Trying to ZWIFT RACE 43k and CLIMB 500m in CAT C

A review of my 10th race in CAT C on Zwift where I also talk about why I love Zwift so much.
Subscribe to my channel → / @ryancondon
Join my channel to access exclusive content →
/ @ryancondon
Become a Patron to access exclusive content → / ryancondon
Check out my Podcast KZbin Channel → / @ryancondonunscripted
Follow me on Instagram → / ryancondonpics
Most Popular Videos → • Popular Videos
Enquiries → [e-mail]
#zwifting #zwift #cycling

[@RyanCondon]

I've missed Zwift over the summer. I've got an Ultra Marathon in a weeks time then I feel like becoming a fulltime Zwifting KZbinr. 😅

[@DomestiqueKoch]

Great news! Zwift is amazing it rally pushes your limits

[@craigsmith5134]

I missed your zwift vids too :D

[@maartenwrikken]

Love the zwift content! I'll be joining you over the winter!

[@Mykelridesbykes]

I really prefer your cycling videos. I would add I think your saddle is too high. Your hips are really rocking like a seesaw. Have you got a bike fit? You could have another 20-50 watts that you’re not able to access because your seats too high. Also I highly recommend avoid grinding on the hills. If you can’t keep your cadence at 70-90 watts your gonna save your legs more than you think

[@MichaelDavis-uu9zh]

Any luck with the race?

[@uncledudley1928]

I love Zwift too. It's changed my cycling life. I've been racing gravel in Kansas, USA, for 15 years. Started training on Zwift pre-season. I've taken a first place and a 3rd place racing single speed this year. I've always been a back of the packer. After 15 years of trying, I became competitive because of Zwift. Keep the videos coming. You're doing great!

[@RyanCondon]

@@uncledudley1928 thats amazing. Welldone on your achievements. 💪🇺🇸

[@lostinnepal7897]

I love your Zwift content

[@RyanCondon]

@@lostinnepal7897 Thank you. 😊

[@zebeddy]

For someone who is doing 8 min intervals at 215 watts and struggling, watching you knock about 250watts+ and making it look easy is very inspiring. Next year I am going to do Zwift again and just try to get in a race with you...I'll keep up with you for the first 2 seconds and wave goodbye as you sail off into the distance lol. Thanks for another great vid mate :)

[@RyanCondon]

@@zebeddy Thanks Zebeddy. I appreciate your comment. It really doesnt feel easy. 😅

[@kjbull1]

Love your Zwift content best of all Ryan. To be fair though I watch most of your other content as well. I’d just like to congratulate you on your continued weight loss and fitness improvement. Keep the Zwift content coming. I don’t Zwift much in summer but with winter on the way I’ll be back on it as well.

[@RyanCondon]

Thanks very much. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I appreciate the comment.

[@patbriggsmbr]

Your sooo inspiring, it’s because of you I’ve got bike on my bike and doing zwift, thank you 🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@RyanCondon]

@@patbriggsmbr Thank you Pat. Youre too kind. Good luck on Zwift! Weve got this. 💪

[@darrelljones6864]

Great effort Ryan, good to see you back on zwift which expires myself and many more I am sure. I have followed your journey from the start and really enjoy your zwift and outdoor bike videos being a cyclist myself.

[@RyanCondon]

@@darrelljones6864 Cheers Darrell. I really appreciate your support. 🙏💪🙌

[@lee-cycling]

That course looks like an absolute beast. You did great, mate. A mid-table finish in C on this course is no mean feat. It'll be good to see you progress up through C when you get back into Zwifting 💪

[@RyanCondon]

@@lee-cycling Id like to replicate what I achieved in D.

[@anthonyperuzzo]

I did this race in cat c this past week and it was brutal. Great dig at the end. I'm impressed with how far you have come.

[@RyanCondon]

Thanks Anthony. It doesnt feel far enough. 😅

[@RonaldJacobs-e2i]

Wow, again a great effort. Love how you go all out every time. Kudos.

