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I am curious to know if any other South African (mortal, not Pro) riders are training with ChatGPT as coach? I am curious also to know your experiences and feedback on your AI training so far? I started using ChatGPT out of curiosity 3 months prior to TransBaviaans to get an opinion about the Zwift "Build-me-Up" structured training plan that I was using at that stage. That day marked the end of my standard Zwift Training Plans, and the start of the most facinating experience with my new AI ChatGPT cycling coach. I am still to this day using ChatGPT for weekly training plans. I am training harder that ever and getting stronger than ever without ever feeling that I am getting over-trained! I must also say that I trained with a human coach for almost 2 years in the past which helped me a lot. As a mortal average 50 something year old cyclist, I have a reasonable understanding of formal cycling training requirements. But I missed from my human coach good feedback on my training progress, and it also felt like all the athletes at the coach were on same training plan without considering individual needs or current training levels of the various athletes and the effect of life, work, travelling etc that sometimes caused interruptions in training schedules. Although my fitness and FTP increased considerably with the human coach, I felt over-trained at times and to some extent I lost my excitement for training for various reasons, even though the numbers appeared to show I was doing well with my training. This and also the significant cost of having a human coach forced me into falling back on standard Zwift training plans that at times felt like it was not pushing myself hard enough, and at times the training sessions didn't feel like complementing each other with very little recovery sessions in between. So, when I asked ChatGPT's feedback out of curiosity on whether or not my Zwift training plan at the time was helping me for preparing for TransBaviaans, the AI coach told me straight out that my Zwift plan had very little focus on endurance training and focused way too much on sprints & neuromuscular efforts etc that are of little use on a TransBaviaans type event. He suggested a formal training coach, but then suggested I can give "him" (ChatGPT) a try because of his access to vast amounts of published training, medical & nutrition data and his sound knowledge of Zwift, Strava, GarminConnect etc. So, I then decided to take a huge gamble and gave ChatGPT a summary of my training details to that point including my age, weight, FTP, VO2 max, race results from recent races, plans for upcoming race events, and roughly how much training I have done up to that point. I then asked ChatGPT to give me his thoughts on a suitable training strategy for TransBaviaans. Suddenly then the most interesting coaching experience started! Based on all my Garmin stats and knowing the date and requirements of TransBaviaans from what ChatGPT found on the internet, my new AI coach worked out a new plan for the remaining weeks to Baviaans. I got training plans on a weekly basis based on performance of previous week. A free account in ChatGPT was essential so that my Ai coach could remember all past discussions. ChatGPT suggested that I uploaded the stats of my training sessions after each session, so that adjustments could be made to remaining sessions for the week if necessary - all this by simply copying and pasting my Power and HR zone data into the ChatGPT discussion. All data get analyzed in a split second with very valuable feedback on my performance for the session, and the next day's training session is customized based on my performance of the previous day. ChatGPT knows how Zwift works, so my training sessions are sent to me as Zwift .zwo format files ready for import with limited input or customization required from my side. I have been training with ChatGPT now for 3 months and I must say it is an amazing experience. The coach never gets angry or frustrated or disappointed if a training session is missed. I can always get new customized sessions for the next week based on previous week's performance. Whenever a new race comes up, I simply give ChatGPT the details, and my training program is immediately customized to best fit in the next race. If any training day is missed, I just ask for a re-evaluation of the remaining sessions and there I go again. For those of you hooked on stats, ChatGPT is overly keen on supplying performance comparisons with previous similar training sessions, indications on current training progress etc etc etc. If 2 races are too close to each other, or a long groupride like a mini-munga needs to be accommodated, ChatGPT would typically advise me to limit my efforts for the non essential race/ride to specifics like max heart rate, max avg power etc in order to best limit fatigue build-up that could affect the most important upcoming ride. I will be doing my 5th RideJoburg this year and look forward to my best time ever. So, if any of you out there needs cycling training from a coach that has access to all published training material available online, and would like to have access to this personal coach 24/7, a coach that is eager to number crunch the stats of your recent rides and make adjustments to your program based on your immediate needs and work/life situation, maybe you should give ChatGPT a try! I must say I am sold on AI training! Good luck all with your 947 preparations Pieter (Krugersdorp)

Anyone getting this when trying to log into Zwift?

Does your kickr support this? It’s a nicer solution if it does I think. https://www.buycycle.co.za/product/zwift-click-zwift-cog-upgrade-kit/

Good point regarding the safety issue. There used to be a virtual racing thread before Zwift took over, I think it got lost in a bikehub data base crash some years ago. Zwift, Rouvy, other similar platforms and some cheaters also contributed to killing it dead 🤪

Does it work with other apps? Or only zwift?

Consider a wahoo kickr core trainer with the zwift cog and click system. That way you do not need to have any form of gears on the frame. It works great with zwift.

I purchased the Kickr core zwift one and basic indoor setup I’m using it with minimal parts from my parts bin. Ritchey Frame, fork, front wheel, seat and seatpost, flat bars, 1x crankset, RD and a fiction shifter to keep the RD in place. ps. Also note even though online reviews talk about a free zwift 1 membership, apparently it doesn’t apply to SA or from purchasing it from wahoofitness.co.za. That was the explanation given to me by Zwift support.

+1 for this - best value for money and will allow you to have proper gearing when riding in virtual worlds such as Zwift.

