I gotta say its so inspiring seeing someone starting from a similar fitness level as me (although you overtook me already by far ;D) but i find this so much more relateable than the people pushing 300+ watts. Keep it going, enjoy watching a lot!
Congrats, Benji ! Love your enthousiasm about those achievements and the way you look thrilled about the goals you're setting. Wish you the best for 2024 and remember, every cardio/endurance sport is a stool standing on a tripod : fun/wellness, progressivity and regularity/discipline. Fun/wellness gets you back on the saddle, progressivity protects from injuries and overtraining, reguarity/discipline gets you results
Well done! my first (and so far only) AdZ came in at 2:00:02, I'd really manged my pace well and kept religiously to 190-200w until i came off the final hairpin with an eta around 2:01 - i absolutely broke myself on that last push and just didn't quite make it under 2. I'll get it this winter though!
Great job! Alternating between a slower cadence and a faster cadence (and standing vs sitting) to shift the load focus between aerobic and strength is definitely helpful. You're going to crush that time goal for AdZ in 2024.
My first experience with this was de real Alpe d'Huez, this year in june. Like you working for months to get there, at the start of the mountain to overcome it. Took my 1.5 hour then. Now in autumn I am rocking the Alpe on Zwift. Got it on 74 minutes on my first go, and 72 minutes after that. I just enjoy Alpe. The numbering of the hairpins really is a motivation. Keep up the work.
Hey Benji, congrats on your first AdZ climb ! Did my first Alpe yesterday and like you I wanted to climb it in 1 go without stopping and I managed ! Drank almost 2.5L of water and climbed in 104mn45s at an average 169w :) Was an experience close to yours, cheers on making it happen ! On our way to sub 100 :)
I just finished Alpe du Zwift today for the first time! It took me 1:48:00 exactly. I honestly got a lot of inspiration from your challenges and probably wouldn't have believed I could do it or even attempted it if it wasn't for you and a few others I've seen on youtube who are at a similar weight to me (no insult implied here, it's just that climbing is hard for us bigger guys). I was really feeling cooked around turn 11 but kind of got a second wind. Taking in some carbs before and during the ride is key!
Congratulations for your achievement. One step at the time , you’ll do it under an hour . Just keep going. At 62 the first time it felt out of reach but with consistency and training I did it in 56 minutes . Setting goals will motivate you not only in the cycling area but also in the nutrition aspect which is a very important part of the sport.
Well done Benji! I first started watching your PCM videos, Eolo was probably the first, but your transition to what you’re doing now has been great to watch. I do miss the PCM stuff but totally understand why you stopped producing it but this content is equally, or if not even better, to watch and see your progression.
I just rode it today! It was a group ride and I was extremely shocked than I could keep up with the peloton all the way to the top! My fifth week of cycling and things going the right direction 💪
F*#king right bro!!! I been waiting for this video to land and man it was awesome. I was cheering for ya the whole time, seeing you stand for the first time (didn't know it was your first on a climb) was awesome to see man. I spend a fair bit of time standing on and off up that mountain. Hell of an effort man and awesome to see, maybe one of these days we will meet in the zwift world.
Fantastic video, and a great accomplishment! 2+ hours on the trainer is always tough, physically and mentally. You've done so much to sell Zwift, they should create a Lanterne Rouge jersey for the game. Ventop in 2024! It's close to 150% of the time of L'Alpe, so once you get your 1:40 on L'Alpe, Ventop would be around 2:30.
Great effort Benji, those big climbs are definitely as much of q mental challenge as they are a physical challenge. I've not been back on Alpe de Zwift since having to climb off a few kms from the end of the previous Zwift Gran Fondo series at the start of this year. Maybe it would be a good goal to go back and ride it again before the years out, maybe just not at the end of a 90km route this time 😂
Absolutely fantastic effort! Love seeing your progression through all of these videos, amazing improvement from your first ever climb. You should feel proud.
Great job man, not giving up is the most crucial thing doing this the first time. My first time was much slower, no I'm closer to the 1 14 minute mark, which is good for somebody that weights almost 100KG. Keep it going, I'll be back doing the alp after I recover from an injury for overtraining after a surgery, maybe do a social ride, so we can climb the alp as a group?. Great job again man
This feels like a monster of a climb! Well done Benji! I hope you feel really proud of what you're achieving. I'm seeing your videos and I am noticing you getting slimmer every video! That is sure to help! I'm using your videos a lot as motivation to keep my weight in check and get back on the saddle. I'm currently on Rouvy but seriously interested in Zwift once again just to see if I can race you! I'm also a bigger guy and really struggle up any hill.
