Team BKool CycleChat

[theboxers]

I've recorded a little video to show the starting procedure for the Handicap race

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gjmbx89e1lktk5h/Bkool Indoor 03_02_16 16_30_24.mp4?dl=0

Please ignore the Warning dialog after entering the password, as it was recorded on a computer without the ANT+ dongle, you shouldn't see this.

The Video shows selecting the live tab, applying handicap in the advanced filter to find the session, seeing the time underway counter and entering the password, then Clicking No to start the session when the underway counter gets to your handicap (in this case 15.0 minutes).

I've left the session running for anyone who wants to practice.

Geoff

I now know why I didn't see the time. I went into the ride like normal to see the details and joined in there. Your startup is easier

 

[AlanW]

That's the first hour wasted, back to Zwift till another day l guess

 

[gbrown]

I now know why I didn't see the time. I went into the ride like normal to see the details and joined in there. Your startup is easier

Good point, I should update the instructions slightly to try and avoid that.

Geoff

 

[gbrown]

That's the first hour wasted, back to Zwift till another day l guess

Did you try Duct Tape or WD40? Sorry, couldn't resist it!

 

[theboxers]

Is it doing that again? It seems that feature goes in, comes out and goes in again, like a yo-yo!

I got the impression that plenty of Tacx Vortex riders were not getting sensible speeds on steep gradients, flying past other riders? Perhaps it is having the same problem as Virtual Speed on some Tacx trainers?

Personally I think it's a great idea, as it gives a more realistic speed and levels the playing field a bit more.

I know it can mean long climbs for heavy riders, but you can always use slope reduction if outside a league, and in a league it's probably only fair.

I'd like to see it applied to Bkool users when they get beyond max resistance as well...

Geoff

I get the blue numbers uphill but only when they are faster than my wheel speed, but it never lasts that long. At all other times uphill since my classic fw update it displays my wheel speed. That includes the periods over 6% where my resistance appears to max out. 36/32 5.5mph @60rpm on 6% or 18% PE is the same.

 

[gbrown]

Yes it windows and as far as l know garmin express is not running.

If it works for Zwift it should work for Bkool. So long as the ANT+ is plugged in and a device driver is loaded, and no other program is using it.

Look in device manager to make sure the ANT+ dongle is showing and the driver is loaded OK.

Not sure there is much else you can try, other than to restart the computer and unplug the dongle and plug it back in again.

Are you using the USB extension lead trick to get the dongle nearer the trainer body to get the best connection stability?

Have you tried manual pairing in the Bkool settings?

Geoff

 

[AlanW]

If it works for Zwift it should work for Bkool. So long as the ANT+ is plugged in and a device driver is loaded, and no other program is using it.

Look in device manager to make sure the ANT+ dongle is showing and the driver is loaded OK.

View attachment 117825

Not sure there is much else you can try, other than to restart the computer and unplug the dongle and plug it back in again.

Are you using the USB extension lead trick to get the dongle nearer the trainer body to get the best connection stability?

Have you tried manual pairing in the Bkool settings?

Geoff

Just logged into Zwift and everything paired up straight away so I therefore assume that the ant+ is connecting ok. Yes l have a extension usb cable and the Ant+ sender is 250 mm from the sensors.

I get the same error message when I tried to manually pair as l did with the automatic setting??

 

[Insomina]

I've recorded a little video to show the starting procedure for the Handicap race

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gjmbx89e1lktk5h/Bkool Indoor 03_02_16 16_30_24.mp4?dl=0

Please ignore the Warning dialog after entering the password, as it was recorded on a computer without the ANT+ dongle, you shouldn't see this.

The Video shows selecting the live tab, applying handicap in the advanced filter to find the session, seeing the time underway counter and entering the password, then Clicking No to start the session when the underway counter gets to your handicap (in this case 15.0 minutes).

I've left the session running for anyone who wants to practice.

Geoff

You Sir are turning into a Legend.

 

[Ryan lawman]

@Bill do noz accept my goat ride ,bkool playing up thanx ..

 

[bridgy]

I've recorded a little video to show the starting procedure for the Handicap race

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gjmbx89e1lktk5h/Bkool Indoor 03_02_16 16_30_24.mp4?dl=0

Please ignore the Warning dialog after entering the password, as it was recorded on a computer without the ANT+ dongle, you shouldn't see this.

The Video shows selecting the live tab, applying handicap in the advanced filter to find the session, seeing the time underway counter and entering the password, then Clicking No to start the session when the underway counter gets to your handicap (in this case 15.0 minutes).

I've left the session running for anyone who wants to practice.

