join the team</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs21Gx6rgu0nWRP3AM7PX-fb65ai4TPngJGCZuBafxOhRBJDR5MPGYnYA9nEC1X6tNb63jWhaY4X3ShFWxlVC4M-G8N34OG5kdwFSD_AGv-ixUNdUEQ97wXRbBS5vOi-UUCKZ7smkaqKc/s1600/ZHR.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs21Gx6rgu0nWRP3AM7PX-fb65ai4TPngJGCZuBafxOhRBJDR5MPGYnYA9nEC1X6tNb63jWhaY4X3ShFWxlVC4M-G8N34OG5kdwFSD_AGv-ixUNdUEQ97wXRbBS5vOi-UUCKZ7smkaqKc/s400/ZHR.png" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 - Information on the team's ethos, rules, etc., and confirm that you wish to join Team ZHR.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YhOH3ZGcRVFM0LS4kVLAkJX3PTJxlMt3528RJ__OISnD7fz15WKCRxh69E1mogIyOIEM4At-QfjMNKESSeFZVKRDnNkxDK2KHd6zD8cEbviudGahPMgOwANAeQJVTGU_kRVc3yxfhmY/s1600/Join.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YhOH3ZGcRVFM0LS4kVLAkJX3PTJxlMt3528RJ__OISnD7fz15WKCRxh69E1mogIyOIEM4At-QfjMNKESSeFZVKRDnNkxDK2KHd6zD8cEbviudGahPMgOwANAeQJVTGU_kRVc3yxfhmY/s400/Join.png" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5 - That's it! Your ZwiftPower account will register your team choice and ZHR will appear next to your name in the results of any races and rides. You can only belong to one team, so this will get overriden if you should choose to join another.</span>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-22751662012885076142018-01-16T12:32:00.001+00:002018-01-16T12:33:41.282+00:00Zwift ID and Registration<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've been asked a few times about how one goes about finding their Zwift ID, necessary for the ZHR Masters League registration; a few people have been giving Chris the wrong number. Here is a step-by-step guide, along with finding out whether or not you've registered and accepted ZwiftPower's data storage and sharing conditions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Step 1 - Log in to your ZwiftPower account (if you don't have one, register!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMA9YH2W8sW8PrscmIsYmKVJvvVjMvKDJlQrFfHLqrZEZ1vyufYk0k3sybqoa6B85e1Gx9i3Rms2cfaxbTOOelnCw5jU7edPXyR8HOHTpJkPlzGSXXUjCaqaU0YcSxny0rnuawAoCMS0/s1600/Login.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMA9YH2W8sW8PrscmIsYmKVJvvVjMvKDJlQrFfHLqrZEZ1vyufYk0k3sybqoa6B85e1Gx9i3Rms2cfaxbTOOelnCw5jU7edPXyR8HOHTpJkPlzGSXXUjCaqaU0YcSxny0rnuawAoCMS0/s400/Login.png" width="400" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Step 2 - Click on Profile to your...profile!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh602RY6VelApvU103OjClHGJWQFsyCREULveVCWNhABwXbGqyPl0iK0O8xg9vjl7bHcnf2CbpDyd-iSYVSlyj8yM2OGQyJEWWFJ2Glf_Fs1hnKb9jonizN8i0TN_5Wis5lXGfXNTmkScE/s1600/Profile.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh602RY6VelApvU103OjClHGJWQFsyCREULveVCWNhABwXbGqyPl0iK0O8xg9vjl7bHcnf2CbpDyd-iSYVSlyj8yM2OGQyJEWWFJ2Glf_Fs1hnKb9jonizN8i0TN_5Wis5lXGfXNTmkScE/s400/Profile.png" width="400" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Step 3 - Click on Settings to...guess what, see and change your settings!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKsbtgiSN7ADvV12_GxKatBYChSjh7txnvIW3A0AL9O6lU8IH5oKuaFFg6SWwFRTbrFm2AAQARjf7TsEEjUVo8F1nj1YIq1qaZAvg3wTyL3kQOHLzawtNzwV5YWPCBrPDaR3Xdm3uVZ8/s1600/Settings.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKsbtgiSN7ADvV12_GxKatBYChSjh7txnvIW3A0AL9O6lU8IH5oKuaFFg6SWwFRTbrFm2AAQARjf7TsEEjUVo8F1nj1YIq1qaZAvg3wTyL3kQOHLzawtNzwV5YWPCBrPDaR3Xdm3uVZ8/s400/Settings.png" width="400" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Step 4 - See your Zwift ID and Registration status, and change FTP, details, timezone, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIelfIobIjeT8y4qxwmlnTP_Uzglo0aqdmQ3v_pLnfeMxGPwPh8CyNwk8wzD-qx27gGv-zKvueOWWI1R7PaAtrtsGPoqD9moHyNrLqgiK2A4pggT9pFYbYjM8qRZf9tWMrs6r3FXy5hM/s1600/Zwift+ID.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIelfIobIjeT8y4qxwmlnTP_Uzglo0aqdmQ3v_pLnfeMxGPwPh8CyNwk8wzD-qx27gGv-zKvueOWWI1R7PaAtrtsGPoqD9moHyNrLqgiK2A4pggT9pFYbYjM8qRZf9tWMrs6r3FXy5hM/s400/Zwift+ID.png" width="400" /></a></span>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-22137921702664048962018-01-16T10:44:00.001+00:002018-01-16T10:44:34.359+00:00Rules for ZHR Masters League<div style="color: #1d2129; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This applies to the ZHR Masters League every Tuesday - <b>not</b> the ZHR Masters Weekender</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The full rules and Age categories are listed in the event description, as well as in the Zwift Masters Facebook Group.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You <b>must</b> be registered with ZwiftPower <b>and</b> have agreed to the conditions of data storage & sharing. Failure to do so will see you filtered out from the final results. This is separate from registration with Chris O'Hearn via the Google form.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you see REG next to your name in the list of Filtered names, then you haven't done so and you won't be reinstated even if you register after the race.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You <b>must</b> add ZHR and your Age Category to your name before joining the race in the format of ZHR (X), e.g., John Smith ZHR (C). Again, failure to do so will see you filtered out from the final results.<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you see DQ next to your name in the list of Filtered names, then you didn't do so - just a letter will not suffice - and you won't be reinstated.</span><br /><br /><br /></li>
