Team BKool CycleChat

[CXRAndy]

Well done Rick, I take it there are some hills on your local TT? My local 10TT has 200ft climbing. My early 10TT this year was 26.40. I have an excuse though, I ride my CXR with clips on bar. A little scared to get a proper TT bike in case I am slower and then have no excuse. The 7.7mile TT last night was slower as an average, this is due to there being higher percentage of hill for the length of course. There is a 25 mile TT near Boston which has only 100ft of climbing for the course, I have found I am much closer to the faster club guys on that course.

Roll on Saturday 2 UP. I will have to lead for most of the course, my partner was supposed to help me up the hilly bits and I would use my weight/power for the long declines and flats. He is not feeling too well and struggled last night

 

[Soarerv8]

Morning all

Well done Rick!

7:30 / 8:00pm probably suits me tonight guys. Would that be good for you? Obviously happy to go with the majority if you fancy a spin.

Friday night bike rides huh. Rock & roll lives on!!!

Bah just been informed I am taking no2 son to play in a hockey match. Apparently I have known this for some time, I suspect I was concentrating hard on this forum or the TV when I was given that bit of important information.

 

[CXRAndy]

I will spectate whilst my fish&chip supper settles

 

[RickB]

Well done Rick, I take it there are some hills on your local TT? My local 10TT has 200ft climbing. My early 10TT this year was 26.40. I have an excuse though, I ride my CXR with clips on bar. A little scared to get a proper TT bike in case I am slower and then have no excuse. The 7.7mile TT last night was slower as an average, this is due to there being higher percentage of hill for the length of course. There is a 25 mile TT near Boston which has only 100ft of climbing for the course, I have found I am much closer to the faster club guys on that course.

Roll on Saturday 2 UP. I will have to lead for most of the course, my partner was supposed to help me up the hilly bits and I would use my weight/power for the long declines and flats. He is not feeling too well and struggled last night

Here's my course here Andy:
https://www.strava.com/activities/545482504

Not sure how it compares to any other TT courses but it seems fast, bar one section which had me slowing down to about 17mph.

I dont have tri bars as apparently if I put them on it moves me into the TT bike category, so I just stick to the Road Bike section. I was the slowest Road bike there last night but was beaten by 2 seconds then 3 seconds, with a group of 5-6 riders less than 30 seconds ahead overall. Seeing as I was off the bike for 9 days and I'm new to this TT lark I think I could maybe gain that much next time (wishful thinking perhaps!). Bit of an eye opener that I just dont have enough power in the legs yet and that'll only come with time.

 

[CXRAndy]

So you start with a climb and then blast back for 6 miles, sounds like my type of TT I thought TTs had to start and finish within a certain distance of each other(maybe AAAC could comment)
I am quite new to TT myself with only 10 or so rides in total. I find it quite addictive I was looking at my last years logs in the summer and last night. I have increased in power albeit 10 Watts, but was 30 seconds slower, maybe last night conditions were poorer or just still too cold for me. I am going to use this year on my CXR to gather information/logs, then borrow or steal a proper bike at the end of the season to see if I would/could/can be faster!

 

[bridgy]

Here's my course here Andy:
https://www.strava.com/activities/545482504

Not sure how it compares to any other TT courses but it seems fast, bar one section which had me slowing down to about 17mph.

I dont have tri bars as apparently if I put them on it moves me into the TT bike category, so I just stick to the Road Bike section. I was the slowest Road bike there last night but was beaten by 2 seconds then 3 seconds, with a group of 5-6 riders less than 30 seconds ahead overall. Seeing as I was off the bike for 9 days and I'm new to this TT lark I think I could maybe gain that much next time (wishful thinking perhaps!). Bit of an eye opener that I just dont have enough power in the legs yet and that'll only come with time.

Well done Rick - looks like a good time to me and doesn't sound like you had the best preparation etc so I'm sure there's room for improvement, which is a good thing - you don't want to peak too soon and have everything go downhill from there! I was discussing "Bkool technique" with Bill on here recently and I'm sure you'll also find numerous ways to improve in that respect on the road too as you do more (I'm no expert, but I wouldn't recommend the "on/off" technique though!). Based on the power you can put down on Bkool I'm sure you can definitely climb up that leaderboard with a bit of practice and maybe less flu virus!

Good on you for going for it though - I've wondered about giving one a go myself but have been a bit worried about the expensive Pandora's Box of TT-specific equipment and clothing I might open! Good to know there's a road bike category though. For now, I think I get my required fix of competitive cycling from you guys on Bkool

 

[LBHIFI]

Here's my course here Andy:
https://www.strava.com/activities/545482504

Not sure how it compares to any other TT courses but it seems fast, bar one section which had me slowing down to about 17mph.

I dont have tri bars as apparently if I put them on it moves me into the TT bike category, so I just stick to the Road Bike section. I was the slowest Road bike there last night but was beaten by 2 seconds then 3 seconds, with a group of 5-6 riders less than 30 seconds ahead overall. Seeing as I was off the bike for 9 days and I'm new to this TT lark I think I could maybe gain that much next time (wishful thinking perhaps!). Bit of an eye opener that I just dont have enough power in the legs yet and that'll only come with time.

