English – Page 26 – BKOOL Magazine

We continue working to provide an excellent experience for our #Bkoolers every day.

Pantalla buscador rutas — Route search engine system view.

As of today, you can enjoy the new version 5.35 of BKOOL Cycling, a version that significantly improves the user experience, thanks to corrections in layout and UX/UI.

Among the numerous improvements, we have worked on the route search engine system so that you can find the route that best suits your needs thanks to the error corrections in the search filters, maximum slope filters, accumulated slope, and distance units. In addition, sessions in the warm-up phase will now be available.

In addition, the connectivity between the devices and our app has been improved, adding as well the certification of the WattBike Atom and Tacx Neo 2T devices.

Pantalla emparejamiento dispositivos — Pairing system view.

You can enjoy all these new features while riding with new UCI Pro Tour team jerseys such as Ineos Grenadiers or Groupama-FDJ. What are you waiting for to feel like the greatest Cyclists?

Update your version now and don’t miss out on all the new features we’re bringing you.

Come on #TeamUnlimited, see you on the road!

After more than a month of competition, the Overachieve Series with CADEX by BKOOL is coming to an end and it’s time to finally meet the winners of the fantastic prizes!

CADEX and BKOOL joined forces last January to bring us a competition in which participants could enjoy their favourite sport from home thanks to the Overachieve Series with CADEX by BKOOL.

During the first stage, the participants had the opportunity to do an 8 km route in Helsinki’s Central Park. How many times have you had the chance to ride through Finland without leaving your own house? That’s what all the Bkoolers who competed in this unusual scenery thought.

For the second stage, the English coast was in charge of welcoming the cyclists who were eager for more and we decided that it was time to increase the difficulty a little bit. This time we raced on a 15km route along the beach at Worthing, a lovely town in the south of England.

Bkoolers have had the opportunity to ride with well-known international cyclists

The breathtaking views of Palm Beach, in the United States, were selected for the third stage of this competition. From the 1st to the 7th of February more than 5000 Bkoolers joined together to ride the 16 km route.

The third stage took place on the roads of Mallorca from the 8th to the 14th of February. This stage was a unique challenge during this competition as it had an uphill climb of 400 metres. It was a challenge that the Bkoolers could not resist.

Finally, the fifth and last stage of the competition took place in Sydney’s Centennial Park from the 14th to the 21st of February. For a whole week, the participants were able to compete in the famous Australian city on a 19 km route with a 265-metre gradient that had nothing to envy to the previous one.

*Prizes for Overachieve Series with CADEX by BKOOL winners*

After more than a month of competition, it’s time to announce the winners of the Overachieve Series with CADEX by BKOOL:

The first prize consisting of a pair of CADEX 42 wheels with CADEX Race 25mm tyres and a year’s premium subscription to BKOOL goes to KEVIN STEPHENS
The second prize consisting of a CADEX Boost saddle and a year’s premium subscription to BKOOL goes to FRANK HOVENIER
The third prize consisting of a pair of CADEX Classics 28mm tyres and a year’s premium subscription to BKOOL goes to ANA BERNAL

The special prize awarded for completing one of the 5 stages the most times goes to MRSPEEL y A.HERNANDO

A CADEX jersey and a year’s premium subscription to BKOOL for each of them!

We would like to congratulate each and every one of you and thank you for taking part in this competition, you are amazing Bkoolers!

The new version includes great new features: a new search engine, a disconnection alert system, and much more. Do you want to learn more?

NEW SEARCH ENGINE

Where do you want to train today? Find the route that you want quickly and easily.

You can use the new filters or check at a glance the accumulated slope or maximum gradient for each session, making your search much more precise among the more than eight million routes in real video, 3D view, or map available on BKOOL Cycling.

The new improved search menu will help you to transport your training session wherever you choose. Are you strong enough to climb the Col d’Izoard or do you prefer a more relaxed workout riding in Central Park? Now finding the routes you need to meet your sport goals is a breeze.

CONTROL YOUR SMART TRAINER’S CONNECTION

This new version includes an alerts system to help you clearly identify any connectivity issues between the app and your Smart trainer.

Have some of your sensors stopped emitting information? BKOOL Cycling will also let you know!

Check the connection status of your devices at a glance before you start training. Anticipate any connection failure and don’t lose any training minute.

