Is Winter the Perfect Time to Discover the World of Online Bike Racing?
Winter. Short days, cold consitions, long hours at the office, and the unavoidable challenge of fitting in quality training around family and career. You’ve put the work in on your smart trainer, but if your training has started feeling stale, it might be time to bring a shot of adrenaline to your routine.
Welcome to the world of online bike racing.
For the time-crunched athlete focused on training smart, platforms like Zwift, Rouvy, and MyWhoosh offer virtual arenas to test your mettle, push your limits, and experience the thrill of competition... all from the comfort of your own pain cave. And the stakes can be as high as you want them to be. From one-off instantly-forgotten races to the UCI now running a virtual cycling World Championships, the high-performance value of e-racing is clear.
So, why might you consider clipping in for a virtual race this winter?
The Smart Advantages for the Busy Triathlete
Online racing isn't just a fun diversion; it’s a smart training tool that directly addresses the challenges faced by working, family-focused athlete:
1. Maximum impact from minimal time
You’re looking for the biggest return on your limited training hours. Online racing delivers intensity and focus that can be hard to replicate solo. For many, the competitive juices flowing in a virtual race make tackling super hard intervals much easier. You’ll find yourself pushing harder than ever, driving your performance and FTP to new heights.
2. Consistency is the secret sauce
As all coaches know, the key to real performance gains is consistency. Online racing offers an ideal platform for building repeatability and endurance, forcing you to sustain high levels of effort over extended intervals. With endless race options available—from short sprints to hilly wars of attrition—you can find a high-quality session that fits your schedule, regardless of the weather or your local club's schedule.
3. Safely pushing Your boundaries
In pursuit of improvement, you need to test your limits occasionally. With online racing, you can push yourself to the brink in a safe and controlled environment. If you hit the red zone, there’s no worry about onrushing traffic or a long commute home afterwards. It’s a valuable opportunity to learn just how far you can go without risking injury.
Train Smart: Finding the Balance
While the fitness benefits are undeniable, online racing is not a complete replacement for structured training. Racing, virtual or otherwise, lacks the measured and controlled bouts of intensity and recovery necessary for consistent growth.
As an experienced triathlon coach, here is my advice on incorporating it:
Balance is kley: Don't replace all your structured interval work with racing. Racing too often can lead to overtraining or burnout, just like it does outside.
The smart swap: Maybe start by replacing just one weekly threshold session with an online race.
Prioritize recovery: Make the days before and after that weekly race into easy or recovery days, keeping your structured sessions for the rest of the week. And always listen to your body and incorporate additional rest when required.
Gearing Up for Your First E-Race
Ready to add some virtual racing to your winter schedule? You don't need much, but a few key components will guarantee a quality experience:
Smart trainer/smart bike: A quality model ensures excellent connectivity—you don't want your connection dropping during the final sprint. The virtual gearing on some smart bikes is also a bonus, allowing you to select the perfect gear for any course profile.
Screen & metrics: You’ll need a phone, tablet, or smart TV to run the platform (bigger screens offer a more immersive experience). Crucially, make sure you have your FTP and Weight logged. Platforms use these two metrics to slot you into a race category based on your watts per kilo, keeping the playing field even and the competition fair.
The essentials: Crank a couple of fans up to 'high' and have a towel nearby—things are going to get very sweaty. Finally, grab your drink and any sports nutrition you need easily during the race.
You are now ready to saddle up, clip in, and experience the thrill of online bike racing.
Happy racing!
