US Military Endurance Sports

Ride Information & Schedule

Ride Information & Schedule

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Additional Scheduled Ride Information

Each ride's information will be listed individually below.  Please use USMES after your name.  If active duty, veteran, or retiree, please use *USMES* after your name.

[Partner] We Are Invictus Social Ride hosted by Invictus Games Foundation:  This is a partner ride with the Invictus Games Foundation as is not hosted, but supported, by USMES.

Join the social ride led by members of the Invictus Games international community of serving military personnel and veterans who use cycling to recover from injury.  A sub-2.0 w/kg (Cat D) weekly group ride with the goal of keeping the group together.  This event is open to any ability including those who use handcycles, recumbents, trikes, tandems and standard bikes.  There will be inspirational chat and a fun, social atmosphere for your training. Please ask questions - about using sport for recovery, training, set-up, and the experiences of our Invictus family.

You can find more information about the Invictus Games Foundation and this ride on Zwift or their website:  http://invictusgamesfoundation.org

Sunday Decaf Coffee Ride:  This is a social ride set for 1.5 - 2 w/kg with the keep group together option (A.K.A. rubber-banding) enabled.  The target audience are those that want to chat at an easier pace, newer riders, and all forms of adaptive cyclists.  The ride parameters are typically around a 30-40km distance, or 1-1.5 hours in length.  However, the parameters can be set by the ride leader in chat with time or distance ahead of the ride (i.e. a 30-60 minute ride-in or 1 lap), followed by a 30-ish minute coffee break (as desired).  Times and distances may be set longer or farther just to account for the longest possible outcome, but certainly, you are not obligated to stay for the duration.  A ride back or another lap is optional and up to the group.  To respect everyone's time, we will try to be prompt on our departures.  If you choose to break longer, not a problem at all, but the group will need to leave you behind.  If the timing works out, we may stop at the various in-game spots for the break or group photo op.  This is the perfect opportunity for folks to get that community feel and for us to send a note to our partners that we appreciate their support.  All are welcome.  Communications for this ride are on Zoom audio/video platforms (see below for meeting information). 

We want to stress that this is a slower paced social ride and meant to connect people and remain in the spirit of resiliency.  This is NOT a race or training ride.  Have your coffee ready to make or drink, and we hope see you there!

Back to Work Ride [Monday]:  This is a sub- 2 w/kg ride for one hour with no grouping restriction.  It is meant to get those weekend training legs back into the swing of things and focusing on group ride dynamics.  Please follow the ride leader's instructions at all times.  There are no sweeps for this ride and all are expected to help each other out.  Courses will change monthly.  All are welcome.  Communications for this ride are on Discord audio/video platforms (see below for server information).

Turn It Up Tuesday:  This is a sub- 2.5 w/kg ride for one hour with no grouping restriction.  We turn the heat up this Tuesday in order to ensure you can put down the gas when needed.  Please follow the ride leader's instructions at all times.  There are no sweeps for this ride and all are expected to help each other out.  Courses will change monthly.  All are welcome.   Communications for this ride are on Discord audio/video platforms (see below for server information).

Thursday Night Social:  This is a sub- 2.5 w/kg ride for one hour with no grouping restriction.  We hit you again on Thursday night with an elevated pace to ensure those legs are still spinning and geared for the upcoming weekend.  Please follow the ride leader's instructions at all times.  There are no sweeps for this ride and all are expected to help each other out.  Courses will change monthly.  All are welcome. Communications for this ride are on Discord audio/video platforms (see below for server information).

Zwift Information

In order to participate in the actual riding, you will need a Zwift account and the minimum setup to ride indoors.  You can find out more by visiting Zwift's help section here: https://zwift.com/video/how-to-cycling/what-you-need-to-ride-zwift.

Joining a Ride

If you are already familiar with riding on Zwift but are not sure on how to join the rides, please see the two options below.

Within the Zwift Client:

  1. Launch the Zwift client software on you PC, Mac, iOS, or Android device.
  2. Log into your account.
  3. After connecting and going through some of the setup screens, you will see a rolling list of rides in the upper-right corner of your screen.
  4. Select the ride you are interested in attending and then click "Ride" as usual.
  5. When the ride start time is close, there will be a prompt to "Join Ride" you will need to click.

