Team BKool CycleChat

[BILL S]

I've tweaked the Handicap's if you guys want another run at this route... Chain Gang Handicap Race

Not sure what you want to do the next few weeks, the numbers are falling away as the weather improves.

I had thought we could maybe try a team handicap, group together those close to each other in Handicap, start each group at a suitable start time then you have to work together to avoid being over taken by groups behind while catching the group ahead. Winning group is the one that gets their third or fourth placed rider across the line first. Only problem is that it needs a lot of riders to make it work so is only feasible with 20+ taking part. Might have to wait for next winter?

We could rerun some of the previous Handicaps, or look for a new stage. Only problem with new stages is that the Handicaps don't really get sorted out unless everyone is riding regularly.

Perhaps if you are keen to carry on for a while longer we should re-run the four stages we have done so far?

Let me know what you are thinking...

Geoff

I'd be really keen to give this team handicap a go Geoff, if we can get enough people interested. I guess we'd need a minimum of 3 teams of 3 so minimum of 9 turning up, but obviously more would be a lot better. Hopefully it could be set up in such a way that it can run irrespective of who turns up and there could perhaps be some contingency plans to jump teams at the last minute if one team lacked numbers at the start. Team Colours perhaps?
If we don't have the numbers to do this I think we're all happy with the existing format and on tried and tested stages.
Also, I'll be turning up for the rides as long as they are there, but will be expecting a summer break as others will be riding outside. It'll no doubt get busier than ever again in October.
Thanks for all your input Geoff.

 

[BILL S]

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!

I just had the chance to look at this today and as you say, your watts are well up on mine. Looking at the power graph I can see some obvious differences most notably that you are applying a far bit more power going down hill, which for that ride is quite a long time. Mostly I'd say you were around a 100 watts more on the downhill, which I think is mostly wasted effort. You might have been pulling away a little bit down hill, but probably not worth it for the extra effort. You did one massive slingshot though at near 1200 watts so that must be the one where you passed CRXAndy as a blur before becoming a spec in the distance.
So yeah, for efficiencies, keep doing the slingshots where possible, but power off more on the down hills.

 

[Sketty]

Hi, new Bkool Pro user, another join request, can someone please approve.

UN: Sketty

Thanks,

Martin

 

[bridgy]

I just had the chance to look at this today and as you say, your watts are well up on mine. Looking at the power graph I can see some obvious differences most notably that you are applying a far bit more power going down hill, which for that ride is quite a long time. Mostly I'd say you were around a 100 watts more on the downhill, which I think is mostly wasted effort. You might have been pulling away a little bit down hill, but probably not worth it for the extra effort. You did one massive slingshot though at near 1200 watts so that must be the one where you passed CRXAndy as a blur before becoming a spec in the distance.
So yeah, for efficiencies, keep doing the slingshots where possible, but power off more on the down hills.

Thanks for the feedback Bill - I do wish Bkool would have the same values in the Y axis of their data graphs so it was easier to compare data between riders!

I was trying to rest on the downhills as much as possible, but was also often turning the pedals over, but without spinning madly trying to go faster than the blue numbers would allow. So maybe to some extent the power figures just reflect me turning the pedals over a bit more than you on theses downs - I don't think it really took anything significant out of me physically - I wasn't REALLY pushing on most downs - so I don't think I can really look to that to get closer to you in overall speed!

I'm not under any illusions that ultimately you're clearly fitter and stronger than me, but it is interesting and rewarding to look at improving technique too. When I first started I did several races not knowing about blue numbers on downhills at all for instance. And I'm much more aware of my HR and power now than I used to be.

I guess if you're racing or TT-ing in the real world there's also a lot to learn and improve upon with technique etc too.

Thanks

 

[Venod]

hi there, hope you enjoy Bkool. If you're on a free account you will only have limited access to group functions and leagues and I dont think you get 3D courses or videos either. Do no harm to try the free trail of premium to get a full flavour of what Bkool offers.

Yes its a bit limited, I will have to give premium a free trial, still trying to figure everything out, tried Zwift it was OK and kept my attention, but I like the idea of videos/maps of actual courses,

 

[CXRAndy]

Hi Geoff, I had another go at the bonus stage, with a more measured attempt, it worked a little as I had just enough left to catch myself on the last climb. I don't know how long it takes to update, or is it out of time?

 

[CXRAndy]

@Afnug The premium is worthwhile for the extras it allows

 

[Paul-T]

Cheers Paul - yeah first ever TT tonight - 10 miles - will keep you posted!

Good luck mate

 

[RickB]

Hi, new Bkool Pro user, another join request, can someone please approve.

UN: Sketty

Thanks,

Martin

Hi Martin

What group did you request to join? Was just checking the Chaingang there but dont see your name.

Rick

 

[LBHIFI]

Cheers Paul - yeah first ever TT tonight - 10 miles - will keep you posted!

Good luck Rick & CxrAndy.

I did a short TT this Tuesday, but the results are not in yet.
http://www.strava.com/activities/543365688
Is hard to spot on the map profile, but there were some really nasty hills on that route.
I rode with a disc wheel for the first time, but I think the stage was too short and too hilly for a disc wheel, so maybe I should have used my 50 mm wheel instead.
There was a fair share of cat 1+2+3 and amateur champion riders, so if I could stay in top 20 (out of about 100) it would be a good result. Hoping for a top 5 in my age group.
I managed to find one of the really fast guys on Strava and did some comparison. I seemed to be on pair on the hills, but on the straights, especially in the head wind, he managed to maintain an avg. of 27.34 mph on a 2 km stretch, while I only managed 24.23 mph. So I have some work to do finding a better position I think (probably a good deal of watts as well ) .

 

[Sketty]

Hi Martin

What group did you request to join? Was just checking the Chaingang there but dont see your name.

Rick

Hi Rick, I didn't realise there was more than one. Cyclechat Top 100. I'm enjoying using Bkool but its a bit dull doing your own thing.

 

[bobinski]

Stuck in Guildford and so won't make it back in time tonight
Enjoy!

 

[gbrown]

@Sketty and @Afnug

Have you guys looked at the FAQ thread... Bkool FAQ

There is a section on the leagues which may help you work out which ones you want to take part in.

Cheers,

Geoff

 

[theboxers]

Gents, I know I'm the Mammoth at the back, but how in the hell did you manage 7 minutes for the first bonus stage . Looking at it I think I will be closer to 12 than 10 on that one .

 

[gbrown]

Hi Geoff, I had another go at the bonus stage, with a more measured attempt, it worked a little as I had just enough left to catch myself on the last climb. I don't know how long it takes to update, or is it out of time?

@CXRAndy is this aimed at me (Handicap) or Rick/Bill (Chaingang)?