Smart trainers and software

[warthog1]

I am pretty sure I had it on reactive mode too. Maybe that is why the intersections appeared so scary

[g-boaf]

Another Alpe du Zwift for me this afternoon and a quite difficult 45 minute workout this morning.

I ended up with the top time on ADZ after the 36:57 person disappeared. mine was 48:52.

[queequeg]

Another Alpe du Zwift for me this afternoon and a quite difficult 45 minute workout this morning.

I ended up with the top time on ADZ after the 36:57 person disappeared. mine was 48:52.

That's a pretty solid time. My best is 50:12. I need to lose a heap of weight and start training high intensity again to get back there. I haven't done sub-1hr for some time. I have won the wheels a lot of times though. I think the AdZ climb I did a couple of days ago was my 44th ascent.

[Arbuckle23]

Another one cracking it with Zwift on the price rise. I know it's not much in the scheme of things, but an a sudden hike of that percentage is rude.
Fulgaz is good, used it before for a bit previously , but if a I choose a route shorter that how far I want to ride that day, I have to do two rides, only a couple can be looped. Zwift I can just jump on a ride where I want,
Means too much time sorting through routes to decide when I wake up i the morning and it's raining.
Trying out Rouvy at the moment, will see how that goes.

[g-boaf]

Another Alpe du Zwift for me this afternoon and a quite difficult 45 minute workout this morning.

I ended up with the top time on ADZ after the 36:57 person disappeared. mine was 48:52.

That's a pretty solid time. My best is 50:12. I need to lose a heap of weight and start training high intensity again to get back there. I haven't done sub-1hr for some time. I have won the wheels a lot of times though. I think the AdZ climb I did a couple of days ago was my 44th ascent.

Mine was number 144 if I remember right. I'm part of a group that does this climb regularly, and you may have heard of them, two of the group did 365x ADZ (365 laps of ADZ in a year) and one of the group recently did a triple vEverest.

I've been down to as low as 45:12 before my accident and since then I got as down to low 46 minutes. I've probably got 44 minutes in me but I don't like being at absolute max effort for 40 minutes plus. It's more enjoyable to dial it back a bit and keep the heart rate below 160bpm.

[queequeg]

Mine was number 144 if I remember right. I'm part of a group that does this climb regularly, and you may have heard of them, two of the group did 365x ADZ (365 laps of ADZ in a year) and one of the group recently did a triple vEverest.

I've been down to as low as 45:12 before my accident and since then I got as down to low 46 minutes. I've probably got 44 minutes in me but I don't like being at absolute max effort for 40 minutes plus. It's more enjoyable to dial it back a bit and keep the heart rate below 160bpm.

Crikey, I didn't know about the 365 laps in a year. I have sort of fallen off the wagon a bit as I try to find a new routine that works in the post-Covid/post-DVT world. I think what I really need is a long holiday (I have 3-4 months long service due), but with my youngest starting high school this year and my wife working full time again, there's really no opportunity to get away as someone always needs to be here for the kids.

I might have to just fool myself into commuting to work - at home - every day.

I think I'd be happy just cracking 50 minutes. I had nothing left in me at all doing 50:12, and I just don't think I can drop my weight much below 77kg (which is where I was). I'm content with that. I'd like to get back into the Everesting again and recommence Audax. I'm off to Gloucester this weekend for Thunderbolt's Adventure. I've done what I can to ensure my legs can drag me up and over the Barrington Tops (twice). After that it's back to the endurance stuff!

[g-boaf]

Mine was number 144 if I remember right. I'm part of a group that does this climb regularly, and you may have heard of them, two of the group did 365x ADZ (365 laps of ADZ in a year) and one of the group recently did a triple vEverest.

I've been down to as low as 45:12 before my accident and since then I got as down to low 46 minutes. I've probably got 44 minutes in me but I don't like being at absolute max effort for 40 minutes plus. It's more enjoyable to dial it back a bit and keep the heart rate below 160bpm.

I might have to just fool myself into commuting to work - at home - every day.

I do daily Zwift rides in the evening. I was commuting to work on the bike but it's gotten cold and wet so I gave that away and I'm busy so it's more practical to work from home so the commute time can be spent on work rather than riding to and from work.

It's hard to keep the momentum going.

[Mr Purple]

I've been down to as low as 45:12 before my accident and since then I got as down to low 46 minutes. I've probably got 44 minutes in me but I don't like being at absolute max effort for 40 minutes plus. It's more enjoyable to dial it back a bit and keep the heart rate below 160bpm.

