That’s a fair comment, I think as the weight metric is such an important one when deciding the outcome of a race that the least Zwift should do is a little reminder to all once in a while to check and update. The problem wouldn’t be solved but it would be even less of an issue I believe 👍🏻
You've got a point. Just a reminder every few months to either update or confirm your weight would at least make people think about it or make them consciously cheat instead of just forgetting about it.
It’s a fair comment about people not changing their weight often and it sucks that some people are racing fairly and not winning because others aren’t doing their bit to race fair. But if you think of it as you’re only trying to better yourself and you’re bettering yourself with every ride/workout/race then that’s the main goal! Sure you may not get a win but you’re progressing your power/through the cats and that’s what counts! Great vid as always mate!
Thanks mate that’s much appreciated 👍🏻 I completely agree, I do get quite competitive at times and it’s easy to forget that I’m really trying to be the best me - I do need a reminder of that now and again! Hope you’re all good mate 👍🏻
@@notpogi yeah all good thanks! Also racing C cat ZRL this season which is tough but going well! Looks like your training is paying off and congrats on your best result so far 😁
Great ride Ollie, congrats on the result. There so much nefarious stuff going on it’s difficult to feel confident about anyone on the platform at times! Weight, dumb trainers, the often bizarre category enforcement rules and our old friends who deliberately suppress performance to stay in a lower cat all add to the sense of injustice at times. Agree that it’s sometimes difficult to take, especially when you’re playing fair and working hard on self improvement. Try to focus on the things that you can control and being as good as you can be. Everything else is irrelevant (even if your blood pressure tells you something different). Good luck with the rest of your season, training looks like it’s paying off.
Thanks Andrew, very kind of you to say 👍🏻 You’re absolutely right, I do definitely need to keep the focus on me and not let other factors that I can’t control impact how I feel or distract me from the job in hand! I’ll keep going with the training and it’ll be interesting to see where I end up! Hope you’re all well mate 👍🏻
I weigh myself the morning of every race (I occasionally forget but not often). Some people saying their weight fluctuates but stays roughly the same but I think just update it as it changes. It takes so little time to just update in the comp app. I know I am racing fair and that’s the main thing that matters to me. I don’t tend to get too bogged down by others unless I know something dodgy is definitely going on but I don’t go looking for it or I’ll get annoyed and racing will be less enjoyable. In a way, I don’t want excuses for my results other than I wasn’t strong enough.
Good point mate, I definitely won’t be looking again because it did get to me a bit! You’re also right when you say about updating it often, it takes very little effort and just means everyone is racing fair 👍🏻
I didnt update my weight for a long time because it would go up 2kg, and down 2kg in the same week, depending on how much lunch i had or if i pooped. At the end of the day, there was no real variation week on week. This year, I'll try to update weekly, but it wont change much in terms of my ftp or my sprint ability.
I find that my weight can vary quite a bit during the week also! I think updating it is a good habit to get into, sounds like you already have got a handle on it 👍🏻
How much should the weight be different before you change it on Zwift? I weigh more or less 78 kg all year around, and it only sways about half a kg. I don't really think it's worth the hassle. I end up in the middle of the bunch no matter. :)
Yes Ollie super strong and super awesome really pleased for you it’s a great feeling to achieve a top ten in ZRL as it’s normally brutal racing Hopefully see you back in B soon then mate
Yes, a 100 likes! Great video and you did great on the climb/bridge. About what I said, I didn’t mean it in a negative way. I’m annoyed myself that Zwift just doesn’t care about a lot of weight dopers. They are just started to do something about sprint-coasting so that might be a first step. Checking everyone wait will be to much work for them at this point. For myself, I’m just coming back from a hard crash last year and an injury and surgery this year, so I really don’t feel harassed myself 😉 Nice video, keep up the good work!
Thanks mate 👍🏻 great race as well, thought it was a super tough race in the end! Yeah I thought it wasn’t meant in a negative way and you’re absolutely right, it’s doesn’t seem like it’s at the top of Zwifts to do list! Hope I see you this week mate 👍🏻
I ride in this ZRL league too, think you have a fair point in general - wish Zwift would force you to input your weight once a month, then at least if you’re input the wrong weight, you’re actively, consciously cheating. Not updating it is a bit of a cop out. Having said that I have been the same weight give or take half a kg for the past couple of years, so not everyone not updating it, its playing the system
I agree that Zwift should ask to update it once in a while - many riders may not even think it’s that important to do as Zwift doesn’t mention it other than when you first sign up 👍🏻
B rider getting into a C race, off the front? You sure you are not talking about yourself there mate ;) Also yes, I agree with the field there, worry about what you can control and your race and fitness, throwing out blatant accusations for people whose weight may just be pretty stable is poor, especially in C class where weight "doping" would actually be much less of a problem anyway due to the fairly low power to weight ceiling of the class regardless.
