Welcome to my week 1 Zwift Tron Bike Update
About This Series
Dads Riding Bikes had our second daughter the last week of August 2023. In order to manage riding with a newborn, I am going to be doing a lot more Zwift riding, as I do not have a lot of availability for long outdoor rides. To have a goal to keep me motivated, I decided to try to unlock the Zwift Tron Bike. My current FTP of 224 watts (Last Tested in July of 2023 using the Zwift Ramp Test) and a weight of 175 pounds (79.4kg), that comes out to 2.8 w/kg
Past Weeks: Start
It’s been a challenging week for me at Dads Riding Bikes. Our newborn’s sleep schedule has been mixed up, which makes it difficult for me to get enough rest. I only managed one ride on Zwift, increasing my progress by 1,673 ft (510 m) on unlocking the Zwift Tron Bike. However, I also had the opportunity to ride outside, which I prefer, even though it doesn’t count for this series.
Tip of the week: Leverage the Zwift Portal Climbs
Zwift Portal Climbs
This week’s ride was accomplished using Zwift’s new Climb Portals, which were launched in July 2023. These portals use GPS files of actual climbs in a game-like route. Instead of spending time creating realistic graphics, Zwift opted for this approach to allow for faster addition of new climbs. The routes are color-coded based on the gradient, making it easier to anticipate when the route will become steeper. For more information and a list of upcoming climbs, check out the detailed article on Zwift Insider.
I enjoy the new color-coded gradient routes. They make it easier to see the gradient change, allowing for smoother gear shifting compared to the main Zwift worlds.
“La Laguna Negra” Details (Zwift Climb Portal)
This week’s climb was the “La Laguna Negra” which is a Spanish climb used in Stage 11 of the 2023 Vuelta a España. The climb stats are as follows:
- Length: 9.1 km (5.7 miles)
- Elevation Gain: 510 m (1,673‘)
- Average Gradient: 5.6%
The climb portal is an effective method for unlocking the Zwift Tron Bike, as it solely concentrates on climbing. This way, you won’t be wasting any miles on flat terrain, and it’s an excellent workout for busy fathers with limited availability to ride.
I enjoyed the climb, but the last segment with a 10% average incline was challenging.
Don’t forget to Super Tuck on the way down and get some easy extra miles!
Current Progress on Tron Challenge
As of the time I am writing this post, September 16, 2023, I am 8,625 ft (2,629m) into the “Mt.Everest Challenge”, which is 5% completed.
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Check Out: Week 2 Update Post