A bunch of firsts on today’s Zwifting adventure. First gravel ride, first ride on a Zwift MTB, first time on the Jungle Loop, first time breathing virtual dust.

I wanted to ride outdoors but as the time to ride approached I checked the weather and radar showed rain to the south and to the north limiting my route options and exposing me to getting wet. I chose to go Zwifting with the Pack SUB2 Gravel Ride starting at 10 AM. I think 256 other Zwifters joined the ride.

As to be expected biking gravel roads dust flew as the Pack raced, I mean rode. The SUB2 means the pace held to 2 w/kg or less but many times I exceeded that sometimes riding through the fence. The leader fell behind the front pack and the fence came into play many times to slow the group. Some screenshots during the ride.

The ride consisted of two loops with a 3 mile lead in section. After the two laps an after party lap continued but I chose not to do that one. The after party lap caused your bike to revert to whatever bike you chose before the ride began so if a road bike was your choice you would ride a lap on it. We crossed the bridge twice where the only real hill climb happened. The pack slowed down there with the call from the leader to stay around 1.5 w/kg which I tried to hold but many others went above riding through the fence. Near the finish the fence disappeared without a warning from the leader.

Overall the Zwift Jungle Loop Gravel Ride came indifferent with a difference in the gear transmitting from a road bike. Pedaling the same RPM produced lower watts it seemed like. Top speeds appeared slower too. I will watch for another gravel ride.