[@RyanCondon]

@@RonaldJacobs-e2i only way to fly (or slowly grind up hill). 😅 Thanks for watching. 💪

[@G-Unit-fitness]

Zwift baby! Where it all began on your YT (at least for me 😃) mate that course looks like a nightmare for bigger guys! I got inverted vertigo just watching 😅 and dropping 500 watts after nearly 90 Minutes is insane! well done! I should get my wattbike back from HQ any time soon! Been keeping it up with my trainer. Selfishly I hope you make more Zwift videos this winter! If you can’t tell you get me pumped for it! 💪😂

[@RyanCondon]

@@G-Unit-fitness Ive missed your updates. That is one tough course. I hope you're progressing. 💪

[@IndubitablyL]

Nice, I have been in Cat C in the beginning of this year, but had a 6 month break and now I'm back in Cat D (less power, more weight). You are so consistent with your training... I love it :D

[@RyanCondon]

@@IndubitablyL Thanks. Its all about the grind. 😅

[@CryPlz]

Loved the reflections and race tips. I'm 4 months into my cycling journey. Lost 2 stone, changed my habits and have my own goals in terms of W/kg, weight and eating habits and I can say that your videos have been a great inspiration. I'm aiming for an everesting at some point, so your attempt was good to watch too! (good luck if you go again!) In short, thank you @Ryan!

[@RyanCondon]

Thats amazing to read. Thanks for the comment. Good luck on the Everesting challenge. I'm actively trying not to think about it just incase I fancy giving it another go lol.

[@CryPlz]

@@RyanCondon I can understand that, I have quite a strong mind and thought I could just do it and take 24 hours. Your run made me realise that this one isn't just mind over body. Hence not starting yet and focusing on the gains I can get now. Improve technique, power, weight, endurance, cardio etc!

[@CryPlz]

@@RyanCondonhowever, just to add a spanner in your works. If you ever wanted someone to give it a go with, I'd throw in. Even if you wanted a solo streamed ride, if just throw it up at the same time without comms or anything. Just the mutual suffering is enough to push forward ha ha

[@RyanCondon]

@@CryPlz I did the half without realising it. The hardest part was the boredom of being in the same room for so long.

[@RyanCondon]

@@CryPlz thank you. I really appreciate that. Im not going to do an everest anytime soon though. 🙏

[@CalmLikeABomb76]

So nice to see some zwift vids from you again. Great efford you did there. How's the outdoor riding going by the way? It is fully understandable, that it might be too difficult to record them off course, but i've recently bought an outdoor bike myself, after riding zwift for a year or so, so your journey is very relatable for me :)

[@RyanCondon]

If I'm honest, Im struggling to find the time to get out cycling. Running has been taking up my free time when Im not working. Im pleased you liked the vid. :)

[@stevengivler3130]

Great to see you back on Zwift!

[@shaunrigby1]

Good to see you back on Zwift, Ryan Hopefully we will race each other this winter

[@alchemy8132]

Great effort Ryan! I'd say we're about the same standard so I'll see you in a Cat C race once I go back indoors. Should be fun! I MISS ZWIFT!! ❤ I MISS ZW

[@DuckRideDuck]

Yeah, a good course, enjoyed the commentary, catch you in a C race soon hopefully 👍🏻👍🏻

[@RyanCondon]

@@DuckRideDuck Thank you. 🙏🙌

[@dominicshepherd9054]

Great to see you back.

[@zedatomic8342]

As I said in a comment for one of your last videos, the longer races have slower starts!

[@SteakandChains]

Congrats on the weight loss. It definitely helps, especially on those cat c climbs. Great race!

[@RyanCondon]

@@SteakandChains Thanks.

