Team BKool CycleChat

[bobinski]

Good point, I've never tried to ride at altitude.

Also, when the gradient gets really steep I find handling the bike becomes really quite difficult. On Salcombe Road Hill out of Sidmouth, when it hit 18%-20% I found it quite hard to keep the front wheel on the ground, and was too scared to stop as I was sure I would fall before I could unclip my pedals. It was one of the most stressful things I have ever done, especially since my heart rate was 185 (not bad for a at the time fairly unfit 52 year old).

On the bkool simulator it was a doddle, perfectly horizontal and bolted to the frame, I was free to put every ounce of effort into pushing the pedals round.

Anyone on here done any of the big Alpine climbs in the real world, particularly d'Huez or Ventoux?

Cheers,

Geoff

Hi Geoff,
I have not done those you mentioned but have done Col de L'Iseran
http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Col-de-lIseran&qryMountainID=16

Its not the distance from Bourg, some 40 plus km that got me because I had time to recover, nor the gradient but indeed the height especially after Tignes. The air cooled quite dramatically and was obviously thinner. I have been in the Himalayas close to Everest base camp and then walked over the highest navigable pass and whilst oxygen deficit was clearly not as pronounced it was noticeable.

 

[Neilsmith]

I just had a message from Bkool in reply to my message that their iOS app is crashing on a regular basis, it says they are aware of the fault in the app and are working on a fix, so hopefully they can get it sorted before to long.

 

[Insomina]

Usually ride on Tuesday's , but not till 7pm. Need to give my tea time to settle properly.Need to get this ride done, so it would be good to share the pain Average gradient 8.86%. No worries if it is too late tho, the offer is open to any other Moose's

7pm good for me.

 

[LBHIFI]

Anyone on here done any of the big Alpine climbs in the real world, particularly d'Huez or Ventoux?

Cheers,

Geoff

Yes, Alpe d'Huez twice. Once on a carbon Trek compact, and second time with a heavier aluminum Trek with 3-chainrings. I was faster on the heavier bike because I could maintain my preferred rpm on the steepest sections.

 

[gbrown]

Yes, Alpe d'Huez twice. Once on a carbon Trek compact, and second time with a heavier aluminum Trek with 3-chainrings. I was faster on the heavier bike because I could maintain my preferred rpm on the steepest sections.

And how would you compare real life to the bkool simulation of Alpe d'Huez?

Geoff

 

[Vertego]

... I have been in the Himalayas close to Everest base camp...

That's something of an achievement. Was that on a road bike, presumably with a compact?

 

[Vertego]

On the real ride vs the BKOOL, I find the BKOOL harder in some respects because you don't get any respite from the effort, and easier in others - the climbs do seem 'easier' (though I'm not suggesting they're easy).

What I do wonder, though, is how the cadence transfers. At the beginning of last year I was averaging around 80rpm. This year it's nearer 90rpm. However, on the BKOOL I'm turning 100rpm and sometimes slightly above. What's the chances of carrying that over to the road?

 

[JLaw]

And how would you compare real life to the bkool simulation of Alpe d'Huez?

Geoff

Can't speak for Alpe d'Huez, but I find that bkool+kickr is easier than real life for the climbs near me -- but bkool was closer than other systems I tried like the cycleops software.

I haven't tried to quantify *why* it was easier, but I suspect at least some can be attributed to not needing to balance the bike (and at low speeds, this can be significant) and the fact that climate is much better controlled. Riding in a 68 degree house with fans and such is very different than hitting the asphalt in 95+ degree heat, which is common out here in the summer.

 

[bobinski]

That's something of an achievement. Was that on a road bike, presumably with a compact?

Nearly 30 years ago and with a mountain bike. Long story but not much cycling!

 

[theboxers]

BillS and Lars must have been taking it easy on the Jubilee Hill climb or I've found a super secret way of doing relatively quick times for me on the T100 sessions. So super secret I don't know what it is or how I'm doing it.

Under 45 minutes for that route is er

Legs didn't like it any more or less though

 

[theboxers]

Nearly 30 years ago and with a mountain bike. Long story but not much cycling!

Probably a few beers involved though. Here hold my beer and watch this

 

[BILL S]

BillS and Lars must have been taking it easy on the Jubilee Hill climb or I've found a super secret way of doing relatively quick times for me on the T100 sessions. So super secret I don't know what it is or how I'm doing it.

Under 45 minutes for that route is er

Legs didn't like it any more or less though

Congratulations TB. Bkool has seen your effort and has bestowed upon you a special Superpower. Use it wisely young Moose

 

[berty bassett]

i downloaded a local route that i do twice a week to bkool and my times are damn near the same from really doing it and virtually doing it , i can do the real hills quicker uphill but slower down so it evens itself out - anyone else tried that and found similar results ? - sorry if its been said before but i aint going to go thru 638 pages just to check !

 

[theboxers]

Congratulations TB. Bkool has seen your effort and has bestowed upon you a special Superpower. Use it wisely young Moose

When I work out what it is I will

 

[Whorty]

Did the first Goat ride tonight. Not my favourite! I just can't generate the power on the flatter, or downhill sections. I may have to try that one again before the league closes If anyone wants both me and @Monte as ghost then challenge me ... Monte is 2 minutes ahead so might be useful for some of you