10%

Zwift - a get started guide

Zwift - what you need to get started and to become a legend!

By TheBikepack

January 13^th, 2022

Welcome to our ultimate “get started” with indoor cycling guide and to the virtual cycling world of Zwift. Let’s together get ready and setup for an exciting autumn and winter season of indoor cycling - smiles for miles, suffering, sweat and lots of gain for the summer to come.

Best part about it, you can share the good times with your bike buddies and/or make new friends from all over the world while you ride!

If you're in a hurry and all you want is to get started with your cycling - see the “how to get started” check-list at the end of the article for some pointers and good info!

But stick around and you will get the full scope on the do’s and don’ts, the shortcuts and the “how 2’s” - this is our “best of virtual cycling” guide based on two seasons of indoor cycling, a lot of fun, learnings and suffering (the good, great, amazing kind of suffering).

1. First thing first, let’s start by looking inward and ask yourself about your motive

First thing we want to do is establish your motive, ambition and direction.

What are you hoping to achieve with this season, your cycling and dedication?

The answer to the question will in terms answer what kind of workout set-up will make most sense for you and what gear will do the job.

Do you want custom made training sessions, with adaptable resistance and a “road like feel”?
Are you aiming for the next race season and prioritise the accurate feeling of the track, feeling the burn in your legs when the hill is 12% steep?
You are mostly in it for the fun and want to ride with new friends all over the world?

There are various group rides where you can choose how tired you want to be, races where you can compete against a Tour de France rider or training sessions adapted to your goals!

We like Zwift because of how you can share a ride with friends all over the world from the comfort of your living room, garage or pretty much wherever you choose to set it up. We can't say that it beats the experience of riding together on a smooth country road when the sun is rising over the corn fields and you feel the slightly cool but comforting wind caress your face - but then again what does beat that?!

But trust us, this is a great substitute as the rain is pouring or the blizzard is roaring outside your window - setup a group call and join a ride together and get ready to be blown away by the experience.

The great thing is that the virtual world of Zwift has a ride for every kind of rider. All the way from a pro-league level to rides for the committed weekend warrior or the first time cyclist - cycling is for everyone and so is Zwift - we love it!There are various group rides where you can choose how tired you want to be, races where you can compete against a Tour de France Pro and training sessions adapted to your goals!

2. Welcome to the “Smart Trainer Jungle”

Once you have decided what smart trainer will be suited best for you, it's finally time to head out into the trainer jungle!

Almost time for some fun cycling! But first, let's figure out the hardware part. There are a wide variety of brands, functions, features and setups to be found and only you will know what fits your needs and budget best, but here are some pointers and tips to make your decision easier and better.

First off, make sure that you are looking at a SMART trainer, meaning it will be compatible with smart stuff like Zwift or other 3-party apps - what ever you do, don’t get a dumb trainer ;)

Next thing to consider is where you will ride your trainer - if the answer is “in your apartment” or any other sound sensitive environment then there is a clear advantage of having a reasonably quiet (not higher than 80 db) trainer. A “direct-driven trainer” is the perfect option in this case and our go to trainer for most riding - remember to check if there's a cassette included!

What do we ride?

At the moment we ride the Kickr Bike from Wahoo - a silent trainer that really gives a great ride but it's not the cheapest one! The setup works like a charm for our needs, a good mix of everything from races, hard workouts, not so hard workouts or some zone 2 social rides!

The Kickr Bike deliver a nice road feel, easy to connect setup and great rider experience - try one in your local bike shop but be warned… there is a big risk/chance you'll be leaving with one :)

“pro tip”: indoor cycling is nothing like the outdoor when it comes to the topic “sweating”- do the right thing! Stay fresh! Make sure to get your hands on a good indoor fan - that guy will be your best friend and greatest fan in no-time!

3. Buying the beast! (/Smart trainer)

Just three main things to think of here really:

If you are buying a new trainer - make sure to save the recite in case you need to use the warranty or will sell it down the road when you update your setup.
If you are buying a refurbished or used trainer - again, make sure to get the recite in case you need to use the warranty or will sell it down the road.
They are dang heavey, feels like a box of lead! So don't be like us and try to carry the box from the mail office and back home, bring a car or a bunch of friends!

BONUS: Make sure you have all the tools needed to assemble your trainer, a cassette remover kit is easy to forget if you are not usually working on your bike!

4. Zwift account - the setup

It is now time to create your Zwift account! Your ticket to (indoor) heaven, to the never ending road and as many Km’s/ Miles as you can imagine and your legs can muster.

Head over to zwift.com and create your account, fill in the form and your account is live!

Download Zwift from the webpage as above to your device, it can be your computer, tablet, smart tv or phone.

If you use it on your tablet or phone you have to download the application:

1. The Zwift app - Where the cycling gets done!

2. Zwift Companion app - your in-game bike computer, your one stop destination for keeping up with your training plan, hanging out with your friends and keeping track of activities in your network.

5. Off you GO! Ride On!

The wait is over and it is time to clip in and enter the realm of Zwift!

Last thing you might do before you start riding is to check that you trainer is properly calibrated so you get paid for your effort in the right numbers!

Start Zwift on your device, connect your trainer, this may take a bit longer first time around but we assure you you are almost there!

Everything connected?! What are you waiting for?Get changed, get on your bike, choose a route, press ride and enjoy one of your best investments ever!!!

Congratulations and we hope to ride with you in the virtual world!

Do you want to ride with TheBikepack?! Search for The Bikepack in the Companion app and you will find us, add us as friends or invite us to a groupride! :D