Haha 😜 yeah I did have a little go off the front but it didn’t last very long! I think it was less accusations, more of a comment to those who perhaps haven’t changed their weight after a summer break from Zwift to maybe have a check. I completely get that for some people weight doesn’t move much and that’s a fair comment - I definitely wasn’t calling anyone out specifically. 👍🏻
@@notpogi As an example: I have been between 59 and 61 kg's for 15 years now (age 18 to 33). Summer, winter, holiday,.. I don't even have use a scale anymore, but yes, occasionaly I do. Not saying there's no weight doping out there, but just giving some context
@@notpogi you may not be accusing anyone in particular but IMO it’s a pretty poor comment to make during a race. Why would you say that during a race if you weren’t making accusations? Whether at someone in particular or the group in general? Btw, I’m huffing and puffing during ZRL races only to come mid pack whereas you’re typing away comments and coming 4th … hmmm .. 😉
I promise it was a gentle reminder but I understand how it could have come across 👍🏻 The typing of messages definitely took away some of the agony I was in, but I get what you’re saying 🙂
@@sams247a 2kg difference (especially at a low body weight) is very significant. Assuming managed to do 300W up a climb, that’s the difference between 4.9 and 5.1W/kg. This could be the difference between being dropped or not.
I've weighed the same for the last 25 years, give or take a kg. Depending on when I weigh myself. Why would I need to update my weight if it stays the same ? Genuinely asking as I don't understand the relevance, if my weight is the same ?
If your weight is the same then yeah you don’t need to change it, but I do think the odd kg does make a difference to your wkg and potentially the race result. You could be losing out on additional speed if you’re lighter than you say you are but zwift doesn’t mandate that you update it or remind people… I do it, as I feel it’s good practice 👍🏻
@@notpogi thanks, loving your channel by the way, great content and I’m learning lots from you. Just an FYI- STOP chasing down breakaways on your own and let somebody else do the work for you 👍🏽👍🏽😊
Great result last night Ollie, the training is really paying off! I came 12th in my race and that was my best ever result on ZRL. In my league I'm the 4th heaviest and see it as a mega challenge fighting these lightweight riders up the hills or the ones that don't change their weights. When I check Zwift Power afterwards and see that I've beaten most of them it gives me a great sense of achievement. As others have said, they're only cheating themselves and for me any game/sport that can be manipulated like alot of online games I don't take it too seriously and just consider it a good workout whilst riding with your mates. Looking forward to next week's review, take care mate!
Hi mate, I did have a look at your race result - you did so well! It’s such a tricky course, I bet you got a few FAL points also? Brilliant work mate! 👍🏻 I was pretty happy with 4th, looking forward to the next few weeks as I’ve apparently got some vo2 training sessions incoming 😳 I definitely need to keep focusing on me and getting better, I can’t control others and you’re right - it’s a great workout! Hope you’re all good, great to hear from you as always mate 👍🏻
You need to change your weight +/- 5kg and do a race at each. You'll see on a circuit course- it doesn't make a lot of difference because you actually get it back on the downhill. (I say that as someone whose weight has fluctuated 2 stone since I first raced on Zwift in 2015). Weight doping is misunderstood too because actually; if you've gained a load of watts and are now on the cusp of the next category- INCREASING your weight is the way to get an advantage as you'll stay at the top of the lower category rather than being dumped into the bottom of the one above....
It’s a tricky one, I would rather race in the correct category with the correct weight even if it means I’m at the bottom of a category rather than at the top of the one below. It’d just be nice if Zwift asked once in a while - I’d like to think that the majority of people are honest and would update it correctly if asked. As you said though it I’m sure it does balance out on the incline/decline if it’s not a huge change 👍🏻
@@notpogi For sure- I just think its counterintuitive to most people that adding weight could actually lead to unfairer racing than removing it. Chances are, someone racing at -20kg or something silly is facing way stiffer competition in the cat their dodgy data puts them in than they'd get with their 'real' numbers. Instead of being the Don of D's they're probably the back of the bunch Billy no mates of B :laughing:
I've heard they have adjusted the racing scores again to get a lot more C's out of Ds and B's out of C's. It does sound promising! Apparently it will go live in October permanently. Have sidelined myself for a bit until they did this, as a heavier rider who can't get anymore lighter as I seem to be increasing in weight the more stronger cyclist I have become.
I really hope that it does go live in October mate as it seems all over the place at the moment. It does sound promising though and I like the fact that they’ve tested it and tweaked it. Hope you’re able to get back to it soon, you’ll be very strong by the time the new categories come in 👍🏻💪🏻
ZWIFT should create and release special bluetooth Weighing-Scales that somehow can't be tampered and must be connected to certain high-stakes races - would be cool to see. I'm sure someone can figure that out! :D
Sounds like a great idea! I also like the idea of ‘ranked’ races where Zwift need a weigh in beforehand - won’t be for everyone but at least it’ll be good for the serious racers 👍🏻
I'm one of those in this race who hasnt updated their weight for over a year (and got dropped about 12 minutes in 😂) A lot of C-D riders will fluculate 1-2kg eirher side of their weight during the week but be around a constant weight. The only time i bothered updating it weekly was when i was trying to lose weight! I honestly believe the bigger issue in zwift is the use of sauce
It was a very tough race mate! Interesting comment about sauce - I don’t use it because of the ATV but I think it could be seen as an unfair advantage to those that have it. Maybe I’m just jealous because I can’t use it 👍🏻
Fair comment, I know from racing with Coalition for a few years now that they require all riders to do weight verification videos on a regular basis. So..... Coalition aren't the offenders.