Kudos! You looked a lot smoother when out of the saddle too. It's good to vary your position in order to give different muscles a rest from time to time. The Zwift Hub Virtual gears help a little bit too on the Alpe with so many to choose from and quick changes. Next go for the masochist badge (25 ascents iirc) and hope to win the Lightweight wheels from the spinner at the top instead of the more usual gloves.
Great work! I ended up on the alpe during a zone 2 erg ride, didn't make it too far... lol It wasn't the circuit I had selected, but that's where zwift sent me. It was fun to get a sense of what it might me like. I'm a long way off from actually trying it.
Congrats on your BIG achievement :D May it serve as a solid stepping stone for your goals to come, it is a journey :D And yes, getting out of the saddle can absolutely feel "lighter"! When I do longer ascents I often put a few bricks under the front wheel to "simulate" the gradient. It is also a way to slightly vary on-bike position during the long winter season, so it doesnt become to static.
I like using Alpe du Zwift club as a “fun threshold test”. 😅 My goal was to finish it initially then sub 1 hour and now I’m aiming for sub 50 minutes. I use the bot paced rides time to time to pace my way up. It’s much more “fun” and engaging than the 20min FTP test and probably a better indication of your overall fitness. Great pacing exercise too as I have gassed out half way too many times. I try to really control my power output until the Dutch corner (7) then go harder till turn 3 then go harder again. Great going Benji! Keep it up mate. I really enjoy watching your progress. 👍😊
Well done! Just did the Alpe du Zwift myself this morning. Oh, man. My cardio was up to a higher pace, but my legs were really starting to get rubbery by about the 1h15m . I did it in a race with a robo pacer, which beat me to the top by about 3 minutes. Placed 8th out of 22 class D entrants. My previous biggest climbs were multiple attacks on the Epic KOM, sometimes including the tower climb at the top (that's a freaking leg breaker). 1:44:47, i think that includes the lead in.
Thanks for your vids, Benji! Watching them i remember myself about a year ago: i did AdZ in 117 mins. Now, 1 year later i did it in 73 mins. I didnt do any special training this year, was just riding 4-6 hours a week, and got this far. You have to aim higher! 72 mins in a year, go for it!
Congratulations Benji! This is my next goal! Been monitoring your improvements for the year. It is through tremendous tenacity that you have been succeeding. I’m just starting on Zwift, having moved from RGT, and feel your pain, since I’m 90 kg, and 66 years. Great progress!
As a 63kg rider, your challenges are incomparable to mine, but I genuinely love following your progress and seeing your effort. Cycling is for everyone and it’s totally inspiring to watch bigger riders take on hills! Well done, Benji! Looking forward to more gains in 2024. 💪🏻
Brilliant video Benji. Really well made, great story telling! Your climb was great to watch, I love it when I stand up out the saddle and give the legs and backside a break. Your new ADZ PB is excellent. 💪 Looking forward to your 2023 roundup vid mate. 🙌
Well done Benji, stumbled across your videos a few weeks ago and just wanted to say it's been a real joy watching your progress and seeing your hard work pay off. Looking forward to your adventures next year. Well done again, great stuff.
Fantastic effort Benji. I rode it for the first time today, riding the full Tour of Fire and Ice. It took me just under 2h40m, with the Alpe itself taking 1h51m. I was one from bottom on the leaderboard but couldn’t be happier, it was just about finishing and enjoying the ride. I weigh 66kg but have very little power due to endless health problems so to get to the top and earn the badge for the AdZ was fantastic.
Nice work! Love seeing things that help the mental challenges. You should check out negative splits! I love them for this reason. Phil Gaimon says split any climb into thirds: 1. Easy 2. Steady 3. Go hard at the end. It gives so much confidence half way through the climb when you feel like you’ve been holding back or if you’re having a bad day you can always just sustain that first power you thought was easy. Really enjoy your videos!
It is a brutal climb! Just doesn't give you any rest. Did you ride it on 100% trainer strength setting, breaking your rhythm with every change of slope? I've not dared to do that yet, but been up it a few times now :) Changing between sitting and standing riding is such a big relief in long tempo / threshold efforts! Respecting the grind. :) Cheers mate!
Fantastic effort Benj! You conquered AdZ! It's been fun watching your progress. I'll be here to see what's next. All love!