ALL OF THE RACE INFORMATION YOU NEED

Your screen will be your personal team radio. See at a glance your rivals’ name, their w/kg ratio, or their stage position.

Discover the gradient levels awaiting you over the next few meters to better manage your efforts. In addition, we have improved the graph of your position in the race, so that you can consult your position within the profile or that of your opponents more easily. Get an overview of the session by simply looking up at the screen. All the data you need to make the most of your training. Improve your race strategy minute by minute!

DEFEND YOUR FAVOURITE TEAM’S COLOURS

Feel like changing your look? The UCI World Tour 2020 team kits are now available for you. You just have to go to the AVATAR section and choose the one for your favorite team. Now that you train like a professional and compete in the most important races of the cycling calendar thanks to BKOOL…dress like a pro too!

Dress your Avatar in your favorite cycling team’s kit and wear their colors with every workout. You have all the jerseys inside your dressing room, which we have also optimized to make it easier for you to access the equipment. Isn’t it cool to train dressed like your favorite cyclists?

This new version of BKOOL Cycling, much more complete, will allow you to enjoy an optimized training experience, in which data plays a key role that will be a great help in improving your performance.

In addition, the new BKOOL Video Route Editor makes sharing your own video routes with Bkoolers around the world much easier.

Keep an eye on our social media channels because over the next few days new announcements are coming. In no time you will have news about the app BKOOL Fitness! We don’t stop!

You have no more excuses for not keeping fit during the winter! Try the latest version of BKOOL Cycling. All the training data at your service to help you improve your performance every day.

The wind hitting your face when descending a mountain pass, the heat of the summer sun, the brisk cold of a November morning ride… We know there are some sensations we can never make you feel in Bkool. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop trying. At Bkool, we remain committed to bringing you the most realistic cycling experience in the world. With that in mind, we’ve got updates!

Bkool Cycling 5.25 is now available

The next time you open the Bkool cycling routes simulator, you’ll see a pop-up message that a new update is available. Don’t panic! It won’t take long to install. We promise!

You’ll notice the improvements from your first ride, and we’re confident you’ll find them worthwhile. Here’s a rundown of the big ones:

Finding a partner has never been so easy

Now pairing your smart trainer with Bkool is much easier and faster. You won’t have to select your brand or model. You can open the simulator, pair and be riding in seconds. Your trainer will automatically appear in the list of available devices quickly.

Bkool Drafting is pure realism!

Even we are amazed by our new drafting system. It’s something we remain obsessed about, and have been tweaking it constantly. It is now more realistic, as you can feel the resistance progressively increase as you fall further behind the rider you’re drafting. Take advantage of Bkool Drafting to improve your racing strategy. Work together in a realistic peloton, hide in your competitor’s’ slipstream before launching an attack. So realistic, you’ll be hooked!

You won’t want to leave the velodrome

We’ve remodelled our Galapagar Velodrome. First of all, we’ve created a more realistic track. You’ll notice it from the first pedal stroke: the feel is exactly the same as if you were there.

We’ve also changed the appearance to something a bit more modern.

When you see the new Galapagar Velodrome, we’re sure you’ll be ready to sprint. That’s great, because you’ll be able to see another new feature: when you accelerate, your avatar climbs up the banking. Want to try it?

All the information you need

No more wondering if you’ve finally managed to defeat your rivals. We’ve revised the ranking system, corrected some errors, and now provide your race information much more clearly.

When you finish each session, you’ll see the final leaderboard during your cool down. The perfect time to send a text to that friend you just nipped at the line.

#TeamUnlimited

It all started just a few days ago. The Tour of Flanders couldn’t escape the list of sporting events around the world suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic. April 5th was one of those dates that cycling fans across the globe had marked on their calendars, as it was to be the 104th edition of this Belgian classic. Cancellation left a gaping hole in the lives of all those who follow the sport.

But not everyone was willing to sit still for that. When word got out that the race was cancelled, Flanders Classics and Bkool got down to work.

Their idea was to take advantage of the existing collaboration born with the Flanders Classics by Bkool online competition, and use it to shape a dream: the first professional edition of the Tour of Flanders on a virtual platform, with top-level pros competing together from their respective homes. The main problem? Time. With only days before the official date of the race, the team was working against the clock to put all the pieces together. There would be only one chance to make this work.

