The Club has now started group social rides or ‘meet-ups’ with Zwift – if you have turbo trainer, ideally a Smart trainer but any old trainer will do, then you can join in.
You will need a Zwift subscription but there is a ‘try before you buy’ trial available. Zwift is a turbo trainer game that enables you to link you turbo trainer up your computer, iPad, mobile phone or Apple TV, letting you ride with other cyclists in a virtual environment, therefore helping to alleviate some of the boredom associated with indoor riding.
If you would like to join in, email Alison Warren who will then add you to the WSCC Zwift WhatsApp Group.
What you need to do to ride:
- Install Zwift on the device you’re going to run it on (e.g. laptop/PC/tablet).
- Download the Zwift Companion app on your phone (Zwift and the Companion app separate things).
- Follow the ride leader for the ride you want to do in the Companion app (using ‘Find Zwifters), this is so they can send you an invite to the ride..
- Accept the invite in the Companion app (to see your Notifications click the little bell in the top right corner on the home page of the app).
- Just before the ride starting time, start riding in Zwift, preferably at least 5mins before the start.
- Click the ‘Join Meetup‘ button when it appears on the screen in Zwift (NB if the Join Meetup button hasn’t appeared 5mins before your ride is due to start you may need to end your ride, restart Zwift and try again).
- Ride with your chums (and chat using the appropriate channel in Discord if you want to).
What do I need?:
- A turbo trainer, either a ‘smart’ trainer, or a ‘dumb’ trainer with a speed sensor. A bluetooth speed sensor can be obtained for less than £20 e.g. CooSpo Cadence and Speed sensor.
- If you’re on a ‘dumb’ trainer, then you need a way for your speed sensor to communicate with the device (preferably PC/laptop/tablet) you will run Zwift on (e.g. via Bluetooth or ANT+).
- A Zwift account (Zwift has a free 7-day trial and ride if you’re new to Zwift).
- Download the Zwift Companion app from your favourite app store and install it on your phone, you’ll need this to accept ride invitations from your ride leader.
- Note that Zwift and Zwift Companion app are 2 separate things, you use Zwift to ride and the Companion app to do the admin. to join rides.
How do we chat?
We can communicate before, during and after rides using voice chat on Discord, within which we have a West Surrey Cycling Club area and channels/’rooms’ for the different groups (e.g. G3 or G4). A link to the WSCC Discord channel will be sent to you once you have signed up.
Once you’re in the Discord app, scroll down to ‘voice channels’ and select your group.
How do I sign up?
You need to follow your ride leader in Zwift for them to be able to invite you to the ride.
You can do this in the Zwift Companion app using ‘Find Zwifters’.
Once you’ve been invited, accept the invitation via Notifications in the Companion app (click the little bell in the top right corner of the home page).
What do I need to do on the day of the ride?
Zwift allows people to join rides up to 30 minutes late, so you can start riding with your group any time up to half an hour ofter the start time.
Start riding in Zwift (in any world), ideally at least 5 minutes before your ride is due to start.
When you see the ‘Join Meetup’ button appear on screen, click it and you’ll join your group.
If you don’t fancy doing the full distance, no problem, you can quit the ride whenever you like.
More detailed instructions for setting up your equipment can be downloaded from here.
Additional resources/further info
There’s also plenty of info. available online, e.g:
Get started in Zwift – zwift.com/uk/get-zwifting#how-to-ride
Tips for beginners – zwiftinsider.com/top-13-tips-for-beginner-zwifters/
Getting started on Zwift with a smart trainer – zwiftinsider.com/getting-started-smart-trainer/
(Thanks to Cranleigh Cycling Club for these instructions!)