I actually hate sustained climbing on the indoor trainer. Up to 20 minutes or so is ok, but anything over that and you just end up drenched in sweat, plus my achilles starts playing up a bit.

Pretty sure I could beat my ADZ PR of 44:07/278W but looking at my average HR of 186bpm for that attempt no thanks!

I think part of this is having a flogged out old trainer bike on an ageing Kickr core. It makes unpleasant noises under significant power. Keeping an eye on the Kickr bikes on a decent special.

[jasonc]

I actually hate sustained climbing on the indoor trainer. Up to 20 minutes or so is ok, but anything over that and you just end up drenched in sweat, plus my achilles starts playing up a bit.

It's how I trained for the stelvio double. coot-tha reps just won't cut it

[g-boaf]

I actually hate sustained climbing on the indoor trainer. Up to 20 minutes or so is ok, but anything over that and you just end up drenched in sweat, plus my achilles starts playing up a bit.

It's how I trained for the stelvio double. coot-tha reps just won't cut it

It's the only way I can do them - because you need long climbs.

I've also previously set 8% gradients in PerfPro Studio with say 3x20min with each block 8% gradient and you just have to tough them out at low cadence. It really helps - and ALWAYS use the heart rate monitoring. When you get to the real thing with normal cadence it's still tough but you can manage it.

If you have to ride up Bonette in France then you need more than the local shorter climbs, that thing is 25km, very high (2800m+) and very steep at the top.

Another tough one is the climb up to Courchevel, that is sustained steep and long. On my Strava shows as my biggest climb at 1872m.

[Mr Purple]

It's how I trained for the stelvio double. coot-tha reps just won't cut it

That is it's main utility.

None of us Brisbane riders can really pretend we're proper 'climbers'. My power profile always describes me as a 'puncheur' simply because the longest convenient climb to me is Cootha Back at 2.2km/9%. Needing to actually pace a climb is not a skill you'd develop riding in Brisbane.

We are defined by our topography!

[g-boaf]

It's how I trained for the stelvio double. coot-tha reps just won't cut it

That is it's main utility.

None of us Brisbane riders can really pretend we're proper 'climbers'. My power profile always describes me as a 'puncheur' simply because the longest convenient climb to me is Cootha Back at 2.2km/9%. Needing to actually pace a climb is not a skill you'd develop riding in Brisbane.

We are defined by our topography!

The moment you get over to Albertville and see the local riders out for their afternoon rides you quickly understand what real speed and fitness is. They are bloody fast - and they all look like they haven't eaten in months!

I know we see talk of "you don't need to do ridiculous elevation to be fit", but if you want to go up hills fast, you really need to do that.

[Mr Purple]

Yep. I don't even pretend to be a proper climber, I'm about 3-4kg heavy for that.

I've been passed up Cootha once in the past 2-3 years. The guy who came past made me look like a weightlifter!

I'm happy with my 4000m or so elevation a week. Makes riding on the flat bits a lot easier.

[g-boaf]

Crazy thing is they are very light and have big FTP as well. It's what you get when riding at higher altitudes, it's very beneficial.

[vbplease]

I've just returned my tacx neo smart bike under warranty.. unfortunately the knocking sound would keep returning after tightening up the left crank.

Not quite sure what to do about a trainer now.. I could get a replacement tacx neo, or for the same price get a kickr shift..

on the other hand my wife wants me to keep the $4k in the bank, and on this theme, I've really lost motivation to do indoor rides.. i'm definitely done with zwift now (with the price increase, and many other reasons) and not sure I'll get back into fulgaz? when I'm only 10mins ride from Nundah crit track, doing indoor intervals has lost all appeal. I find doing intervals on the crit track so much easier.. not sure what to do?

[jasonc]

I have the kickr shift. Remember, EVERYTHING else I have is shimano. Gplama wasn't a fan of the tacx bike. I'm happy with the shift. Yes, am also annoyed at the price rise. I have till February to decide what to do next

[g-boaf]

I've just returned my tacx neo smart bike under warranty.. unfortunately the knocking sound would keep returning after tightening up the left crank.

Not quite sure what to do about a trainer now.. I could get a replacement tacx neo, or for the same price get a kickr shift..

on the other hand my wife wants me to keep the $4k in the bank, and on this theme, I've really lost motivation to do indoor rides.. i'm definitely done with zwift now (with the price increase, and many other reasons) and not sure I'll get back into fulgaz? when I'm only 10mins ride from Nundah crit track, doing indoor intervals has lost all appeal. I find doing intervals on the crit track so much easier.. not sure what to do?

Do intervals on the crit track in pouring rain?

