Zwiftcast

Shane, Nathan and Simon are back together for the first time in a couple of episodes to discuss all matters Zwift. The boys kick off with a discussion on how “refuseniks” now seem to be flocking into Zwift; catch up on the latest Zwift on  iOS chatter and summarise how things have been going in Australia as the end of the indoor season nears. There’s a short feature comparing the noise emitted by the new Wahoo KICKR compared to the older version and a discussion on whether noise could be the new battleground in the fiercely-competitive Smart Trainer market. After hearing from Zwifter Peter Maloney about how he’d like to find other Zwifters riding on with multiple sclerosis by changing his name to indicate he has the condition, Simon, Shane and Nathan go on to discuss the tendency for people to change their real names in the game, wondering whether anonymity is a good thing or not. One of the KISS race series organisers Glen Knight is on the Zwiftcast to discuss the upcoming Tacx World Championships and Sim

Simon and Nathan get their teeth into a possible future for Zwift – in the form of Virtual Reality. With the Oculus Rift headset becoming more available and with Zwift already VR-capable, could this deeply immersive technology catch on in the fitness arena? Shane gives his first reactions to using the headset with Zwift and Simon and Nathan discuss some of the more obvious downsides as well as looking at the possibilities of this exciting technology. Some think the superb Zwift Academy scheme  – which aims to use the platform to identify  a potential professional female rider – has been flying a little under the radar. Not the hundreds of women who’ve been taking part in the rigorous programme of training over the summer, but perhaps this scheme isn’t as well known in the wider Zwift community as it might be. The podcast has three interviews with graduates of the Academy. Leah Thorvilson, Rachel Elliot and Bel Flint have all made it through to the final 12 riders – hear how they reacted to getting the news

Simon, Shane and special guest D C Rainmaker are at the biggest bike show in the world. These are exciting times for indoor riders and the excitement is reflected at Eurobike, where trainer manufacturers are showing their wares for the coming indoor season. D C Rainmaker, otherwise known as Ray Maker, makes a special guest appearance to discuss all the news with Simon and Shane, and concludes:”There has never been a better time to buy a Smart Trainer” The Zwiftcast tours the gigantic show, stopping for interviews with Tacx, whose Flux Smart Trainer was a show stealer; Wahoo,who launched the new Kickr;  Elite, whose new Drivo is claimed to be the most accurate Smart Trainer in the world, and Cycle Ops, whose Hammer and Magnus are also promising great things. The Zwiftcast trio discuss how trainer manufacturers have responded to the new indoor riding  world Zwift has helped create and how Zwift itself may cope with competitors in the market. We also discuss the trend for manufacturers to announce new produc

Simon, Shane and Nathan discuss the incredibly active smart trainer market, with a raft of new models announced in the past couple of weeks, including an eye-catching offering from Tacx. They go on to speculate on what might be the likely effect of an expected launch of Zwift on iPad. There’s a feature on Married Zwifting, with a look at how couples balancing jobs and kids can use Zwift to maximise training, sometimes Zwifting together. Nathan’s other half, Lindsay and Shane’s partner, Von, make guest appearances – and share some of the secrets of their joint pain caves! Australian hero Mat Hayman makes a special appearance on the Zwiftcast to bring us up to date on what’s he’s been doing since that memorable win in Paris Roubaix and to let listeners know how Zwift is fitting into his training plan. There’s a feature with ZTR race organiser Christian Wiedemann who reveals the results of a fascinating experiment: He tells the Zwiftcast what happened when he went to tackle a very familiar local climb in re

Karissa Minn joins the Zwiftcast to discuss what’s been happening on the FB groups – we cover: Explaining Zwift to a non-Zwifter; How Old Are Zwifters? and Inspirational Zwift users. Pro rider and Zwift ambassador Ted King answers questions posed by the Zwift community. Ted’s site Rider Rick Wood and coach David Lipscomb discuss their race-winning Virtual Coaching tactic.  David’s coaching site Ray Brown, fast becoming a Zwift legend for his huge rides, tells us how he does it. Kevin Abt, big cheese at Wahoo, answers some questions about new trainers and explains ERG mode. Michael Giudicissi tells us how he’s getting on with the 12 Week FTP Builder programme. And Shane Miller provides a quick review of the new Zwift Workout Creator.

