Ok, not all of us are up to keeping up with Dan, how about reducing Dan’s range which is currently 1-2.4 w/kg to 1.7-2.4 and creating Eddie/Edwina with 1-1.6 range for those of us who would like to keep up with a pace partner but don’t have the legs yet.
There are 5 categories for racing, why not 5 for pacing ?
G
There’s actually only 4. E is used for events that includes everyone. Sometimes it is used differently.
One minor point: the Pace Partners may say they have a range of power outputs, but right now I believe they’re riding at a set wattage. I know that Coco is riding at 2.5 W/kg exactly, which translates to 163W. I know that Bowie is either 3.2 or 3.3 W/kg. I haven’t ridden with Dan, so I don’t know what wattage he/it is at, but I’d guess 2.0 W/kg or lower. Zwift may be planning on making them vary their power outputs a bit more.
I agree that at least an E-level pace partner with, say, 1.8 W/kg is needed.
Actually it’s 5 if you include A+, they just aren’t usually separated into their own pen.
“I agree that at least an E-level pace partner with, say, 1.8 W/kg is needed.”
Yes, not all of us can keep up with D, give ua a chance to use the awesome Pace Partners.
G
Coco does in fact ride at a constant 2.5W/Kg. 1.9-2W/kg is all that is usually needed to stay with her.
This I believe is due to the draft form the many riders.
What I don’t understand is why the peloton seems to surge and change speed whilst she maintainis the same power ( the route is mainly flat at 0%)
I find Dan harder to stay with, as a heavier rider, I tend to accelerate more down the hills, even after drastically reducing my power.
I agree with Weiwen that CC rides at 163w, because it’s flat the absolute power is more relevant than wkg. I measure it at 163w too. SteveK, you mention you’re heavier so I suspect that is why you only need lower w/kg. In terms of the draft it affects CC and you equally.
Eddie Ergo could quite happily ride laps on Tick Tock for people to get used to a pace partner without too much trouble with hills.
G
I think Dan would be easier to stay with if he lost wt.
He would then be a little faster going up hill and a little slower down hill.
Or move him to the desert flats and put Coco on Volcano flat or Watopia flat.
It’s the draft effect on Zwift… Or known as the washing machine effect… Very frustrating and amplified on flat routes with a big group.