I gotta say its so inspiring seeing someone starting from a similar fitness level as me (although you overtook me already by far ;D) but i find this so much more relateable than the people pushing 300+ watts. Keep it going, enjoy watching a lot!
GG Benji !
Congrats, Benji ! Love your enthousiasm about those achievements and the way you look thrilled about the goals you're setting. Wish you the best for 2024 and remember, every cardio/endurance sport is a stool standing on a tripod : fun/wellness, progressivity and regularity/discipline. Fun/wellness gets you back on the saddle, progressivity protects from injuries and overtraining, reguarity/discipline gets you results
Well done! my first (and so far only) AdZ came in at 2:00:02, I'd really manged my pace well and kept religiously to 190-200w until i came off the final hairpin with an eta around 2:01 - i absolutely broke myself on that last push and just didn't quite make it under 2. I'll get it this winter though!
I am so proud of you! Your channel is so inspiring. Keep up the good work! Nothing is impossible
Standing feel massively helpful when climbing, i often count down to when i´ll allow myself to get out the saddle.
Yes! On the Alpe, I stand and pedal at least through all the turns and more. But through each corner for sure. Cheers all, and great effort Benji.
I'll have to try that next time
Goal smashed! Move that goal post and SMASH IT AGAIN!
Great job! Alternating between a slower cadence and a faster cadence (and standing vs sitting) to shift the load focus between aerobic and strength is definitely helpful. You're going to crush that time goal for AdZ in 2024.
Congratulations Benji! Need to get you over to Ireland for a cycle sometime 🎉
New Ability Unlocked: Out of the saddle 😉
My first experience with this was de real Alpe d'Huez, this year in june. Like you working for months to get there, at the start of the mountain to overcome it.
Took my 1.5 hour then.
Now in autumn I am rocking the Alpe on Zwift. Got it on 74 minutes on my first go, and 72 minutes after that.
I just enjoy Alpe. The numbering of the hairpins really is a motivation.
Keep up the work.
I was just about to comment on one of your previous vids that I look forward to seeing you climb the Alpe, and then this pops up! :D
Nice Going... Ven Top awaits you!
Hey Benji, congrats on your first AdZ climb ! Did my first Alpe yesterday and like you I wanted to climb it in 1 go without stopping and I managed ! Drank almost 2.5L of water and climbed in 104mn45s at an average 169w :)
Was an experience close to yours, cheers on making it happen ! On our way to sub 100 :)
Congrats benji! Great performance! Thank you for a wonderful journey in 2023 and looking forward to your goals in 2024! Dikke proficiat!
So many laugh out loud moments. Lovely Benji, well done.
I just finished Alpe du Zwift today for the first time! It took me 1:48:00 exactly. I honestly got a lot of inspiration from your challenges and probably wouldn't have believed I could do it or even attempted it if it wasn't for you and a few others I've seen on youtube who are at a similar weight to me (no insult implied here, it's just that climbing is hard for us bigger guys). I was really feeling cooked around turn 11 but kind of got a second wind. Taking in some carbs before and during the ride is key!
Congratulations for your achievement. One step at the time , you’ll do it under an hour . Just keep going. At 62 the first time it felt out of reach but with consistency and training I did it in 56 minutes . Setting goals will motivate you not only in the cycling area but also in the nutrition aspect which is a very important part of the sport.
Well done Benji! I first started watching your PCM videos, Eolo was probably the first, but your transition to what you’re doing now has been great to watch. I do miss the PCM stuff but totally understand why you stopped producing it but this content is equally, or if not even better, to watch and see your progression.
Super gedaan Benji!, mooi om dit allemaal te volgen
Absolutlely smashed it Benji!! Brilliant effort mate.. I remember being elated when I accomplised AdZ!! An amazing feeling.. mega well done pal!
I just rode it today! It was a group ride and I was extremely shocked than I could keep up with the peloton all the way to the top! My fifth week of cycling and things going the right direction 💪
Have not been up Alp du Zwift in a while. It's brutal congrats.
F*#king right bro!!! I been waiting for this video to land and man it was awesome. I was cheering for ya the whole time, seeing you stand for the first time (didn't know it was your first on a climb) was awesome to see man. I spend a fair bit of time standing on and off up that mountain. Hell of an effort man and awesome to see, maybe one of these days we will meet in the zwift world.
Benji, amazing job. Thanks for sharing your achievements with us.
Benji you cleaned the ADZ. Congratulations with a stellar effort. I certainly feel your pain.
Great video once again, mad respect for documenting your pain and suffering for us to watch. Love following your progress, keep it up!
