Team BKool CycleChat

[Goldwolfie]

Damn! I got close to you a couple times Goldwolfie, but just didn't have enough in the tank to actually catch you on either of the climbs. Had I started on-time, we might have been able to draft a bit here and there, saving our legs a bit in the process.

Definitely going to miss next week as I'm on the road.

I think that's why I enjoy the handicap races. I get to see a lot more of you during the race and there is always something to focus on, usually trying to hold my position for as long as possible - also occasionally I actually catch someone.

 

[bridgy]

I think that's why I enjoy the handicap races. I get to see a lot more of you during the race and there is always something to focus on, usually trying to hold my position for as long as possible - also occasionally I actually catch someone.

I agree Goldwolfie - with the exception of some recent epic battles with Adam, I often find in a chaingang race that I get to a point where I have been thoroughly dropped by the guys up front, but have a reasonably comfortable gap on those behind, and the motivation to keep absolutely burying myself just isn't there. This is never the case on a handicap stage when all the action happens at the end anyway! Good fun - or completely hellish, depending on how you feel and how the race pans out!

 

[CXRAndy]

@Monte Wow, just watched video from Geoff
We had another great battle, that I didn't even know was taking place.I should wear blinkers more often

I could see the amateur levels in front of me and no others. I wasn't aware Bill or Bridgy passing me early on. You front runners have incredible climbing speed! Only my extra weight advantage helps me just hang on going downhill to stem the losses

 

[BILL S]

I just did the Chaingang session, and really struggled. At the start I put Bridgy's ghost in and noted that Bob was exactly 2 minutes ahead, so if I had the legs, that was the lead I needed over him to beat Bobski.
Well £&@/?€$#% me! You lot left me for dead. The gap just grew and grew, I was in floods of tears as I crossed the line, a mixture of sheer fatigue, abject disappointment and a feeling of complete rejection.
But I've had some chocolate and a bowl of crunchy nut cornflakes, so I'm ok now.
But yes, found that really tough, and Bridgy, I had NO hope of getting anywhere near your time.
I have subsequently emailed BKool and asked to be stripped of my Active 10 rating, as it makes me feel very Sepp Blatter.

Adam, It's great to know that big tough builders like yourself can get fully in touch with their feminine sides when the need arises.
That's ok for virtual rides at home, but please don't let it happen at any point during the Double Devil ride. Okay!!

 

[BILL S]

I just did the Chaingang session, and really struggled. At the start I put Bridgy's ghost in and noted that Bob was exactly 2 minutes ahead, so if I had the legs, that was the lead I needed over him to beat Bobski.
Well £&@/?€$#% me! You lot left me for dead. The gap just grew and grew, I was in floods of tears as I crossed the line, a mixture of sheer fatigue, abject disappointment and a feeling of complete rejection.
But I've had some chocolate and a bowl of crunchy nut cornflakes, so I'm ok now.
But yes, found that really tough, and Bridgy, I had NO hope of getting anywhere near your time.
I have subsequently emailed BKool and asked to be stripped of my Active 10 rating, as it makes me feel very Sepp Blatter.

But seeing as we're still in the virtual world I'll humour you with some girl pal support & hugz
So I looked at your time on the Chaingang session and I can easily see that you weren't your usual self during that ride. You were way down on speed and power no doubt due to overwork. You take a good rest, neck a few snickers, and on your second attempt you'll be right up there.

 

[BILL S]

Great times from you two! Bill, I have no idea how you did it. I not only seemed to be keeping you at bay but at one point actually increased my lead over you and then Bang! You were right behind me and then shooting past. I am sure I did a double take
Bridgy, doesn't look like you need Adds around to compete with and post a cracking time

That was quite a large slingshot that went on there Bob. Looks like you didn't catch it so I probably gained 30 seconds or so.

 

[bobinski]

Adam, It's great to know that big tough builders like yourself can get fully in touch with their feminine sides when the need arises.
That's ok for virtual rides at home, but please don't let it happen at any point during the Double Devil ride. Okay!!

Not even if he lets you share his chocolate, crunchy nut cornflakes and minced lamb?

That was quite a large slingshot that went on there Bob. Looks like you didn't catch it so I probably gained 30 seconds or so.

You are the Zen master of sling shots Bill. I think you should give lessons.

 

[BILL S]

I agree Goldwolfie - with the exception of some recent epic battles with Adam, I often find in a chaingang race that I get to a point where I have been thoroughly dropped by the guys up front, but have a reasonably comfortable gap on those behind, and the motivation to keep absolutely burying myself just isn't there. This is never the case on a handicap stage when all the action happens at the end anyway! Good fun - or completely hellish, depending on how you feel and how the race pans out!

