looking for Bkool groups to join

[alan m]

Hi..
I have been zwifting for a few weeks and i'm kind of getting bored already!!!
i used Bkool last winter and need to get back on with it...
are there any groups i could join for the motivational side please?
i'm no racing snake....actually more of a plodder... any help guys?

 

[Soarerv8]

Yep the bkool chat on here Alan, another plodder is very welcome

 

[CXRAndy]

Yes Bkool chat, great bunch of chaps running a downhill league presently, so if you're modestly heavy you will do well

Ask Bill. To sign you up

 

[Bored Man]

Hi..
I have been zwifting for a few weeks and i'm kind of getting bored already!!!
i used Bkool last winter and need to get back on with it...
are there any groups i could join for the motivational side please?
i'm no racing snake....actually more of a plodder... any help guys?

Plodder

Plodder

 

[alan m]

cheers Guys..
any links?

 

[CXRAndy]

You normally request to join the league through the Bkool website, chaingang league will be listed somewhere. From there Bill will accept you.

Or type your request here -https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/team-bkool-cyclechat.144689/

 

[Jason]

I start reading the Bkool and Swift threads,but after page 106 I give up!

What do I need in terms of equipment?

Bike
Shimano ant+ sensors for cadence and bmp
Spare laptop running win 7
HDMI cable
TV


No previous knowledge of these programs or software etc ...

 

[CXRAndy]

I start reading the Bkool and Swift threads,but after page 106 I give up!

What do I need in terms of equipment?

Bike
Shimano ant+ sensors for cadence and bmp
Spare laptop running win 7
HDMI cable
TV


No previous knowledge of these programs or software etc ...

Ideally you need

Smart trainer with a genuine power meter built in, either direct drive(Kickr,Neo) or wheel driven (Wahoo Snap, Tacx)

Next best option a resistance trainer with a separate power meter.

Heat rate monitor- Wahoo tickr, or Garmin
Cadence sensor Wahoo/Garmin
Speed sensor Wahoo- not required if you have a smart trainer.

Connecting to laptop/tablet/Smartphone- Ant+ dongle
Also get an USB extension lead to get the dongle close to the trainer for strong signal.

Decent internet connection- most will work as low as 2mb. Or tether your smartphone for data connection

A big fan and towels- you sweat alot

No in-depth knowledge of any platform, reasonably straight forward to use after a few early hiccups etc.

A desire to train and get fit-Most important

 

[theboxers]

As per @CXRAndy you need

1 : Bike (with the arrival of the Wattbike Atom this and the next 2 are not necessary)
2 : Smart trainer (Ant+/Bluetooth, FE-C smart trainer standard capable)
3 : Ant+/Bluetooth sensors for cadence (recomended- some trainers can estimate cadence), speed (optional) - get a dual Ant+/Bluetooth sensor as they pair with more devices ie. Computer, Tablet, Phone, cycling computer etc(garmin edge, bolt ).
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wahoo-rpm-speed-cadence-with-bluetooth-40-and-ant/ (my preference)
https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/p/146897

4 : Heart Rate Monitor (HRM)
https://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/heart-rate-monitors
http://www.scosche.com/rhythm-plus-heart-rate-monitor-armband (my preference)

5 : Ant+ dongle ( if using a device that is not Ant+ capable already)
ttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-PerfPRO-CycleOps-Virtual-TrainerRoad-Black/dp/B01N2S103O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1509274551&sr=8-2&keywords=wahoo+dongle

6 : Usb extension cable (highly recomended for item 5)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_9?url=search-alias=electronics&field-keywords=usb+extension+cable&sprefix=usb+exten,electronics,216&crid=16UAW16VI0LEP

7 : Computer/Tablet/Phone - most sw runs on win/ios/android (or have plans to)
8 : Display and cabling to connect Computer to it
9 : Fan, towels and drinks

10 : Software - most have a free testing period
Zwift - http://zwift.com/download/
Bkool - http://www.bkool.com/en-GB/cycling-simulator
Trainer Road - https://www.trainerroad.com/download
Bigringvr - https://www.bigringvr.com/download_br.aspx

There are many more out there see below - the list is due an update shortly.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/11/trainer-apps-guide.html

11 : Alternate entertainment radio, cable/satelite tv, netflix etc.

A little stubborness helps as indoor training can be, er, boring at times.

Oh one final thing. Move on you bike, sore sit bones start earlier than irl as you tend not to move much.

 

[CXRAndy]

Oh one final thing. Move on you bike, sore sit bones start earlier than irl as you tend not to move much.

On top or bottom, decent pair of padded shorts and chamois creme. Don't go mental in duration the first few times if you're new to indoor training. It is more intense physically. As Boxer's suggestion, get out of your saddle every 10-15 mins for 10-20 seconds or else soreness can set in much earlier than any outdoor ride. Have fun, race,train get better at riding

 

[Jason]

I have a basic turbo trainer,where I change gear to increase resistance. Fan and towel always to hand, plus ipod.
The bike has cadence sensor paired to my Garmin 800

I'm reading that I could either buy a Bluetooth enabled cadence device like Wahoo, or buy a USB ant+ dongle so the laptop/software can see my speed.
I understand this would be a very simplistic setup,but I'm not ready to poor hundreds of pounds into indoor training without "testing" the waters with what I currently have.

Do you think my solution is correct and valid?

 

[CXRAndy]

I would suggest trying out both Zwift and Bkool, both have a free trial period. I believe you need a speed sensor and Ideally a cadence so that the likes of Zwift can give you a realistic experience, using their virtual trainer settings. If you get the Likes of Wahoo, which are usually dual Ant+/Bluetooth. An Ant+ dongle is required unless your using a tablet with Ant+ built in, most laptops dont have Ant+