Fantastic video, and a great accomplishment! 2+ hours on the trainer is always tough, physically and mentally. You've done so much to sell Zwift, they should create a Lanterne Rouge jersey for the game.
Ventop in 2024! It's close to 150% of the time of L'Alpe, so once you get your 1:40 on L'Alpe, Ventop would be around 2:30.
Congratulations, stay the course.
Big effort! congrat my friend!
Good work benji and well done on not putting a foot down but pushing through
Great effort Benji, those big climbs are definitely as much of q mental challenge as they are a physical challenge. I've not been back on Alpe de Zwift since having to climb off a few kms from the end of the previous Zwift Gran Fondo series at the start of this year. Maybe it would be a good goal to go back and ride it again before the years out, maybe just not at the end of a 90km route this time 😂
Benji, Benji, Benji, wat doe je nu 🤯
Chapeau!!!
Absolutely fantastic effort! Love seeing your progression through all of these videos, amazing improvement from your first ever climb. You should feel proud.
Got that enric mas nasal strip going LETSGOOO
Great job man, not giving up is the most crucial thing doing this the first time. My first time was much slower, no I'm closer to the 1 14 minute mark, which is good for somebody that weights almost 100KG. Keep it going, I'll be back doing the alp after I recover from an injury for overtraining after a surgery, maybe do a social ride, so we can climb the alp as a group?. Great job again man
Hell yea benji. You paced yourself just about perfectly I’d say. I 100 percent did not do this the first time I went up
This is a goal of mine. Great to see u conquering this!
Great effort. We can all relate to our first Alpe.
Go Benji! Discipline is the key you smashed it
well done Benji. keep working, the benefits will compound in no time!
Fantastic effort Benji the effort you put in these videos is insane! Good job dude you will become a beast in the cycling world!
Bravo chap
Love to see the journey you're on mate! Keep up the great work :D
Thanks, bro! 😍
Huge congrats Benji! Amazing effort and I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress next year. Also recently got into zwifting because of you!
Congratulations Benji. It is fun to watch you on your journey. Great job way to stick with it.
Good effort, big man. It never gets easier, just faster
Good job! Enjoying your channel!
Well done! Great how far you pushed yourself! 💪💪
I cycled up AdZ for the first time recently too but haven’t done a proper effort on it yet 😊
This feels like a monster of a climb! Well done Benji! I hope you feel really proud of what you're achieving. I'm seeing your videos and I am noticing you getting slimmer every video! That is sure to help! I'm using your videos a lot as motivation to keep my weight in check and get back on the saddle.
I'm currently on Rouvy but seriously interested in Zwift once again just to see if I can race you! I'm also a bigger guy and really struggle up any hill.
Good job ! Recently bought a trainer, inspiring to see your videos, keep going !
Your cat 😺 was the key of your success 🥰 yessss
Awesome achievement, now you're ready for the Festive 500, let's go! 👍 🤙 👍
Kudos! You looked a lot smoother when out of the saddle too. It's good to vary your position in order to give different muscles a rest from time to time. The Zwift Hub Virtual gears help a little bit too on the Alpe with so many to choose from and quick changes. Next go for the masochist badge (25 ascents iirc) and hope to win the Lightweight wheels from the spinner at the top instead of the more usual gloves.
Great work! I ended up on the alpe during a zone 2 erg ride, didn't make it too far... lol It wasn't the circuit I had selected, but that's where zwift sent me. It was fun to get a sense of what it might me like. I'm a long way off from actually trying it.
Congrats on your BIG achievement :D May it serve as a solid stepping stone for your goals to come, it is a journey :D
And yes, getting out of the saddle can absolutely feel "lighter"! When I do longer ascents I often put a few bricks under the front wheel to "simulate" the gradient. It is also a way to slightly vary on-bike position during the long winter season, so it doesnt become to static.
So proud of you! Keep it going!
I like using Alpe du Zwift club as a “fun threshold test”. 😅
My goal was to finish it initially then sub 1 hour and now I’m aiming for sub 50 minutes. I use the bot paced rides time to time to pace my way up.
It’s much more “fun” and engaging than the 20min FTP test and probably a better indication of your overall fitness. Great pacing exercise too as I have gassed out half way too many times. I try to really control my power output until the Dutch corner (7) then go harder till turn 3 then go harder again.
Great going Benji! Keep it up mate. I really enjoy watching your progress. 👍😊
keep at it.