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Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-6291124853824495162017-10-29T21:29:00.001+00:002017-10-29T21:33:48.515+00:00Why is my data not showing in ZwiftPower?<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">Have you ever checked ZwiftPower for your results and thought: where's my data?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH5cgELE2_eNIq3ppvzf3FADhxcWrKCfi7N6Ikk0O_Ob-f56eEgBVQbc1jHEyuqJ3pAUTwBqDhYreKnZBpY811OJWSQlxO4yMM4RqQrdDuxgBYxeuLmPHeLXsseq3rAPwOmNudDNn8sU/s1600/Missing+data.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1172" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH5cgELE2_eNIq3ppvzf3FADhxcWrKCfi7N6Ikk0O_Ob-f56eEgBVQbc1jHEyuqJ3pAUTwBqDhYreKnZBpY811OJWSQlxO4yMM4RqQrdDuxgBYxeuLmPHeLXsseq3rAPwOmNudDNn8sU/s400/Missing+data.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missing power data for some riders</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In short, this is what you need to do to avoid this from happening:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Create an account within ZwiftPower</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Link your ZP account to Strava</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Make your Strava files public so that ZP can read them</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Link your Strava account to Zwift</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Make sure Zwift successfully uploaded the .fit file to Strava</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If your name is not hyperlinked (in blue) like those in the screenshot above, you will need to complete one or more of the five steps above. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are other possibilities, such as a glitch with Strava, ZwiftPower, Zwift itself, or your connection.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is one other possibility, where you continue to ride long after the event has finished. There is an automated process that picks up the data from Strava; if you keep riding for too long, you power file won't uploaded and won't be seen in the results. Some organisers will manually rescan Strava but, if you want to keep riding, it's best to save your workout in Zwift and start a new session.</span>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-27632654203274475442017-01-07T18:54:00.001+00:002017-01-07T18:54:05.757+00:00Zwift - using Discord for voice and text chat<div style="color: #454545; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until Zwift set up their own voice chat facility, I've tried to encourage riders to use Discord. It's free and relatively easy to set up; however, some have had difficulties with their microphone and/or audio, so I've put together this step-by-step guide for using Discord on the iPhone (it may differ on Android) but it should also be similar for your PC.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 1 - download the free App to your phone</span></div>
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Step 2 - join the ZHR server on Discord: discord.gg/bVURRmG and enter your details and nickname</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 3 - you should see this welcome screen, which automatically shows you if any of your friends are online. Various options are available but, for our purposes, click on the top left icon, with the three horizontal bars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 4 - you will be taken to the list of chat servers that you have joined. In my case, I've joined the ODZ server as well as ZHR. You should see ZHR's server if you used the invite link in step 2. Click on the ZHR icon to take you to our server.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 5 - you will see Text Channels and Voice Channels. Text Channels allow you to send typed messages just as if you were in Zwift, FB or mobile. The Voice Channels are divided into different chat rooms; the General channel is your main "room", with Groups A-F used for Hare & Hounds or events where there are separate groups. Also useful to head in there if you want to chat with just a few riders, not the whole group. Click on one of the Voice Channels. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 6 - you will be asked if you want to connect to this Voice Channel. Click on "Connect to Voice" </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Nhln7KvDgytKBTruHQchQSK4hbntT__wvGuSmYbgwMByhu6-b5oYjzbgvft8_jC4y-OQmN6MipzBrJvwDCu77Tt3vCM9zHxTm5MscmTWmFR1qGf6PixKgWSs8rJl5tecxB_2-zRNJ-w/s1600/image5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Nhln7KvDgytKBTruHQchQSK4hbntT__wvGuSmYbgwMByhu6-b5oYjzbgvft8_jC4y-OQmN6MipzBrJvwDCu77Tt3vCM9zHxTm5MscmTWmFR1qGf6PixKgWSs8rJl5tecxB_2-zRNJ-w/s320/image5.PNG" width="179" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 7 - you are now connected to the Voice Channel, in this case the General Channel. You can also send text messages from here. If you don't see the "Push to Talk" button, don't worry, I'll come to that. On the bottom row you have "Disconnect" to take you out of the Voice Channel, "Voice Settings" that I will explain next, the microphone icon that allows you to mute, the headphones icon that allows you to stop audio, and the speaker icon on the bottom right that I will explain later. Click on "Voice Settings". </span></div>
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Step 8 - if it's not already set as default, please change Input Mode to "Push to Talk" so that we only hear you when you want us to; otherwise, we hear everything...all the time! Output Volume is up to you, I need to set it on max to overcome the noise of the trainer and music. Switch on all the Voice Processing options, they help with clarity and stability. Click on "Close" to go back to the Voice Channel (step 7) and click on the speaker icon in the bottom right corner.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Zam6JbRADpj_4fd_xh48Kq0rrr4a1Dzw_fdVxF4EcTBDvAtXNbFbDxDjjbllmANWXtLDAMm924CtAFQcnCvGmqWDPaOuR_od3ZRK_CbJFLH-GJA90jsQXSo8lSFUtd8vOKTc14ZCqPw/s1600/image7.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Zam6JbRADpj_4fd_xh48Kq0rrr4a1Dzw_fdVxF4EcTBDvAtXNbFbDxDjjbllmANWXtLDAMm924CtAFQcnCvGmqWDPaOuR_od3ZRK_CbJFLH-GJA90jsQXSo8lSFUtd8vOKTc14ZCqPw/s320/image7.PNG" width="179" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 9 - select from where you would like to hear the audio. I prefer iPhone, which means headphones, but you can set it so that it comes through the iPhone's speaker. If you have headphones with a microphone built-in, I suggest clicking on the iPhone option. If not, you'll have to use the phone's microphone (just like making a call), so you may as well use the speaker. NB - I've found the headphones to be much clearer than the speaker and with better volume; try it out, see which you prefer.</span></div>
Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-38436057235217779832017-01-07T17:11:00.001+00:002017-01-07T17:13:02.392+00:00ZHR - now more than just a handicap race<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
