Team BKool CycleChat

[JJRobinson]

Lo

@Geoff

Andy I hoping to set up a rouvy trial race this week with 4 or 5 of us to see how it compares to bkool and we'll then report back, but I too share the sentiment that it might be our alternative should bkool's fallibility continue.

Love how you can play back race once done to see how you did/didn’t. Will take some getting used to but good how easy it is to search for routes too.

 

[Del C]

I've sent them a support request asking if they intend to support Mac OS

@keithaitch

Got a reply from them this morning.

Support for Mac OS is "on a plan, but unfortunately, we don't have any exact date for this update. Hopefully, it will be available for the next season."

No information about when the 'next season' is, but guessing on software development and test cycles I'd assume that with no current planned date the earliest it could be is mid 2018

 

[gbrown]

I put in a request a week or 2 ago to join the handicap group on the bkool site. I'm Amateur 3 level. FTP on a 5 min test was in the high 180s. Bkool name and name for here are the same. Thanks.....

It's really hard to set an initial Handicap for someone who has not done the course recently, or ridden regularly with others that have, but once a time is set it can be refined for subsequent runs.

Why don't we start you off near the front and see how you get on, you may win by miles but then again, you may not.

Geoff

 

[threerock44]

Re Handicap race tonight. Is it defo 7pm start? (the original races were 8pm) Will be still working at 7pm so will have to pass if so.....

 

[BILL S]

Well, I've given up on the idea of setting up a league for the Handicap this week, as the bkool site is down every time I try it.

I think we should be alright to just start a session on stage 1 of the NC trials chain gang, and see how we get on.

If we start a warm up at 6:50 or so, to start the Handicap at 7pm, plus whatever handicap you are awarded, who is willing to give it a try, bkool allowing, tomorrow evening? The handicap gets better as they are refined, so getting a few sessions under our belt would be a good thing.

Let me know who's in and I'll draw up a list of handicaps.

Cheers,

Geoff

I'm in Geoff. Not sure if you mean tonight or next Tuesday but either is fine for me.

 

[gbrown]

As I haven't use bkool for a few years, I've no idea if they are still accurate, but my old explanation on how to join the handicap chase is here Chain Gang Handicap Race

Re Handicap race tonight. Is it defo 7pm start? (the original races were 8pm)

Will try to start warm up at 6:50, so chase will start at 7pm, then add on your Start Time so you know when to join the fun.

I'm in Geoff. Not sure if you mean tonight or next Tuesday but either is fine for me.

Was hoping to give it a try tonight, if only to set some times and refine handicaps for future runs.

I may struggle to start the session, as I haven't setup a league and don't have a premium subscription or a bike setup on my trainer, which has sat in the garage for over a year. Anyone want to buy a KICKR?

I will try and record it as usual...

Geoff

 

[gbrown]

I'm in Geoff. Not sure if you mean tonight or next Tuesday but either is fine for me.

@BILL S I can't start a session without getting my trainer, computer and bike all sorted out! Any chance you could start Stouby-Sejet for us at 6:50 pm tonight, turning off the real-weather nonsense and setting a simple password? I'll then try to spectate and record it.

Thanks,

Geoff

 

[perswe]

For those like me who haven't ridden a handicap before, I searched and found the instructions from @gbrown here:

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/chain-gang-handicap-race.195324/

I'm assuming they are still the same? It's worth watching the video that the post links to!

@Del C thanks! I haven't done this before so I found it very helpful. I wasn't planning on participating but now that I find my name in the sheet and a start time, I feel inspired to give it a go.
Is it the Stouby sejet-session we're doing?
Start time is 19 GMT?
Just making sure....

Edit: ok...I see the responses to my two questions just above...

 

[gbrown]

Current handicaps (subject to adjustment so please check back here)

Anyone else want to join? @bobinski, @CXRAndy or any other reluctant bkoolers fancy a go at the handicap? The Handicap is a great leveller for non-Bkool turbos!

 

[CXRAndy]

Anyone want to buy a KICKR?

Yes, PM your thoughts details and price, we'll talk turkey

 

[gbrown]

I wasn't planning on participating but now that I find my name in the sheet and a start time, I feel inspired to give it a go.
Is it the Stouby sejet-session we're doing?
Start time is 19 GMT?
Just making sure....

Edit: ok...I see the responses to my two questions just above...

That's the spirit.

With your current start time (subject to change) of 8:30 you would start at 7:08:30...

Geoff

 

[gbrown]

Yes, PM your thoughts details and price, we'll talk turkey

Crikey, shipping to Lincs could be difficult, it weighs a ton...

 

[BILL S]

@BILL S I can't start a session without getting my trainer, computer and bike all sorted out! Any chance you could start Stouby-Sejet for us at 6:50 pm tonight, turning off the real-weather nonsense and setting a simple password? I'll then try to spectate and record it.

Thanks,

Geoff

No problem Geoff. I'll start the warmup at 6:50 then when the first rider sets off, I'll come out of the ride then re-join at my handicap time. I think this is the way we did it last time and it worked well. Password can be the usual. Did we ever get to the bottom of why there was sometimes a session running and we had to hide the password until just before the race started?

 

[gbrown]

No problem Geoff. I'll start the warmup at 6:50 then when the first rider sets off, I'll come out of the ride then re-join at my handicap time. I think this is the way we did it last time and it worked well. Password can be the usual. Did we ever get to the bottom of why there was sometimes a session running and we had to hide the password until just before the race started?

Yes, it was when someone started a session well in advance, without a password, and strangers joined, keeping the session open when the original rider had left, so it overran the start of the official ride.

Thanks for starting the ride for us.

 

[keithaitch]

That's the spirit.

With your current start time (subject to change) of 8:30 you would start at 7:08:30...

Geoff

Exactly the same sentiments here. I have tuesday's usually scheduled for the winter cup earlier in the day, but I'll blow some credit with HID and ride this tonight. @BILL S do you wanna talk tactics, especially regarding the 2 man juggernaut starting a minute and a half behind us, no way can we hold them off if we don't work together. I could try for a usual fyler, try to catch @peterob and if you could then drill it to link up we might let you coast a little before you share the work.