How to Start Riding on Zwift: The First Ride // New User Tutorial

This tutorial takes you through the first time ride on Zwift once you've created your account. From accepting the EULA, entering your basic user details, a full ride through of the Watopia tutorial (with added overlays to better explain things!), and some user setting optimisation at the end for a better in-game experience.
Timestamps:
1:04 First login and EULA / User Settings / Device Pairing (Windows 10 / BLE)
28:00 In-Game tutorial ends. System Settings / Rider Customisations / more.
Zwift Setup Used:
HP Omen PC (GPU: GeForce RTX 2060): amzn.to/2XaQwau
Samsung 50" RU7100 4K LED TV: amzn.to/39Nq3SX
Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400: amzn.to/2XbEtd3
Blue Yeti Microphone (Zwift Streams): amzn.to/3aTJcE8
Logitech BRIO Webcam (Zwift Stream): amzn.to/2xYHnXK
Philips HUE Light Strip (Req HUB): amzn.to/2xTtlqE
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gplama.com
#cycling #indoorcycling #zwift

[@authorjohnwquinn]

Great job, Shane. This is going to be helpful to so many new Zwifters! Thanks for your efforts! Ride on!

[@gemmot2414]

Hi Shane. Can't thank you enough for this tutorial and all your Zwift Tips, which I've been watching in anticipation of joining Zwift this Friday! Extremely excited as it's been a long time waiting but hopefully see you in Watopia soon!

[@martinbroomfield2278]

That was a great video to watch as a newbie Zwifter like myself! I was quite overwhelmed at what I saw when I signed-up a couple of days ago, but by watching this I can see what a lot of the features are about. Thanks for the video Shane, I see you're a fellow September 1978 baby - happy birthday!

[@stephenpbuchanan]

Hi Simon. Just started my Zwift journey and very happy to have found your channel. Great information and has enabled me to use the program much more effectively. Signed up and powering on. Cheers

[@skydave9317]

I needed this 3 weeks ago! Still, I learned a couple of things that I haven't worked out for myself yet. Unfortunately, You Tube doesn't start recommending videos until you have already watched something similar.

[@Gail_Blanton]

You have, hands down, the best Zwift content I could find on KZbin. After a season on illness last fall and winter, I have found myself in the worst shape of my life. Due to COVID-19, my husband and I finally decided it was time to get a trainer and hook up to Zwift. There has definitely been a learning curve but I am loving it!!! The training FTP boosting training plans offer a better workout than a spin class for sure. Thank you for all you fantastic content.

[@jamesh1378]

Great content and really helpful advice - I’m a new Zwifter so this certainly helped, much appreciated and all the best from London UK

[@markley4507]

My 15sec of fame moment. Cheers Shane! 😀. Something to note for that future video on a more advanced setup is that some streaming services (like Facebook) have much lower limits on the resolution / bitrate that they will accept from a streamer. Just in the process of update my blog post on steps for Team3R streamers since moving over to SLBOS as my streaming app.

[@Tom-bt3ns]

I am a blind stoker and have tried to ride with Zwift for 2.5 years. I really didn't have a clue about how it woks because it is not accessible. Thanks to Shane's intro video, I am waaaay better prepared to ride and race. Thank you.

[@WhatInTheActualHealth]

Timing couldn't have been better! I just got set up 2 days ago and I'm really looking forward to learning the ins and outs. Thanks so much, mate!

[@Christina-fr7xb]

This was really helpful to me. Thank you so much for doing this video! I´m completely new to the entire world of cycling and I´m going to start Zwifting next week, when my smarttrainer will hopefully get delivered to my place.

[@jslute]

Going for my first ride tonight.Thank you Shane for all the help in choosing a smart trainer showing us around Zwift and the tips and tricks.Very much appreciated!! KUTGREATW!!

[@danlancaster2239]

Good stuff Shane. Been zwifting for a while, wish this was available back then. Enjoyable.

