Monday I rode Zwift, Tuesday I tried Wahoo RGT, Wednesday and Thursday I rode on real concrete and asphalt. Today I was back to Watopia riding the gravel. I am a weather wimp and with the temperature in the mid 60’s and a strong line of rain approaching from the west I decided to stay dry (from the rain anyway). Scanning the upcoming Zwift events I found the Clasica “La Historica” ZESP riding the Watopia Handful of Gravel route. It started at 12:05 PM and lasted 60 minutes. I rode my Blue Norcross AL bike attached to a Wahoo Kickr Core smart trainer. I didn’t remember riding this route before but afterwards I checked SportTracks and saw that on March 21st of this year I rode it. I did much better in the March 21st ride than today: longer distance, shorter time, and a much higher average speed. I thought I was riding fast today but I was mistaken.

In Group D I came in first place according to ZwiftPower.com. In the last 10 minutes Rui Silva passed me but when the road started going up again I passed Rui and finished first. I changed to a gravel bike and gravel wheels but maybe a road bike would’ve been better. My average power was lower than the other D group riders and my average w/kg was lower.

Handful of Gravel basics: Length: 6.1 km (3.8 miles), Elevation: 73.5 m (241‘), Lead-In: 4.1 km (2.5 miles). Looking at my route profile I went over the climb 2 times and started a third. I was getting familiar with the scenery and turns. The sway back bridge was the best downhill portion. From ZwiftInsider.com it is described “Introduced for Tour of Watopia 2022, this route covers the upper half of the Jungle Circuit. The route begins at a large stone arch located 4.1km from the start pens, but free riders will spawn just before the arch. Once you’re through the start arch you’ll decend the dirt a bit before turning right onto the Mayan Bridge road. This twisty cutoff road is a mixture of dirt, stone, and wood, and takes you across the river to the other side of the Jungle Circuit. Turn right at the end of the cutoff and you’re back on the Jungle Circuit, riding uphill. Wave to the sloth, cross the rope bridge, and descend to the stone arch/start finish. All done!”