In December 2015, with a series of test races, I set out to create a different type of racing, where it mattered not whether one had a power meter or whether they were Cat A neo-pros or Cat D fighters, and to make it as accessible as possible for everyone to not only enter but also to win, without the need to jump through various hoops to be “allowed” to be at the start line.</div>
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It has since developed into a philosophy of creating races of a different mould: in the past twelve months, we've had three Grand Tours, mass-start TT races (which I've brought back as Contre La Montre), the first training rides on Zwift, the first race over the Mountain the day after it opened (we had over a hundred riders, which was a lot back then), underground racing, and the group handicap race that evolved into the Hare & Hounds; now we also have a race for climbers (Up & Down), a fortnightly endurance ride, a weekly sub-2w/kg ride, a Weekend Group Ride and the new Great Watopian Mountain Goat Road Race.</div>
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I've pushed the boundaries of whatever technology was available to me but I'm no coder - it's thanks to Zwift HQ and the team behind ZwiftPower that make it easier to think up new challenges.</div>
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This is the current line-up of rides and races that I host. Find us on <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/TeamZHR" target="_blank">Facebook</a> for more details!</div>
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Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-48411801042481476782016-11-03T12:46:00.001+00:002016-11-03T12:46:04.886+00:00Brexit court defeat for UK Government<div style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whether you are pro or anti Brexit, this is the correct decision. To have it otherwise would see this country ripped apart like at no time since the English Civil War. The rule of law MUST be upheld, even in the face of 27% of the UK who will now complain about "democracy".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This isn't just about the benefits or otherwise of the European Union, this is about who we want to be as a nation: the multi-cultural, international hub of the world that everyone likes (except maybe Robe</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">rt Mugabe) or a nationalistic and xenophobic inward-looking quasi-dictatorship. Look at history, at nationalistic governments - when did they ever turn out well for its citizens? Many will say "oh, you're taking it to the extreme, it'll never happen here." I'm sure that's what they said in Germany circa 1928, in Srebrenica, in Zimbabwe, in Rwanda, in the numerous military junta in Latin America, in a Trump-led USA (God help us all!)...</span></div>
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I don't know who is advising this government but the constitutional law is very clear and, in 2010, the law declared that all referenda could be at best advisory, due to Parliamentary sovereignty. They can appeal all they want but this is a legal decision, not a political one.</div>
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And, when MPs come to vote on whether to commit suicide - sorry, I mean trigger Article 50 - I hope they and the general public remember this: they are NOT there to represent the views of their constituents but their best interests and those of the country at large. Do teachers do what the children in their care want them to do? Do doctors just go with what the patient wants, regardless of the health implications? No, they look after the best interests of those in their care.</div>
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One of two things is happening within government: either the lunatics have taken over the asylum and are looking forward to ditching environmental regulations, labour legislation, human rights, scrapping the NHS, ditching benefits entirely, etc...or this was part of Theresa May's grand plan: to say "I did all I could but the law is the law, it must be respected whether we like it or not". I really hope it's the latter because the former doesn't bear thinking about.</div>
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37857785</div>
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Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-28713602682653675442016-05-08T22:35:00.003+01:002016-05-13T17:31:21.022+01:00Giro di ZHR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxQ_d5f7OBvt_udi4TK7ScV2gRdnGe2AYkRZt2w5qOqmvyLPdXLlyWs1jJwq6X9RmOXId2gqGs81OdVrm2sn0E6tbK6wio2DPQjn1WxnI_mfo39VvS-bOwxxe35eW052MBn8eU3lALdk/s1600/Giro+di+ZHR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxQ_d5f7OBvt_udi4TK7ScV2gRdnGe2AYkRZt2w5qOqmvyLPdXLlyWs1jJwq6X9RmOXId2gqGs81OdVrm2sn0E6tbK6wio2DPQjn1WxnI_mfo39VvS-bOwxxe35eW052MBn8eU3lALdk/s400/Giro+di+ZHR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Giro di ZHR - a twist on the stage race format!</div>
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The winner of the coveted Maglia Rosa will be the rider with lowest aggregate time over the next three ZHRs. Qualifying events:</div>
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<li><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">ZHR Classic: <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/event.php?id=1531658417142136&extragetparams=%7B%22source%22%3A3%2C%22source_newsfeed_story_type%22%3A%22regular%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%2C%22directed_target_id%22%3A765812586879749%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1531658417142136/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular&action_history=null&source=3&source_newsfeed_story_type=regular" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">https://www.facebook.com/events/1531658417142136/</a></span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">ZHR Mountain: <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/event.php?id=508304052689119&extragetparams=%7B%22source%22%3A3%2C%22source_newsfeed_story_type%22%3A%22regular%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%2C%22directed_target_id%22%3A765812586879749%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/508304052689119/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular&action_history=null&source=3&source_newsfeed_story_type=regular" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">https://www.facebook.com/events/508304052689119/</a></span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">ZHR Group Pursuit: <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/event.php?id=1623037934685251&extragetparams=%7B%22source%22%3A3%2C%22source_newsfeed_story_type%22%3A%22regular%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%2C%22directed_target_id%22%3A765812586879749%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1623037934685251/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular&action_history=null&source=3&source_newsfeed_story_type=regular" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">https://www.facebook.com/events/1623037934685251/</a></span></li>