[@johngardner1898]

The Zwift folks aren't paying you enough. This is excellent, fun, solid content. Perhaps they are paying you too much, as you seem to be having yourself a grand time. 😉

[@richbutler5815]

Thanks Shane, just started my free trial. Great info, just need to follow your lead.👍

[@highlandmatt3869]

Cheers Shane, really helpful

[@jinx6493]

Really useful and well put together. Thank you 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👍

[@cyc00000]

Good to see you still fit into that old kit!

[@gplama]

.... just :)

[@heartbenefitsexercisesforh8276]

Just brilliant, waiting on a Bluetooth bike with zwift arriving to help get fit and your video was the best by miles

[@AmberLeaStarfire]

This was really helpful. Thank you.

[@bpriest5108]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks! Expecting my new trainer in a week. I'll watch out for GPSHeepy.

[@kurastyles]

Awesome stuff, thanks Shane 👍🏼

[@JakeyJay26]

Brilliant. Really helpful. I’m not quite there yet, but in the next few days I will be! Can’t wait. Cheers.

[@nathanoneill2011]

very helpful to a newbie wondering what Zwift is all about. Thank you!

[@vetteman95]

Hi Shane, Greeting's from Cottage Grove, WI. I wanted to thank you for all the info I got from you on Zwift. I bought a Kinetic wheel-on smart trainer and joined Zwift and am having a blast doing it. Once I got into it I added a rocker plate using ideas I got from GCN KZbin which I built for $50 USD and now it rides like outside but with out the bugs. Although after 40 inches of snow this winter the bugs haven't shown up yet! Many, many thanks!!!

[@tarajones-legros3661]

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one to think that a lot of info is thrown at you during that tutorial ride. I’m a little older than you (1971) and the tech stuff doesn’t come as intuitively as the developers may think. Thank you so much for this video!! Ride On!!☺️

[@padraigosullivan3975]

Great video for a complete new beginner. Appreciated!

[@finemasterviolins]

Great content ~ thanks 🙏🏿 It’s a big learning curve from knowingly nothing about trainers & Zwift Feeling more confident in getting setup now 🙏🏿 Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[@migzconcha4152]

the best tutorial in youtube for beginners!! cheers mate!!! new subscriber here

[@timbiddle6866]

Hi Shane, Great vid and set me up for my first Zwift ride today and event for tomorrow. Defo different to TR which I have been using the past two years. Thanks again. Tim

[@bigdarbs19]

Great, thanks. Although I have spent the last 40 years of cycling generally avoiding the turbo as much as possible, this may get me onto Zwift!

[@NickMaovich]

what a cool video! I can tell I am fully prepared to embrace Zwift! Thanks

[@terryhill5549]

Thanks Shane, exactly what I am looking for.

[@pete1927]

Super tute Shane, best I have watched and I have watched a few.

[@kevinbrown3096]

New to swift, loved your review. Thank you 😊

[@RossTheNinja]

Just got the Dorito. I'm quite impressed from what I've seen from zwift in the first two rides. I can see why people like it.

[@mickeyshulkin5478]

Excellent video Shane! I'm usually not a fan of clickbaity titles, but I doubt new users are searching for "Zwift onboarding experience". Maybe "How to Start Riding on Zwift". I'd love to see this get millions of views and boost those subscriber numbers up.

[@gplama]

Done and done. Mrs Lama didn't like the technical wording either, but that meant we were a 50/50 split. You swung the balance of power.... title changed! :)

[@BB-se9bl]

Thanks Shane! Really clear tutorial

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Hi Shane, Thanks for that. I started the tutorial then thought I've had enough I'll finish it later. But hey, you cant restart it. So watching your vide helped me catch up.

[@TheDfergie]

Thanks Shane, I found Zwift kind of confusing at first so your video was very helpful.

[@cmnbs]

Thank you Shane....very informative. A must for the raw beginner. It has helped immensely...thank you

[@gplama]

Glad it was helpful. Enjoy your rides Miguel. 🚲

[@jamieswedler2793]

The guy doing "quite some cadence" at the beginning of the lap was me every few minutes back when I was running Bluetooth via the companion app in the bad old days.

[@garrysansoucie]

Great first timers video, thank you!

