They have been training together for almost a year. But the first time they meet each other is during Vätternrundan this summer.
– It’s thanks to Zwift, I’ve met a bunch of cyclists from other countries, says Heléne Johansson from Borensberg.
In June, it’s time. Then Marius travels from Norway, Francisco from Switzerland and Cori from the US to little Borensberg just outside Motala. Previously, they only have had contact via Facebook and the digital training site Zwift. But when Heléne Johansson put up pictures from Vätternrundan last summer, it was the start to meeting each other in real life as well.
– We post pictures in the Facebook group to encourage and inspire each other. To push the others, I posted pictures from Vätternrundan and described the races. Then I heard if someone was interested in hanging on, says Heléne.
It was a successful move. Three other cyclists in the training group ZBR, which they call themselves, chose to sign up for the big adventure in Sweden. An adventure that had never happened if it wasn’t for a knee injury in 2015 which forced her to rehab training. Heléne bought a trainer and started cycling to videos from Youtube.
– I don’t really know how I found Zwift, I just remember that I took a test subscription and then got stuck. I’m not weather dependent and can train how and when I want. For me who commute quite far to work, it is very nice, says Heléne.
But what is Zwift then? Simply explained, it is a digital platform where you can train with people from all over the world – at home on your trainer.
– In a way, it’s like a computer game. You get some different missions and bonuses that will allow you to graduate yourself. Then you’re not alone, though you are alone, because you are part of a group and talk to people from other countries, says Heléne.
Training is of course a common topic in the group, but really everything that is about cycling can emerge.
– I am the only cycling enthusiast among my friends and then it is nice to be able to snuggle up among other nerds online. Then I don’t have to knock out my friends, they think I’m not talking about anything other than cycling.
What is the best thing about being able to train online?
– It helps keep motivation up. I may not always talk to the others during the training, but listen and add something sometimes. This means that you do not feel so alone and the time goes much faster.
Text: Johan Larsson
Photo: Private
Heléne Johansson
Age: 50
Lives: Borensberg, Linköping Motala.
Zwift team: ZBR.
Merits from Vätternrundan: 4 Vätternrundan 300 km, 3 Halvvättern, 6 Tjejvättern.
WATER ROUND AND ZWIFT
In December, Vätternrundan began a collaboration with Zwift. Through the collaboration, Vätternrundan’s participants will be able to participate in the Zwift Group Rides every Sunday for 12 weeks with a view to Vätternrundan. Zwift sessions, as it is called, start on February 17th. A special Vätternrundan event will also be arranged on Zwift in the spring.
Click here to proceed to Zwift: https://www.zwift.com/?utm_source=vatternrundan&utm_campaign=zwift_affiliate_vatternrundan&utm_medium=affiliate