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NB - you have to race all three to qualify!</div>
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There will be separate male and female categories; depending on numbers, there will be further categories based on weight: </div>
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<li>54 kg and under</li>
<li>55 to 64 kg</li>
<li>65 to 74 kg</li>
<li>75 to 84 kg</li>
<li>85 to 94 kg</li>
<li>95 kg and over</li>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">For future ZHR Grand Tours, it may be possible to have age categories too.</span></span></div>
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Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-28251975351126372492016-05-07T15:28:00.000+01:002016-05-07T15:28:25.390+01:00Zwift racing and training rides<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Zwift Handicap Races and The Richmond Rides kick off again on Thursday 12 May - are you ready?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZA6fs9TSZvd2xTcBauAWWi59kO-qg5GzfeOqtfziJQ7D2OLKApkOwQiaqPPu_-zt5Ng3KhgsI9MJfnznzrjaAtE1w2YCiDUpWIQrmorUuv8hx-gSGMMPitRva67Qq26VpbQJ1nusMAc/s1600/ZHR%253ATRR+advert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZA6fs9TSZvd2xTcBauAWWi59kO-qg5GzfeOqtfziJQ7D2OLKApkOwQiaqPPu_-zt5Ng3KhgsI9MJfnznzrjaAtE1w2YCiDUpWIQrmorUuv8hx-gSGMMPitRva67Qq26VpbQJ1nusMAc/s640/ZHR%253ATRR+advert.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-21473422253323402682016-03-19T22:54:00.004+00:002016-03-20T15:12:11.015+00:00ZHR Special Edition: Watopia Mountain<span style="background-color: white; color: #4e5665; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">IMPORTANT INFO</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4e5665; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">• Please add ZHR after your name</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4e5665; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">• Race distance is 1 full forward lap of the new mountain route: </span><a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/11597764" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.strava.com/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>segments/11597764</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4e5665; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">• Please select the correct Flat course option</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4e5665; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">• Kit - wear whatever jersey</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #4e5665; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> you like<br />• We are on Discord: <a href="https://discordapp.com/invite/0noIBY1G06dYFwWT" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://discordapp.com/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>invite/0noIBY1G06dYFwWT</a><br />• Add ZHR when you save your session to Strava<br />• Please join our Strava Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.strava.com%2Fclubs%2Fzhr1&h=AAQGnIHHV&enc=AZNQTc3rW8FMs6elKYOrTnUQo57klVJzC8EsWXN7F5LY-NmSFnRw55oYZg0ZzCRyYJE&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.strava.com/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>clubs/zhr1</a><br /><br />DIRECTIONS<br />Good news is that you only need to make one manual turn:<br />* Select the Flat course option after login<br />* Line up at the Forward start line<br />* Set off with your group at your allotted time<br />* After the first underwater tunnel you will come to a junction (see photo below)<br />* Press the left arrow on your keyboard or left turn on your mobile app<br />* No further turns are required<br />* Keep riding until you cross the finish line</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #4e5665; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This is where you need to make the only manual turn, if you selected the Flat course:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4e5665; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'll use Zwift chat to give you the GO GO GO but, in case of any problems, please use an online clock such as </span><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.time.is%2F&h=DAQF8yF4N&enc=AZOZI9vFV4mHfQtS0NU2d3T-PjV1FvcBroTgSS-sRs0K1MKhOLGwT0uXSyTTl2YZFgU&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.time.is</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #4e5665; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> and set off at your allocated start time. Alternatively, you can set up your own personal web countdown timer, e.g., </span><a href="http://www.webcountdown.net/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>www.webcountdown.net/</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #4e5665; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> - once set up, you don't need to remember your start time in the heat of the moment - just watch the timer hit zero. When you set it up, you get a unique URL for your timer - just save it to your Bookmarks/Favourites and recall it on race day.</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #4e5665; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">GROUPS (subject to late additions):</span><br />
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Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-84076290385299531942016-02-27T16:48:00.002+00:002016-02-27T16:48:35.511+00:00Zwift Handicap Race<div style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
If you're not on Zwift yet, check it out: www.zwift.com</div>
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In case you don't have a Facebook account, I organise the now twice-weekly Zwift Handicap Races. Here are some further details:</div>