Simon, Shane and Nathan get together to discuss the latest Zwift news, plus a series of features on matters of interest to all Zwifters. Nathan relates how he broke his collar bone racing and how Zwift is helping his rehab. There’s a feature with Tim Searle, leader of the Australian HDR ride, which is drawing huge numbers and may now be the biggest group ride on Zwift. Charlie Issendorf, VP of Events for Zwift, tells us how the new Event Module is bedding in and forecasts how it’s going to develop in coming weeks. Simon, Shane and Nathan discus the new London course, the advent of bad weather on Zwift and speculate about the possible introduction of a velodrome.. Team Sky’s Head of Innovation, Simon Jones, a keen Zwifter, talks about how augmented reality and virtual reality may have a part to play in pro rider training in the future. In part two of our interview with Charlie, we discuss the next stage in the development of the platform towards a general fitness arena, with the testing of running in the

The episode features an interview with Zwift’s creative genius and co-founder of the company, Jon Mayfield. Jon has some really interesting things to say about a division between Z Power users and those with Smart Trainers/Power Meters. He also talks about how the draft in Zwift is still at an early stage and raises the prospect of introducing steering into the game. There’s a great interview with Australian hand cyclist Alex Welsh and myself, Shane and Nathan discuss the issues he raises about avatar customisation. The KISS races have now launched all over the world and are attracting huge fields in the Southern Hemisphere. I talk to Glen Knight, one of the originators of the wildly popular series and afterwards we discuss the genius of the http://www.zwiftpower.com tool. Matt Hayman’s coach, Kevin Poulton, still buzzing from his rider’s amazing victory in Paris-Roubaix, talks about how Matt used Zwift in his training – and gives his views on the value of indoor riding for training for the rest of us. There’

In this episode US Zwifter John Hampton joins me to discuss the latest talking points in Zwift. We cover his One True Scotsman theory; the Fort Bragg police and ask why cyclists are so fussy. Rachael Elliott made Zwift history when she became the first woman to win a race in a male dominated field. Some questioned her performance – but they were wrong. Rachael reveals how it felt from her side. Special Guest G Master is on the Zwiftcast – or at least someone who seems to know a bit about who the mysterious figure is and what he does. David Desrosiers discusses his brilliantly useful new resource for Zwifters – the Zwift Riders knowledge base. Knowledge Base The article in the kb about improving frame rate is here. Frame Rate improvements Lots of people are now completing the 12 Week FTP Builder programme – we hear from a Zwifter whose FTP has rocketed thanks to his commitment to the plan. And we’re in Belgium to hear how Zwift is being received in the land of the hardman cyclist.

In this episode, former world track champion and Zwift insider, Mike McCarthy dispenses some real wisdom on how to get the best from Workout Mode. Race organiser and all round good egg, Christian Wiedemann joins me to discuss the latest chatter on the groups. The “Queen of Zwift” Julynn Washington has completed 19 metric and imperial centuries. She’s got tips on how to get the 100. Rollers are perhaps not the most popular choice for Zwifters – but Jeremy Brazeal has lots to say in their praise. And Derek Boocock gives us some highlights from his amazing life story – and explains how Zwifting with just one lung is propelling him back to fitness after his latest brush with cancer.

I’m chatting with Chris Parker, the founder of the UK Zwifters group, about the latest on the FB groups, including the Watopia extension and swearing in-game. CEO Eric Min tells us what plans Zwift has to clean up profane text messages. Zwift staffer Steve Beckett reveals – a little – about some Zwift news due to be revealed in full at the Tour Down Under. New Zwifter Marcus Neal has a great story to tell – uplifting and positive – about how Zwift and cycling have changed his life. In a two part interview with Steve Beckett, offers some fascinating glimpses of what’s likely to be in the Events Module  and Steve is forthright about what constitutes good group riding. We also discuss the soon-to-come Mountain Route and talk a little about the “Zwift vision”. The Tacx Neo and the Wahoo Kickr,  top of the list of most desirable trainers,  go head-to-head in a Zwiftcast test and review segment. And we meet the Voice of Zwift, ace racing commentator Nathan Guerra.

Eric Min, the CEO of Zwift, speaks at length and candidly on all things Zwifty. He’s got news on how many users he thinks we will see on the platform in January. He’s got news on when we might see new courses and how they might work. A velodrome? Listen and hear Eric’s thoughts. Is Zwift getting glitchy and is tech support able to do enough? Eric answers some tricky questions honestly and straight-forwardly. Shane Miller, a prominent Zwifter in Australia talks to me about the Week on the FB groups – who’s saying what and why and are they right? Want to know a little more about Shane? Here’s a link to a feature in the Zwift blog. Meet Shane Why are only 8% of Zwifters women? Cassie Baldi comes on to the Zwiftcast to explain how she’s trying to change that state of affairs. How do you prepare for and complete the FTP test?  Jon Sharplesis the man who helped put the sports science into the Zwift Workout mode and he’s got some brilliant tips on how to make your FTP test as bearable, and more important, as powerfu