[@andrewhill9369]

Well done, Ryan. I’m in Cat C too and feel somewhat overwhelmed with the performance of others. I’m a lighter rider, so can power up hills but if I’m not in the blob for descents I get spat out the back and then struggle to catch up. Currently, my aim is to finish the race, not come last and to beat the first place time equivalent of the Cat D race.

[@RyanCondon]

Were in the same boat just facing opposite challenges. 😅 We will get there. Weve got this. 💪

[@benfinesilver2250]

That’s a great new course. You can imagine the watts for the 12 efforts in A! I raced 3 of them and won one, came 2nd and 5th

[@RyanCondon]

Welldone. Thats awesome. 💪

[@COOKIE_wcc_]

well done on weight loss glad your trying longer races this is one of my favourite routes may be it because i hill freak but at 70kg spinning is winning but your right i have pedal down hill a lot may i ask what you set your trainer to im running 75% thw new update is frigging awesome cant wait for a yt video by you keep on pushing those limits ive lots fellow riders in my team that destory me and they are heavier than me ride on

[@RyanCondon]

@@COOKIE_wcc_ Thanks Cookie. Pleased you enjoyed the vid. Im going to make a race video where the emphasis is on 90+ rpm instead of winning. 🙏

[@COOKIE_wcc_]

@@RyanCondon c class is very hard I’ve been in there for 10 months I wish I was d 👍

[@RyanCondon]

@@COOKIE_wcc_ We can do it. Weve got this. 💪

[@SimonTheChimp]

Love your content Ryan, don't worry if you're grinding away in a big gear whatever works for you. If you watch any of my race streams you'll see that I have a slow cadence.

[@RyanCondon]

Ill have a look, thanks. :)

[@jesikat]

If you want to improve your cadence, one drill I do nearly every week is cadence builds (and sometimes cadence holds). Cadence builds usually start at around 90rpm, and slowly builds up to about 130rpm (if you can) over 30 seconds, and then ramp up to your max in the final 5 seconds. Do that about 4-6 times, with about 5 minutes rest. For holds, it's about a minute holding your highest cadence without bouncing in the saddle. It will take some time, but it will improve :) Do these in an easy gear, as it's about pedalling technique, not power. I often do these in social group rides :)

[@RyanCondon]

@@jesikat Thanks Jessikat. Yes, I do need to do this. 130bpm sounds tough. Ill try it. 💪

[@jesikat]

@@RyanCondon as with anything, practice, practice, practice. I can now get up to 185rpm ;-) my goal is 200rpm! And yes, I am a classic grinder, very comfortable at 65-75rpm ;-)

[@RyanCondon]

@@jesikat 185 rpm. Crikey. Does that produce power?

[@jesikat]

@@RyanCondon I seem to hit about 500W peak, in one of my easiest gears... so some :)

[@stevecoward2095]

Well done fella! Richmond is an absolute killer to race on 👍🏻

[@RyanCondon]

@@stevecoward2095 Brutal course. Loved it.

[@keith4520]

Congrats on the effort! Supertuck!

[@DomestiqueKoch]

Love zwift to. Looking forward to the indoor season after finishing the last 3 outside races. The longer Zwift races really gave me a boost. Also not a climber and love it. Won 2 cat C races both long and with climbs. 1 had the grade twice in it. People just abondended the race. I always dig deep and try solo at the first climb. Just to demoralyse others. After that its just fullout pushing what i got. Also a warmup of 10 min minimum is an absolute must. Flat races in cat C are mental.

[@RyanCondon]

Pushing the climbs is such an underated tactic. Some riders just dont have the mental stamina. Thanks for watching.

[@philipcampbell7548]

Mate you’re tempting me to restart my Zwift subscription

[@RyanCondon]

@@philipcampbell7548 dont do it. Its too addictive. 😆

[@AHURKY]

I have climbed Alpe de Zwift and I thought this route was harder! It is BRUTAL! Or maybe I was having a bad day? Well done!

[@RyanCondon]

It was a tough route. I think it feels easier if you know the route but not much easier lol.

