if you set the leaderboards thing to “always on” in the settings it just cycles through all of the ones on the route on repeat
Oh wow, huh. Have never set it to that, thanks.
I can’t see the guy’s profile, so I can’t tell if this sort of power output is typical. If someone is putting out 5 W/kg as a typical figure, that’s Cat A, professional-level power. I would probably flag a user like that. I would probably tell them that I don’t respect them. It’s not at all reasonable for them to expect no such pushback.
I would not call them things like a “wet douche”, and I think we can all agree that this would be abuse. The thing is, if the OP is really riding around at 5W/kg on average and they think they should totally be allowed to do this, then I am not 100% sure if they are a reliable narrator. That is, I am not 100% sure that they are actually getting abuse. If they are, I invite them to report the events in game. If I were with the OP and they were getting abused, I would first report the OP as a flyer, then report the abuser.
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Agreed…
Not for races…
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Zpower is just a workaround for not using a power meter -which is fine for private usage; however, it should no longer be allowed for races and public rides. Its data should never be transferred to Strava either!
So many KOM’s based on zPower and dumb trainers that Zwift Strava segments have become garbage data collector.
…so far no one can stop you for using zPower, but you can’t stop us for calling you out 
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Or just introduce Zpower-only races, anyone with a smart trainer/power meter cannot enter.
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Or maybe zwift sort their formulas out to calculate things properly…
There are plenty of underpopulated events / races now. Splitting ZPower and smart trainer/power meter riders would further diminish attendance.
But it can’t be better to have races where one half of the participants complain about the other half of the participants, and vice versa.
I’ll help that out by keeping my kickr bike for training then getting a Zpower trainer setup for races and win them all with world tour pro levels of performance. Seems like it’s acceptable enough.
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My experience was that we had approximately zero zPower riders in our community races. I was initially concerned about reducing attendance by excluding them but in the end we decided it was better to enforce a power meter for pen entry. They can enjoy the ZRacing series instead. I think it would be challenging to create an event exclusively for zPower racers. Maybe if it had the power of Zwift marketing behind it but otherwise no chance, and Zwift are not going to separate them from their events so it’s pointless. There are plenty of good events for people who don’t want to race against zPower users.
Zwift, the virtual cycling platform, has been a game-changer in the world of indoor cycling, allowing cyclists to train and compete from the comfort of their homes. However, the use of ZPower—a virtual power source generated by a speed sensor on a standard trainer—has been a topic of debate within the Zwift community. Some argue that ZPower should be banned due to concerns about accuracy and fairness, but there are valid reasons to consider before taking such a drastic measure.
- Accessibility and Inclusivity:
One of the primary arguments against banning ZPower is that it provides an accessible and cost-effective entry point for cyclists who may not have the financial means to invest in a power meter or a smart trainer. By allowing ZPower, Zwift remains inclusive, welcoming a broader range of participants, including those who are just starting their cycling journey.
- Encourages Participation:
Banning ZPower might discourage potential users from joining Zwift. For many cyclists, the platform serves as a motivational tool to stay fit and connected with a global community. ZPower enables cyclists to participate without the need for expensive equipment, making Zwift more attractive to a diverse audience.
- Not Everyone Can Afford High-end Equipment:
Power meters and smart trainers can be expensive, and not every cyclist can afford these top-tier devices. ZPower serves as a reasonable compromise, allowing cyclists to engage in the Zwift experience without the financial burden associated with high-end cycling gear.
- Potential for Improvement:
Rather than an outright ban, Zwift could focus on improving the accuracy of ZPower readings. Implementing measures such as regular calibration checks or providing guidelines for optimal setup could enhance the reliability of ZPower, addressing concerns about unfair advantages.
- Diverse Training Needs:
Not every Zwift user is a professional cyclist or an elite athlete. Many individuals use Zwift for general fitness, weight loss, or social interaction. Banning ZPower might alienate a significant portion of the user base who engages with the platform for reasons other than competitive performance.
Conclusion:
While the concerns surrounding the accuracy of ZPower are valid, an outright ban might not be the most equitable solution. Zwift’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity should be acknowledged, and efforts should be made to improve the reliability of ZPower rather than eliminating it altogether. Striking a balance between fair competition and welcoming a diverse user base is crucial to maintaining the popularity and appeal of Zwift in the ever-growing world of virtual cycling.
EDIT:
Various power meters yield diverse results; certain devices may register higher output compared to others.
here is a video
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What about the portion of the user base who is alienated by these folk with inaccurate power measurements flying along with world-tour pro levels of performance that are clearly not realistic.
Something has to be done to keep things fair. Otherwise it just becomes a slippery slope.
Surely it can’t be that difficult to have checks and balances in place. That’s not locking out ZPower people, it’s keeping things fair for everyone.
Zwift doesn’t replicate real-life cycling; for a genuine cycling competition, opting for outdoor rides is the best choice.
Several factors contribute to Zwift’s perceived unfairness:
- Some users use performance-enhancing drugs.
- Weight misinformation is common.
- Instances of proxy riders.
- Power meters may provide inaccurate readings.
- Height misrepresentation is prevalent.
- Varying environmental conditions on Zwift.
Achieving fairness is challenging unless everyone uses identical equipment in the same setting, eliminating potential advantages.
LOL. I wonder when we’ll be able to hook up an AI to Zwift so it can race?
There are no specific regulations preventing OpenAI or similar entities from competing in virtual sports. However, the landscape of regulations and policies can change, and new developments may have occurred.
OpenAI has been involved in various AI-related competitions and projects, such as creating bots for playing video games like Dota 2 and creating language models like GPT-3. Whether OpenAI or similar organizations would participate in virtual sports competitions would depend on various factors, including the rules and eligibility criteria set by the organizers of such events.
To get the most accurate and up-to-date information, I recommend checking the latest news, announcements, and any official statements from OpenAI or the relevant regulatory bodies in the field of virtual sports. Additionally, you may want to explore the specific terms and conditions of virtual sports competitions to see if there are any restrictions on the participation of AI entities.
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Cool! Are we currently at the point of getting a chatgpt discussion?
I’m getting my reading-pants! Can’t wait, let the battle of the bots begin!
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ShatGPT was already used for that post above, so yeah, we’re there.
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Tha above points concerning Z Power and inclusivity are valid.
We need to keep things in perspective.
I rarely see a Z Power user anymore in the rides/ races I do.
While the potential for abuse is present, I don’t see it as rampant.
A lot of them end up in A category because of the insane power numbers. Much less of an issue in the lower categories because they move up. A category has relatively few racers, so the zPower riders end up as a much larger proportion of the field. Plus some legit A category riders can draft a zPower rider to the finish (where the zPower rider can’t sprint due to the Watt cap). It’s definitely disruptive to have one zPower rider in a field of 10 As.
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