Event Description
MTB Missoula is putting on a Zwift version of the Wednesday Night Beer League races. I miss getting together with everyone, riding hard, and being up at Marshall Mountain. I figure with the virtual series we can race hard, gain some fitness, and be together in a different way. All proceeds go to MTB Missoula.
The series is sponsored by Big Sky Brewing I Black Coffee Roasting I Zillastate I Violich Farms
Missoula Bone and Joint I Caffe Dolce I Dram Shop I Endurance Physio I GCS I Good Food Store I Kent Brother Automotive I Rocky Mountain Ear Nose and Throat I Meng Dentistry I Payne West Insurance I Sprinkler Maniac I The Cycling House I WGM Group I Adventure Life
Basic Information
The series is five races, five different courses. For five Wednesday's in a row, starting May 20th. The race start time is 6pm (mst). Please read the technology section below on more details about start times. You need to register on this page for the races you'd like to do. Each race will be on a different, super hilly course in Zwift to simulate a mountain bike effort in Missoula. Individual course information is in the course section below. You must be on Zwift. You must have the Zwift Companion App. You must wear a heart rate strap. You must join the Strava Club to be in the results. Check the technology and cheaters section for more information on that.
Technology and Must Have's
In order to register and compete in the races, you must have a Zwift setup. Bicycling Magazine has a nice piece on getting setup with Zwift, you can click that here. Also, I'm happy to be a resource. My contact is montanacyclocross@gmail.com. Beyond the general Zwift setup, you also must wear a heart rate strap to compete in this series. The next steps are to follow "Shaun Radley" on the Zwift Companion App on your phone (download this app if you don't have it already). This is how you get invited to the Zwift Meetup or in our case the individual races. Once you have followed me, I will first make sure you've registered on this page and then I will officially invite you to the races through Zwift Companion. This is the most important step and actually gets you on the ride. On race day, you want to login to Zwift at least 20 minutes prior, so 5:40 pm. Then you want to physically enter and ride in a world. Ideally, the world you ride in is the one that contains our course for that day (for example if the course is "Watopia Mountain Route" then you should ride in "Watopia" before the race). At some point, anywhere from 2-20 minutes before the start, you will get a message that asks if you want to join the Meetup. Just click "Join." Your avatar will move to the starting pen for the course with all the other registered racers. There is a ticker counting down till the ride start. This is the ticker till when the race starts.
Discord link. Discord is an app that allows for conference calls. We'll have an open Discord channel that will stay the same for all races. We might get some sort of announcer, but for now, it will just be an open line where people can say whatever race commentary they want. The Discord Voice Channel Name is "Beer League." The server name is "Shaun Radley." Follow me beforehand and I can try to get you dialed in. Use a headset or put yourself on mute or both.
Join our Strava Club. The name of the club is Zwift Missoula Wednesday Night Beer League. I will use the Strava Club and the Zwift Insider official segments to calculate results.
Follow the Facebook Event for announcements and updates. Just remember that RSVP for the Facebook event doesn't get you officially registered.
Race Categories
Below are some guidelines on which category to register for. All the races will start on "one gun." With all categories being together and racing together in one group (keep this in mind for your strategy). The category results will be posted in the results spreadsheet post-race. If you want to get nerdy I can get nerdy so read the fine print for each category. If you'd like to go by the book and follow the watts/kg guidelines for each category, please use your current ftp and divide by your current body weight in kg. Winner of each category gets a sixer of that brew dropped off at their place of residence. As always email with questions on category selection and if you want me to just put you in one.
Women/Men - Griz Beer - If you loved Griz Beer when it was here, or you find yourself considering Michelob Ultras frequently. This category is for people who want to rub shoulders with the top riders in Missoula. 3.5 w/kg + is probably a must.
Women/Men - Trout Slayer - When you are at an MTB Missoula function or serving at a concert this is your go-to brew. This category is great for masters (40+). Also, strong newbies, fast juniors, It's a solid mom and dad category. 3.0 - 3.5 w/kg is the recommendation.
Women/Men - Moose Drool - You hit what you get. This category is for folks who are on the come up or have been hitting it for years and just want to compete, gain fitness, and see their name in the top 5 for once. It's a Missoula Rider category. 2.5 - 3.2 w/kg is the recommendation.
Women/Men - Heavy Horse - You didn't know that some bike racers don't drink. Biking = Drinking. This category is for riders who aren't at the 2.5 w/kg number yet. The keyword is yet, after this series, all these folks will be breaking that ceiling. 2.5 w/kg and below
Shaun Picks - Select this option if you want me to pick. I know way to much about race results, power numbers, and Missoulians. I'd gladly put you in a category.
Rules and Doping
- If you'd like to trainer dope, dope in general, or worry about others doping then this is probably not the event for you. I can spot folks who aren't being realistic and take it up with them one on one. That said I do not have a sure-fire system of knocking out dopers or anything like. Please be realistic with body weight and trainer calibration.
- Zwift bike and wheel selection can be a big deal, especially for hilly courses. There will be no requirements for what setup you need to ride. It's a virtual arms race at this point, start storing up those sweat credits.
- Zwift jersey selection. No jersey required for this event. I do encourage teams and team jerseys. Organize your buddies or local cycling team and all make sure you wear the same Zwift jersey. If you right a team down at registration and we get enough I'll make sure we have a team prize of some kind.
- Every Wednesday at 9 pm MST there will be a makeup event posted that you can join on Zwift Companion. Let me know asap if you need to get into that after Wednesday's main race.
- Upgrades are a case by case basis. If you want an upgrade then send me an email, montanacylcocross@gmail.com. Points won't carry over if you upgrade.
Results
The results will be posted here on this spreadsheet. It will be pretty self-explanatory. We will be using omnium scoring for the overall. I'm using the Zwift club feature and Zwift Insider Strava Segments to calculate results. The Zwift Club link, https://www.strava.com/clubs/663740
Prizes
There is the sixer for each overall winner in the categories but also if you finish all 5 races you get American Flag socks dropped at your door the Thursday after you finish. Also the largest w/gk gainer from registered number to whatever your number is on week #5.
