Team BKool CycleChat

[<Tommy>]

First ride on NEO. I am a bit of a klutz so even putting a cassette on the turbo and attaching the bike is a bit of an excel use in self doubt and criticism. However, all up and running. Very quick test in bkool ona 13% suggests there is a lot of pain and tears to come. FECK!
Off to Zwift and a quick lap of Watopia suggests all fine, watts a bit lower but then I am sore from the ride with TT this morning so difficult to tell. Really enjoyed climbing and sprinting out of the saddle. And the freewheeling.
It's darned quiet but that means I noticed every creak in the frame/bottom bracket and my word my drivetrain needs a clean.
I think I can kiss goodbye to Team Blue-anyone looking for a sub

I'd be tempted to keep both trainers but maybe that defeats the object and a bit of a pain to boot. I just think personally I'd find it hard to get my head round being at an automatic disadvantage on bkool.

We can try doing some of the club runs on zwift like you suggested Bob. I'm assuming they still offer a free trial.

 

[bobinski]

I'd be tempted to keep both trainers but maybe that defeats the object and a bit of a pain to boot. I just think personally I'd find it hard to get my head round being at an automatic disadvantage on bkool.

We can try doing some of the club runs on zwift like you suggested Bob. I'm assuming they still offer a free trial.

I am tempted but aprt from fact I told myself I would sell the bkool to cover the reduced but still extortionate cost of the NEO it would be a faff to run both. Also, Mrs B is bound to come up into the loft at some point and it will be bad enough explaining the NEO without her seeing the bkool too

It would be good to get a group chaingang around one of the Zwift courses. We can hunt down Rick or Ryan too But it's a stretch for most to justify 2subs. I am definitely here in bkool until end of February, possibly march since they also offered me an extra month to reset my auto subscription and I will just have to bkool up in the meantime.

 

[<Tommy>]

Just a reminder guys that there'll be another club run tomorrow with a warm up starting at 7:30am

It's approx 56km (35miles) with a modest 700m of climbing. Distances and climbing may increase as the days go on but we did roughly this distance this morning and it was a great way to start the day. The pace is friendly, hopefully welcoming to all. There is some discussion in the dedicated thread as how best to pace it from a group perspective but its not a race with more emphasis on base miles.

I'm open to suggestions with regards times, distances etc if anyone else wants to jump in.

 

[Daddy Pig]

Just a reminder guys that there'll be another club run tomorrow with a warm up starting at 7:30am

It's approx 56km (35miles) with a modest 700m of climbing. Distances and climbing may increase as the days go on but we did roughly this distance this morning and it was a great way to start the day. The pace is friendly, hopefully welcoming to all. There is some discussion in the dedicated thread as how best to pace it from a group perspective but its not a race with more emphasis on base miles.

I'm open to suggestions with regards times, distances etc if anyone else wants to jump in.

7.30am is the middle of the night. With any luck I'll still be asleep...!

 

[bobinski]

Just a reminder guys that there'll be another club run tomorrow with a warm up starting at 7:30am

It's approx 56km (35miles) with a modest 700m of climbing. Distances and climbing may increase as the days go on but we did roughly this distance this morning and it was a great way to start the day. The pace is friendly, hopefully welcoming to all. There is some discussion in the dedicated thread as how best to pace it from a group perspective but its not a race with more emphasis on base miles.

I'm open to suggestions with regards times, distances etc if anyone else wants to jump in.

I,ll be there. Its a good opportunity to get some base miles in rather than racing hell for leather.and burn some Xmas calories

 

[<Tommy>]

7.30am is the middle of the night. With any luck I'll still be asleep...!

Well if you wake up by some act of bad luck or uncontrollable flatulance you know where we are!

I've done quite a lot of early morning rides in the 'real world' so to speak, and one of the great things about them is catching the sunrise. We actually got a virtual sunrise this morning which put a smile on my face.

 

[CXRAndy]

Thanks Bill for the email. Quite chuffed I was only 7 secs behind you which for me, a hilly course. Another CC team mate high up the winter cup

 

[CXRAndy]

I have 6 weeks to get some Tenerife training in, so come new year I'll be doing El Teide course on bkool. It's a very long course so will build up to doing the whole course over several weeks. I'll need hold a sub threshold for up to 3-4 hours, I don't know what wattage i will have at the start compared to the end, pacing will be key

 

[Whorty]

I have 6 weeks to get some Tenerife training in, so come new year I'll be doing El Teide course on bkool. It's a very long course so will build up to doing the whole course over several weeks. I'll need hold a sub threshold for up to 3-4 hours, I don't know what wattage i will have at the start compared to the end, pacing will be key

I need to think about the same for the DD training. Short, fast, high watt rides in the week and longer lower watt rides at the weekends is the only option for me. Going on a diet from the new year too as I'd like to lose a stone before the DD in May. I can only live in hope

 

[CXRAndy]

Hi Whorty I will need to drop a few pounds myself, it all helps. Which won't be a problem doing longer rides and being a little careful on sweet stuff

 

[bobinski]

I have 6 weeks to get some Tenerife training in, so come new year I'll be doing El Teide course on bkool. It's a very long course so will build up to doing the whole course over several weeks. I'll need hold a sub threshold for up to 3-4 hours, I don't know what wattage i will have at the start compared to the end, pacing will be key

Andy, I am not looking to wind you up saying this but...you may want to do it on the kickr given you have the option. It should give you a better feel for the gradients.

 

[CXRAndy]

Hi Bob I had planned to use kickr I will drop out of league rides except the winter cup(pro) I am going into build phase with trainer-road. Coupled with a long ride and winter cup I will have plenty of miles to get through each week. It's over 2 years since I've ridden over 50 miles in one session, so will be a test for me initially

 

[bobinski]

Well, if you fancy some company pm me and I may just join you.
For my Ventoux trip I am toying with the idea of doing Ventoux 3 times in one day so I also will need to learn to ride sub threshold for long periods, recover on the downs and go again. My colleagues are not so interested but I figured it can only do me good if I train for it
http://www.veloventoux.com/?c=cingles

 

[<Tommy>]

Andy I'm sure you've thought about this already but I'd make sure I was doing as many outdoor rides as possible. Training on the turbo just does not prepare your upper body for long days in the saddle.

 

[CXRAndy]

Tommy that is true. I will have to get back to doing press ups and dips. I have neglected core and upper body for a few months. Out into the cold shed for weights