I think when it comes to chaingang rides the first few minutes is everything these days because everyone (except AAAC perhaps) is looking to find a faster drafting partner to sit with. A good start is therefore a must so you can get onto someone's back wheel and get dragged along at their speed. For me that's usually AAAC or LB as I expect them to be up at the front. The likes of yourself and a few others could probably hang on near the front for quite some time if you got quickly into the draft. I find it's not always possible to stay there, but on a good day it's led to some good last km sprints for the top spot. So the thing is to get into the habit of riding with the front guys and just stay there longer and longer as you get stronger. I know it's all very well in theory and not so easy in practice but it's worth trying for.

 

[BILL S]

Not even if he lets you share his chocolate, crunchy nut cornflakes and minced lamb?



You are the Zen master of sling shots Bill. I think you should give lessons.

Your lesson for today is:

1/ Brute force with much rpm
2/ Timing +/- about 3 seconds
3/ Its not rocket science

 

[bobinski]

Your lesson for today is:

1/ Brute force with much rpm
2/ Timing +/- about 3 seconds
3/ Its not rocket science

ahhh, but Master Bill, at what point do i apply 1) and 2)?
And if it is not rocket science how come you fly like rocket!

 

[bridgy]

I think when it comes to chaingang rides the first few minutes is everything these days because everyone (except AAAC perhaps) is looking to find a faster drafting partner to sit with. A good start is therefore a must so you can get onto someone's back wheel and get dragged along at their speed. For me that's usually AAAC or LB as I expect them to be up at the front. The likes of yourself and a few others could probably hang on near the front for quite some time if you got quickly into the draft. I find it's not always possible to stay there, but on a good day it's led to some good last km sprints for the top spot. So the thing is to get into the habit of riding with the front guys and just stay there longer and longer as you get stronger. I know it's all very well in theory and not so easy in practice but it's worth trying for.

I try Bill, I really do try

Actually, when I re-did the chaingang ride on my own the other day with yours, LB & AAAC's ghosts (I felt justified putting your ghosts in to chase as I'd missed the start of the live race due to IT issues!) I was encouraged to find I could hold on reasonably comfortably at the start and that did mean I could tag on and draft with you guys for half the race or thereabouts, which obviously really helped my time.

I think I'm gradually improving my general "Bkool technique" as well as my fitness but I'm way behind some of you guys (with both!) Looking at last night's ride my average watts were well up on you and Bobinski despite making quite an effort to be clever with saving my energy on the downs and digging in hard on the ups, so I clearly need to find more efficiencies somewhere!

 

[bridgy]

Your lesson for today is:

1/ Brute force with much rpm
2/ Timing +/- about 3 seconds
3/ Its not rocket science

I'm still not really sure exactly what one of these slingshots is or how to do it, but I think I may have inadvertently achieved one in the race last night - I was absolutely flying up one of the hills, having held good speed on a downhill section and went past another rider - can't remember who - at a ridiculous speed! For them, the resistance of the uphill had obviously kicked in sooner so they must have wondered what the hell was going on, but shortly after my resistance kicked in too and I was probably going a very similar speed to them. Sorry to whoever it was - it would have been a very false impression of our actual speed differences!

 

[bobinski]

I'm still not really sure exactly what one of these slingshots is or how to do it, but I think I may have inadvertently achieved one in the race last night - I was absolutely flying up one of the hills, having held good speed on a downhill section and went past another rider - can't remember who - at a ridiculous speed! For them, the resistance of the uphill had obviously kicked in sooner so they must have wondered what the hell was going on, but shortly after my resistance kicked in too and I was probably going a very similar speed to them. Sorry to whoever it was - it would have been a very false impression of our actual speed differences!

I try and speed up 3-5 seconds before the incline starts, powering up, but am often caught out changing down gears as the resistance suddenly rather than gradually kicks in. Also, sometimes i overcook it getting the watts up and then when the resistance does hit I am left with nothing. You have to be strong enough, like Bill, to carry through more often.

 

[Norseman]

Runar is @Norseman on I here I think!
Awsome drafting partner we seem to get it right last night.

Sorry, but my PC crashet after a Windows 10 update last week so I haven't been able to ride indoors. I think the SSD didn't cope with the update and I'm returning it to the store this week.

Apart from that, I've been busy riding outdoors on my new Specialized Roubaix SL4 Elite Disc. What a joy to ride!

 

[BILL S]

ahhh, but Master Bill, at what point do i apply 1) and 2)?
And if it is not rocket science how come you fly like rocket!

All you need to make sure is that when you hit the up, you should be in top gear and your cadence should be off the chart (literally) .