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<b>NEW RIDERS</b></div>
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Please supply me with your best 3-lap time for Reverse Watopia Hills (Strava segment: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.strava.com%2Fsegments%2F10825706&h=-AQH1p0amAQGQ9bfcAcGTTdug6nXkD680hPKOjaYA4ovs1w&enc=AZOWlOlEXRBa_Pu47h6P6EZM2kG3pQr12pApXxoOB2sIp6pJxxWPOKArxBzPucD9AyE898PV_PJ3UCIubrWsnn-bmOiipOLENq-OHVp0H2ZzD0BRLUtSpqyoRIOMiIMSJHXvQWeZy75bEBrc957IwVRWPs1ldezXUSohoKJyC7FiZMyw7R9MPKy-bhSSqV-Xlus&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.strava.com/segments/10825706</a>) so that I can calculate your handicap and start time. Otherwise, your 3-lap Watopia or single lap would be sufficient. </div>
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<b>NOT-SO-NEW RIDERS</b></div>
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Your handicap for subsequent races will be based on the fastest of your previous three race times. You only need to indicate that you are “Going” to that week’s race and I will include you on the start list.</div>
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<b>IMPORTANT INFO</b></div>
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• Add <b>ZHR</b> after your name, essential for timings<br />• Race distance is 3 laps of Watopia Reverse<br />• Please select the "Prefer Hills" course option<br />• Kit - wear whatever jersey you like<br />• TT bikes only, please<br />• We are on Discord: <a href="https://discordapp.com/invite/0noIBY1G06dYFwWT" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://discordapp.com/invite/0noIBY1G06dYFwWT</a><br />• Please join our Strava Group: <a href="https://www.strava.com/clubs/zhr1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.strava.com/clubs/zhr1</a></div>
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<b>DESCRIPTION</b></div>
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This is a race with a difference: all riders will be given a time handicap so that everyone has a chance to win. The handicaps will work so that, in theory, everyone arrives at the finish line more or less at the same time, whatever your ability or FTP. This is an event to bring everyone together in a more inclusive race, whether they are ladies, sub 2 W/Kg, Cat A, etc. </div>
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The slowest rider will set off first; the quickest rider chases everyone down. I will set riders off at timed intervals and I will post in advance a list of start times, so you won't have to hang around too long if you're a faster rider. Ride until you go past the start/finish banner, then to a u-turn (using the app or the down arrow key on your computer) and roll up to the reverse start line. Don't cross the line until your start time, as I use the 3-lap times on Strava for timings.</div>
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I'll use Zwift chat to give you the GO GO GO but, in case of any problems, please use an online clock such as <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.time.is%2F&h=sAQHVOqFnAQFASmZUqc6XXZ6eseClq7kA5DWOf_igrAkR5w&enc=AZOH12ANyz5rOUSWs1uzowjxO3rPZq9anvgbSm_h_iZ08K2ypdRGlexM6cp7dXdl0nIqqWF_xqfBshoQEbXtKGQG3T6Ku3Bsu7CDjLh-shRbX1JThFcr7DuxDEE8G01OUXRicCcp1rTvcwY8Y9evF8V3ksO58Su9UkgrTGvzV3RZnoPj5HXEjGnL2JGWt-X9S48&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.time.is</a> and set off at your allocated start time. Alternatively, you can set up your own personal web countdown timer, e.g., <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webcountdown.net%2F&h=rAQEiyu0sAQG-ekG-TaTLzM8PAvDxudnFHlGFV8k1wHceeg&enc=AZO3Vhx9vJbVtdAiCy-hqon5ndXVTRhj4HYhAPfAfTvvnN6dHygcz4ytfwYmdp75d1MJCcCP4huA9Eqkgqi2cGrK0SQbzuWNJwKQpiA-1xuYwrlBPj4I7U9XtYHmqVEtp5XersVR6a0HnjFdJlZHP1_yOXOiwytv13NwWSb05iP8dZAhOzVloaQp9efk2v7ZIMY&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.webcountdown.net/</a> - once set up, you don't need to remember your start time in the heat of the moment - just watch the timer hit zero. When you set it up, you get a unique URL for your timer - just save it to your Bookmarks/Favourites and recall it on race day.</div>
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<b>RESULTS</b></div>
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The winners will be the first across the line and the fastest time overall. There will also be special mentions, especially for the most improved riders.</div>
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Race results will be posted as soon as possible on the ZHR Facebook page, followed by a video of all the finishers as they cross the line.</div>
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New Riders will have an asterisk by their result to indicate that their handicap may have been inaccurate, whether too lenient or too harsh.</div>
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Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-19810235825485153862015-11-14T23:08:00.001+00:002015-11-16T16:09:00.453+00:00Paris<br />
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The terrorism in Paris isn't about religion, nothing to do with Islam (which strictly forbids such acts) and nothing to with countries or cultures; this is about power, inciting violence against muslims (the very people they purport to represent) in an effort to increase the numbers of radicals to join their cause.<br />
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Do not play into their hands by seeking retaliation against muslims, immigrants, refugees, Syria, etc. If you do, you become as much a terrorist as these scum, as you're helping them achieve their agenda.<br />
