If you can't get out - or find it easier to train indoors during the week, you can also join the SFA virtual riding group.

There are two groups - one using Zwift for informal group rides, and one that doesn't require Zwift, and which is run by a member of the SFA training team.

For the Zwift ride group, we use the 'keep the group together' function so that riders of all abilities can stick together. We ride at 6.30pm on a Thursday evening, and 10.00am Saturdays (winter/bad weather only).

How to ride on Zwift

Step 1: get onto Zwift

Yes, you do need to be on Zwift, and yes, it does cost (£12.99 per month), but you can try it out for free for 7 days, and you can also suspend your subscription when you're not using it. https://www.zwift.com/uk/get-zwifting#how-to-ride.

There are a variety of ways to use Zwift. The fundamentals are that you need to find a way to get your indoor turbo set up to measure your power, and transmit it via Bluetooth. It's that power that rides you around the Zwift virtual world. You can do this via a smart turbo trainer, smart pedals on your normal trainer or rollers, or even a powermeter or power pedals on a spin bike. You then need a device to run the Zwift programme and receive the data – a PC, laptop or iPad or even iPhone. Zwift itself can be downloaded from your App Store. I personally run Zwift on a 4 year old IPad, on a stand in front of the handlebars.

Zwift insider does a really good guide to getting started on Zwift – here. I’ve also written a guide to Zwift for the next Magazine (which is in print now) but that won’t be with you for a few weeks yet!

Step 2: Have a ride around on Zwift to get used to it before joining the rides

It’s worth having a go on Zwift yourself before joining the SFA rides, to try it out and get used to it.

Once you’ve got it set up you literally just start pedalling… and your avatar moves around. But for the first few times on Zwift it can take a while to get everything paired, work out how to join a ride etc., and how to chose different routes. It also takes a bit of time to set up your avatar to resemble you, and chose a bike and kit! It’s worth pairing Zwift with your Strava account if clocking the miles helps motivate you. You get Strava records and segments on Zwift just as in real life.

Step 3: Join the SFA Zwift group

You need to use What’s App – and use this link to join the SFA Zwift What’s App group. if you want. Then we can chat about what routes to do. But this isn't essential. Not everyone wants to use What's App.

The essential bit is following us on Zwift, so we can invite you. On your phone, you need to download the Zwift Companion App. Think of it like a remote control for Zwift – as well as letting you sign up to rides, it lets you chat during rides, shows you the map etc – best to mount it like a Garmin on your bike for a virtual ride. Then, ask to be friends with Matthew Gregory, and Natalie Ceeney our Virtual Ride Coordinators. Matthew is the guy that has a Slovenian flag (there are two Matthews). Natalie is on Zwift as Nat Ceeney (SFA). Matthew and Natalie will then include you in the Zwift group, and you'll get invites to rides. Photos below.

This is only open to SFA members, so we will check your name against the list. Therefore, if your Zwift name isn't the same as your SFA full name, please email us to let us know to admit you (natalie@sanfairyanncc.co.uk)

4. Join our ride!

You will get an invitation to ‘join Matthew’s/ Natalie's meet up’ on your Zwift Companion App. Press ‘accept’. You can do this from when the invite is issued (usually a week before the ride) to just before the ride starts.

Then, at about 10 mins before the ride start time (Thursdays at 18.30) just go into Zwift as normal, and start riding around anywhere. On the bottom of your screen it should say ‘join ride?’ or ‘Join meet up?’ and press ‘yes’. It will then take you to a virtual start point – where we’ll all meet. If you're a few mins late you can still join - it will even catch you up.

This ride is currently set up to keep us together ('rubber banded' in Zwift terminology) which means that as long as you keep pedalling, you will stay with the group. The fastest will still be in front, and the slowest still at the back, but we will all be able to see each other and chat - on the companion app.

Natalie Ceeney - Chair, San Fairy Ann Cycling Club

Ride Calendar