The first step was clear: Flanders Classics began contacting the sport’s top pro teams to see if they would join this groundbreaking initiative. With the entire pro peloton idled by the pandemic, team managers were eager to have their riders compete. Names like Evanepoel, De Gendt, Van Avermaet and Matthews were added to the increasingly impressive lineup. And they did it without asking for anything in return, they did it to give frustrated cycling fans something to cheer for – and to ensure that the 104th edition of the Tour of Flanders could take place.

Amazingly, DeRonde2020 became a real possibility – held with some of the best cyclists in the world as protagonists, everyone competing from their own homes. The race’s window to the world would be the Belgian multimedia chain Sporza, allowing the event to be broadcast live through the country’s national television network, and streamed globally thanks to Kiswe. Channels like RTVE, Eurosport and GCN all joined the party. The dream was taking shape.

Several frantic days of hard work, preparation, tests and stress followed. It seemed impossible to organize a race of this magnitude in just a matter of days; but everyone at Bkool and Flanders Classics was determined to make this race happen. The first virtual Tour of Flanders started at 3:30pm Central European TIme on Sunday, April 5th, 2020: a date the Bkool team will not easily forget.

After an explosive start to the race, Evenepoel showed he came to race by taking the lead early. While his gap remained slim, everything seems to indicate that he would be one of the day’s chief protagonists. Behind him, Van Avermaet, De Gendt, Naesen and Roche formed a tight chase group.

But soon, Evenepoel began to fade and his pursuers not only managed to catch him, but put him in trouble. On the last climb, Van Avermaet took the reins and launched a powerful attack that no one could counter. Generating power spikes of over 800 watts and an average speed of 43 km/h, he opened up a gap that would not be closed. Behind him, Naesen, Roche and De Gendt were locked in battle for the remaining podium spots.
Van Avermaet continued to power to the finish, managing to finish 20 seconds up on second place Oliver Naesen, who took the silver in a brutal sprint against Nocolas Roche. De Gendt and Jasper Stuyven rounded out the top five.

The drama and excitement of professional cycling was back. We had breakaways, attacks, counter-attacks, and more. Tens of thousands around the world streamed it live.
The objective had been met. For one day, the best cycling returned to the homes of fans across the globe, letting us forget, for a little while anyway, the tough times we’re all struggling through.

A few hours after the streaming views were posted on the internet, views of the race were already at hundreds of thousands. In a few years, we’ll say that Flanders Classics and Bkool stood up to the Coronavirus and triumphed, staging the first virtual edition of the Tour of Flanders, one of the oldest and most important races in the world. Perhaps when that time comes, these types of events will be the order of the day, and even part of the professional calendar. Everything indicates that this boom has only just begun. But of course, we’ll never forget that in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis, with everything (including the clock) against it, a group of the brave, skilled people, united by their love of cycling, joined forces to take the sport to the next level.

At Bkool, we never stop innovating. As more and more people join the Bkool peloton, we’ve made riding in a group more realistic than ever. Discover the latest in the Bkool simulator!

Get on our wheel!

How many times have you relied on drafting to get to the finish of a ride in one piece? Thanks to the new Bkool Drafting System, you can now ride in the simulator as you would in a peloton. Attack as you would in a race or take turns drafting with your breakaway companions. Is your energy fading? Hold onto that Bkooler’s wheel and feel them helping you.

Getting all dolled up

Do you spend hours cleaning and polishing your bike before your weekend ride? If so, you’re going to love this. We’ve given both your bike and your avatar a shine to make them look more realistic.

Bring out your inner attacker

With more accurate speeds on descents and slope changes, you’ll feel every change of pace with more realism. Use the new more realistic resistance to make your surprise attacks more effective.

How far did my escape take me?

The new ranking graphic offers more information for a better overview of the race. With gaps shown in both time and distance, it’s almost like talking to your team on the radio!

No more waiting for updates

Enough of your time is spent getting ready to ride. There’s no time to lose! From now on, updates will automatically be installed while you ride.

Cycling has always been regarded as a sport that is about effort and overcoming challenges, and we’re glad to know that we have a great example of these values on our team. Today, we take a close-up look at one of our #Bkoolers: Alex Roca.

