20240916T 1210 [1x] Stage 3: Pinarello Powered - Turf N Surf

I thought to offer hints on how join this virtual cycling fun.
What you need, in yourself, is just legs, lungs and get-up--and-go.
On this platform, join Zwift. But first get the tackle needed.
- A cheap bike (I'd suggest the frame made of iron or aluminium for strength). Preferably one with 10 or 11 speed gearing.
- A bike seat. This can be important. Often the supplied seat doesn't suit you derrière.
Then a turbo/trainer. Something not too expensive, but capable.
Garmin Tacx Boost Trainer (£191.03) https://amzn.to/3B4umwq
Direto XR-T (£439) https://amzn.to/47rWfed
Kickr Core (£449) https://amzn.to/3ZpSWlL
NEO 2T (£1199.99)https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/p/701670
Or the other end of the spectrum, an all-in-one:
Kickr Bike (£3,249.99) https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Waho...
or
(£3,199.99) https://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/i...

Where to begin untangling all this (especially if you're not a tech geek, or just can't be bothered with such tinkering).
You'll get the impression that this stuff is expensive. Costs creep up pretty fast, and the gear tends to be fast rendered less current (even obsolete) and worse unreliable.

Next up a computer of some sort. In the Apple walled garden there's several that can work. From the iPhone (ridiculously small screen), to iPad (getting better), MacBooks (but the fan-less MacBook Air can overheat). Perhaps best compromise of that lot is the Apple TV 4k (£149) https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/buy-tv/...
At least with this wee box, you don't have to unplug gear in order to be able to carry such an expensive laptop into your damp and sweaty pain cave garage.
Which touches on cooling (you will be pedalling like crazy won't you). Sweat is super corrosive so just about anything metal will be eaten to ruin. So you might need some airflow. There's fans, but they're nothing compared to a blower. I use one recycled from an old supermini computer - noisy, but it can really cool down a steaming body. Fans give generally give weak and diffuse air flow, a blower can blast air at you where you need it (and ensure that any loose paper in the room will take flight).
Talking to other riders - Discord (free) https://discord.com/ is the THE app to use. perhaps to gossip with other riders (or runners - you can. do all this stuff on a treadmill). Perhaps for serious race coordination "Agreed, 30 second pulls, going by our rider number, so you'll be up front first 1-Rob". Always being on guard against pernicious nastiness escaping one's mouth while struggling to keep up. Next you'll be wanting noise cancellation headphones which don't fall out of your ears or get damaged by sweat.

All the computing side of things needs to be of appropriate spec.

Reflecting on the above, and I've only scratched the surface so far, it's all getting crazy complicated and expensive. I should know, because I've been seduced into all this (racing, even for has-been plonkers like me, can sometimes be really more-ish).

I don't take the showcase path, preferring the make-it-up and bodge it as I go along.

Oo, another topic - anonymity. Many (not just timorous or rights-laden ladies, but many a big brute male too) are hyper guarded about giving out anything that could suggest of their personal being. Silly avatar icons like a cat, or clad to the eyeballs in cycling gear to be unrecognisable. Use silly names, and change them regularly. Too silly for words. What can any wicked person do - stalk you by riding near you. Write nasty txt messages in the cycling app. Everywhere there'll be a bunch of strong people around who'd just love to rally to your side and defend you. One creep vs an army of allies that you didn't realise were right there.

Perhaps the biggest thing in the game is taking loads of exercise. And having fun. To that end, we need motivation. Particularly when we're feeling down, the weather's horrible, we're tired, have excuses galore. Just when some physical activity with chums can really help perk anyone up. And add years to healthy life expectancy.

... to be continued ...

BTW. The code of conduct here, as you well know, is that if you take anything of value to you, the least that you can do to take 1/10th sec to give a video a thumbs-up (Like). OK, OK, so my stuff is all sheer nothing - but how come so many mean spirited people watch the videos, a few even read the texts. And next to none ever give them a thumbs-up.

Today's race ... all about those 2 climbs. That and drafting where possible.
And at the finish sprinting (my finish was pants, in part because I found myself in too big a gear).

PS. Inspired, I've upgraded my Pinarello to the 2024 version. Oh my goodness, now I'll be ... err ... 0.1 second over a race. Win (though I can't think of any blockbuster rider in INEOS to ape (other than G)).

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