[@Gixer750pilot]

Good video as per usual

[@craigsmith5134]

Man did you pick a hard race for your return to zwift. Don't be hard on yourself, that was a good performance!!

[@RyanCondon]

@@craigsmith5134 it was alright, i could do better. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@mdewree]

ZRL starting next week. You in? Ride on!

[@RyanCondon]

Oh, I dont know. Maybe.

[@JayB9137-abc]

Nice1 fella!

[@denouden92]

Zwift season! 🙌

[@tombarnes2652]

Soon as my sprained ankle heals gonna be hitting Zwift hard. Mid pack C at the minute but wanna be knocking on door of B. 😂

[@RyanCondon]

@@tombarnes2652 I hope the ankle gets better soon so you can be another C spanking me up Muckle Yin or whatever unholy race is live at the time. 😅🙌

[@tombarnes2652]

@@RyanCondon I'm actually around your (previous) power numbers of about 250w ftp and I'm 92kg currently. Few weeks of consistent Zwift races and you'll be back to those I reckon. Last 400m is where I roll away haha

[@FoobsTon]

The gear drop outs would drive me bananas... I never get that with my click...if i did I'd be sorting it out. I agree your strength is your recovery powers...you do recover from 170+ efforts really well and can go again very quickly. You do well on climbs but it seems to be the punchier efforts... The longer climbs your w/kg just counts against you...but i agree climbing routes are more interesting... Flat routes just reward to power monsters who lack stamina. Especially in the lower cats. I'm at the same level in Cat C i now prefer the zwift scored races.... The algo seems to give better racing. Give the mini races a go. Your intensity/ recovery style is perfect for them.

[@RyanCondon]

They are annoying. Ive researched and its a Zwift game issue rather than a bike or Play controller issue apparently. Pleased you liked the vid my friend.

[@Tukke117]

Grinding feels good but you're fitness recovers much faster then your legs. So indeed RPM needs to get up to at least 70/80 on the climbs

[@ashley1scott]

If you are using virtual shifting on the Watt Bike, do you not have the brake function as we do using the Zwift Controllers? If so that is an easy way not to go sailing through the group on the down hill

[@RyanCondon]

@@ashley1scott Ive got brakes, just never use them. I just stop peddaling.

[@Fit_by_50]

I would love to try zwift but not sure on the cheapest way to it set up

[@RyanCondon]

There are deffo good budget options out there. 2nd hand frame and a good smart trainer is prob the best way. 👍

[@patrickj4747]

Some of the riders that are climbing at a higher cadence than you, have their trainer difficulty set a t a lower %. They still have to put out the same power to move their avatar but they don't feel the bite of the hill which cause them to use lower cadence. I use lower trainer difficulty in rolling hills because I was getting dropped over the top of hills.

[@RyanCondon]

@@patrickj4747 Youre right. Ive made the decision to train with at least 60% difficulty. Im thinking of moving that upto 100% to help me become a better IRL cyclist.

[@cloak057]

What heartrate monitor do you use?

[@RyanCondon]

@@cloak057 one that i bought off Amazon

[@fraac]

what bike do you use with zwift?

[@RyanCondon]

@@fraac Watt Bike Atom

[@rickwilliams3120]

After watching your videos it has motivated me to order a trainer and start zwift! Anyone have a referral code so we could both get a free month. My trainer should be here next week super excited 😁

[@RyanCondon]

Its a shame Zwift don't offer affiliate discounts. Good luck on your journey my friend. I'm pleased you liked my video.

[@kevstephen9393]

Hey, you beat about 15 people. Well done. Isaac Newton has nothing on you, though 😂

[@RyanCondon]

Isaac didn't have an anvil PU on his way back down The Sgurr. Like a bowling ball being dropped out of a helicopter.

[@kevstephen7920]

😂​@@RyanCondon

[@rafaeljdm]

Nice effort

[@RyanCondon]

Cheers Rafael.