I just turn the fence off on the climb and ask riders to regroup at the top or bottom of the hill depending on the route.
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Ride leaders go through a lot of effort to make rides fun for most of the group. If you don’t like the group ride off the front and never join again.
Find something that fits your preference.
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That’s precisely my advice for Zwift riders. But, for those who want feedback of knowing why a rider has opted out of a group’s rides, I share my own experience and reasons.
Yes. That’s why I replied as I did to Chris’ comment.
The trek ride usually has a regroup point or two, but some folk ignore it - which is a shame because the ride leaders there are decent.
IRL a natural experience is to have some breakup within a group during climbs and descents. There are multiple reasons for this. On the flats riders regroup. So I’m not talking about dropping anyone. But those zappy fence thingys interfere with this natural aspect of cycling with Zwift group of riders where leaders are zap happy.
To clarify, by “group” I’m not referring to a strict pace line, or even a peloton necessarily. I’m just referring to number of riders who’ve opted to ride the same route more or less together. IRL the natural occurrence is to allow individual riders the freedom to climb and descend as best fits their needs, without the group kicking them out because they’re, for example, 15 meters ahead of the group leader for more than 60 seconds on a climb.
Ok we get it you don’t like group rides.
There are many people that love them, and many ride leaders that does an awesome job making the group ride fun for everyone. and the fence is a good tool that the leader can use the way he sees fit. Some would turn it off for climbs or sprints others will move the distance some would use it to entice people to come back, or the cull the group before the final mini race sprint.
The good thing is there are many other options on Zwift to ride as you please. You can even start your own club and lead rides the way you like them.
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To the contrary, I like group rides. And, not as a complaint but, rather, as a sharing of personal view intended as constructive criticism, I don’t like the way some group ride leaders lead their group. Mostly because of how they use the fence option. I’ve been on some of these things where every rider other than the group leader was past the fence, when on average all these riders were inside the advertised pace. Leadership like that discourages group rides.
There are better and worse ride leaders, and sometimes a leader is generally OK but being human they sometimes go astray. But fence vs no fence is more of a chocolate vs vanilla preference. There’s nothing wrong with preferring unfenced rides, but that preference isn’t shared by many users and it doesn’t mean all rides should be unfenced. Luckily for you, there are many unfenced group rides, and many fenced rides that don’t zap fliers, and quite a few leaderless rides as well which have no promise of a target pace. You can find them using the ZwiftHacks events app. There is zero chance that the fence will be abolished because it has so much support from leaders of extremely popular fenced rides.
Maybe it should be a default on robopacer group rides as well, that way the group will be at the advertised pace
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Paul, I don’t disagree with what you say at all. There are options. I’ve only shared what I have for whatever benefit it might offer to group ride leaders. The sweet spot is finding the settings that help the most for whatever is the intended goal.
One thing I really like about the Robo pacer groups is that you can opt for your preferred pace, but along the ride you can build that average pace however your natural cycling habits/training/reflexes work. For example, you might drop the group on a descent and then the group catches you on the flat. You haven’t been kicked off the ride.
Plus: sprints!
Yes. Definitely!
I have often pondered (and even opined on) the much-debated Zwift Fence feature. After engaging in many group rides and considering the variety of riders Zwift caters to, I tend to lean on the side of adapting the fence to be less restrictive and more balanced.
Firstly, the Fence has undeniably played a significant role in maintaining group coherence and discipline, effectively keeping group rides focused and united. However, its current configuration might sometimes stifle the enthusiasm and competitive spirit of riders who yearn to stretch their limits during rides, particularly during thrilling sprints and punchy climbs.
In Zwift, we’re catering to a vast range of riders - from those who enjoy a steady, cooperative ride to others who seek the thrill of the chase and the challenge of pushing their boundaries. The current Fence settings seem to cater more to the former group, potentially leading to a subdued experience for the latter.
