Week 2 – Gaining momentum

Week 2 is over, done and dusted.

Since my first post it’s been a very big week both on and off the bike. We have had a big week at the shop , getting people back on their bikes and in some cases new bikes. We have had new stock arrive and lots of bikes serviced. A big week, off the bike, a bigger week on the bike.

Last weekend was very solid. It started with A tough Threshold Interval session early on Saturday morning. A successful tickon the training plan, followed directly by the CCW Zwift Indoor Shop Ride. We had a great Shop Ride and our numbers are growing each week. Sunday’s weather was very ordinary and so it was a 2 hr (3x20min SS) session. The last set of 20 mins at 90% FTP was a challenge.

To say it was a big first week was an understatement. The numbers ended up a little more than planned, but ready for the next week.

After a (very welcome) recovery session on Monday it was a return to VO2 Max. Three sets of 6 1min on/off Vo2 max efforts. Good FTP growing stuff. I used the session to test out a Meetup Training session with athlete Dale Maizels. Was a tough session made easier with a training partner. Was a good chance to connection also test out a video via Discord.

Thursday was rife with Technical issues. The Smart Trainer just did not want to behave and was jumping all over the place in terms of numbers. For all you out there yes it does happen to EVERYONE, even me. I did manage to address the issues, but it did make for a frustrating morning.

Friday was my session of the week and a bit of a breakthrough session. Late Friday I decided to do my Saturday session. It was a tough Threshold Over/Under session. Four two min over and 1 min under, each interval but wait there’s more. I decided to do it on Alpe d’Zwift. A lazy 1000m of climbing on a Friday afternoon. The first set hurt. The second set hurt even more. The final set was excruciating, with much of the last 6 mins completed out of the saddle. Bugger me I was going to sleep well tonight.

Saturday was CCW Zwift Indoor Shop Ride day. This is really growing in popularity with about 20 riders joining in for the fun. It was a solid ride, and for those that joined us on the Discord video chat app, there was a good bit of banter too.

Sunday was a bit of a gravel endurance ride. After a crap week of weather, it felt great to be back outside amongst the environment. I am really looking forward to spending more time on this bike over winter, testing our different tyre and wheel combos plus a whole bunch of winter kit too.