Rick, In my short experience, I would say that there's 3 relatively cheap ways to make massive improvements.
This is my data (others have reported the suit to give more than aerobars):

1. Tri Bars will give you something like 2.5 - 3.5 seconds pr. km.
2. A decent suit will give you 2 - 2.5 seconds pr. km.
3. A TT helmet will help too (maybe 1 - 1.5 seconds pr. km)

So if you wish to stick to the road bike category, then spend some money on a suit and a helmet.
You do the math and calculate your new position

 

[RickB]

So you start with a climb and then blast back for 6 miles, sounds like my type of TT I thought TTs had to start and finish within a certain distance of each other(maybe AAAC could comment)
I am quite new to TT myself with only 10 or so rides in total. I find it quite addictive I was looking at my last years logs in the summer and last night. I have increased in power albeit 10 Watts, but was 30 seconds slower, maybe last night conditions were poorer or just still too cold for me. I am going to use this year on my CXR to gather information/logs, then borrow or steal a proper bike at the end of the season to see if I would/could/can be faster!

Still cold out there (as I discovered last night) so I'm sure that would be the major factor in slowing you down at the minute if your actual power is up.

Not sure of the rulings with the course but it was my first chance to compare myself to other club members so at least I'm not far off a largish group of them.

Well done Rick - looks like a good time to me and doesn't sound like you had the best preparation etc so I'm sure there's room for improvement, which is a good thing - you don't want to peak too soon and have everything go downhill from there! I was discussing "Bkool technique" with Bill on here recently and I'm sure you'll also find numerous ways to improve in that respect on the road too as you do more (I'm no expert, but I wouldn't recommend the "on/off" technique though!). Based on the power you can put down on Bkool I'm sure you can definitely climb up that leaderboard with a bit of practice and maybe less flu virus!

Good on you for going for it though - I've wondered about giving one a go myself but have been a bit worried about the expensive Pandora's Box of TT-specific equipment and clothing I might open! Good to know there's a road bike category though. For now, I think I get my required fix of competitive cycling from you guys on Bkool

Trying to convince myself that 9 days off the bike and coming back from sickness would have slowed me up, but I actually felt pretty good on the bike last night!

Some top machinery there too, but I'll have to stick with my trusty Vitus Zenium for now!

 

[RickB]

Rick, In my short experience, I would say that there's 3 relatively cheap ways to make massive improvements.
This is my data (others have reported the suit to give more than aerobars):

1. Tri Bars will give you something like 2.5 - 3.5 seconds pr. km.
2. A decent suit will give you 2 - 2.5 seconds pr. km.
3. A TT helmet will help too (maybe 1 - 1.5 seconds pr. km)

So if you wish to stick to the road bike category, then spend some money on a suit and a helmet.
You do the math and calculate your new position

Thanks for that Lars. Food for thought! Amazing the time that can be saved from a skin suit!

I'll likely thrash out this season with what I have and then look about better equipment in the future once the legs have a bit more seasoning!

 

[Bonno]

Hi all, last time I was on here it was coming up to page 1000.. so only about 150 or so pages to catch up with...have i missed anything?!
Got the dreaded man flu a few a weeks or so back, followed by a trip to Cyrus to visit family, came back unfit and couldn't get my head around riding, had to have a serious talk with myself and managed to get back on the turbo again this week.
Hopefully I can get myself back on track now and do a few League rides.. in between Zwift and the great outdoors!

See you all down the virtual road

 

[CXRAndy]

What I have noticed for TT, power, weight, then Aero. The fast guys in my club are generally slender build and small ish. But there is always an exception, where we have a young man who beats the fastest guys in full TT kit, he rides a quality standard Road bike, but has huge amount of power. Hilly TT will always suit lighter riders as seen by the speed difference example on bkool sessions. Combine light weight and descent power =very good combination for TT

 

[CXRAndy]

@Bonno

You seem to put in a descent time yesterday, or was that you warming up

 

[bobinski]

Thanks for that Lars. Food for thought! Amazing the time that can be saved from a skin suit!

Rick,
Adams your man on the design front for the skin suit

Good on you for your TT ride, especially after your enforced layoff.

 

[bobinski]

Apparently one for the "ladies":
http://bkoolers.com/bkool-ladies-challenge.

Gail? Camlo?

 

[RickB]

Hi all, last time I was on here it was coming up to page 1000.. so only about 150 or so pages to catch up with...have i missed anything?!
Got the dreaded man flu a few a weeks or so back, followed by a trip to Cyrus to visit family, came back unfit and couldn't get my head around riding, had to have a serious talk with myself and managed to get back on the turbo again this week.
Hopefully I can get myself back on track now and do a few League rides.. in between Zwift and the great outdoors!

See you all down the virtual road

Good to have you back Bonno - You'll be back into it in no time!

What I have noticed for TT, power, weight, then Aero. The fast guys in my club are generally slender build and small ish. But there is always an exception, where we have a young man who beats the fastest guys in full TT kit, he rides a quality standard Road bike, but has huge amount of power. Hilly TT will always suit lighter riders as seen by the speed difference example on bkool sessions. Combine light weight and descent power =very good combination for TT

power , weight then aero? I'm 83kg, not very powerful compared to others (so I've found out!!) and on a standard road bike with no aero advantage!! Pretty much goosed then!!

Rick,
Adams your man on the design front for the skin suit

Good on you for your TT ride, especially after your enforced layoff.

Thanks Bob.

Re: Adam's designs.... I certainly would stand out I suppose!