Companion App:

  1. Download the Companion App on you iOS or Android device.
  2. Log into your profile.
  3. On the bottom of your app, click on "Events."
  4. Use the selection arrows towards the top of the screen to select your day.
  5. Scroll to the appropriate ride time and select it.
  6. Read the information, and when ready, click on the orange ➕ to sign up for the ride.
  7. Launch your Zwift client prior to the ride time and follow the instructions above and on screen.

More Zwift Meetup resources are located here:

Wearing the USMES Kit

To don the USMES kit in game, well, that depends on your device.  If you are on a PC or Mac, while in game, press the "P" button on your keyboard and enter "GOUSMES". A banner will pop up and the kit will immediately show on your character.  If you are on Apple iOS or a Google Android device, there is no ability to enter promo codes due to in-app purchase restrictions.  You will have to install Zwift onto one of the other two mentioned computers, and follow the steps to enter that promo code or attend one of our UZR rides that are separate from this event.  Then, when you login on your iOS or Android device, the kit will be on your character or selectable from your garage.
Here are some more resources for you.
https://zwiftinsider.com/kits/
Ride On 👍!!!

Ride Communication Information

Each ride's communication information will be listed individually below.  Please use USMES after your name.  If active duty, veteran, or retiree, please use *USMES* after your name.

 

Zoom Information

To join our Zoom ride meeting, visit the link below via web, or download the computer client, or download the app via you mobile device.

Meeting ID:  864 4983 7387
Password:  USMES

You can also click this link to join:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86449837387?pwd=cmJGTkpuRExpWUMxWmhHMUhQUURVdz09

 

Additional information for those that are not-so-tech-savvy:

To use Zoom, simply follow the instructions below:

  1. Visit the link above to log into the web app.
  2. If you do not have Zoom already installed on your device, download the client, or visit the Apple or Google Play stores on your respective device to download the app.
    PC & Mac:  https://zoom.us/download/  You may also find other platforms or ways to connect or integrate Zoom into your devices or apps.
    Apple iOS:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id546505307
    Google Android:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.zoom.videomeetings
  3. Use the URL or Meeting ID above and the Password (if applicable).
  4. Ride starts promptly so be there early on Zwift and Zoom, ready to depart immediately on the starting hour.
  5. Depending on your method of joining, Zoom has options to adjust things more to your liking and it is expected that you have that set up prior to the ride.  Please keep in mind that if you are "hot mic'd," meaning that your microphone is activated by voice, your breathing, background or trainer noises, or others in the room may overstep someone else in group chat.  This has the potential to frustrate folks in the group, so be mindful and aware if you choose to leave yourself unmuted.
  6. There will be a 5-minute warning before the prescribed ride pauses for coffee, photos ops, and ride-out/end.  Ride leaders will attempt to keep these in perspective but cannot always help the timing.

Discord Information

To join our Discord servers, visit the link below via web, or download the computer client, or download the app via you mobile device.
https://discordapp.com/invite/A4JvKuS

 

Additional information for those not-so tech savvy:

To use Discord, simply follow the instructions below:

  1. Visit the link above to log into the web app, download the client, or visit the Apple or Google Play stores on your respective device to download the app.
  2. Use the URL above or pin the group ID once in to join.
  3. Ride starts promptly so be there early on Zwift and Discord, ready to depart immediately on the starting hour.
  4. Depending on your method of joining, Discord has options to adjust volumes of individuals and the group.  Please keep in mind that some rider's microphone sensitivity may be lower or higher, based on their microphone sensitivity or you output device.  The will make them softer or louder than the crowd.  Their output volume can be adjusted to your liking, but it is expected that you are familiar with how to adjust that option on the fly, prior to the ride.    Also, you should keep in mind that if you are "hot mic'd" and your microphone is activated by voice, your breathing may overstep someone else in group chat.  This has the potential to frustrate members of the group.
  5. There will be a 5-minute warning before the prescribed ride pauses for coffee, photos ops, and ride-out/end.  Ride leaders will attempt to keep these in perspective but cannot always help the timing.