Zwift Chat

[Brusgaard]

What’s the distance for tonight’s ZHR

34 km

 

[Freelanderuk]

34 km

Thanks

 

[Whorty]

Going to post this on both the Bkool and Zwift threads, as it may be interesting and I'd be interested in the thoughts of others who've ridden both Zwift and the new Bkool Sim.

So, I tried out the new Bkool simulator with my Tacx Neo today and here's my thoughts.

Good points

1. Sim found the Neo and my HRM quickly and with no trouble at all
2. Graphics are fine but can't really see much change from old Sim
3. Ride was very smooth. Gradient transitions were good and the control of the Neo felt very good.
4. My power figures at the end were pretty close to my recent rides on Zwift

All in all, I think Bkool have done a good job in developing an upgraded Sim that works well with the Neo

Bad points

1. I had to load 19 ghosts to get any sense of a race. To be fair that's the nature of Bkool and I used to be happy with that, but its hard to go back to after riding on Zwift
2. I came last! I also won the race because I loaded a ghost of myself on a Bkool Pro, who won again.......... 6 minutes ahead of me on the Neo!
3. All the other riders were also on Bkool Pros. I'm riding stronger now than when I set my 'winning' time on a Bkool Pro and my real life rides back this up. Despite this, and despite the fact that the new Sim felt good, I couldn't stay with the Bkool Pro ghosts.
4. There had to a silly Bkool glitch! Twice during the ride, the Sim went into some sort of background mode. The graphics disappeared and my screen just said MacBook (6)! I had to get off the bike and touch the track pad, at which point the graphics returned. My avatar was still moving, so clearly the Sim hadn't stopped. I've never had that happen with the old Bkool Sim or Zwift and I've run both on the same MacBook.

So, in summary, if you just look at the development of the new Sim, Bkool have done a good job (apart from the graphics issue). If I was riding by myself, with no history on Bkool, I'd be happy with it and the power readings suggest that for the Neo its pretty close to Zwift.

The problem is that I want to ride with others and I do have a Bkool history on a Bkool Pro. I'm afraid that riding against Bkool Pro users, I'm just not competitive on a Neo, not even with my Bkool Pro self.

I'm glad I tried out the new Sim. I enjoyed my time on Bkool, but I won't renew after the 3 month special offer ends and I doubt that I'll ride it again, which is a shame. I'd sort of hoped that I could mainly ride on Zwift but do the occasional ride or league on Bkool, but it clearly isn't going to work as I'm committed to riding on the Neo.

When I tried out the new SIM a few weeks ago my findings were pretty much the same as yours. The Kickr reports what appear to be realistic watts on the BSIM, and the speed was probably OK too, but I couldn't compete with Jim on a BKool Pro. I needed to push out much more watts to get anywhere near him. Off the line, as always, the Pro just flies away whilst the Kickr gradually builds up speed (as it would in real life).

Like you say, if just riding by yourself and the aim is to ride iconic routes but no interest in riding (or racing) with others then BSIM is fine, but as soon as you want to race you just can't compete with a Pro unit.

I still have my Pro unit too, and subs until May 19, but I can't be bothered to keep changing the back wheel on and off and with Zwift races numbering the hundreds of competitors, it's become a no brainer for me.

 

[Freelanderuk]

Its only Zwift name you have to change, usually. its so you can see who is next to you on screen

Ok, I will leave mine now and change back after the race

 

[kipster]

It appears I'm working late so no chance of a 5:30 ride

I might make it on later for a workout.

 

[mjd1988]

On call so no ride for me, goodluck all!

 

[Del C]

When I tried out the new SIM a few weeks ago my findings were pretty much the same as yours. The Kickr reports what appear to be realistic watts on the BSIM, and the speed was probably OK too, but I couldn't compete with Jim on a BKool Pro. I needed to push out much more watts to get anywhere near him. Off the line, as always, the Pro just flies away whilst the Kickr gradually builds up speed (as it would in real life).

Like you say, if just riding by yourself and the aim is to ride iconic routes but no interest in riding (or racing) with others then BSIM is fine, but as soon as you want to race you just can't compete with a Pro unit.

I still have my Pro unit too, and subs until May 19, but I can't be bothered to keep changing the back wheel on and off and with Zwift races numbering the hundreds of competitors, it's become a no brainer for me.

Absolutely spot on for me!