[@sholpanbassibekova5835]

Thank you for the video for zwift beginners 😄 could set up trainer and did a ride today👍 good luck😘

[@DavidBournePhotoandVideo]

Hey mate, I just got a Kick18 + Zwift for my ACL recovery and your video was honestly absolutely perfect! Thank you so much for putting the effort in, it's much appreciated!

[@gplama]

Glad it helped!

[@yijuntey]

Getting my wahoo kickr snap this weekend, so hyped on this

[@wavecurrent]

Excellent tutorial to new Zwift cyclist!

[@edwardjcoad]

awesome. Setting myself up next month; TACX2 and Apple TV for the NZ winter. Can't wait.

[@miker5624]

cool! I was looking for a video like this!

[@joffs123]

Excellent video - thank you so much!

[@ackack8752]

Thank you. Really appreciate the video!

[@bikedawg]

Just what I needed to understand how to start--thanks!!

[@KD-bk3it]

Finally getting my kickr core set up today!!!

[@averagerider92]

How is it

[@zyghom]

you are incredibly committed ;-)

[@eastlamb9949]

Shane you're the best at what you do 👍

[@mdtaylor2274]

I should be dead by now and my wife won't let me ride a bike again. This is an excellent option for me to get back in shape and enjoy my favorite sport indoors.

[@johnjanneck9918]

A friend of mine came across this video, I ride by you right at 7:14, that’s so funny!

[@gplama]

User name checks out! 👌🏼

[@haphazardgardener8651]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. Today was my first day on zwift and at first I was confused as to why it wasn't showing up and routes til I saw your video. I know on the screen it originally says 25km left but I thought that was just to end the trial.

[@playandteach]

Just what I was looking for. Thanks.

[@gplama]

Glad I could help! Lots of other Zwifty goodness always being uploaded here.

[@crishickey8239]

Thank you - very helpful!

[@jralicea6299]

Thanks, very helpful!!!

[@jonpoon3896]

This is helpful. Opened a free account a long time ago, but only just started paying but missed the tutorial

[@christianbueno9579]

Seems like an honest review thanks

[@patrickholbrook4927]

Thanks for vid, helped me decide to join Zwift. I'm a gamer so this will help the motivational aspect for me.

[@UK-Cycling]

Thanks Shane. Best regards Martin

[@rojo7810]

Just ordered my smart trainer, can't wait to start!

[@rojo7810]

Have had it for a week now, i like it very much! It connects with bluetooth to my laptop. No dongle needed so far!

[@ams914]

@@rojo7810 What did you get and how did you find any in stock?

[@rojo7810]

@@ams914 i got a elite suito T, found it at a webshop from a shop in Apeldoorn. Van Bon its called It had 10+ in stock before the weekend and 0 after, got lucky i guess

[@JamesG_BKK]

thanks for sharing this, just about to crack on my first ride!

[@timhepworth7867]

Thanks for this just got my first smart trainer today and this has really helped... got a Kickr Snap and can’t wait to get on it.

[@scottbradley7584]

Picking my Snap up tomorrow - anything I should watch out for with setup ? Cheers,

[@timhepworth7867]

@@scottbradley7584 Very easy setup. Connect the bike - tyre touching roller and perform 2 full turns on the knob. Download the Wahoo app and apply any updates. Open up Zwift and add as a controllable and click on the gear icon next to it once paired and perform a spin down test. Now comes the hard bit.... ride :-)

[@scottbradley7584]

Tim Hepworth Thanks for that - Wahoo snap set up went fine. When I start using Zwift, does it put Wahoo Snap into Sim mode or do I need to do that through the Wahoo app ? Cheers

[@DamasusEkodimus]

ZPower. A specific video about how to set it properly will be highly appreciated. Thank you!

[@gplama]

It depends on the hardware used. It can be close to accurate... or way off. Here's a deep dive into ZPower on a Lemond Revolution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/noawhGqiqbZ0rbs

[@stevechaves8057]

Hi Shane. Thank you for everything that you do. I am always amazed on the in game graphics quality of your setup. Can you possibly do a video on what you use to get the Ultra graphics option.

