Team BKool CycleChat

[BILL S]

Hey all. I logged on tonight to ride the alpe d huez stage but it was not in my league tab on my home page.
The Thursday night ride was there though. Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks,

Glynn

Hi Jenno. It should be in the League Tab in Bsim as you are a member of the Mountain Goats. I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't be.

 

[BILL S]

Hi all, been reading this blog for ages and really impressed with the quality of posts. I have just got myself a pro....now wondering how to get online with you all for a cycle....and also how do I know when the ride will begin?

Hi Paul. You need to request to join the Thursday Night league and the Mountain Goats league from the Bkool site. Then the rides will be available to you. Lots of discussion here about when rides will begin and other advice.

 

[Rob H]

Crawlled to the car this morning after last nights slog, im ment to be riding 100k tonight..

EDIT: As i look out the window with the snow coming down, my evening outdoor ride is looking unlikely, any recommened decent distance routes on bkool, not adverse to it having climbs, but not another d'heuz for a day or so..

 

[Rob H]

A quick question are many people using carbon bikes on the BKOOL? If so any issues or concerns?

I use my Cervelo carbon frame with a cheap tiagra rear wheel and lower grader cassete. I do use a good wheel block though to keep the bike secure and straight

 

[BILL S]

Crawlled to the car this morning after last nights slog, im ment to be riding 100k tonight..

EDIT: As i look out the window with the snow coming down, my evening outdoor ride is looking unlikely, any recommened decent distance routes on bkool, not adverse to it having climbs, but not another d'heuz for a day or so..

I hear Col de la Madeleine is quite nice this time of year and is much easier than the one Darryn found for us for 2 weeks time

 

[BILL S]

I use my Cervelo carbon frame with a cheap tiagra rear wheel and lower grader cassete. I do use a good wheel block though to keep the bike secure and straight

And I use my standard Canyon carbon fibre bike. Done about 1000 miles on the bkool without any problems.

 

[Rob H]

1000 miles on the bkool

 

[Rob H]

Hmm my spidey senses were tingling... and then i found this!!

the latest stage is Col de la Madeleine which I think opens today. This one is the toughest Bkool ride I've ever done

Well played Sir, well played

 

[Darryn007]

For the history buffs...Fastest all time Alp D'huez -

1. 1995: 36:40 Marco Pantani 22.58 km/h
2. 1997: 36:53 Marco Pantani 22.45 km/h
3. 1994: 37:15 Marco Pantani 22.23 km/h
4. 2004: 37:36 Lance Armstrong 22.02 km/h
5. 1997: 37:40 Jan Ullrich 21.98 km/h
6. 2001: 38:03 Lance Armstrong 21.76 km/h
7. 1995: 38:04 Miguel Indurain 21.75 km/h
8. 1995: 38:04 Alex Zulle 21.75 km/h
9. 1995: 38:06 Bjarne Riis 21.73 km/h
10. 1997: 38:20 Richard Virenque 21.60 km/h
11. 1995: 38:34 Laurent Madouas 21.47 km/h
12. 2006: 38:35 Floyd Landis 21.46 km/h
13. 2006: 38:35 Andreas Klöden 21.46 km/h
14. 2004: 38:40 Jan Ullrich 21.41 km/h
15. 1994: 38:55 Richard Virenque 21.28 km/h
16. 2006: 39:00 Carlos Sastre 21.23 km/h
17. 2003: 39:08 Iban Mayo 21.16 km/h
18. 2004: 39:12 Andreas Kloden 21.12 km/h
19. 2004: 39:14 Jose Azevedo 21.10 km/h
20. 2006: 39:14 Levi Leipheimer 21.10 km/h

We will just assume a level playing field for these guys taking into account the year these times were set..

Fastest 'modern day' era
37. 2013: 39:48 Nairo Quintana 20.80 km/h

 

[Darryn007]

I hear Col de la Madeleine is quite nice this time of year and is much easier than the one Darryn found for us for 2 weeks time

Well if you are looking for something Epic for the next round Bill, how about this as a final stage..
http://www.bkool.com/profile/detail/345496?durationType=DISTANCE&lapCount=1

Here is a site that all of in the mountain goats should learn to appreciate!
http://www.podiumcafe.com/2010/6/29/1543466/tour-de-france-lets-rank-the-climbs

 

[BILL S]

Well if you are looking for something Epic for the next round Bill, how about this as a final stage..
http://www.bkool.com/profile/detail/345496?durationType=DISTANCE&lapCount=1

Here is a site that all of in the mountain goats should learn to appreciate!
http://www.podiumcafe.com/2010/6/29/1543466/tour-de-france-lets-rank-the-climbs

Be careful what you wish for .

And thanks for that site Darryn. I could definitely use it to help pick future rides for the league, most of which are either already on bkool, or will be at some point.

 

[gbrown]

Bill, have you taken a look at the Simon Warren book, 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs of the Tour de France?

I just bought a copy on Kindle!

Should help to find rides for the Goats ...

Alpe d'Huez - 8/10 - "THE mountain all cyclists want to climb."
Cime de la Bonette - 10/10 - "EPIC"
Mont Ventoux - 10/10 - "THE greatest cycling climb in France." "If you only ever ride one mountain, make sure it’s this one"

Geoff

 

[BILL S]

I've never even heard of that book although I haven't read many books on cycling. Probably not nearly as many as I should have for someone fairly interested in the subject. Only one I've read is Lance Armstrong's "Its not about the bike". I hardly even watch the TDF.
However that sounds like a great book and I might be tempted if I end up long term admin for the Goats. Can't imagine I'll be giving up my bkool for the summer, more just doing alternate days or something. Shame I'll have to mount the old steel Trek on it though.

 

[RickB]

All you guys are just too good. Climbing mountains most evenings and doing 100k rides like it's a spin to the shops.

Spare a thought for us poor beginners with sparrow legs!

 

[BILL S]

Well I started climbing a mountain tonight but got off after less than a mile because my legs hurt. I think only Rayvon was out there up at high altitude tonight.