Geoff

Thanjs Geoff - you've gone to such lengths to make this idiot-proof I'm really paranoid about cocking it up now!

Can I just ask, can you be pedalling already when you click "no" and join the start of the race? Or is it like with a normal countdown start, where you have to be stationary before you can set off? (Sorry I haven't been able to have a go with any of the practice sessions you've run)

 

[AlanW]

Well thats a total of two hours of the evening gone and done 4 miles on Zwift and I have to say and I dont know if the layout on the subcription Bkool is any better, but coming from Zwift its not very user friendly? Aside from spending the first hour trying to get it all to pair, I then went onto Zwift and it all paired straight away? So back to Bkool and hey presto it paired????

So then I spent the next 20 minutes trying to find a ride that took my fancy and each time you have to go through the 10 minute warm up? Please tell me the monthly subsription is better...please?

Decided to abort the whole Bkool afair and go back to Zwift as time was running out, got as far as 4 miles and then said feck it, climbed off and went and had a shower!

So all in all, not a tremendous first session to say the least?

Where do you find the FTP test and does it link directly to Stava, or is that paid members only?

 

[AAAC 76C]

After receiving the FTP test expired email I thought I'd kill two birds with one Goat session. I was right at my target watts of close to 300 when my chain jammed at 29 minutes 58 seconds.....so no birds and no sympathy from my wife when I tried to explain how heartbreaking to be so close. Hmm that's too bad. She said.

Plus I was riding in blue speed numbers most of the way. The same blue numbers that I love going downhill are not my friends on the steep climbs.

You should have just got off and turned the back wheel by hand for two seconds. You wouldn't have lost many watts over that time. But too late now

 

[gbrown]

Well thats a total of two hours of the evening gone and done 4 miles on Zwift and I have to say and I dont know if the layout on the subcription Bkool is any better, but coming from Zwift its not very user friendly? Aside from spending the first hour trying to get it all to pair, I then went onto Zwift and it all paired straight away? So back to Bkool and hey presto it paired????

So then I spent the next 20 minutes trying to find a ride that took my fancy and each time you have to go through the 10 minute warm up? Please tell me the monthly subsription is better...please?

Glad to hear you finally got it working, computers are supposed to be logical things, but rarely seem to be!

You don't have to do a 10 minute warm up, just start pedaling and it tells you to stop pedaling to start the session. You have to stop pedaling and let your speed and cadence reduce to zero (the back wheel will spin down gradually) and then it flips to a 10 second countdown.

The interface is a bit messy and much more complicated than Zwift, but to be fair, Zwift only has two courses (last I knew) and Bkool has over 200,000 and growing.

Bkool with the free subscription will be very underwhelming after Zwift, as no 3D, no Video, no Multiplayer, etc.. You really need to get a Premium trial or fork out £8 for a months Premium to give it a fair try out.

Best way to find good rides is to ask here, or preferably join one of the groups aimed at the kind of riding you prefer (rolling terrain, moderate climbing, serious climbing, velodrome, etc.).

It's worth persevering as once you get to grips with the system most of us have concluded that it has a lot more to offer than Zwift.

Decided to abort the whole Bkool afair and go back to Zwift as time was running out, got as far as 4 miles and then said feck it, climbed off and went and had a shower!

So all in all, not a tremendous first session to say the least?

Where do you find the FTP test and does it link directly to Stava, or is that paid members only?

The official FTP test is Premium subscribers only, but you can do any 30 minute session and there are loads of suitable No GPS rides with a 2% incline, most can be found by searching in the Session tab under non-GPS with FTP in the keyword. If you have a Premium subscription you can schedule an official FTP test from the No GPS tab under Sessions -> Search, otherwise pick an unofficial one and make sure you do 30 minutes before you save it.

The official FTP test can also be scheduled from the "Fitness Level" tab under "My Profile", but it only works if you have paid for Premium.

Geoff

 

[gbrown]

Thanjs Geoff - you've gone to such lengths to make this idiot-proof I'm really paranoid about cocking it up now!

Can I just ask, can you be pedalling already when you click "no" and join the start of the race? Or is it like with a normal countdown start, where you have to be stationary before you can set off? (Sorry I haven't been able to have a go with any of the practice sessions you've run)

Hmm, I'm also getting a little worried that I'll cock up the session setup or start, or bkool will crash on me. The pressure...

 

[gbrown]

You Sir are turning into a Legend.

Thanks, since I can't ride it's keeping me involved.

I should really be doing my VAT return but this is more interesting. Reminds me of the Black Books episode where he invited the Jehovah's Witnesses in to avoid doing his tax return.

Geoff