For those who don’t know him yet, Alex is a great athlete who knows no bounds. He’s finished races like the Pilgrim Race and the Barcelona Half Marathon, which garnered him the Personal Achievement award at the 2019 EDP Running Prizes.

As a kid he was already playing football, tried out tennis, and started running 5 and 10 k distances. He also took a stab at triathlons, which was his brother Victor’s sport. He completed the Barcelona triathlon in the Supersprint category on a three-wheel bike.

But the three-wheel bike didn’t do it for him, and it was his uncle José Campillo who first got him on a tandem so they could ride the Orbea Monegros together in 2017.

This year, Morocco they were off to Morocco again. They had to prove that they could vanquish the desert. Alex and his “El límit te’l poses tú” (You set the limit) team managed to overcome all the obstacles from last year’s race and become finishers, proving that with hard work, you can accomplish anything.

But we’ll let Alex tell his story and how our Smart Bike will help him achieve his next challenges.

Alex y Héctor — Alex with Héctor Rodríguez, his tandem mate.

Titan Desert — Alex Roca on his way to success.

“My name is Alex Roca Campillo, I was born in 1991.

When I was 6 months old I was infected with herpesviral encephalitis (cerebral herpes), resulting in a cerebral palsy that caused a 76% physical disability on the left side of my body, where I have reduced mobility. I communicate using sign language.

The doctors said I wouldn’t live, and they’re shocked I’m still alive.

I’ve had a lot of hardships in my life, which I’ve overcome as best I could with a lot of effort. I’m currently studying, working, I have a car, a girlfriend and a “normal” life.

Sport is very important to me in my everyday life. I see it as a way to challenge myself. I don’t think anyone can set limits for you; instead, you set your own limits. We’re all in control of our destinies and possibilities.

I’ve done four triathlons, I took part in TITAN DESERT 2018 and I finished the PILGRIM RACE 2018.

2019 has seen me realize two of my biggest dreams: run a half marathon, 21 k, and finish TITAN DESERT 2019, becoming the first person with cerebral palsy to do so.

Besides sports, I really enjoy giving lectures and proving to society that we set our own limits, while at the same time raising awareness of disabilities. I don’t like that word at all, I like seeing ourselves as people with different abilities who like to be treated just like everyone else.

My preparation was different than in 2018, because in 2018 I trained a lot of hours on the bike and I got dehydrated in the Titan, but in 2019 we’ve practiced a lot of aspects, like drinking, walking and managing times, and luckily it all came out alright.

The Titan went great. It was a dream of mine to finish it and we did it. It’s a spectacular, close-knit race. There were ten of us on my team and each one had a part to play and did so to perfection. Without them I wouldn’t even have done one kilometer. We made history.

For now, I don’t have any other future challenges, but working out on the Smart Bike is a blast. It was a real boost in the final days before the Titan. I always had to rely on someone else to ride on a tandem, but now with the Smart Bike, I can ride by myself and have a good time. That’s great for me, and I can also do workouts and series I’d never done before, which really help with my physical preparation.”

Alex Roca Campillo

Bkool, the renowned developer of indoor cycling software, has signed a strategic alliance with Taymory as Bkool’s official supplier of technical clothing.

The agreement includes an exclusive Taymory – Bkool Fitness collection, already available on its website. This is the sports line that the indoor cycling instructors of the Bkool Fitness app will wear, with black and yellow as the featured colours.

New Bkool Taymory Collection

The partnership includes all of Bkool’s corporate clothing, which the technology company will showcase in its various virtual cycling competitions. As part of this agreement, all Taymory customers will be eligible for a preferred subscription, which both brands will announce shortly.

In parallel, the two brands are working on the design for the official Bkool – Taymory cycling kit, which will be included among the clothing options in the Bkool Simulator so that users can outfit their virtual cyclists with their favourite Taymory jerseys and shorts, as shown in the image below:

Outfit your 3D rider with the best kit from Taymory

In addition to cycling trainers, Bkool offers a software package with hundreds of thousands of routes in interactive 3D and videos with real scenery, structured workouts and classes designed by world-renowned professional coaches. Our users are logging over one million workouts a year and riding over 21 million kilometres.

The agreement between the two Spanish brands reinforces Bkool’s standing as a global leader in the cycling and fitness market.

The latest update for our simulator is here, and it comes with important new features to make sure your workout remains the best part of your day. Want to know everything we’ve included?