I used to race with coalition and I have to say that I completely agree with you - they are a well run/organised team with a great following. Definitely not the offenders in anyway 👍🏻
I don’t mind the consistent weight as much as I mind weight altering to keep them in a Cat & avoid upg. I’m over 80kg & can easily vary a kg up or down from day to day - I’ve done the math & a kg at my ftp is about .04 of a w/kg difference, which my trainer could easily vary by on any day depending on the temperature 🤷♂️ When I see a consistent change on the scales over a month then I’ll adjust. I’ve hit 82.9 as my lowest in a one off reading two weeks ago, but that wouldn’t be fair to enter as my Zwift weight as that isn’t the most consistent reading I see on the scales. I average around 84 at the moment. But when u see weight being adjusted to keep them within the margin of UPG 😡 - or if someone is clearly 10kg either side of what they have entered 🤷♂️ My goal is 80 (from where I started 120) & maybe I might squeeze to 78 in the long run. But at that point I will be about maintaining that exact weight as a healthy weight for me. So I would hope it wouldn’t then change much from month to month or year to year. Great result 👍 keep up the training, it’s paying off.
I think what you’ve said is very fair 👍🏻 It sounds like you’ve done so well to lose that much weight - superb effort 👍🏻 just as long as you’re healthy and feel good that’s the main thing! Thanks very much - really happy with the result and how the training is paying off so far, I just need to keep it going 👍🏻
Yeah I think you have a good point for sure, for me there's a certain amount of denial goes on with weight gain. If I have had a bad week of eating I can sometimes skip weighing myself, then the following week I may be back to where I began, but I raced in the meantime. My main goal isn't cheating in zwift, but I guess that sometimes happens. To not update in a year is something else though, you are cheating yourself as well as others.
For me it’s the no change in a year that’s the issue because weight can fluctuate so much in that amount of time potentially. Depends also on how seriously someone takes Zwift, I think a reminder now and again from Zwift would be good 👍🏻
@@notpogiFWIW: I have been within 1.5kg since I graduated high school 21 yrs ago and I regularly weigh myself. Sometimes it has been more muscle, sometimes more fat. Just because some people fluctuate less than others doesn’t mean they are cheating. Weight doping absolutely occurs, but probably not as prevalent as you’d think. As another commenter already said, it takes big swings too make a difference in w/kg for me. 2kgs/5 lbs is not going to make or break a race for me (an avg B rider on zwift)
Great racing Olly, last night was killer! Get what you mean about weight it’s annoying but there is nothing in place to enforce it and people would just ignore notifications. Dunno what the solution is really 🤷🏼♂️ it’s the same as sandbagging, they’ve tried to combat it with the racing score but I doubt they will actually roll that out properly.
Thanks Ray! I did have a look at your race result, it looked super tough mate but amazing being up in cat A 👍🏻 Yeah I agree, not sure if Zwift will ever be able to eradicate it really and yeah the people who aren’t changing their weight would probably ignore the notifications.. I’m really hopeful that the new cat system will work but I’ll believe I see it! Hope everything else is all good mate 👍🏻
Great racing Olly, zwift just doesn't care, our B race last night winner held 4.2w/kg for 57 minutes and 4.4w/kg for 20 minutes, the sandbagging continues
After I bought a new scale to be ready for the new season I always weigh before a race, also I will focus more in training and eating, so this makes more sense for me. Over the summer I was a little bit sloppy with this, but in the end it was a matter of being around 88.2 and 89.3 kg all the summer time, so I feel quite okay with my 89.0 in Zwift and don't think I cheated anyone. Maybe a solution would be like in Zwift Grandprix where you had to send a foto of your weight from within the last 24 hours, when I'm correct. Maybe that could be a way, but on the other side maybe the teams would loose to much riders than, because now it is still difficult to find 6 people to ride once a week on a fixed time and in our roster are 10 people, so there are some for the side in imagination. Another question, had your team also been moved to another division after race 1? We were a little bit surprised to be 9th in total after two races and it turns out we lost our 4th place in the ttt due to been moved to another division and our time of the ttt was now compared to their times and we now moved to the 9th place for the first race afterwards. I didn't know that this could happen and was a little bit surprised so I wonder if this happens to other teams?
It sounds to me like you do keep track of your weight all good mate, and even if not it’s completely up to you at the end of the day 👍🏻 it’s all individual as well - some people’s weight moves more than others. Yeah we moved leagues which I was quite surprised about, I think we won the TTT in our initial league but joined another and went down to 10th. I definitely agree it’s quite a challenge to get 6 consistently, maybe they should look at maybe making a score of 4 riders out of 6 👍🏻
Weight doping shouldn't be your biggest concern. (on purpose) miscalibrated trainers, sticky watts, other forms of cheating are having a way bigger impact than 2-3kg weight difference. But rest assured: Zwift has never done anything to fend off these cheaters in any way. Its perfectly possible to do so on the fly during the race, but they rather keep the cheaters paying every month. Its part of their businessmodel so don't bother arguing about it. The same for B-riders joining a C race, this can get hardcoded in there so you don't have that form of (unintentional) abuse. IndieVelo has all that included and way better pack dynamics. Zwift really looks like a cartoon and if you compare to 5 years ago, nothing really has changed.
