How To Win A Bike Race Without Leaving Your House

Online racing is opening up a whole new world of crash-free competition. CW’s Alex Ballinger scopes out how to become the hero of his own living room

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I’ve never won a bunch race. Sadly, raising your arms and basking in glory as a peloton of kitted-out rivals languishes on your wheel is an experience very few of us will enjoy in our riding careers. The adrenaline, the tactics, the effort: these are the features that keep racers coming back for more, though it’s a euphoric blend that remains, for most novice riders, the racing equivalent of a white whale — ever elusive. But thanks to the wonders of modern technology, chasing glory is now within the grasp of all of us, as long as we’re willing to search for it in our own home.

With 300 watts of enthusiasm and a bidon-full of optimism, here is a comprehensive introduction to the world of Zwift racing — with one eye firmly fixed on the top step.

Online revolution

The main player in the world of online racing world is, yes, Zwift — the multiplayer online virtual world for cyclists and runners, offering training, competition and structured workouts. While there are a few other options out there for anyone wanting to test their legs against the world, such as Tour de Giro, CVRcade and RGT, it’s Zwift that has cornered the market for virtual racing.

For those new to the wonderful world of online racing, the concept is fairly simple: you set up a smart-trainer, usually fitted with a power and cadence meter, pair with a device like a phone, laptop, or tablet via Bluetooth, and away you go, connecting with thousands of cyclists around the globe in various online in all kinds of virtual race.

Chris Snook, the senior PR manager for Zwift, has some thoughts about why racing indoors has become so popular: “The two big ones here are accessibility and inclusivity. There are events taking place every day on Zwift, and no matter whether you are a climber, a sprinter, a veteran or a rookie, there is an event and a classification that will suit your riding interest or ability.”