Newbie - Do I have everything I need?

The Archives Archived: Tips and Troubleshooting
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Over two years ago I started cycling and quickly lost about 35 lbs.  I felt my fitness rapidly improving (I am 52) I eventually worked up to several 50+ mile rides pushing myself pretty hard.  I then got sick and had some serious joint injuries and stopped riding completely.  Since then I have been extremely sedentary, gained ALL the weight back, but wanted to start riding again.  I am going to have hip surgery in a few months, but wanted to lose as much weight as I can before surgery.  Even though I am very unfit now, I thought Zwift would be a fun way to motivate me to start riding again!  I am also a moderate cycling fan enjoying the TDF and the other grand tours.

I have just purchased the following so I can try out Zwift this weekend.  I received the Wahoo SC yesterday and mounted on the bike and it seems to be working. The CycleOps Mag Trainer should be here on Friday.  From everything I have ready, this should be enough for me to get started.  Am I missing anything that I need?  

  • CycleOps Mag Trainer
  • Wahoo Blue SC Speed and Cadence Sensor for iPhone, Android and Bike Computers
  • Garmin USB ANT Stick for Garmin Fitness Devices
  • USB extension cable so I can get the USB ANT Stick as close as I can to the Wahoo Sensor

I have a Surface Book i5, I have run other games so I think it will run fine,

Processor: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-6300U (dual-core, 3MB cache, up to 3GHz with Turbo Boost)

Graphics: Intel HD graphics 520; Nvidia GeForce graphics (1GB GDDR5 high-speed memory)

RAM: 8GB

 

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sounds like you have the basic set-up covered.  The items you listed should get you going and allow you see what Zwift has to offer.

Good luck!

 

useful links:

https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/205625165-What-do-I-need-to-start-Riding-in-Zwift-?section=201145285

https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/206271323

https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/203193315-What-are-the-minimum-device-requirements-for-Zwift-?section=201145285

https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/sections/201145285-Getting-Started

https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/sections/200993429-Zwift-Rider-s-Guide

 

3

Awesome links Phil! We also have a quick video on what you need to start Zwifting just in case you want a refresher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNTXAkky4qE

 

4

Thanks for the reply and links!  I should have everything delivered today and will setup and try Zwift tonight.  Looking forward to it!  Since I am starting over, my plan is to start out with some short free rides daily for a while.  I just wish that there were some true beginner group rides or beginner workouts.

5

Tomorrow morning, WSR ride.  Very chill. 

https://zwift.com/events/view/75875

 

6

Hi Brian, good luck with all your new gear!  There are some pretty exciting times ahead.  Getting on Zwift is one of the best things I ever did.

Here is a really handy 3rd-party site which outlines all the workout plans.  https://whatsonzwift.com/workouts/   Perhaps check out the “6wk Beginner FTP Builder.”

As for slow group rides, search the event page [https://zwift.com/events/] for “ZBR.”  These will be some slower rides led by the ‘Zwift Beginner Rides’ group.  
And as mentioned just above, the events by the World Social Riders are “very chill.”  They won’t lead you astray.

Ride on!

7

Thanks for links and the tips, those are exactly what I was looking for!!

  I am looking forward to trying to be active again, though I do have some fun bone on bone action going on in my hip that I am going to try to ignore :)  I did some very short rides recently and cycling seems to make it better.  Surgery in a few months, then it should get better.  Thanks everyone.

8

I am happy to say everything connected, sensors were picked up and everything seemed to work.  So props to the Zwift Team for preparing really well thought out documentation!

 My Cycleops Mag feels like I am riding on  the coblestones of stage 9.  Is this normal?