Yeah I agree, there’s definitely lots of other ways that are having a bigger impact than weight issues. I do like what Indievelo are doing and am just waiting for the ATV app to be fully available - I know it’s only a little thing but loved the idea of the yellow, green jerseys, think that’s very novel and cool 👍🏻
If folks don't update their weight and they have gained a bit and lets say gained power as a result of that added weight, they'll eventually class out of C category, and be moved up to B category right - after enough data Zwift will bump them up due to their w/kg "improving"...
Yeah exactly mate, they’re only cheating themselves at the end of the day - wouldn’t make me feel good winning anything if I knew I was heavier than stated 👍🏻
The biggest problem is that zwift can't ensure weight integrity unless they weigh them themselves. I think Zwift is like airsoft and banks on riders integrity because no one cares if you are in a group ride and you cut your weight with 10 lb. Still, if you race they expect you to have some racing values and integrity plus the argument for stable weight +/- 4 lb which most do keep at least I hope they do.
My weight has barely changed, been within a couple of kilos for the last 30 years, but yeah I get your point, cheating grates even though I try to ignore it.
I think they should be required to put in their weight at the start of every race or not be allowed to race. Then if they are putting in the wrong weight, you know they are blatantly cheating.
I think if Zwift did this as a minimum it would make a few more people update their weight which would be a good thing. The only thing it wouldn’t do is ensure the correct weight is being input - not sure if there’s a way around that bit.. I definitely think Zwift should be more proactive like you say 👍🏻
Zwift don't care and it would appear most riders don't care!🤷♂same weight for umpteen years is clearly ridiculous. TBH if it's not verified Elite class all racing is just Mickey Mouse in reality 🙄 as for racing score in it's current state is clearly not fit for purpose 👎I will concede I'm not happy about being moved to B Cat given I'm getting smashed in C with a 3 W/kg FTP😢
Yeah you’re right, really tough for one for Zwift to ever police so probably just easier to ignore it! That seems like a very harsh upgrade, I’ve been hearing that they’re looking to roll that new system out shortly so I hope they sort it! 👍🏻
zwift have busted a few dopers over time and it's obvious when you change your weight just before a race or sequence. Best you not touch your weight before a race.
LOL did you open a big ol stinkin can of worms with that weight comment. Realistically, nobody here is gonna come out and say they are weight doping, and the people who are cheating are just gonna be silent. I think most people fluctuate 1- 2kg over the course of a week and just stick to something close as that small amount of change isn't going to make that much difference. Use zwift to improve fitness and don't worry about others, just going to make you sour.
Yeah it definitely got a few responses! Yeah agree it doesn’t make a massive difference butI think Zwift should at least just remind everyone once in a while to update. Agree with using Zwift for the fitness gains and not to worry about other 👍🏻😀
F#%} me - Who’s that. Zwift don’t care ! Surely report that rider. Likely riding 20kg light 😭. Definitely would be good to remind racers with a prompt to weigh, when u join a race. I update mine regular and fluctuate from 82 to 78kg. Honestly forgot a race ago and left my weight at 80 after it had gone to 82 after a heavy weekend boozing with mates. Also what about calibration of trainer ? Not done mine in a while.
Yeah it was a bit of a strange thing to say but maybe they just wanted me to shut up lol 😂 I think the reminder would be good, even it if made a handful of people update it! Interesting point re the trainer calibration, my wahoo is meant to auto calibrate but sometimes I do a manual spin down, be good if Zwift could check this before the race 👍🏻
I know the guy who said that and was surprised, but knowing him I deduced that it was more of a dig at Zwift than you. He has also responded with a comment on this video which confirms my understanding of how it was meant.
I don't know. I've been the same way, minus 2 to 3 lb, for the last 15 years. I think the weight doping isn't as widespread as many would believe.
That’s a fair comment, I think as the weight metric is such an important one when deciding the outcome of a race that the least Zwift should do is a little reminder to all once in a while to check and update. The problem wouldn’t be solved but it would be even less of an issue I believe 👍🏻
Weight doping is a “massive” problem. You can already see in someone his/hers Strava files if there power is at least, a little bit legit!
You've got a point. Just a reminder every few months to either update or confirm your weight would at least make people think about it or make them consciously cheat instead of just forgetting about it.
Yeah exactly mate, even if it reminds a small number of people it’ll be worth it I think 👍🏻
It’s a fair comment about people not changing their weight often and it sucks that some people are racing fairly and not winning because others aren’t doing their bit to race fair. But if you think of it as you’re only trying to better yourself and you’re bettering yourself with every ride/workout/race then that’s the main goal! Sure you may not get a win but you’re progressing your power/through the cats and that’s what counts! Great vid as always mate!
