In the TOW today on Deca Dash the rider used coffee stop on the ride up the Kom.
My legs were burning and I didn’t use this.
The rider Finished in front of me cos my legs couldn’t go any faster.
I’m not top of the group in fact I’m the other end but he finished above me in zwift power.
I think if you use that feature you should be marked as not finishing the route or you should only be able to use the coffee stop on flat parts of the course.
I don’t normally moan but its not right.
Moan complete.
Not race.
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I don’t normally laugh but it’s funny.
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It’s somewhat consistent now that on every ToW ride someone complains at some point about use of coffee stops. It’s just now part of the ToW routine 
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Ok mate. It was a race of sorts in my eyes.
Still good fun on zwift and my ftp increased. Thanks guys.
If you see coffeestops you know it is not labelled as a race. So it doesnt matter if you finish 1st, 30th or even 300th since also on ZP it is not noted as a race.
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Must admit didn’t know that thanks.
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No problem. And congrats on the new FTP.
I often try to do my best to keep with the front group in ToW events as long as I can, so I treat it similarly to a race, and used to get bummed out when a set of folks use a coffee stop on a hill then later break away, so I understand the frustration. I do think Zwift could have implemented coffee stop differently so there was some cost to using it. But it is what it is, it’s just a game mechanic that anyone can choose to use in a group ride.
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I look at the coffee stop as just another power-up. Is it fair that someone gets the feather right before a major climb, while I get 10xp? No really, but it’s all part of the game.
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When someone uses coffee stop just use e-bike power… or just use a device to sit on 600 watts and ride away. It’s not a race, so they say…
E-bike crowd who says “as long as it isn’t on a race” so it must be okay.
There are more and more exploits being used now, some are pretty brazen and the people who use them don’t care.
Personally I don’t think coffee stops or late join should be permitted in any event where there is an achievement awarded at the end.
Fine on group rides, with nothing to be gained at the end, but when you run a 25 mile marathon you haven’t run a marathon. You do the whole thing with your own legs or you don’t get the prize. Simples.
And since ToW is not a race, who cares how long it takes? If you need a pee break then take one, without the assistance of a “coffee break” to gain you free distance or elevation. If your legs are tired then slow down and recover. But take pride in the fact that it was all your own work and not with the aid of some short cut cheat.
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I don’t think so. Even in the IRL it goes downhill sometimes and you don’t have to pedal. Nevertheless, you do real kilometers. I use TRIMP and TSS to control the training load, so you can see the real load. I don’t care if grandma in the USA lets the postman in or feeds her cat while she’s zwifting.
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What other thinking have you been doing that isn’t personal to you? Have you been having thoughts on behalf of someone else? Bit weird.
Exactly. If it makes it more fun for folk and doesn’t hurt anyone else, have at it.
I don’t know, I this happens a lot in the case of “hide the coffee stops for everyone” - I suppose you’ll have the same opinion for that?
What can make this coffee stop system better for everyone is that:
- Once it has been used, whoever used it will have the same time period without draft OR with increased rolling resistance (probably the better option)
That will deter the use of Coffee stop to get a quick rest of the legs so someone can then go smash it. I don’t care if it’s a group ride or event, that’s not the spirit of original use, it was intended original for “natural breaks” or need to fill my water bottle or someone is at the door.
These small changes won’t reduce the fun of Zwift or cause the sky to fall down.
That’s clearly not better for the person who used their coffee stop. 
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You still get to have your “stay with group” - just that you won’t be sprinting away after it, you’ll be staying with the group, because the higher rolling resistance will prevent you zooming away.
If you took 30 seconds coffee break, you’ll have 30 seconds of higher rolling resistance when you return.
I’ve never noticed a problem with anyone shooting off the front when their coffee stop ends. Maybe it doesn’t happen at the pace I ride at. 
I don’t mind if people use coffee stops though. Even if they get a fast tow up a steep hill.
ThEy’Re ONly cHEaTiNg ThEMseLvEs!!!111 or something.
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So you have learned a lesson about using power ups in a non race.