Team BKool CycleChat

[BILL S]

Bridgy, my transition on the descent bit looks ok, no sudden drops. Looked at most of the profiles and Bill looks like he had a steeper drop off in speed, but no crash

Yeah, I had the sudden drop in speed on that transition. I also keep wondering if bkool have somehow fixed it in the software but keep finding out that they haven't. Strange how it's affecting people differently, although I know it can sometimes be avoided by going at it with less power or freewheeling. I doubt many are doing that though and definitely shouldn't have to.

 

[theboxers]

I had logon/conection problems last night and started late.

Saw your red icon up ahead of me and thought that can't be the Boxers , but that explains it.

I've had a couple of promotions lately up to Amateur 7, which feels about right for me as I definitely feel that bit stronger, both on the turbo and outdoors.

I am putting out a lot more power than I used to. I am now upto about 215w average, which is not great in comparison to some. But I am starting to do periods of 250-275w for more than just a few seconds . My biggest problem is the tractor tyre I am carrying. If I can drop that I may be able to move up a few spots in the rating scale. The weight is coming off again, but not as quick as I'd like .

 

[bridgy]

Yeah, I had the sudden drop in speed on that transition. I also keep wondering if bkool have somehow fixed it in the software but keep finding out that they haven't. Strange how it's affecting people differently, although I know it can sometimes be avoided by going at it with less power or freewheeling. I doubt many are doing that though and definitely shouldn't have to.

Hmm, OK sounds like it's still there then but a bit random. I know what you mean about freewheeling etc - I was convinced I had got this working on one ride, but sometimes it still did it to me even though I had already backed right off, and sometimes it didn't so I don't know if that actually works, or if it's just the slightly random nature of when it happens?

 

[theboxers]

The power I need to average, for a step up in the rating scale, is coming towards me quicker now than I am going towards it. I am not sure which it better , the weight loss or power gain .



I've just looked at my fitness tab. I need to generate 788 watts in a FTP to go up a step in the ratings.

 

[CXRAndy]

Summer league stage 2, the second hill is particularly hard, well it was for me. Save something for it

 

[BILL S]

I am putting out a lot more power than I used to. I am now upto about 215w average, which is not great in comparison to some. But I am starting to do periods of 250-275w for more than just a few seconds . My biggest problem is the tractor tyre I am carrying. If I can drop that I may be able to move up a few spots in the rating scale. The weight is coming off again, but not as quick as I'd like .

Boxers, you are on the slippery slope towards bkool addiction. One of the first signs is noticing that you're putting out a lot more power than you used to, trying to hold it for longer and longer, and liking it. Thinking about it puts strange warm happy feeling into your head .

 

[BILL S]

The power I need to average, for a step up in the rating scale, is coming towards me quicker now than I am going towards it. I am not sure which it better , the weight loss or power gain .



I've just looked at my fitness tab. I need to generate 788 watts in a FTP to go up a step in the ratings.

I'd go for the power increase if I were you TB. The weight will come off on its own.

If your improvement is linear from this point, after a while you will be able to hold 788 watts average for 20 mins.

And now the bad news:
Although the above statement is fact, there is probably little or no chance of you or any one else on bkool ever achieving it

 

[theboxers]

I've had a thunk about how I ended up with the rating I have. It appears, to me, to be a timing issue.

I did the Summer Cup stage 2 prior to the weight handicap. I did the Summer Cup @ my normal size weight. I then went in and adjusted for the Handicap Stage 1. The system seems to have taken the Summer Cup power average and applied it to my Handicap weight and given me an Elite 5 rating.

It has then taken my readjusted normal weight to provide the power requirement for a step up in rating

 

[bobinski]

I rode on auto rather than manual last night, first time in ages. I noticed I could hit 60-70kmh on the flattish bits and odd downhill, something i cannot do in manual or in in other programs when using Ant+ fec. See 1.8 km in and then 4.2km.

 

[theboxers]

I'd go for the power increase if I were you TB. The weight will come off on its own.

If your improvement is linear from this point, after a while you will be able to hold 788 watts average for 20 mins.

Snip

What's the saying? There no replacement for displacement.

I think Bridgy, AAAC, You, Bob and a few others have shown in the Weight Handicap league that inate power can overcome some of the disadvantage of the additional weight setting in Bkool . I can only generate so much power. It's getting better but not good enough to chase you guys down just yet

 

[theboxers]

Boxers, you are on the slippery slope towards bkool addiction. One of the first signs is noticing that you're putting out a lot more power than you used to, trying to hold it for longer and longer, and liking it. Thinking about it puts strange warm happy feeling into your head .

I've had the, compulsion, I think is a better description, to keep getting back onto bkool for about 18 months. It is not quite an addiction, yet, as I don't feel guilty about not doing a session every day. I am doing longer sessions when I do do them. But I need to build the frequency up to 4-5 times a week in or outdoor. I am hovering around the 2 1/2 to 3 times a week at the moment.

Like the saying.

It don't get any easier, you just get faster.

 

[CXRAndy]

Boxers, depends on your individual aims, long rides 80+ miles need some distance training. If your targets are Timetrials then shorter based speed and intervals would suffice. That said short interval speed work will allow you to do 50 mile rides with relative ease

You actually get faster by resting. Train hard then rest.

 

[<Tommy>]

I work in the communictions industry. Cable TV, cable modems, VOD and all the kit that feeds the it, optical and rf. I was the man that permanently shut down the analog tv system for a large part of South London's cable tv network, .

So you're the man to talk to about 'special' digi boxes TB?!

 

[gbrown]

Anyone up for a repeat of the Handicap Chase this evening?

 

[<Tommy>]

Boxers, depends on your individual aims, long rides 80+ miles need some distance training. If your targets are Timetrials then shorter based speed and intervals would suffice. That said short interval speed work will allow you to do 50 mile rides with relative ease

You actually get faster by resting. Train hard then rest.

Do you do interval training andy? It's something I'd like to start. My general condition improves the more I cycle but I still think I could be a lot fitter.