Thanks mate that’s much appreciated 👍🏻 I completely agree, I do get quite competitive at times and it’s easy to forget that I’m really trying to be the best me - I do need a reminder of that now and again! Hope you’re all good mate 👍🏻
@@notpogi yeah all good thanks! Also racing C cat ZRL this season which is tough but going well! Looks like your training is paying off and congrats on your best result so far 😁
Great ride Ollie, congrats on the result. There so much nefarious stuff going on it’s difficult to feel confident about anyone on the platform at times! Weight, dumb trainers, the often bizarre category enforcement rules and our old friends who deliberately suppress performance to stay in a lower cat all add to the sense of injustice at times. Agree that it’s sometimes difficult to take, especially when you’re playing fair and working hard on self improvement. Try to focus on the things that you can control and being as good as you can be. Everything else is irrelevant (even if your blood pressure tells you something different). Good luck with the rest of your season, training looks like it’s paying off.
Thanks Andrew, very kind of you to say 👍🏻 You’re absolutely right, I do definitely need to keep the focus on me and not let other factors that I can’t control impact how I feel or distract me from the job in hand! I’ll keep going with the training and it’ll be interesting to see where I end up! Hope you’re all well mate 👍🏻
I weigh myself the morning of every race (I occasionally forget but not often). Some people saying their weight fluctuates but stays roughly the same but I think just update it as it changes. It takes so little time to just update in the comp app.
I know I am racing fair and that’s the main thing that matters to me. I don’t tend to get too bogged down by others unless I know something dodgy is definitely going on but I don’t go looking for it or I’ll get annoyed and racing will be less enjoyable. In a way, I don’t want excuses for my results other than I wasn’t strong enough.
Good point mate, I definitely won’t be looking again because it did get to me a bit! You’re also right when you say about updating it often, it takes very little effort and just means everyone is racing fair 👍🏻
I didnt update my weight for a long time because it would go up 2kg, and down 2kg in the same week, depending on how much lunch i had or if i pooped. At the end of the day, there was no real variation week on week. This year, I'll try to update weekly, but it wont change much in terms of my ftp or my sprint ability.
I find that my weight can vary quite a bit during the week also! I think updating it is a good habit to get into, sounds like you already have got a handle on it 👍🏻
I remember a video on this a couple of years back. It’s not just weight. Height is a deciding factor also. Think it was a Chris Pritchard vid.
I miss Chris P, his videos were very entertaining! Yeah you’re right, height is very important also 👍🏻
Good racing yesterday! There were actually three riders out of the Top 5 who got a promotion to B yesterday.
Thanks very much - well raced too 👍🏻 that’s a crazy stat right there, I didn’t know that! See you next week hopefully 👍🏻
How much should the weight be different before you change it on Zwift? I weigh more or less 78 kg all year around, and it only sways about half a kg. I don't really think it's worth the hassle. I end up in the middle of the bunch no matter. :)
Yeah I think the fact you’re checking is a decent thing and everyone is different and may not have a massive swing in weight all year round 👍🏻
Yes Ollie super strong and super awesome really pleased for you it’s a great feeling to achieve a top ten in ZRL as it’s normally brutal racing
Hopefully see you back in B soon then mate
Thanks mate, pretty happy with 4th 👍🏻 how was your race? I think I’ll be up to B pretty soon - just need to keep up the training 👍🏻
Yes, a 100 likes! Great video and you did great on the climb/bridge. About what I said, I didn’t mean it in a negative way. I’m annoyed myself that Zwift just doesn’t care about a lot of weight dopers. They are just started to do something about sprint-coasting so that might be a first step. Checking everyone wait will be to much work for them at this point. For myself, I’m just coming back from a hard crash last year and an injury and surgery this year, so I really don’t feel harassed myself 😉
Nice video, keep up the good work!
Thanks mate 👍🏻 great race as well, thought it was a super tough race in the end! Yeah I thought it wasn’t meant in a negative way and you’re absolutely right, it’s doesn’t seem like it’s at the top of Zwifts to do list! Hope I see you this week mate 👍🏻
I ride in this ZRL league too, think you have a fair point in general - wish Zwift would force you to input your weight once a month, then at least if you’re input the wrong weight, you’re actively, consciously cheating. Not updating it is a bit of a cop out. Having said that I have been the same weight give or take half a kg for the past couple of years, so not everyone not updating it, its playing the system
I agree that Zwift should ask to update it once in a while - many riders may not even think it’s that important to do as Zwift doesn’t mention it other than when you first sign up 👍🏻
B rider getting into a C race, off the front? You sure you are not talking about yourself there mate ;) Also yes, I agree with the field there, worry about what you can control and your race and fitness, throwing out blatant accusations for people whose weight may just be pretty stable is poor, especially in C class where weight "doping" would actually be much less of a problem anyway due to the fairly low power to weight ceiling of the class regardless.
Haha 😜 yeah I did have a little go off the front but it didn’t last very long! I think it was less accusations, more of a comment to those who perhaps haven’t changed their weight after a summer break from Zwift to maybe have a check. I completely get that for some people weight doesn’t move much and that’s a fair comment - I definitely wasn’t calling anyone out specifically. 👍🏻
@@notpogi As an example: I have been between 59 and 61 kg's for 15 years now (age 18 to 33). Summer, winter, holiday,.. I don't even have use a scale anymore, but yes, occasionaly I do.