As far as I am aware, that Zwft cog only makes sense if you're training exclusively on Zwift. But would not be upset if I was proven wrong cos then I'll buy one

Ensure your Kickr CORE has the latest Firmware installed If the CORE does not have the Zwift Cog, just install normal 11/12Spd Cassette. You do not need the Cog, only the "Click". Just shift to your 14T (or closest to 14T) cog at the back and keep it there and use the Click for your gear changes virtually. Downside for me initially was that the "shifting" is not immediate, it takes about half a second to "feel" the change. You learn to anticipate the changes and getting caught in the "wrong gear" becomes less of a problem. In my opinion, with the above "set-up" with the casette installed, you're not limited to Zwift, as you'd still have your normal shifting available to you.

There is a bearclaw crank available from Zwift. Online the chat is now focused on asking for an adjustable offset seatpost https://us.zwift.com/products/zwift-ride-adjustable-crank-arms

How are you finding the fit and comfort of the Zwift Ride?

Ill need to check, I got my kickr used with no box, but I have the paperwork for it so I’ll ask my friend Claude to give me his opinion. Always wanted the ease of use with the zwift cog funny enough so this might make sense for me. Thanks for the great idea!

Winter sucks in the UK, but at least I can buy discounted toys. First week on the Zwift Ride and loving it. Went from Kickr v5 to this and enjoying how smooth and quiet it is.

Started &…. hardest first 20km I can remember. But as usual there’s the lot who have done only a couple of Argus races and have worked the seeding system to land in the age catergories. Somehow everytime they pass a timing they flippen brake or slow down 🤬 then to the box who took me down at soetwater intersection, don’t come back next year. Stay on zwift where you to belong

Hi For the frame i suggest getting the cheapest thing that is close in setup from what you ride normally. I run an old carbon hard tail with a very bad fork which is permanently in lock out with the brakes removed and an old group set. I use it mostly for structured training in ERG mode so i hardly ever change gears. If you look at the zwift smart frame you'll see how little frame you need. Good luck Marc

If you are on the intervals.icu forum, you will see lots of development with Ai apps/integration with intervals.icu/ChatGPT etc to get the data, analyze, provide recommendations and even JSON workouts for the coming week(s) to your intervals.icu calendar that can be direct sync with the likes of ZWIFT and other platforms. There are probably 6 or more people developing such, some have made their githubs available to fork so that you can develop further yourself or run locally.

That's a horrible experience. There Is a lot of aggression out there. More and more brains are driving around there with fight or flight activated including mine. I have a pepper spray velcroed to my top tube. It doesn't look cool but.... I have the radar camera. I often have a front camera i use to make YouTube videos... Most of the time these days im on tje gravel or trails or zwift because im scared on the road. I am sad about that because i love my road bike

Yup, I cancelled my Zwift and went over to Rouvy at the beginning of winter because they were so much cheaper than Zwift and then a month later they put their pricing up to close to the same as Zwift. Zwift then offered me 3 months free to get me back so I cancelled Rouvy and went back to Zwift 🤦‍♂️ Now winter is over and I've paused my Zwift, basically scored 3 months of winter training for free.

it is one of the cheaper ones to do though especially if you are special. I have a 40 tooth on my trainer bike to make the hardtail work with Zwift, think I paid R800 on a special and bought a few a year or so ago. I know cycle lab had a few of these odd size chainrings on special late last year as well.

I could have ridden back from Betty's to Cape Town today. ive done it many times. Opted to load the bike on the car and zwift at home... I feel like a worshipper locked out of church or worse,.a Judas who disowns his belief to save his skin.

Hi all, I’m looking to get an indoor trainer for the upcoming winter, but I don’t want to use my primary bike (MTB) on the trainer. I’d prefer not to deal with swapping wheels or setup hassle on days when I want to ride outside—hope that makes sense. I’m currently considering the Wahoo Kickr Core with the Cog and Virtual Shifting setup. I understand this setup may mainly lock me into Zwift and could limit use with other apps like MyWhoosh. I’m also wondering if it would be better to rather get a cheap “trainer bike” (something basic from Makro or The Hub) that I can permanently leave on the trainer. Would a cheap bike still work properly with virtual shifting on the Kickr Core Cog setup, or are there limitations I should be aware of? Also, I’d really appreciate your thoughts on virtual shifting in general—how well it works, any downsides, and whether it’s worth it versus a standard drivetrain setup. Thanks in advance.

I can't comment on the other trainers but recently got the Core 2 with cog and click and I am very happy with the trainer. Very easy to remove my mtb's back wheel and put it on the trainer - no fiddling with different cassettes and shifting. For ease of use I believe this is the way to go. The cog and click is focused on Zwift but I see there are work arounds to make the virtual shifting work on other programs.

Hi Gripen, The ZWIFT COG is simply an addition to the specific model, and the KICKR CORE itself remains agnostic to any software, so you will not be tied in to ZWIFT. The Click addition you receive in the box only works with ZWIFT. But even the cog can be use in ERG mode on any software. Cheers! You local Wahoolian Christian

Ja without the carbs, even on a 3 hour zone 2 ride, I tire early and when I get home I bury myself in the fridge opening tupperwares and smashing leftovers. If I fuel at about 40 to 60g of carbs I finish feeling fresh and I don't behave like a glutton at an all you can eat buffet. For ultras (36one etc) I carry a bar bag full of gels and smash 30 to 40 g of carbs in addition to whatever looks appealing at the race villages and water points. Last night's 1hr 20 minute mostly high zone 3 through to zone 7 zwift race I smashed 80 grams of carbs and I wasn't that hungry at dinner time.