Well done! Just did the Alpe du Zwift myself this morning. Oh, man. My cardio was up to a higher pace, but my legs were really starting to get rubbery by about the 1h15m . I did it in a race with a robo pacer, which beat me to the top by about 3 minutes. Placed 8th out of 22 class D entrants. My previous biggest climbs were multiple attacks on the Epic KOM, sometimes including the tower climb at the top (that's a freaking leg breaker). 1:44:47, i think that includes the lead in.
Great work Benji!!! Great to see the progression
So good man! Great job. I need that kind of determination to get the Mega Pretzel done.
Awesome riding Benji- keep pushing
Thanks for your vids, Benji! Watching them i remember myself about a year ago: i did AdZ in 117 mins. Now, 1 year later i did it in 73 mins. I didnt do any special training this year, was just riding 4-6 hours a week, and got this far.
You have to aim higher! 72 mins in a year, go for it!
Congratulations Benji! This is my next goal! Been monitoring your improvements for the year. It is through tremendous tenacity that you have been succeeding. I’m just starting on Zwift, having moved from RGT, and feel your pain, since I’m 90 kg, and 66 years. Great progress!
As a 63kg rider, your challenges are incomparable to mine, but I genuinely love following your progress and seeing your effort. Cycling is for everyone and it’s totally inspiring to watch bigger riders take on hills! Well done, Benji! Looking forward to more gains in 2024. 💪🏻
Let's go Benji!
Brilliant video Benji. Really well made, great story telling!
Your climb was great to watch, I love it when I stand up out the saddle and give the legs and backside a break. Your new ADZ PB is excellent. 💪
Looking forward to your 2023 roundup vid mate. 🙌
YAAAASSSSS, BENJIIIIII!!!!!!
Fantastisch Benji, mooie prestatie! Heb je ooit al roovy gereden? Ik ben nog in twijfel voor men aankoop
amazing job Benji! keep up the hard work
I’m not going to lie Benji but if you do a year of solid training you can definitely be under the 1:30 hours mark. Love what your doing keep it up 🫶💪
It’s a real brute. I’m homing in onto the 1 hour; but hell it’s tough. Congrats
Great job!
Nice effort mate. A real grind that one. Pacing is the key.
Well done Benji, stumbled across your videos a few weeks ago and just wanted to say it's been a real joy watching your progress and seeing your hard work pay off. Looking forward to your adventures next year. Well done again, great stuff.
Amazing, very well done!! Congratulations!!!
Fantastic effort Benji. I rode it for the first time today, riding the full Tour of Fire and Ice. It took me just under 2h40m, with the Alpe itself taking 1h51m. I was one from bottom on the leaderboard but couldn’t be happier, it was just about finishing and enjoying the ride. I weigh 66kg but have very little power due to endless health problems so to get to the top and earn the badge for the AdZ was fantastic.
Great work Benji. Excellent music choice on this video too.
Respect! I just started and thought about doing this, but am only a level 9 right now. This video is a warning not to give it a go yet
Massive effort Benji! Well done 👍
Outstanding!
Nice work! Love seeing things that help the mental challenges. You should check out negative splits! I love them for this reason. Phil Gaimon says split any climb into thirds: 1. Easy 2. Steady 3. Go hard at the end. It gives so much confidence half way through the climb when you feel like you’ve been holding back or if you’re having a bad day you can always just sustain that first power you thought was easy.
Really enjoy your videos!
Atta boy!!! Keep up the good work! Hope to see you in Cat B soon! 👀
Chapeau Benji. We have similar level of ability. Seeing your progression over time and now effort on AdZ is inspiring,
nice work!!!!
Well done Benjamin its a climb I’ve done a few times and each time is amazing really great to see you do it too keep up the good work.
Great work. Keep going!
Well done! Great acivement! 🎉
Great job man! Always enjoyable to see your improvements. Ciao!
Great job Benji!
Congrats! Well done
Well done - keep going!
Pain face, watering the floor instead of your mouth and epic music.... well done.
Greate Work! You are on the Top
Beautiful.
Congrats Benji, way to crush your goal! Enjoy!🎉
Great job m8 ride on!
It is a brutal climb! Just doesn't give you any rest. Did you ride it on 100% trainer strength setting, breaking your rhythm with every change of slope?
I've not dared to do that yet, but been up it a few times now :) Changing between sitting and standing riding is such a big relief in long tempo / threshold efforts!
Respecting the grind. :) Cheers mate!
Well done, i find it all about how to pace yourself, a long game with a good gearing to bail out (32T or 34T)