Not saying there's no weight doping out there, but just giving some context
@@notpogi you may not be accusing anyone in particular but IMO it’s a pretty poor comment to make during a race. Why would you say that during a race if you weren’t making accusations? Whether at someone in particular or the group in general?
Btw, I’m huffing and puffing during ZRL races only to come mid pack whereas you’re typing away comments and coming 4th … hmmm .. 😉
I promise it was a gentle reminder but I understand how it could have come across 👍🏻 The typing of messages definitely took away some of the agony I was in, but I get what you’re saying 🙂
@@sams247a 2kg difference (especially at a low body weight) is very significant. Assuming managed to do 300W up a climb, that’s the difference between 4.9 and 5.1W/kg. This could be the difference between being dropped or not.
I've weighed the same for the last 25 years, give or take a kg. Depending on when I weigh myself. Why would I need to update my weight if it stays the same ? Genuinely asking as I don't understand the relevance, if my weight is the same ?
If your weight is the same then yeah you don’t need to change it, but I do think the odd kg does make a difference to your wkg and potentially the race result. You could be losing out on additional speed if you’re lighter than you say you are but zwift doesn’t mandate that you update it or remind people… I do it, as I feel it’s good practice 👍🏻
@@notpogi thanks, loving your channel by the way, great content and I’m learning lots from you.
Just an FYI- STOP chasing down breakaways on your own and let somebody else do the work for you 👍🏽👍🏽😊
Great result last night Ollie, the training is really paying off! I came 12th in my race and that was my best ever result on ZRL. In my league I'm the 4th heaviest and see it as a mega challenge fighting these lightweight riders up the hills or the ones that don't change their weights. When I check Zwift Power afterwards and see that I've beaten most of them it gives me a great sense of achievement. As others have said, they're only cheating themselves and for me any game/sport that can be manipulated like alot of online games I don't take it too seriously and just consider it a good workout whilst riding with your mates.
Looking forward to next week's review, take care mate!
Hi mate, I did have a look at your race result - you did so well! It’s such a tricky course, I bet you got a few FAL points also? Brilliant work mate! 👍🏻 I was pretty happy with 4th, looking forward to the next few weeks as I’ve apparently got some vo2 training sessions incoming 😳
I definitely need to keep focusing on me and getting better, I can’t control others and you’re right - it’s a great workout!
Hope you’re all good, great to hear from you as always mate 👍🏻
You need to change your weight +/- 5kg and do a race at each. You'll see on a circuit course- it doesn't make a lot of difference because you actually get it back on the downhill. (I say that as someone whose weight has fluctuated 2 stone since I first raced on Zwift in 2015).
Weight doping is misunderstood too because actually; if you've gained a load of watts and are now on the cusp of the next category- INCREASING your weight is the way to get an advantage as you'll stay at the top of the lower category rather than being dumped into the bottom of the one above....
It’s a tricky one, I would rather race in the correct category with the correct weight even if it means I’m at the bottom of a category rather than at the top of the one below. It’d just be nice if Zwift asked once in a while - I’d like to think that the majority of people are honest and would update it correctly if asked. As you said though it I’m sure it does balance out on the incline/decline if it’s not a huge change 👍🏻
@@notpogi For sure- I just think its counterintuitive to most people that adding weight could actually lead to unfairer racing than removing it. Chances are, someone racing at -20kg or something silly is facing way stiffer competition in the cat their dodgy data puts them in than they'd get with their 'real' numbers. Instead of being the Don of D's they're probably the back of the bunch Billy no mates of B :laughing:
I've heard they have adjusted the racing scores again to get a lot more C's out of Ds and B's out of C's. It does sound promising! Apparently it will go live in October permanently.
Have sidelined myself for a bit until they did this, as a heavier rider who can't get anymore lighter as I seem to be increasing in weight the more stronger cyclist I have become.
I really hope that it does go live in October mate as it seems all over the place at the moment. It does sound promising though and I like the fact that they’ve tested it and tweaked it.
Hope you’re able to get back to it soon, you’ll be very strong by the time the new categories come in 👍🏻💪🏻
ZWIFT should create and release special bluetooth Weighing-Scales that somehow can't be tampered and must be connected to certain high-stakes races - would be cool to see. I'm sure someone can figure that out! :D
Sounds like a great idea! I also like the idea of ‘ranked’ races where Zwift need a weigh in beforehand - won’t be for everyone but at least it’ll be good for the serious racers 👍🏻
I'm one of those in this race who hasnt updated their weight for over a year (and got dropped about 12 minutes in 😂)
A lot of C-D riders will fluculate 1-2kg eirher side of their weight during the week but be around a constant weight.
The only time i bothered updating it weekly was when i was trying to lose weight! I honestly believe the bigger issue in zwift is the use of sauce
It was a very tough race mate! Interesting comment about sauce - I don’t use it because of the ATV but I think it could be seen as an unfair advantage to those that have it. Maybe I’m just jealous because I can’t use it 👍🏻
Fair comment, I know from racing with Coalition for a few years now that they require all riders to do weight verification videos on a regular basis. So..... Coalition aren't the offenders.
