Team BKool CycleChat

[AAAC 76C]

Unfortunately I won't be there on Saturday. Can someone else start it please? Are you volunteering AAAC?

Another lonely Saturday will no-mates and Ryan.
I'll post on here if I am starting by 16:45

 

[AAAC 76C]

Ha! I wish. User error I think not keeping an eye on set up and lever working a little loose perhaps.

There is no positive locking on the lever and it can be kicked easily.
SUE!

 

[bobinski]

Bob, it was tough, for the first half. Once I knew I couldn't get near to you or LBH and I was slowly pulling away from Rob. I settled into a rythmn for the final two hills.
It is just a shame I can't compete or be in the thick of things at the start, I would love to frighten you guys just now and then

Hopefully the next update will level the playing field a bit more Andy giving you the opportunity to put the frighteners on

 

[BILL S]

Looking at stage 7 of the summer cup I looked at the top20 riders speed graphs and no one is getting the kind of massive dead stops that I am getting. Pep Tatche has now done stage7 and is in first place and looking at his speed graph he's getting massive slingshots and still doing 60kph by the top of the second hill. Decelerating from 80 - 60 kmph only. Meanwhile I've been stopped down to 2.4kmph and having to accelerate up the long slope reaching perhaps 12kmph. The difference is just nuts! No wonder he beats me by 10mins or more per stage.

 

[BILL S]

Another lonely Saturday will no-mates and Ryan.
I'll post on here if I am starting by 16:45

Hopefully not. That first stage was a bit of a long slog but the Champs Elysees is much more fun (well fun if you enjoy pain). Interestingly even though its quite hilly there are no dead stops, which is why I chose it.

 

[r04DiE]

OK, well I got it all set up, upgraded the firmware and had a look around. I reckon this will be fun. I did a quick session on the velo and lost, but it was fun Really looking forward to the chaingang as I only ever ride alone and it would be nice to ride with others just to see how bad I am :O

FTP test tomorrow!

 

[CXRAndy]

FTP= pain

 

[r04DiE]

Is it that bad? Oh dear. While we're at it (and do point me elsewhere if this has already been covered), I've never done an FTP test before, so what do I do in terms of effort? Are there any tips provided by the software, or do I just ride like a lunatic for 20 mins?

 

[CXRAndy]

Is it that bad? Oh dear. While we're at it (and do point me elsewhere if this has already been covered), I've never done an FTP test before, so what do I do in terms of effort? Are there any tips provided by the software, or do I just ride like a lunatic for 20 mins?

It is bad, if you put in your maximum sustained 20 minute effort.
Ideally you set a pace at the start and maintain it till the end. If you fluctuate/vary in power too much its more tiring.

Dont worry about the number, for the first time, just have a go. You can do as many as you like. I used to do them once a month, but haven't done one for many months. The ranking you get will come from rides of over 30 mins and Bkool will work out your FTP from there. Hill climbs(>30 min) are best for setting a decent FTP.

I am an Elite 10 at the moment due to a glitch in Bkool's system, in reality, I'm a Amateur 10 or Active 1/2

Edit- Just checked my FTP, I've been busted down to a Active 1

Enjoy

 

[bridgy]

Is it that bad? Oh dear. While we're at it (and do point me elsewhere if this has already been covered), I've never done an FTP test before, so what do I do in terms of effort? Are there any tips provided by the software, or do I just ride like a lunatic for 20 mins?

Just ride like a loony for 20 mins I reckon! Doing an FTP test is a good idea as it will set your power zones to appropriate levels which can help you guage your effort on normal rides as it shows what zone you're in at the bottom of the screen. As Andy says though, it will calculate your fitness level automatically from your best 30 minute effort on a normal ride if you don't do the actual FTP test.

Be prepared for some glitches - we all like to have a good moan about these - but the league races in particular are fun, addictive, and if you have any competitive bones in your body, the best workout you'll have on a turbo trainer I reckon!

If you haven't already, I would strongly recommend you have a read through of Geoff's excellent opening post on this thread which will answer a lot of questions you haven't even thought of asking yet! - https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bkool-faq.191965/

Look forward to seeing you in the next race.

 

[Goldwolfie]

did try and draft u for a bit but soon as u past u went off in to the distance
found it a hard ride tonight had a nice tussle with goldwolfie

Another good ride Rob. I've been off the turbo for a over a week so found it hard going and very hot. Once you pulled away on the third hill I was done for.

Well done TB on your PB, and your success in the Summer Cup - now I've got some catching up to do in all 3 Leagues.

 

[bridgy]

[QUOTE="

Edit- Just checked my FTP, I've been busted down to a Active 1
[/QUOTE]

You've been rumbled!! They haven't sussed me out yet...

(Actually much more useful to be in the correct fitness level though for the power zone thing I mentioned above)

 

[r04DiE]

It is bad, if you put in your maximum sustained 20 minute effort.
Ideally you set a pace at the start and maintain it till the end. If you fluctuate/vary in power too much its more tiring.

Dont worry about the number, for the first time, just have a go. You can do as many as you like. I used to do them once a month, but haven't done one for many months. The ranking you get will come from rides of over 30 mins and Bkool will work out your FTP from there. Hill climbs(>30 min) are best for setting a decent FTP.

I am an Elite 10 at the moment due to a glitch in Bkool's system, in reality, I'm a Amateur 10 or Active 1/2

Edit- Just checked my FTP, I've been busted down to a Active 1

Enjoy

Just ride like a loony for 20 mins I reckon! Doing an FTP test is a good idea as it will set your power zones to appropriate levels which can help you guage your effort on normal rides as it shows what zone you're in at the bottom of the screen. As Andy says though, it will calculate your fitness level automatically from your best 30 minute effort on a normal ride if you don't do the actual FTP test.

Be prepared for some glitches - we all like to have a good moan about these - but the league races in particular are fun, addictive, and if you have any competitive bones in your body, the best workout you'll have on a turbo trainer I reckon!

If you haven't already, I would strongly recommend you have a read through of Geoff's excellent opening post on this thread which will answer a lot of questions you haven't even thought of asking yet! - https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bkool-faq.191965/

Look forward to seeing you in the next race.

Thank you guys, I'll give it a go later on after work. Should have my floor fan this evening, so that's good.

So basically I will just start off at as high a pace as I think I can sustain for 20 mins and I will gradually increase or decrease it according to how I feel. I know if I hit it like a loony then I will just blow up as I'm useless at gauging effort over time (which is another reason I want to ride with others!) So what I'll do is gradually try to increase my loonyness as I go.

I keep popping back to the excellent FAQ as I find my way around things and it has been an excellent resource Must also check out the leagues so thanks for the tip - I'm currently awaiting being added to the Chaingang.

Look forward to trying to keep up with you all

 

[CXRAndy]

Rerun Saturday chaingang 5pm

 

[r04DiE]

So long as I get added, I will defo try to make that one!