[@Bianchi77]

Nice video, thanks :)

[@sbrown9888]

Thanks Shane. At least now I know what I missed out on, not much really but I’m sure it is of some assistance for the newbies. I did learn one thing, I didn’t know you could change the mini map. I’m on Apple TV so I don’t think I can change it anyway with that damn remote.

[@gplama]

Oh that remote. ARgh! :) The Companion App has a top-down map that's almost as good.

[@syamsularifinmohamadyunus8144]

Great sharing

[@lfcatchall]

Thank you.

[@dewidavies7995]

Thanks 😊

[@daniellai9370]

I wish I see this before I drop into the deep end on Saturday. I was busy reading the screen trying to figure out what it is. Very good explanation of the tutorial which answer some questions I'm still trying to find out. Happy riding

[@WerdnaLiten]

This is well timed; had everything set up and Zwift downloaded last week, but sensors wouldn't connect. Had to order an Ant+ dongle - and it arrived a few hours ago; sensors are now connected - first Zwift ride later today.

[@jasonmcgrody9472]

Ant+ can fix a lot of problems. I got a dongle and use it on three devices and it's worked better than the Bluetooth in any of the devices.

[@hermanbolten]

Shane...thank you!

[@gplama]

You're welcome! Enjoy your riding mate!

[@gtube2010]

Hey Shane I just got a trainer and signed up to Zwift just watching this video now. Really appreciate all the info in this great video! Liked and subscribed! 👍 Pretty cool how you set yourself in the right hand side like that how did you do that? :) i’ve only used 2 or 3 times now but I don’t think I’m getting nearly the quality you’re getting. I’m using an Apple TV 4K. Does the PC get much better picture? I can’t imagine it would take that much graphic power for this game, I’m thinking a 1660 6gb GPU would do the trick? Or more? The dust on gravel and water mist in the rain looks great! Any tips on connecting the Companion app? I can login on my phone but when I try and connect to the Apple TV it doesn’t find my Wahoo. P.S. when your country wasn’t so set you had flag 🇨🇦 👍

[@Gallyga]

This helped a lot thanks. Tbh I don't know why they hide things like settings and garage etc behind the ride button....considering some settings require a restart. The logic is kinda weird. Also think the interface for Surface Laptops / Tablets could be much better if you are using it in tablet mode with no keyboard connected.

[@pjhaction]

Thank you for this video

[@Rabbitnl]

I expect my Wahoo Kickr v5.0 to be delivered tomorrow. Can’t wait to get going.

[@duppy9012]

how was it? mine arrives tomorrow im so hyped.

[@Rabbitnl]

@@duppy9012 I love it. Already 700km on the clock. Love everything about it: workouts, group rides, races, solo rides on the different routes, rides with the pace bots etc. Especially love the climbs. Did the Alp du Zwift twice, once in training, once in a race. And I did the Mont Ventoux in a race. I feel like I really got stronger because of the block training in workouts. Let me know what you think of it. Have fun!

[@Eclipse240]

@@Rabbitnl could you stick to it?

[@Rabbitnl]

@@Eclipse240 , yep! Love it still! I’m at 4975km indoor riding and 870km indoor running at the moment (yes, I bought a treadmill too since running is my primary sport).

[@Eclipse240]

@@Rabbitnl wow, that's awesome. I think i would start with biking, don't want to spent over 500€ thou and the ones you get for this price dont have automatic resistance increase, when you start biking upwards a hill for example. Do you think that this is a big problem? Also, isn't the treadmill to loud if you have neighbours beneath you?

[@AussieDownUnder]

Shane this is excellent. Can I ask though, does it make much difference which REAL bike your connect to the kickr and the software?

[@MrLuigi-oi7gm]

Great video. I notice that some options are not available on my Apple TV set-up. For example, I can't turn off that Mind Destroying intro music. That option exists on your PC/Windows, but it's tortuously missing from Apple TV. 😫

[@Cockapooandbooks]

Thanks for this, great for a newbie. I'm Just about to embark on this tutorial...Wish me luck, I'll let you know if much has changed if I get to the end after 6 months off the bike...