I used to race with coalition and I have to say that I completely agree with you - they are a well run/organised team with a great following. Definitely not the offenders in anyway 👍🏻
I don’t mind the consistent weight as much as I mind weight altering to keep them in a Cat & avoid upg.
I’m over 80kg & can easily vary a kg up or down from day to day - I’ve done the math & a kg at my ftp is about .04 of a w/kg difference, which my trainer could easily vary by on any day depending on the temperature 🤷♂️
When I see a consistent change on the scales over a month then I’ll adjust. I’ve hit 82.9 as my lowest in a one off reading two weeks ago, but that wouldn’t be fair to enter as my Zwift weight as that isn’t the most consistent reading I see on the scales. I average around 84 at the moment.
But when u see weight being adjusted to keep them within the margin of UPG 😡 - or if someone is clearly 10kg either side of what they have entered 🤷♂️
My goal is 80 (from where I started 120) & maybe I might squeeze to 78 in the long run. But at that point I will be about maintaining that exact weight as a healthy weight for me. So I would hope it wouldn’t then change much from month to month or year to year.
Great result 👍 keep up the training, it’s paying off.
I think what you’ve said is very fair 👍🏻 It sounds like you’ve done so well to lose that much weight - superb effort 👍🏻 just as long as you’re healthy and feel good that’s the main thing!
Thanks very much - really happy with the result and how the training is paying off so far, I just need to keep it going 👍🏻
Yeah I think you have a good point for sure, for me there's a certain amount of denial goes on with weight gain. If I have had a bad week of eating I can sometimes skip weighing myself, then the following week I may be back to where I began, but I raced in the meantime. My main goal isn't cheating in zwift, but I guess that sometimes happens. To not update in a year is something else though, you are cheating yourself as well as others.
For me it’s the no change in a year that’s the issue because weight can fluctuate so much in that amount of time potentially. Depends also on how seriously someone takes Zwift, I think a reminder now and again from Zwift would be good 👍🏻
@@notpogiFWIW: I have been within 1.5kg since I graduated high school 21 yrs ago and I regularly weigh myself. Sometimes it has been more muscle, sometimes more fat. Just because some people fluctuate less than others doesn’t mean they are cheating. Weight doping absolutely occurs, but probably not as prevalent as you’d think.
As another commenter already said, it takes big swings too make a difference in w/kg for me. 2kgs/5 lbs is not going to make or break a race for me (an avg B rider on zwift)
Great racing Olly, last night was killer! Get what you mean about weight it’s annoying but there is nothing in place to enforce it and people would just ignore notifications. Dunno what the solution is really 🤷🏼♂️ it’s the same as sandbagging, they’ve tried to combat it with the racing score but I doubt they will actually roll that out properly.
Thanks Ray! I did have a look at your race result, it looked super tough mate but amazing being up in cat A 👍🏻 Yeah I agree, not sure if Zwift will ever be able to eradicate it really and yeah the people who aren’t changing their weight would probably ignore the notifications..
I’m really hopeful that the new cat system will work but I’ll believe I see it! Hope everything else is all good mate 👍🏻
Great racing Olly, zwift just doesn't care, our B race last night winner held 4.2w/kg for 57 minutes and 4.4w/kg for 20 minutes, the sandbagging continues
Thanks mate 👍🏻 that’s absolutely ridiculous lol - 4.2 for 57 is a joke! It’s so frustrating mate!
After I bought a new scale to be ready for the new season I always weigh before a race, also I will focus more in training and eating, so this makes more sense for me. Over the summer I was a little bit sloppy with this, but in the end it was a matter of being around 88.2 and 89.3 kg all the summer time, so I feel quite okay with my 89.0 in Zwift and don't think I cheated anyone. Maybe a solution would be like in Zwift Grandprix where you had to send a foto of your weight from within the last 24 hours, when I'm correct. Maybe that could be a way, but on the other side maybe the teams would loose to much riders than, because now it is still difficult to find 6 people to ride once a week on a fixed time and in our roster are 10 people, so there are some for the side in imagination.
Another question, had your team also been moved to another division after race 1? We were a little bit surprised to be 9th in total after two races and it turns out we lost our 4th place in the ttt due to been moved to another division and our time of the ttt was now compared to their times and we now moved to the 9th place for the first race afterwards. I didn't know that this could happen and was a little bit surprised so I wonder if this happens to other teams?
It sounds to me like you do keep track of your weight all good mate, and even if not it’s completely up to you at the end of the day 👍🏻 it’s all individual as well - some people’s weight moves more than others.
Yeah we moved leagues which I was quite surprised about, I think we won the TTT in our initial league but joined another and went down to 10th. I definitely agree it’s quite a challenge to get 6 consistently, maybe they should look at maybe making a score of 4 riders out of 6 👍🏻
Weight doping shouldn't be your biggest concern. (on purpose) miscalibrated trainers, sticky watts, other forms of cheating are having a way bigger impact than 2-3kg weight difference. But rest assured: Zwift has never done anything to fend off these cheaters in any way. Its perfectly possible to do so on the fly during the race, but they rather keep the cheaters paying every month. Its part of their businessmodel so don't bother arguing about it. The same for B-riders joining a C race, this can get hardcoded in there so you don't have that form of (unintentional) abuse. IndieVelo has all that included and way better pack dynamics. Zwift really looks like a cartoon and if you compare to 5 years ago, nothing really has changed.