Or get a kickr shift and Fulgaz? Always handy to have that option. Think it over.

I’m staying on Zwift and Fulgaz. Tried other options and not pleased.

[jasonc]

A work mate is using rouvy and thinks its ok. He has a stages bike. Buying stages now may not be the best idea

[warthog1]

I have only done the 2 Fulgaz sessions. Signed for the 2 week trial too early. Still on hols for another week. I dislike the trainer and only ride it when I cant otherwise ride. It will be expired before I ride it again. Much rather be outside.
I may pay for a month and try it again at work.

[Arbuckle23]

Pretty happy with Rouvy, will continue for a bit I think.
Like Fulgaz the rides are detailed and consume a fair bit of data. My wifi in the shed is pretty limited, so struggles with 1080p. Runs Zwift fine as the data is much less. Can solve by downloading prior, but the iPad I normally use is short on space so I use my work laptop

I may look at Fulgaz again, but I think Zwift is gone for me for the moment. I haven't raced on it for quite a while and the gamey stuff doesn't interest me. Main use now is crap weather and Zwift has priced itself out of that.

[g-boaf]

Pretty happy with Rouvy, will continue for a bit I think.
Like Fulgaz the rides are detailed and consume a fair bit of data. My wifi in the shed is pretty limited, so struggles with 1080p. Runs Zwift fine as the data is much less. Can solve by downloading prior, but the iPad I normally use is short on space so I use my work laptop

I may look at Fulgaz again, but I think Zwift is gone for me for the moment. I haven't raced on it for quite a while and the gamey stuff doesn't interest me. Main use now is crap weather and Zwift has priced itself out of that.

Have you thought of getting a Mac cheaply out of USA from iPowerResale rather than using the iPad or work computer?

They have some great deals, even new in box Mac Studios:
https://ipowerresale.com/products/apple ... arent-good

Those will still qualify for AppleCare as well.

I'm staying with Zwift for now but very unhappy with how the workout mode works.

[Arbuckle23]

Have you thought of getting a Mac cheaply out of USA from iPowerResale rather than using the iPad or work computer?

Work laptop is free Well until I retire mid next year.
Those macs are dear, even from that site, could buy a quite good windows laptop for that
Could also think about a new iPad with enough storage as well, current one is old with only 32 gb

[g-boaf]

Have you thought of getting a Mac cheaply out of USA from iPowerResale rather than using the iPad or work computer?

Work laptop is free Well until I retire mid next year.
Those macs are dear, even from that site, could buy a quite good windows laptop for that
Could also think about a new iPad with enough storage as well, current one is old with only 32 gb

All dependant on what the windows laptop performs like.

Surprised your work computer is not locked down? My windows based work laptop is, and it is a miserable crashing horrible thing. It’s underpowered to heck - connect two screens via the dock and one or both flickers off or don’t connect at all, even outlook crawls on it. And it gets very hot as well.

If I work remotely I use one of my own computers which is miles faster and more reliable.

I have an iPad here but don’t use it much. I do have a MacBook Air 15” M2 16gb 1TB which has proven excellent. I’ve ran Zwift on it only rarely but it does that at highest detail no problems. Mainly that laptop is used when I travel and it is quick and great battery life.

[jasonc]

My job is managing end user hardware. A very big fleet. We do performance testing on all of them. A desktop smashes A laptop unless you are spending 3 times as much. Monitors are cheap. Dell have an outlet site. Buy a optiplex micro (if space is an issue) with a standard desktop processor for about $1k. Some even come with wifi. If you have any questions, ask here or send me a message

[g-boaf]

My job is managing end user hardware. A very big fleet. We do performance testing on all of them. A desktop smashes A laptop unless you are spending 3 times as much. Monitors are cheap. Dell have an outlet site. Buy a optiplex micro (if space is an issue) with a standard desktop processor for about $1k. Some even come with wifi. If you have any questions, ask here or send me a message

True with laptops, and the high performance ones are big $$$ and always seem to sound like jet engines when they are working.

I don’t mind my MacBook Air for some things, but my desktops are way better, even though some of them are much older.


I’m eventually going to have to replace the old Mac Pro used in my trainer pain cave as it’s getting too old now. I’m pretty tempted by a Mac Studio which I could also use for other things if necessary. I wouldn’t mind a second 2019 Mac Pro if I could find a good one second hand and maybe stick my spare 16 core CPU in it.

And maybe sell both 2010 Mac Pros. A mint one in original box fully upgraded will still get $$$.

I could build a PC as well but not sure I want to go down that route of supporting my own build of machine again.