 

[bobinski]

Oops
Posted in bkool forum by mistake- I blame my meds

I know you guys are anxious to know how my operation went. What do you mean you hadn’t remembered

I won’t be cycling for a while. I may go mad! That meniscus tear was “significant “, whole length/width so there’s a fair bit of stitching. Absence of an ACL means the surgeon was concerned the meniscus repair was vulnerable to looseness of the knee joint. So, I have to wear this brace for 6 weeks while it heals. I wasn’t warned about this beforehand but makes sense. At the moment and for next few weeks the brace will restrict the degree of knee movement to 60 degrees. Then it will be loosened up to allow greater movement. That debris from the cyst and bits of shredded meniscus would apparently fill 3 espresso cups Telling me that only made me want coffee

Anyway, so glad to have the operation out the way. As usual, once in a hospital the treatment from all I came across was superb. We really are very very lucky to have out NHS. I certainly felt lucky today.

 

[berty bassett]

kids today !

 

[CXRAndy]

Bloody hell

Well done everyone

Lee, cracking time

I only spotted @Brusgaard, caught him a couple of times, then legs went with 3 miles to go

Tough course with those medium long climbs

 

[berty bassett]

Oops
Posted in bkool forum by mistake- I blame my meds

I know you guys are anxious to know how my operation went. What do you mean you hadn’t remembered

I won’t be cycling for a while. I may go mad! That meniscus tear was “significant “, whole length/width so there’s a fair bit of stitching. Absence of an ACL means the surgeon was concerned the meniscus repair was vulnerable to looseness of the knee joint. So, I have to wear this brace for 6 weeks while it heals. I wasn’t warned about this beforehand but makes sense. At the moment and for next few weeks the brace will restrict the degree of knee movement to 60 degrees. Then it will be loosened up to allow greater movement. That debris from the cyst and bits of shredded meniscus would apparently fill 3 espresso cups Telling me that only made me want coffee

Anyway, so glad to have the operation out the way. As usual, once in a hospital the treatment from all I came across was superb. We really are very very lucky to have out NHS. I certainly felt lucky today.



View attachment 437337 View attachment 437338

is it too early to fit a holster and wlk around like robocop ?
take care and heal quickly sir

 

[CXRAndy]

Oops
Posted in bkool forum by mistake- I blame my meds

I know you guys are anxious to know how my operation went. What do you mean you hadn’t remembered

I won’t be cycling for a while. I may go mad! That meniscus tear was “significant “, whole length/width so there’s a fair bit of stitching. Absence of an ACL means the surgeon was concerned the meniscus repair was vulnerable to looseness of the knee joint. So, I have to wear this brace for 6 weeks while it heals. I wasn’t warned about this beforehand but makes sense. At the moment and for next few weeks the brace will restrict the degree of knee movement to 60 degrees. Then it will be loosened up to allow greater movement. That debris from the cyst and bits of shredded meniscus would apparently fill 3 espresso cups Telling me that only made me want coffee

Anyway, so glad to have the operation out the way. As usual, once in a hospital the treatment from all I came across was superb. We really are very very lucky to have out NHS. I certainly felt lucky today.



View attachment 437337 View attachment 437338

A bit more serious, but a least you have had the repair work done.
Rest up, get well Bob

Do your physio, rehabilitation without fail

 

[peterob]

Bloody hell

Well done everyone

Lee, cracking time

I only spotted @Brusgaard, caught him a couple of times, then legs went with 3 miles to go

Tough course with those medium long climbs

Bloody Hell indeed! That's the hardest it has felt since I stepped back on the turbo. My weekend of excess caught up with me I feel.

Cracking time Lee and well done everyone else. We all seemed pretty spaced apart tonight - I only saw Lars who was edging closer to me in the last few miles which gave me a bit of impetus to keep going

The hot tub beckons......

 

[peterob]

Oops
Posted in bkool forum by mistake- I blame my meds

I know you guys are anxious to know how my operation went. What do you mean you hadn’t remembered

I won’t be cycling for a while. I may go mad! That meniscus tear was “significant “, whole length/width so there’s a fair bit of stitching. Absence of an ACL means the surgeon was concerned the meniscus repair was vulnerable to looseness of the knee joint. So, I have to wear this brace for 6 weeks while it heals. I wasn’t warned about this beforehand but makes sense. At the moment and for next few weeks the brace will restrict the degree of knee movement to 60 degrees. Then it will be loosened up to allow greater movement. That debris from the cyst and bits of shredded meniscus would apparently fill 3 espresso cups Telling me that only made me want coffee

Anyway, so glad to have the operation out the way. As usual, once in a hospital the treatment from all I came across was superb. We really are very very lucky to have out NHS. I certainly felt lucky today.



View attachment 437337 View attachment 437338

Rest up well mate and you'll come back stronger than ever

 

[Whorty]

Bloody hell

Well done everyone

Lee, cracking time

I only spotted @Brusgaard, caught him a couple of times, then legs went with 3 miles to go

Tough course with those medium long climbs

Been doing workouts so legs were tired going into this so took the ride as a recovery. Caught up Chris fairly early into first climb and rode with/near him for the majority After 30 mins almost gave up, but carried on anyway and did finish. A decent workout all the same. Well doen everyone