Yeah I agree, there’s definitely lots of other ways that are having a bigger impact than weight issues. I do like what Indievelo are doing and am just waiting for the ATV app to be fully available - I know it’s only a little thing but loved the idea of the yellow, green jerseys, think that’s very novel and cool 👍🏻
If folks don't update their weight and they have gained a bit and lets say gained power as a result of that added weight, they'll eventually class out of C category, and be moved up to B category right - after enough data Zwift will bump them up due to their w/kg "improving"...
Yeah that’s the rule of thumb - I definitely lost a bit of power when I dropped weight without necessarily changing the amount of time I was riding 👍🏻
I hope weight doping isn’t too prevalent but you know there are a handful of people out there that will lie about it for the advantage….. sad.
Yeah exactly mate, they’re only cheating themselves at the end of the day - wouldn’t make me feel good winning anything if I knew I was heavier than stated 👍🏻
The biggest problem is that zwift can't ensure weight integrity unless they weigh them themselves. I think Zwift is like airsoft and banks on riders integrity because no one cares if you are in a group ride and you cut your weight with 10 lb. Still, if you race they expect you to have some racing values and integrity plus the argument for stable weight +/- 4 lb which most do keep at least I hope they do.
Yeah I agree, also great comparison- I can see what you mean with the integrity bit. Very difficult/impossible for zwift to mange that I think 👍🏻
So if you’re a heavier rider, and you put a lower weight, will that move you up in categories great race by the way
Thanks mate happy with that one! 👍🏻 it’s all about the power to rate ratio, some lightweight riders still have great power!
My weight has barely changed, been within a couple of kilos for the last 30 years, but yeah I get your point, cheating grates even though I try to ignore it.
Agreed - I don’t think that everyone that doesn’t change their weight is necessarily cheating because it can stay the same like you say 👍🏻
I think they should be required to put in their weight at the start of every race or not be allowed to race. Then if they are putting in the wrong weight, you know they are blatantly cheating.
How would you know what 'the wrong.weight" is?
I think if Zwift did this as a minimum it would make a few more people update their weight which would be a good thing. The only thing it wouldn’t do is ensure the correct weight is being input - not sure if there’s a way around that bit.. I definitely think Zwift should be more proactive like you say 👍🏻
It’s all in the legs and the end of the day isn’t it? Fit is fast
Exactly mate that’s what it’s all about! 👍🏻
Zwift don't care and it would appear most riders don't care!🤷♂same weight for umpteen years is clearly ridiculous. TBH if it's not verified Elite class all racing is just Mickey Mouse in reality 🙄 as for racing score in it's current state is clearly not fit for purpose 👎I will concede I'm not happy about being moved to B Cat given I'm getting smashed in C with a 3 W/kg FTP😢
Yeah you’re right, really tough for one for Zwift to ever police so probably just easier to ignore it!
That seems like a very harsh upgrade, I’ve been hearing that they’re looking to roll that new system out shortly so I hope they sort it! 👍🏻
zwift have busted a few dopers over time and it's obvious when you change your weight just before a race or sequence. Best you not touch your weight before a race.
Yeah I think it would look a bit suspect if the weight changes just before then directly after the race! 👍🏻
@@notpogi A half a kilo could happen. Ten kilo is very suspicious unless you are adding it.
try higher cadebnce
How high we talking, 95-100?
@@notpogi yeah, 75 is crazy low
LOL did you open a big ol stinkin can of worms with that weight comment. Realistically, nobody here is gonna come out and say they are weight doping, and the people who are cheating are just gonna be silent. I think most people fluctuate 1- 2kg over the course of a week and just stick to something close as that small amount of change isn't going to make that much difference. Use zwift to improve fitness and don't worry about others, just going to make you sour.
Yeah it definitely got a few responses! Yeah agree it doesn’t make a massive difference butI think Zwift should at least just remind everyone once in a while to update. Agree with using Zwift for the fitness gains and not to worry about other 👍🏻😀
Isnt the answer easy why zwift is doing nothing about the "cheating" problem? Who would bite a paying customer? Zwift wouldnt
Yeah very valid point, they’re obviously making a bit and it’s probably the minority that feel this way 👍🏻
F#%} me - Who’s that. Zwift don’t care ! Surely report that rider. Likely riding 20kg light 😭. Definitely would be good to remind racers with a prompt to weigh, when u join a race. I update mine regular and fluctuate from 82 to 78kg. Honestly forgot a race ago and left my weight at 80 after it had gone to 82 after a heavy weekend boozing with mates. Also what about calibration of trainer ? Not done mine in a while.
Yeah it was a bit of a strange thing to say but maybe they just wanted me to shut up lol 😂 I think the reminder would be good, even it if made a handful of people update it! Interesting point re the trainer calibration, my wahoo is meant to auto calibrate but sometimes I do a manual spin down, be good if Zwift could check this before the race 👍🏻
I know the guy who said that and was surprised, but knowing him I deduced that it was more of a dig at Zwift than you. He has also responded with a comment on this video which confirms my understanding of how it was meant.