One possible approach to strike a balance could be to adjust the Fence settings based on the nature of the ride and the preferences of the group members. For instance, the Fence could be set with a tighter limit during more casual rides, while during competitive or rigorous training rides, the boundary could be extended. This would allow riders who want to sprint or take on descents more aggressively without fear of being kicked out. I have often seen ride leaders shift the goalposts mid-ride, leading to substantial frustration. If that ability remains in-tact, could the preferences be sourced by the active riders or beforehand during registration to provide the leader better insights into what the users want? A good leader would balance those insights with the advertised power output of the ride to strike a compromise for all riders.
Alternatively, could Zwift force a fence “lock-in” for all group rides that opt for the fence? The organizer would select the settings pre-ride and those settings would be advertised on Companion, allowing individuals searching for their next ride to make an informed selection. Keep the fence off for the first 90 seconds while the group settles out of the pen, then the fence stays on (hot or cold being pre-determined) for the remainder of the ride at the same distance, with no additional manipulation.
I’m sure there are several other good suggestions that fall within this realm that could be considered as well; I am certainly not married to these ideas.
If my experiences are at all representative of the community, I believe that the frustrations are less with the fence and more with how a ride leader implements. I detest nothing more than a leader that spends the entire ride barking orders, stifling any variation and, with that, any conversation. They spend more time toggling fence distances than just getting into a groove. At the same time, I have seen fenceless rides that break into one or two very cohesive groups with a leader who makes dad jokes and talks about the weather, or even no leader at all. I firmly believe compliance doesn’t come from a red box on a screen, it comes from properly advertising a ride and having a good ride leader.
I don’t think there will ever be consensus on the fence, but perhaps there are tweaks that can be made to make the feature more palatable across the board.
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You know the ride leader has controls to manage the fence.
This is how it is done.
Yes, Gerrie, I do.
100% agree.
Seeing how most group rides are put on by individual clubs and volunteer leaders of those clubs ultimately the decision to use a fence or not and to have it zap or not are the ride leaders’ alone IMO. They are volunteering their time to put on a ride for the benefit of any zwifter who wants to join and they set the parameters of the ride.
That being said, any Zwifter is free to join the ride as stipulated or not, that’s their choice. If a zwifter doesn’t like the group ride options they have the option of gathering interest and getting enough others to ride with them and try to get their group ride on the official calendar. I’ve seen this done numerous times and how some large rides (now) were started.
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A crucial aspect of my response hinges on the fact that these guidelines are far from explicit. The usage of the fence is often shrouded in ambiguity, and seldom clearly advertised. Additionally, a substantial number of instances have been observed of ride leaders proclaiming a pace that contradicts the details stipulated for the ride. Or, consider the ride leader whose weight falls on the extreme ends of the normal distribution curve - their respective outputs could greatly vary, influencing both those who could break away from the pack and those who could trail behind. And these are just a few of examples that highlight how the initial expectations of even the most well-intentioned riders can diverge drastically from the reality they encounter if it should be assumed that group rides are at leader discretion.
While the efforts and dedication of ride leaders in the Zwift community are commendable and absolutely crucial, it’s also essential to foster an environment that empowers the collective voice of participants in group rides. Being a leader in any community setting shouldn’t equate to absolute authority but should lean towards a democratic, consensus-driven approach.
Take, for instance, a volunteer who engages with a youth organization. In such an environment, the activities and games aren’t decided by the whims of the leader but rather by seeking a balance that caters to the interests of all the young participants. More aptly, if we draw parallels from the real world, no group cycling ride is dictated solely by the ride leader. Instead, a mutual understanding is formed regarding the pace, and adjustments are made on the fly in response to road conditions, traffic, and other factors. In the world of Zwift, we should encourage an approach where participants have a say in shaping the group rides, enhancing the overall experience for all involved.
In essence, Zwift’s rich community experience can be enhanced by fostering an environment of shared decision-making and mutual respect rather than one-way instructions from the leader. This way, each ride becomes a collective journey filled with shared goals and camaraderie, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling Zwift experience for all.