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<br />Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-76570231121329952602015-09-27T13:13:00.000+01:002015-09-27T13:13:21.590+01:00Blast from the past<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While having a clear out at home, I found a couple of old cycling magazines from six years ago that I'd kept...well, because I was in them! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was interviewed in 2009 by Cycling Weekly for its monthly Cycling Active magazine and its Health & Fitness for Cyclists Winter Riding Guide, where they wanted to encourage cyclists to make the most of the winter by joining indoor cycling classes from which they would benefit, i.e., not aerobics on a bike! At the time I had only just got into coaching as a profession after leaving my Civil Service desk job, so this article was before my classes became even more specific, with better and seamlessly mixed music. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The gym studios didn't have power meters back then and, indeed, most places still don't but Cassie and I have our own Wattbike at home, so we can transfer our applied training knowledge that we know works in practice and transfer it to our classes, regardless of any metrics; HR monitors are good, power meters even better, but what makes a great coach stand out is how they engage you beyond the numbers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, although it makes me cringe - I'm not one for self-promotion, letting the quality of my work do the talking - here is the interview with me in Health & Fitness for Cyclists, which was then used (with added details) in Cycling Active about training-specific indoor cycling in general:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-34031160909910694952015-09-21T15:37:00.000+01:002015-09-21T15:41:34.955+01:00Revised class schedule<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Within a few months of Cassie becoming a self-employed coach/PT/instructor like me, she has already gained quite a few regular classes (as well as coaching and PT clients) and we've made a few class swaps between us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, this is our current combined weekly schedule, maybe you can join us:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0700 - Bannatyne's Grove Park (Rob)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuesday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0930 - Cadence Performance (Rob)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1130 - Cadence Performance (Rob)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1830 - Bannatyne's Grove Park (Rob)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1915 - Calso Health & Fitness (Cassie)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1930 - David Lloyd Kidbrooke (Rob)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wednesday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0645 - David Lloyd Kidbrooke (Cassie)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0700 - Bannatyne's Grove Park (Rob)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1900 - Nuffield Bromley (Rob)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0700 - Cadence Performance (Cassie)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1000 - Bannatyne's Grove Park (Rob)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1945 - Nuffield Bromley (Rob)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0700 - Bannatyne's Grove Park (Rob)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0915 - Nuffield Bromley (Rob)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0935 - David Lloyd Kidbrooke (Cassie)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1815 - Bannatyne's Grove Park (Rob)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1900 - Cadence Performance (Cassie)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0900 - Cadence Performance (Rob)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1000 - Cadence Performance (Rob)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1000 - David Lloyd Kidbrooke (Cassie)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0900 - Cadence Performance (Cassie)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0900 - Nuffield Bromley (Rob)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1000 - Cadence Performance (Cassie)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1000 - Nuffield Bromley (Rob)</span>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-22761017666165201322015-01-02T16:36:00.001+00:002015-01-02T16:36:14.287+00:00Big Brother meets Snake-Oil Salesman Have you seen the TV ad for the latest scam from 23andme.com? It's as bad as the "blood type diet" bollocks. <br /><br />Although previously banned by the USFDA, because DNA can't predict, e.g., the likelihood of heart disease, they are suggesting you can make health decisions based on DNA while the small print says "for informational purposes only", i.e., it's useless.<br /><br />Talking of small print, I read a review on Amazon that says it better than I could: <br /><br />"the fine print is that, even if you decide to opt-out of their research program and don't give them any "Self-Reported" information, they still sell their partners more than enough data to connect your name and location (among other things) to your genetic information. For instance, they collect your "Web Behavior Information" including your IP address, operating system, your ISP, browser type, cookies, anything you mention in your emails to customer support, and worst of all: web beacons. These are special cookies that track all of your browsing history. A cookie from Facebook can instantly give 23andMe access to your FB profile name. Any profile picture you post on 23andMe can be downloaded by an app developer. App developers are given access to your traits. How many people in a specific zip code of a small town have 1) red, curly hair 2) are good at sprinting 3) have bad teeth 4) poor memory 5) and diabetes? All of this data -- combined with your "web behavior and genetic information -- makes it incredibly easy for any app developer (or drug company) to identify you (even if the developer (technically) only has access to your "anonymous" id number). It is especially easy to identify males who have some sort of relatively uncommon disease. Overall, 23andMe's privacy FAQ is very misleading, and possibly illegal."<br /><br /><br />Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-91624552593573511362014-12-10T11:47:00.001+00:002014-12-10T11:49:34.076+00:00I wanted to be Darth Vader<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK, I'll be honest here: I always thought Darth Vader was the coolest character in Star Wars. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cooler even than the smooth Han Solo and waaaaaaay cooler than Luke Skywalker. