Habanero
Posts:257
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| 11/16/2020 09:20 AM |
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Hey all!
I just got a Wahoo Kickr with the Climb accessory and have my shop wired to accommodate everything, including two fans. Now I just need to decide on which training program to use. I've done lots of google searching, talking to riding friends, talking to my lbs and the thing is, absolutely everyone has a different opinion on what to use. There appears to be no clear 'winner' on this, so what do you use and how did you decide to use what you did?
Peace,
Hab |
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6ix
Posts:485
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| 11/16/2020 09:28 AM |
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First off, congrats on the purchase!
Since asking for opinions, here is mine. Zwift is great if you want to do group rides and competitions. Graphics have improved substantially over the years and the Zwift world is enormous. Downside is that it still feels like you're riding inside a Nintendo 64 game and it's very crowded.
I also subscribe to Fulgaz which is a real-video app. Highly recommend using it with an Apple TV 4K. People go out and record the video for their rides in 4K, then upload it for everyone to ride virtually. Video speed matches your real pace as compared to the person that originally recorded it. It's really cool to explore parts of the world you'd never get to ride and see what the backroads look like. And doing the real version of Alpe d'Huez, Ventoux and Luz Ardiden is super cool.
That's my 2 cents. |
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Habanero
Posts:257
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| 11/16/2020 09:35 AM |
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| Thanks, 6ix!! I've seen Zwift at the shop and it didn't really appeal to me because as you said it looked like a video game.
I think I want something more in line with how you describe Fulgaz. I want to 'ride' in places I've never been and see those sights!
I'm psyched to see what a winter of this virtual training will do for my condition versus my traditional routine of spin classes which obviously aren't happening anytime soon! |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 11/16/2020 11:15 AM |
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If you want to see sights, there's some program with a French name that starts with a V, the name now escapes me. They use actual footage. It would actually be great in one were to combine all of the Google streetview data in a cycling app.
As you can tell I am a non-user. Bought a Kickr just in case we'd enter full lockdown back in March and used it once. I forget how many albums I listened to while grinding out 100 miles but that was the approach. Mind numbing. The family uses the setup pretty regularly; have one bike on there with a quick release activated seatpost to facilitate the different sizes. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 11/16/2020 11:22 AM |
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From a strictly training perspective, there is no better option IMO than Trainer Road. Lots of different plans which can be customized or used "as is". In addition, they have a Plan Builder option where you put in an event you want ot focus on, provide additional data and it will create a customized plan for you.
I've been using TR for a year now and have been extremely pleased with the program / results. It didn't really raise my FTP much, but I've been at this long enough that significant FTP gains are not realistic. But it did improve my VO2Max efforts and "time to exhaustion".
The training programs in Zwift, IMO, pale in comparison. They don't have the depth and precision behind them. IMO.
Zwift is great for entertainment purposes as there are literally thousands of people to ride with, plus the options for group rides or races.
For efforts up to tempo, maybe low sweetspot, I'll just have TR running while I watch TV. Sweetspot and above, I'll listen to music and run Zwift concurrently (power is controlled by TR and I just use Zwift for the entertainment / engagement purposes).
I haven't used Fulgaz and while it sounds like it could be appealing visually, I'm not certain that bsaically riding by myself online would keep me engaged.
But again, from a strict training protocol perspective, there is nothing better than Trainer Road. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 11/16/2020 11:44 AM |
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Doesn't start with a V, but with an R...Rouvy. Anyway, in seaching for the name I cam across this
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/buying-guides/4678/buyers-guide-best-cycling-training-apps-2020
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 11/16/2020 03:39 PM |
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One other point....cooling is essential for indoor training. I just bought two of these fans and I am kicking myself I didn't do it earlier. They move a metric crapton of air and work great! IN fact, I have only used them on the Medium setting...putting 'em on High might freeze me out!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YKXF9VC/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_fabc_dlT_MqVPFb3SC1WX2?tag=trainerroad-20
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 11/16/2020 03:43 PM |
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| Can you bring the air temperature on those down to sub-freezing and have them blow some sleet? Almost like the real thing. |
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Habanero
Posts:257
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| 11/16/2020 04:01 PM |
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Thanks all for this invaluable info! I checked out Rouvy and love the abundance of routes available. I'll check out Trainer Road as well - thanks for pointing them out CK.
It's almost time to head into the indoor pain cave and I'm glad there are all these options to pick from.
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Habanero
Posts:257
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| 11/16/2020 04:05 PM |
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| Time to replace the $4it box fans I have in sitting near my shop! |
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huckleberry
Posts:824
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| 11/16/2020 05:30 PM |
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| That is one cool fan - pun and no pun intended. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 11/16/2020 07:14 PM |
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| I should note that you can angle the blower across a wide angle range, so you can put it on the floor and still get it to hit your body or face with no issues. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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