Editor’s Intro: Stefanie is a certified Zwift Bad Ass. Seriously. She knows all the ins and outs, has worked out the kinks, and has a fail proof set-up in her house. Also… It doesn’t hurt that she knows how to pedal a bike! She recently won a Zwift women’s crit!

I have been "zwifting” since November 2015.

Over the years, I’ve seen this program grow into what it is now, and with it, I’ve gotten stronger and I’ve made some friends along the way.

Setup

My setup started with the Wahoo Kickr, and I’ve recently added the Kickr Climb, a tower for the front fork that integrates real ascents and descents. The biggest change I’ve seen with the addition of the Climb is that I can be on the trainer longer, because I no longer sit in the same spot on the saddle the entire time. If you’ve ever sat on the trainer for more than an hour, you know what I’m talking about.

I use an iPad to run the Zwift app (orange icon) and my iPhone for the Zwift Companion app (blue icon). My little fan blows up at me from straight ahead.

Zwift has a ton of different ways to spend your time on the trainer. If you’re into structured workouts, it has them. If you like to just ride around and explore, flats and climbs, it has that. If you want to just ride with a group of your friends, it offers that. There is even an option for no-drop rides.

Where Zwift really shines, however, is in the community component. Sitting on a trainer and riding by myself in my little corner just has never really been enticing to me, so I generally choose to either join a group ride, a group workout, or a race. I’m even a member of a racing team. Riding with friends and teammates from all over the world has enabled me to make new friends and still ride with old teammates that have since moved out of state. Trainer rides no longer are boring, but rather a fun way for me to stay connected and motivated, all while getting a in a painful, effective workout.

Speaking of pain…yes, it’s hard work. If you are used to doing your intervals outside and maybe end up skimping on that last second here or there, Zwift will hold you accountable. If your power drops in the middle of a longer section, Zwift will make you hit those watts whether you like it or not. Uphill sections are just as challenging as outside (especially with the Kickr Climb) and drafting is an invaluable skill to have in your back pocket when riding with others in Zwift. To really take advantage of the full spectrum of what Zwift has to offer, take the FTP test. It’s not pleasant, but it’s a great way to structure your training and measure your progress. If you want to know what an FTP test looks like, click here.

Pros:

Ability to ride, workout and race with friends from all over the world
Ability to make new friends (and join a team) with similar ability to push you
Many different modes (workout, group rides, solo rides, meet-ups and races)
Zwift continues to add more routes, so it doesn’t get boring
Women’s events and teams continue to increase in numbers
Racing with friends is so much FUN!!!!

Cons:

The initial setup to get it all working properly can be a little finnicky
Sandbaggers in every race
If you’re a sprinter, some of the hills are brutal. If you’re a climber, you’ll want to add this point to the previous category.
The FTP test - painful but necessary

In short, I was on Zwift before the quarantine and I will be on it for long after. It allows me to be mindful of my busy schedule while also avoiding the increasingly bad air in Phoenix. Will I still go out on group rides? Always. But I do love Zwift for riding and racing with those that no longer reside in AZ. For me it’s not about riding either inside or outside. I choose both.

Feel free to come find me on Zwift: Stefanie [Race3R]