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that was before he became a reformed man in Return of the Jedi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I saw the first film (Episode IV - A New Hope), I tried using the Force - I was only seven! - but to no avail. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone else?</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R55e-uHQna0" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-73010456934788728532014-11-02T17:54:00.001+00:002014-11-02T17:56:26.363+00:00Patience & Power<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm a firm believer in not learning something unless you intend to use it - why waste energy researching stuff you'll never put into practice? - so I never really got into the nitty-gritty of iMovie until I was invited by Rick Goodchild to present a ride at the Ride For Life 12-hour indoor cycling event in aid of Cancer Research UK. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Always one to bite off more than I can chew, I didn't want to just have just some background scenery but something that reflected the mood of each track. Then I had several brainwaves at once (my head hurt trying to cope!): I'd use a heartwarming clip that I saw ages ago about a man overcoming all odds to walk again; use interviews with cancer survivors during the recoveries; and have an intro similar to the Make Poverty History campaign, where each click of the fingers symbolised the death of a child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It took some work, and a very steep learning curve, but this was the ride I presented. I hope you enjoy the ride and that you can be there at the next Ride For Life in 2015.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Can't see the video? Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhdkhRvjN3I">here</a>!</span>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-38655948264289878152014-10-30T18:49:00.001+00:002014-10-30T18:51:17.521+00:00Metafit cancelled this week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vEP6k1fN2NH1o5sS3NTk76kZnsDbuismzMHUQpP8P1_IWsu1FptACaxd7FIeH-Sbx6q1bPcHdjjkOi3P73Qfit1S2Lw-unRoRsK_n2ikAawtD0GzqUzqqrUy8YT2R84ijhyphenhyphen9KbnFfrI/s1600/classcancelann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vEP6k1fN2NH1o5sS3NTk76kZnsDbuismzMHUQpP8P1_IWsu1FptACaxd7FIeH-Sbx6q1bPcHdjjkOi3P73Qfit1S2Lw-unRoRsK_n2ikAawtD0GzqUzqqrUy8YT2R84ijhyphenhyphen9KbnFfrI/s1600/classcancelann.jpg" height="172" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, the Metafit session scheduled for this Saturday, 1 November, in Sutcliffe Park is cancelled. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Normal service will be resumed next Saturday, we hope to see you then.</span>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-89924099348805502402014-10-13T18:40:00.002+01:002014-10-13T18:40:24.344+01:00Metafit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwBCdtTZCkCZK-MaLQ7zsTUNJfPeWfzcrQ1adMz1_qM8x_vQeRUiuEBx0v6a8snbfcLT8U-WOxQp99Op769acsgK1ut8rAWJduJ4Y79P5MSMIfMJ3ba-7J4cYB0Sou-QAdcO8OqAlcdM/s1600/metafit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwBCdtTZCkCZK-MaLQ7zsTUNJfPeWfzcrQ1adMz1_qM8x_vQeRUiuEBx0v6a8snbfcLT8U-WOxQp99Op769acsgK1ut8rAWJduJ4Y79P5MSMIfMJ3ba-7J4cYB0Sou-QAdcO8OqAlcdM/s1600/metafit.jpg" height="400" width="281" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those of you who follow me on Facebook may already know that Cassie and I have started running Metafit sessions every Saturday morning in Sutcliffe Park, Kidbrooke. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Created by a former Royal Marine Commando, Metafit looks to burn fat by working big muscle groups with simple, unchoreographed bodyweight exercises in high intensity intervals. There are many copycat workouts but none compare to the original.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's difficult to describe but you can find out more on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/676044785792888/">Facebook page</a> or, better yet, join us for a FREE taster session!</span><br />
<br />Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-7389518745502257632014-10-06T21:47:00.001+01:002014-10-06T21:47:24.143+01:00Rise of the PhoenixHi there!<br /><br />If you are following this blog, you may have noticed a distinct lack of posts from me in your feed. After a few years' sabbatical, where I decamped to Facebook, I shall be returning to blogging again.<br /><br />I'll come clean: I got enticed by the immediacy and interaction of Facebook but that interaction also meant dealing with the irrational, the idiotic and the downright nasty. So, to retain my sanity, I have recently left every FB group related to indoor cycling and fitness bar one, reverting back to my blog (which I originally started to move away from an indoor cycling forum that had turned nasty).<br /><br />My aim is to post anything that wouldn't or doesn't make it to a paid online publication. This blog helped me get noticed but I have to pay the bills; so, any profiles or articles deemed worthy of being published won't be reproduced here (for obvious reasons!). <br /><br />I hope, however, that I'll still have plenty to say and write - watch this space!<br /><br />Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-68758496894714279942012-05-24T10:16:00.001+01:002012-05-24T10:21:41.356+01:00A week is a long time in fitnessSo, it's been a mixed bag this week:<br /><br />• I gave up my Tuesday evening class at Downham Leisure Centre for a variety of reasons but, mainly, their combination made the class feel like a chore. Spinning is a passion for me and I used my justification for leaving my desk job a few years ago: if you dread going into work several times in a row, then it's time to move on (if you can!).<br /><br />• The next day I was asked to start a new Friday early morning class at Bannatyne's Grove Park. I had been covering the Wednesday 7am class for another instructor for nearly five months and I can only guess that the members must have lobbied for me to lead another early morning class. Thank you, riders, your appreciation and efforts are truly humbling!<br /><br />• Then, today, the day I'm getting ready to go on a much-needed holiday, I find out that my 7.15am classes on Tuesday and Thursday at LA Fitness are going to be handed over to in-house gym staff. To pull this off, I think they will need to have an extra person on duty at that time of day, so it's a false economy - especially so when several members said that, without my two classes, they'd have no reason to stay at the gym, thus losing more money. I won't be there now until 12 & 14 June, which will be my last two classes...unless my riders are successful in their lobbying while I'm away!<br /><br />Anyway, as Spock would say, it's illogical to fret about things over which I have no control; I just hope the riders at LA Fitness are as successful as those at Bannatyne's. People power can work, if that power is greater than the pressure from the suits at head office. Just as in any democracy, people are the key - if enough of them vote (with their feet or their voice) then change CAN happen!<br /><br />Now to enjoy my last day before a well-earned break!<br />Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-45660375538170202242012-04-27T16:04:00.000+01:002012-04-27T16:04:05.469+01:00Busy as a beeHey, long time no see, how are you?<br />
