The bigger problem seems to be how the ride leader views the stated range. Is that range where the AVERAGE w/kg should be at the end of the ride? Or is should the w/kg stay within the stated range at all times?
The AVERAGE approach simply doesn’t work, as perfectly demonstrated on a recent ride. The stated range for the ride was 2.5 - 3.0 w/kg. The leader did a good job of keeping to this range along the flats and indeed at the end of the ride, the average power was within the 2.5 - 3.0 w/kg range.
But, up the single significant climb, the leader held 3.7 - 4.1 w/kg. The pack stretched and splintered as riders who were not capable of holding that power output (and were expecting a 3.0 w/kg max pace) were gradually dropped.
Over the top and on the ensuing descent the leader dropped the pace to ~2.0 w/kg, but as we know, riders off the back stand no chance of catching a large group on a descent. The Leader and the riders who were able to stick with the 3.7 - 4.1 w/kg pace up the climb were gone.
The leader then seemed genuinely confused why the dropped riders were complaining.
Perhaps a Ride/Ride Leader feedback or rating system would be beneficial.
Rating Ride Leaders
Zwift Insider has some ideas:
Opinion: It’s Time for a Zwift Event Feedback System