Hey there! It sounds like the issue is coming from recording the ride on your Wahoo. Wahoo files sync to TR via Strava, so you’re correct in saying that the TR ride from your Wahoo must exist in Strava for it to appear in TR as Wahoo does not sync directly to TR. Once that ride is deleted from Strava, there is nothing left to actually sync to and appear on TR.
If possible, we’d recommend running the TR app on an alternative device you may have. This could be, for example, a phone or tablet to run the TR app if you’re using a laptop to run Zwift. That way, your TR workout will be recorded and saved in the TR app itself – no need for any third-party syncing!
The following article from DC Rainmaker is our go-to reference for running TR and Zwift simultaneously:
As for the ride data, nothing will be lost or missing, regardless of the data file you decide to use. This will matter for your Progression Levels if the file you upload is not associated with a TR workout – in such a case, the ride will be marked as “unplanned” unless you match it with the “incomplete” TR workout on your Calendar. Once the ride is matched with the TR workout you completed, Adaptive Training will take care of the rest.
In the case of AI FTP Detection, all that matters is that there is power data present to be analyzed. In other words, AI FTP Detection won’t “care” where the data is coming from – as long as it is there!
Hopefully this helps clear things up! Let me know if you have any other questions.