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It's been a long time since I updated my blog and not many posts in the last two years, mainly due to other events taking greater priority over my time.<br />
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So, what's been happening since then? A mixture of highs and lows: I asked Cassie to marry me, found out that her mother had cancer, brought the wedding forward by a year and organised it in a matter of a few months, a horrid time at Alpe d'Huez for a Marmotte for which I was unable to ride thanks to some meddling ex-friends, pulling out of last year's Jalabert sportive in Mazamet due to a very dodgy and unsafe course, complications with Cassie's mother's treatment that required emergency surgery, having to "get legal" with Cassie's HR manager to prevent them from unlawfully dismissing her, clearing out two rooms to turn one into our home gym and the other for letting out to lodgers for extra income, looking for potential full-time office work to make ends meet, picking up a heap of extra classes (see sidebar for details) that mean I won't need to set foot back in an office after all, and Cassie's shoulder operation a few months ago and subsequent ongoing recovery.<br />
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I think that's all... doesn't sound like much when it's written down but it's all stuff that sidetracked me from doing much of anything else, I'm no good at multitasking! Add to that a distinct lack of goals, so that my training fell by the wayside until recently along with my motivation.<br />
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So what's changed? Well, our marriage is solid as a rock and nicely bedded down, the extra classes and lodger have given me back my financial safety net, Cassie's HR person was cornered into backing down so that her job is also safe, her recovery is coming along leaps and bounds, and her mother is one operation away from completing her recovery. All this means that my head, for the first time in ages, is clear once again - crap has been sorted and filed, emails mostly answered, new rides mixed, events entered, a sense of purpose and harmony restored.<br />
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Much like cycling, you just have to keep going until it gets better; and then you keep going some more. Don't let life get you down - it can drain you, as it did me, but it can only beat you if you quit. As Johnny G used to say, "keep moving FORWARD!!"Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-16572393534904832852011-05-18T17:00:00.001+01:002011-05-18T17:00:56.609+01:00Test of mobile bloggingEver since I got my new iPhone back in November, I've used it for internet access even when at home as it's so portable around the house (I could see that Apple were right in predicting big things for their iPad).<br /><br />It works for most things, except complicated work - including blogging. Then I got tipped off about the BlogPress app, from which I'm writing now. It won't make for perfectly laid out posts but it will mean I can post more regularly in between uploading new Spinning rides and mixes.<br /><br />Anyway, test over - I hope it works!<br /><br />Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940754046766330783.post-35624462810468764812010-11-11T21:59:00.003+00:002010-11-12T16:33:38.107+00:00I need your help!<h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="UIStory_Message">OK, readers - time to put this social networking to good use. </span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="UIStory_Message"> </span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="UIStory_Message">Both my girlfriend, Cassie Abbott, and I have had friends and relatives suffer with cancer - in Cassie's case, her mother who will soon undergo chemotherapy. According to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation, 1 in 3 will have cancer at some point in their lives with<span class="text_exposed_show"> almost everyone having some experience of it. </span></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="text_exposed_show">Will you be the 1 in 3 ? If not, who of your friends and relatives? Cancer Research UK has made huge leaps in increasing survival rates for cancer.<br />
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After only her first year of cycling, Cassie has decide to raise money by cycling the big one - La Marmotte. I've done it twice and have seen grown men cry on the way; it is the hardest one-day amateur cycling event in Europe, maybe the world. She made the (crazy) leap to raise as much money as possible for a cause close to her heart.<br />
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Please donate whatever you feel you can afford - to borrow a catchphrase, Every Little Helps. Please help spread the word too - cancer's not fussy who it strikes, everyone may feel they can donate by visiting <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Cassie-Abbott">Cassie's Justgiving page</a>.<br />
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Thank you so much for reading this plea, even if you choose not to donate.</span></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Robert</span><a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Cassie-Abbott" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a></span></span></h3>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14758363718696299614noreply@blogger.com1