Team BKool CycleChat

[Monte]

I find the complaints about who has what settings, which trainer is best/easiest/whatever a bit strange. If you want 'real life' simulation, then cycle in the real world. If you want a virtual ride, that helps you get fit, keeps you interested, lets you join in with a good community then do BKool.

I have no concern whether someone gets 10% advantage over me on a ride .. for me each ride is about MY relative improvement compared to MY other rides. Am I getting better? Very strange in the virtual world to be concerned by other people's setup. But maybe that's just me I have an idea on BKool which riders ride the same kinds of times as me - but, in the real world they might blow me away, or I might blow them away, or we might still be similar in times ... but is any f this really
important?

Sounds like Zwift hasn't got the great community that you guys have created here and that makes the pain of the cycle worth it

Excellent post - share your views... indoor cycling is training to me.

 

[AAAC 76C]

AAAC. I was actually going to challenge you on some mountain ride anyway and see if I could beat you (just for fun) using the on/off power method.

Try my Col de Bracons ride or perhaps wait for me to do Puerto de San Glorio!

 

[AAAC 76C]

for me each ride is about MY relative improvement compared to MY other rides. Am I getting better?

100% correct Sir however I am still fascinated by how it all works, I just can't help it.
The other thing is that you can kill yourself a lot better riding live in the Chaingang trying to beat or stay ahead of a live avatar as opposed to a ghost who can't do anything but what the person did live on the day. The fact that you know forum members are watching as well makes it even harder to let up.

 

[GinaC]

Hi Gina.

There's a few leagues on the go: Just sign up to the groups and you're automatically entered into the leagues.

Chaingang: flattish courses with the odd small hill/mountain. Can be completed any time of the week but with as many as possible meeting Thursday at 7pm for a group ride/race. Re-run Saturdays at 5pm. Very entertaining (and exhausting !!)
http://www.bkool.com/group/show/72022

Mountain Goats: the only way is up! Big mountains all the way http://www.bkool.com/group/show/75682

Mountain Mooses; Like goats only slower! http://www.bkool.com/group/show/112763

Hi guys,

Thank you for the update - Think the mountain mooses is probably the way forward for me - those climbs definitely need some work and as quite rightly pointed out we have very few in Essex!

If you were the Gina who joined my league ride (Kipsters Kalamity) last Wednesday I don't think you need many tips. You were pretty fast.

Ok going to seem really dense but was that the "spin round the block with Liam" ride? That is where I first got the link to your league?

And thanks bobinski for the FAQ link - it is a little confusing and want to make sure I'm not missing anything good

 

[AAAC 76C]

If this is so I am stuck in a world on my own where I will not be able to compete on extreme courses

Saying that I do get what I am going to call the 'Old Classic Slingshot'. When I come off of a mega steep climb banging out big watts and go into a much shallower slope the SW takes my steep climb Watts and coverts it into shallow climb speed.
There are instances in the graph I posted where I get slung up to 100kph plus for a moment or two:
i.e. I may not get the resistance increase delay going into a steep climb, and hence I get stopped dead in my tracks, but then I get slung out of it to make up in some way.

 

[RickB]

Just done the latest mountain goats stage jesus that was tough, can hardly walk had my tea 10 minutes after could hardly chew my food was so knackered.

I just did it a bit earlier on too. What a killer! I think that's the longest goat league ride I've ever done and it didn't help that I was feeling weak after a fairly rigorous weeks riding. Towards the end I was starting to lose the will to go on and I don't think I could of if it'd been much further. The seat was starting to really hurt too.
Kudos to Ryan for doing it twice.

Just did it, I don't know where I found the stamina to finish it. Oh man, I am refuelling beer and cheese like there is no tomorrow

Getting a sense of dread about this one!

Bloody Admins!

New catchphrase?

 

[RickB]

Ok going to seem really dense but was that the "spin round the block with Liam" ride? That is where I first got the link to your league?

Yep, all the titles are from outdoor rides which members have done and we've just used them for January's league. If you want to do it, in order to complete all stages of this current league, you've got tomorrow and then stage 1 closes! No panic

 

[AAAC 76C]

I don't think I will ride it out of concern for my knee, my arse and my sanity. I,ll just "borrow" Ryan's slower ride
That alright Ryan

I'll do this as my thursdays Chaingang warm up.
NOT!

 

[IrishAl]

Getting a sense of dread about this one!

New catchphrase?

You'll love it RickB. I do recommend some gels in the back pocket though.

Edit: or as I said to Ryan it helps if your missus is on the war path giving out dirty looks because youve been on the turbo half the evening. I gave her the silent treatment back as if I had of spoken back it wouldnt have come out very nice and WW3 would certainly have commenced. Lol.

 

[GinaC]

Yep, all the titles are from outdoor rides which members have done and we've just used them for January's league. If you want to do it, in order to complete all stages of this current league, you've got tomorrow and then stage 1 closes! No panic

Hmmm may not happen this month I knocked out just shy of 120 m today and got a 130 m on Tuesday - legs are knackered!! How often do you run these leagues? I'll plan some time in for them

 

[RickB]

You'll love it RickB. I do recommend some gels in the back pocket though.

For sure! It'll be the longest indoor session I'll have ever done.

Just noticed your time on it!

 

[IrishAl]

Anyone know how to unlock the Group D jerseys on the kit designer? Ive more or less worn out my Group C kit but it still wont let me buy the upgrade.

 

[bobinski]

Getting a sense of dread about this one!

New catchphrase?

Yeah Rick, the printable one! After all, this isn't Zwift..

 

[BILL S]

I'll give that a try tomorrow AAAC. I was actually going to challenge you on some mountain ride anyway and see if I could beat you (just for fun) using the on/off power method. I'm a bit concerned that it does actually work then we'll need to decide whether to ban the riding style or allow it for all. The trouble being that anyone not doing it would be at a massive disadvantage. Also ride times could become very unrealistic.

So I'll hit those slopes tomorrow at 4kph and see what happens.

edit: Looks like I can't challenge you as you didn't complete the ride but I'll do it tomorrow anyway and see what happens when I hit the steep bits slow. My guess is that it'll act like its 10% and let me ride at 6 or 7 mph.

 

[AAAC 76C]

Anyone know how to unlock the Group D jerseys on the kit designer? Ive more or less worn out my Group C kit but it still wont let me buy the upgrade.

Gave up with fancy kits for that very reason, you never seem to be able to upgrade and before you know it your worn out and your back in the BKool default kit.
I did hear that some of the better kits give you and aero advantage but I just put on my Kask TT helmet to get the edge instead.
I was also thinking of getting some of those fancy stick on leg spoilers as well.
Oh, and some aero brakes.