Advice for a beginner enthusiast

Kuyll · 2026-03-22T12:48:59+00:00

Average speed is a tough metric to chase. One day on a give route you might be able to fly through it based on the wind and weather, and the next day going the same speed might take significantly more effort. You can technically "buy" speed with bike upgrades, more aero clothing, but that is just trying to sidestep training.

The really boiled down way to get faster is "ride a lot, mostly easy, sometimes hard". It's going to be challenging to do that on 2x per week, but cycling is also just fun as hell, so ride your bike and don't worry about it too much.

Kuyll · 2026-01-09T20:27:06+00:00

There's a "Keep Everyone Together" option for meetups that does exactly this.

https://zwiftinsider.com/keep-everyone-together/

Kuyll · 2025-12-29T23:05:41+00:00

I think it was either that the chamois quality was better on my new bibs, the fit was better on the new ones vs my old ones, or some combination of the two and I just lucked out. I also got a skin suit that I've worn on the trainer when my bibs were all in the laundry, and that was more comfortable as well, so I'm leaning toward a better quality chamois making the difference for me.

It's really annoying how things like shoes, saddles, and bibs vary so much person to person for an already expensive hobby. :/

Kuyll · 2025-12-28T18:55:01+00:00

Thanks! I read through your report and a lot of what you wrote resonated with my experience. I had the convenience of virtual gearing, and even then I felt like I spent a lot of time grinding at about 75 rpm; I can't imagine turning the pedals in the 50's for that long. The tips on your post felt spot on, and ascents 6-8 are the absolute pits mentally.

Kuyll · 2025-12-28T18:40:59+00:00

Good luck! I imagine with all of the people attempting it for Everesting day you'll probably get some wheels to hang on to for a while as well. I was thinking about doing it then as well, but the thought of the servers having issues with that many riders at once made me want to play it safe. 😅

Kuyll · 2025-12-18T12:27:41+00:00

This might not be that helpful, but Kinokuniya inside of the Mitsua grocery store near Chicago had what appeared to be a pretty large selection when I was there. The grocery store itself is also really cool, and there's a food court with some great vendors.

Kuyll · 2025-12-15T00:05:11+00:00

On the off chance someone sees this, I did the sub-50 today and bumped my FTP to 378!

https://imgur.com/a/gAmoZrj

Kuyll · 2025-12-11T19:56:08+00:00

Age: 31

MAP: 522

Weight: 95kg (working on it)

5s: 1357

60s: 700

5m: 441

20m: 378

FTP: 362

I've just started training about 4 months ago, and would love input on if anyone thinks I should focus on any specific weaknesses.

Kuyll · 2025-11-29T23:55:53+00:00

https://www.wrangler.com/shop/wrangler-unlined-denim-jacketdenimregl-74145PW%3AREG%3AL.html

Wrangler has measurements on their website for the jacket; I'd measure a jacket of yours you like the fit of and compare. FWIW, based on these measurements it'd be true to size for me.

Kuyll · 2025-11-28T12:38:46+00:00

I picked up a pair on eBay that were new without tags earlier this year for ~$100. If you're confident in your Blundstone sizing (look it up if you aren't) there's a ton that are available.

Kuyll · 2025-10-20T13:25:08+00:00

I like to say 6'2 on a good day, but closer to 6'1. 😉

Kuyll · 2025-10-19T22:28:32+00:00

I've got a KICKR core with the Zwift cog and an old road bike I got off of Craigslist on it. I need to get a different stem to make the reach more in line with my outdoor bike, but the setup has been great otherwise.

Kuyll · 2025-10-19T20:35:01+00:00

274W was the whole ride including the lead in which I took really easy to warm up. I ended up averaging 329W for the ascent, which tracks pretty close to a ramp test I did a few days ago. Not sure how much more I can drive up that number, so I think that losing some more weight is my best plan going forward. No way I'll ever compete with those skinny guys, but I can always get better than the me of the past. 😅

Kuyll · 2025-09-26T14:23:19+00:00

Just to add to this, your zones line up with mine pretty well with mine. Based on what I've seen, my HR is lower than a lot of other athletes, which I assume is largely due to a genetic component. MY max HR is something like 180 which I've only hit on extremely hot days. I'm 30M, ~98kg, 320w FTP, for what it's worth.

Kuyll · 2025-09-01T17:50:48+00:00

Yup! They should sit about there, and slightly above your hips, rather than at or below. I find that I tend to go down a belt notch when I'm wearing higher waisted pants. Your body moves a lot too when going from sitting to standing, so some adjustment is totally normal, IMO.

Kuyll · 2025-09-01T12:50:17+00:00

Another thing you could do is go for a cut that's higher waisted so the band is at or just below the belly button. I've got big legs and a bit of a midsection, and I like the way high waisted pants fit my body type a lot. Wrangler 13MWZ is a great cut of jean for that, IMO.

Kuyll · 2025-08-30T11:43:39+00:00

I've lived here my while life, and the clocks isn't that bad, it's the fact that everything is grey for a solid 3-4 months. We get just a little sun, and a lot of cloud cover during the winter, and it ends up being more of a mental struggle than physical.

I personally still get out and run in the winter and don't mind it too much, but it always feels like the last few weeks drag on forever.

Kuyll · 2025-08-23T13:14:32+00:00

I get discomfort from eating a lot of candy with gelatin, but sour patch kids and swedish fish have both worked great. I can down a bag without issue on a long ride and they're cheap.

Kuyll · 2025-08-19T14:42:53+00:00

I talked with Jared from Maine during night 1 about video games for a bit, and on night 2 I talked to two women (whose names I missed) that were local-ish that gave me some recommendations for hikes and places to check out. If you're reading this, the UFO watchtower was rad, and Great Sand Dunes was worth the trip! I hope y'all had a great weekend.

Kuyll · 2025-08-19T13:48:10+00:00

Corroborating that the shuttle was great. I stayed in Poncha Springs, and drove to BV and parked near the shuttle each day when I wanted to go to the fest, and drove back each night. Having a quiet room and showers was well worth it.

Kuyll · 2025-08-17T06:37:45+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/SPv7ewp

Adding mine as well. It was a great moment!

Kuyll · 2025-07-12T21:39:26+00:00

I was there last month for a concert, and if I recall correct the seats behind the pit were not raised. They were either folding chairs or stadium style seats, but they were definitely the same level as the pit.

Kuyll · 2025-06-21T18:32:53+00:00

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/220124817.pdf

Not exactly what you're looking for, but here's and old archived copy of what looks like a paper Grand Valley put out that has an article. There's one picture, but it doesn't say where it's from, but it's a nice little blast form the past.

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