New pairing system

When it comes to workouts, there’s no time to lose. That’s why we’ve improved our pairing system, so connecting your trainer to the simulator won’t take but a minute.

Select your trainer manufacturer, connect the device and get going. It’s that quick and easy.

More workout companions = More fun

We’ve improved our multiplayer system so more of you can get together and ride the same session. Our Challenges for this winter are set to be livelier than ever. So as long as you’re working out, why not do it with others?

Direct access to the best routes

As you know, we recommend various routes through the top menu on the simulator, depending on the time in the cycling season. From now on, from there you’ll have direct access to the sessions without having to schedule them first. One click and you’ll be in the last stage of the Vuelta, the crowning stage of the Giro or surrounded by the magic of the World Championship. Because no one likes waiting around when you’re all dressed up and ready to go, right?

More compatible trainers

We’ve increased the list of simulator-compatible trainers so you can ride any route in the world from home using all of the leading trainer brands.

Just choose your trainer brand on the pairing screen and get ready to feel all the magic of the best cycling from the comfort of your living room.

New, TV-style camera

This summer we brought the Giro, Tour and Vuelta to your home so you could experience first-hand the emotion of the grand tours, and starting now, you’ll be able to do it from different perspectives, just like watching the race on TV.

We’ve included a new 3D camera so you can follow your session just like a TV broadcast. Once you select the camera by pressing the V key on your keyboard, you won’t have to adjust anything else. The views and shots will change automatically to give you the best perspective when you slip in behind your rival’s wheel or go all out on a mountain climb. You’re the star of the show, and we want every session to be a unique experience.

More details in 3D

Do you recognize the mountains along the route? If you change to video view, you’ll see that we’ve managed to place them in their actual location. And the terrains on each route will be much more realistic from now on, plus we’ll keep adding details as we continue to improve the graphics for each session.

Change the 3D quality to ULTRA and be blown away by the quality of the graphics!

Offline mode in beta phase

You’ve asked for it thousands of times, and even though it was a real challenge, it’s finally here. From now on you can use our simulator even if you don’t have Internet access.

You’ll be able to train on any of your 8 favorite routes whenever you feel like it. The only requirement is that you’ve done that session before so the data can be stored in the simulator and be available the next time you log in.

Remember that you have to label the routes you want to have available as favorites and ride them when you have an Internet connection. The next time you go into the simulator without a connection, they’ll be there so you can ride them as often as you want.

After exceeding all expectations with our #GiroBkool and breaking our own records with a #TourBkool that featured over 2200 participants in the month of July, the best of the summer is yet to come with the #LaVueltaBkool!

The format will be the same as for the previous Grand Tours: three stages with three top-tier sponsors and three unique multiplayer challenges on the same routes as the La Vuelta stages with drawings for cool gifts.

Brands like Taymory, Cofidis and Siroko will bring color to this very promising competition. The League will kick off this Saturday the 25^th, alongside the real competition, with the multiplayer challenges mirroring parts of the Thursday stages.

With #LaVueltaBkool you’ll be able to compete alongside dozens of Bkoolers from around the world on the same route that the professional cyclists will be going all out on at that same time.

A chance to win just for working out

Thursdays will be our Bkool Multiplayer Challenge days. Each week several time slots will be made available so you can take part in our special multiplayer sessions, which will be sponsored by brands like Siroco, Taymory and Cofidis. Find the time that suits you best in our Facebook page and get ready for a unique indoor cycling experience.

Just for taking part in any of the sessions for these Challenges, you’ll be automatically eligible to win one of several prizes provided by our sponsors, like sunglasses, jerseys, full outfits and more. This time, your daily workout comes with a reward!

Take in La Vuelta from the comfort of home

With Bkool, the Grand Tours will never be the same again. If you have a smart cycling trainer, this year you’ll be able to take part in the first virtual Vuelta a España.

Thanks to the technology in our simulator, you’ll be able to ride the same routes where the professional cyclists will battle it out every day in a never-before-seen competition.

Do you dare to fill in for Froome or Landa? This year, the winner of the Vuelta is you!

And if you’re left wanting more, in addition to the League stages, the Bkool simulator makes it possible to work out on any of the routes in the real La Vuelta stages. Ride the last few kilometres each day and compare your time against the professionals!