Wednesday Virtual Climbing with Steve

Do you Zwift and are you looking for a (virtual) social ride through some amazing scenery?  Our weekly Wednesday climbing meetup is what you're looking for!!

Every Wednesday at 5:15 pm, we climb one of the two major Zwift climbs (Alpe du Zwift in Watopia or Ven Top in France).  These are banded (a.k.a. "Keep everyone together" rides, so you will stay with the group (game enforced) regardless of power output as long as you are pedaling.  The algorithm isn't perfect, but we stop when it breaks and regroup.  Moreover, we laugh, tell jokes, and have fun all the while. 

We strive to provide an enjoyable and conversational social ride where your participation is encouraged.  You'll be riding with your local friends as well as folks from across the globe.  The goal of this ride is to help you build climbing confidence and achieve heights which are difficult to achieve on your own.  With the "banding" algorithm in place and several strong riders in the front of the pack, these climbs don't take very long - often under two hours for even the biggest climb.  

How to join us:

Use the Zwift companion app to follow Steve Ciccarelli (Cascade/HERD) and then contact Steve (easily done using the Cascade Zwifters Facebook group) and ask for an invite. Registering ahead of time via the companion app is required and it also allows you to do a "late join" for the first 30 minutes of the ride (e.g., in case you oversleep or have some technical difficulties).

Zwift Group ride Etiquette for Newcomers:

The game will keep stronger riders near the front of the pack and provide a periodic "boost" to those riding at a lower power (watts/kg) level.  Enjoy the ride, companionship and scenery and just do your best!  We will get to the top - we do EVERY week.  Understand that it's about personally sustainable watts.  We're helping you become stronger and making this a fun experience.  Sprinkle "Ride Ons" far and wide to encourage and delight your fellow riders! Join the conversation (on-screen text), but be mindful of the younger folks (i.e., children) who join this ride from time to time.

Zwift Equipment:

You don't need a helmet, a buddy flap, or tools to repair a flat. However, you will want to be sure you haven't selected a time trial (tt) bike, because time trial bikes cannot draft with the group.  (You'll end up working much harder to keep up with the group on your time trial bike.  Unless that's what you want....)

Zwift Weather:

Zwift has a variety of climates from volcanic eruptions to rain and thunderstorms.  These virtual weather disruptions will not cancel our group ride.  We always ride!