[@giodc8599]

Lovely intro to Zwift, which i just started using today. When selecting power feed, is it always the case to get it from the trainer itself (Saris H3)or would you rather get it from the Assioma pedals? Would there be much discrepancy there?

[@Selphstube]

Hi Thanks a lot. Can i ask how to start in Zwift this tutorial / intro ride again? Is this only possible at the first time or can i start it manual? Thanks for the answer!

[@Brantastic07]

Zwift has came a long way over time. I wonder if we’ll get a velodrome & facial upload?

[@BarryJHoffman]

Shane, great vid. At 23 min 23 sec you are riding and you hit a climb, it goes to 6%. I am new to Zwift, is there a way when you are climbing to know how long the Hill is (in distance)? When outside and I have my Garmin following a route, I am able to know how long the climb is, how many feet left etc so I can gauge my effort. is there not a way to see this on Zwift???thanks.

[@JuliaYL]

Great help thank you. Will this look the same for me if running from my iPad or iPhone?

[@gplama]

Yes

[@r.massattack4052]

Great Video. I'm set up and ready to go but I can not connect. Does my exercise bike need to be Bluetooth compatible? Not sure what I need to do but this zwift looks like a great test and session. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[@bentcranks]

Another useful video, thanks Shane. Same question as Trialmx. You made it sound like you connected your trainer to a PC via Bluetooth, how? On the weekend I tried connecting my Tacx Neo to my relatively new HP laptop but the laptop only picked up the TV. I found a Reddit post you wrote in 2018 saying Windows does not support BT connections. Have things changed?

[@gplama]

Times have changed, yes! :) Windows 10 + a few 100 updates later and Bluetooth Smart / BLE support is working well. I'll still use ANT+ for my power meter testing as it's easy to capture the data that way... but for almost everything else using the Bluetooth (built-in) on my Windows machine has been brilliant.

[@Bolie420]

I like how even the video game puts you in the middle of the road.

[@unlock-er]

Thanks Shane for this vid as I'm new to the whole thing and it has really helped me. one question, as I'm also on win 10, if I wanna add the mechanical elite sterzo for steering by pairing it with an android, can I still have win10 and the main and kinda add the android and sterzo into the mix? or do I have to run everything off android for sterzo steering to work? Hope you get my question.cheers

[@gplama]

The non-smart Sterzo will only work on Repack Ridge MTB course with the Companion App if that's what you're asking? Only the Sterzo Smart will allow steering everywhere else... and that doesn't need the Companion App.

[@grahamcousins6259]

Great vid Shane Do u know if Zwift will create more levels after 50?

[@gplama]

No idea what they'll do with the levels past 50.

[@MuhanadAlHashimi]

yhnks for sharing I have a question I finish stage one of tour makuri island and i still 0 % complete although i can se that do it in my wall the first 2 races?!

[@martinrieger9829]

Hello great video, I noticed that you choose Kicker core, is elite or jet black as good experience in Zwift? Please let me know

[@gplama]

The Kickr CORE and JetBlack VOLT are very similar units. I'd lean towards the CORE due to the power drift I experienced with the VOLT. This may have been resolved in firmware since review, but I haven't seen any data on this.

[@davidkaplan5517]

pushing the power!! 😂

[@woody65536]

I upgraded from a mag trainer that had 5 settings to a fluid trainer. The fluid trainer is so much harder than the mag trainer!

[@AussieInJapan]

Thanks Shane! In anticipation of a shutdown of sorts here in Tokyo, a growing number of COVID-19 infections & working from home I bit the bullet and ordered a Wahoo KICKR Core yesterday & it arrived today! Super fast! Bikes inside is a tough topic for a small Japanese apartment, where shoes are taken off. Once I have washed bike spotless I can bring it inside and will be ready to ride! How long do the free ZWIFT codes take to come from Wahoo for new users?

[@gplama]

Not sure with the Wahoo trainers. Most others I’ve had come with a code in the box/documentation.

[@AussieInJapan]

Shane Miller - GPLama thanks mate! See you online!