Hey! I’m new to Zwift and getting a little frustrated. I did an FTP test when I first started, as suggested by Zwift. When I am in event or workout it is ridiculously easy. If I try to move at the power/speed which is comfortable the system scolds me telling me to slow down. If I go at the recommended pace, I feel as though I am not working at all. In a banded event when I look at other riders around me I am much, much lower in the w/kg level (I was at 0.5w/kg when others near me were well above 1w/kg. Then in a non-banded workout I had a much higher w/kg just to maintain staying near the pack, which everyone else was maintaining speed at a lower w/kg. And, of course, just as demoralizing is I invariably dropped to last position in both cases. I’ve calibrated the trainer several times and I’m dead on center. The only way I feel I can get a workout is by doing a free ride at my own pace…but the reason I joined Zwift is for the groups and events.
Thanks for the feedback. I followed instructions to find my FTP and it was listed at 70. I pumped it up to 150 and did a lap. Felt good. Joined an event an also did as I had hoped. I have nothing to gauge that number on since I guess it’s a Zwift algorithm, right? When I say the 150 felt good, I sat most of the time in the mid-range of my rear cassette. I didn’t feel like I needed to be at the top or bottom just to maintain or make a move.
As for my cycling history, I’m a road bike weekend warrior and weekday spin class guy. Nothing crazy. Weekend rides are anywhere from 20 - 40 miles on average. I’m 5’6", 52 years old and about 170 lbs. Not out of shape…but not quite where I want to be either. Hence, Zwift!
