AI for Breakfast

Chris Witham • July 8, 2024

Post 173 - The benefits of using the cycling app Zwift.


I have been Zwifting since the 1st February 2021, which I can't quite believe but I just checked and it's correct. The fact I have managed to stick with it all this time is testament to how good I personally think it is. I always feel better after a workout despite the fact it's sometimes hard to actually get on and do it.


I thought for todays post I'd get Perplexity to write about the benefits of Zwift and as it goes off and researches what it gives back I think it did a pretty good job.


Here is a 500 word blog post on the benefits of using the cycling app Zwift:
Why every cyclist should try Zwift: The benefits of indoor virtual cycling

If you're a cyclist looking to stay fit and have fun riding year-round, it's time to check out Zwift. This popular online cycling platform lets you ride, train and compete in an immersive virtual world from the comfort of your home.
Here are some of the top benefits of using Zwift:


Ride anytime, in any weather

One of the biggest advantages of Zwift is that it enables you to ride your bike indoors whenever you want, regardless of the weather outside[1]. Raining, snowing or blazing hot? No problem - just hop on Zwift for a great workout. You can explore a variety of virtual worlds with stunning graphics while avoiding the hazards of traffic, potholes and road debris[2].


Train efficiently with structured workouts

Zwift is an excellent platform for focused, effective training. It offers a library of over 1000 structured workouts and training plans designed by expert coaches to help you build fitness and reach your cycling goals[1]. You can do everything from short high-intensity intervals to long endurance rides. Zwift automatically adjusts your smart trainer's resistance to match the workout targets, so all you have to do is pedal[3].

Race and ride with a global community

Zwift lets you ride and race with other cyclists from around the world. At any time, you can find group rides and races to join with riders of similar abilities[3]. Riding with others pushes you to work harder and makes indoor training engaging and fun. You can even join an online team, make new cycling friends, and connect your rides to apps like Strava[1][5].


Unlock achievements and customise your Avatar

Zwift motivates you with a gamified experience that feels more like play than work. You can earn experience points to move up levels, complete challenges to win virtual prizes like exclusive bikes and jerseys, and customize your avatar's appearance[1][6]. Exploring new routes, chasing segment PRs, and collecting badges provides a sense of progress and accomplishment.


Prepare for outdoor events

Zwift provides an effective way to train consistently so you're ready to tackle your big outdoor rides and races. Many cyclists use it to build a strong fitness base over the winter months[2]. You can even preview the exact routes of major events like the L'Etape du Tour and Haute Route to familiarize yourself with the climbs and descents[5].


It's affordable and convenient

Compared to spin classes or maintaining a gym membership, Zwift is a cost-effective way to ride regularly. After the initial cost of a trainer and sensors, it's only £17.99 per month[3]. And the convenience is unbeatable - your bike is always ready to go in your home.

Whether you're a competitive racer, a weekend warrior, or a casual rider, Zwift has something to offer. With engaging virtual worlds, an active community, and training tools to help you get fit fast, it's the perfect platform to take your cycling to the next level. So what are you waiting for? Get Zwifting today!


Citations:
[1] https://www.zwift.com/uk/why-zwift
[2] https://tri-rivington.co.uk/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-zwift/
[3] https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/zwift-turbo-trainer-game-171798
[4] https://www.bikeradar.com/features/zwift-your-complete-guide
[5] https://road.cc/content/review/zwift-subscription-monthly-290957
[6] https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/zwift/

By Chris Witham February 20, 2026
Not every week ends with a certificate. This one did.
Lines of colorful computer code on a dark background.
By Chris Witham December 11, 2025
Where AI really helps your Business If you spend any time on LinkedIn or X, you’ll have seen bold claims about how AI can help you build software in a matter of days. There’s a lot of excitement, a lot of big promises, and a fair bit of confusion for business owners trying to work out what’s real. A new term doing the rounds is “Vibe Coding” —the idea of describing what you want to an AI assistant and having it generate the code for you. It’s becoming popular because it can move things forward quickly and help people explore ideas they wouldn’t have been able to create alone. And the truth is, it does have its place. The challenge isn’t the technique. It’s the expectation that AI will automatically deliver finished, reliable, production-ready tools without any real design or thinking behind them. AI accelerates the work you already do well Used properly, AI can: • Remove huge amounts of repetitive work • Speed up drafting and iteration • Generate working prototypes in hours • Help non-technical people explore ideas • Improve documentation, planning and communication This is where it shines. But it still needs clarity, structure, and well-designed processes around it. It’s like having a very fast assistant rather than a fully formed development team. Why many AI projects don’t deliver what people expect Independent research this year showed a clear pattern: • Many early AI initiatives failed to produce measurable business value • Companies abandoned AI ideas because they couldn’t scale or integrate them • The gap between an impressive demo and a reliable tool is larger than people thought This doesn’t mean AI is overhyped. It means teams jumped straight to execution without the groundwork. The technology isn’t the issue. It’s the approach. Small businesses don’t need Enterprise Platforms Most UK small businesses don’t need to build a full software product. What they actually need is: • Better workflows • Faster content generation • Clearer communication • Improved customer support • Tools that reflect the way they work • Consistency and repeatability AI is perfect for this. A custom GPT trained on your tone, your documents and your processes can become: • A writing assistant • A customer support helper • A knowledge base navigator • An internal guide for staff • A quality-control layer • A process automator No engineering team needed. No complex infrastructure. No stress. Where AI builds real value right now AI works best when it’s part of a thoughtful, guided approach: • Define the outcome you want • Build a lightweight prototype (AI helps here) • Add structure, rules and guardrails • Connect it to your real workflow • Test it with real users or staff • Iterate until it feels natural You can still move fast. You just avoid building something brittle that breaks the moment it’s needed. The key insight: AI doesn’t replace expertise, it amplifies it AI is at its strongest when someone knowledgeable decides: • What it should do • What it shouldn’t do • How it should behave • What tone it should use • How it fits into the business • What checks and constraints matter That’s where tools like custom GPTs genuinely shine. They’re not software products in the traditional sense. They’re flexible assistants shaped around your business. With the right design, they can save huge amounts of time and deliver consistent, practical value without any of the complexity of building a full system. A more useful way to think about AI in 2026 Instead of “AI will build everything for you”, a healthier mindset is: AI speeds up the work, but you set the direction. For small businesses, that’s more than enough to make a real difference.
By Chris Witham August 21, 2025
Website Planet Interview
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IDIOM OF THE DAY: Throw in the towel FIGURATIVE MEANING: To give up or admit defeat. TYPICAL USAGE: 'After hours of trying, he threw in the towel and called for help.' ORIGIN: From boxing, where a towel is thrown into the ring to signal surrender.
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WORD: Ineffable DEFINITION: Too great or extreme to be expressed in words. USAGE: 'The beauty of the sunrise was ineffable, leaving everyone speechless.' ORIGIN: From the Latin 'ineffabilis,' meaning 'unutterable,' often used to describe profound experiences.
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TRADE FOCUS: Jeweller AI APPLICATIONS: - DESIGN CREATION: AI generates intricate jewellery designs based on current trends. - GEMSTONE ANALYSIS: AI evaluates the quality and authenticity of gemstones. - CUSTOM ORDERS: AI creates virtual previews for bespoke pieces. - INVENTORY MANAGEMENT: AI optimises stock levels and demand forecasting.
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