The fun goes on. It's now almost 2 months since I received my tacx bike trainer and it is not working in tandem with my computer and big screen tv yet. It seems that every problem solved leads to a new problem.
After many attempts to get the TTS (Tacx trainer software) to work with my laptop I have finally given up. It seems the TTS doesn't work with Windows 7 64 bit which is what my laptop has so I ordered a used desktop with an upgraded video card and Windows XP.
My first problem with this computer was that the s video cable that I had fit my tv but didn't match the s video outlet on the computer video card. Silly of me to think that 2 the 2 s video outlets would be the same. I ended up buying a DVI to HDMI cable and voila, a giant computer monitor became a reality. Another issue was I needed a keyboard and mouse to use with the desktop unit so I had purchased a bluetooth adapter for the Blackberry keyboard that I use with my Playbook. Problem was in order to download the bluetooth program I needed a mouse to operate the computer. The perfect Catch 22. Lucky for me Deb had brought her computer and mouse up for the weekend so I was able to use it to download the bluetooth program. I still couldn't get the program to find the keyboard so I had to leave it up to Jim to figure it out. I can now operate my desktop with my Blackberry keyboard which also has a touchpad to serve as a mouse.
I then downloaded the TTS program and wonders of wonders the computer recognised the antenna the trainer uses. To complete the setup I had to have an internet connection so Tacx can activate the software but of course the desktop does not have wifi so I grabbed the wireless modem upstairs and plugged it into the downstairs jack and ran a long cable to the computer. I couldn't get any internet so after some investigation I find that there is no signal at the phone jack. This is a line I ran myself years ago and it functioned before so why not now? I check where it enters the house and there is no signal so there must be a fault in the buried wire.
Today I am going to run a temporary service from my demarcation point at the side of the house to where the buried wire enters the house. This should give me internet in the basement for the winter and come spring I will repair the buried wire and remove the temp. I have done this same thing hundreds of times at work when I was a cable repairman with Bell so hopefully all will go well. The only drag is today is the coldest day of the year. Murphy's law.
Ice climbing at Eugenia Falls
Eugenia Falls
Monday 21 January 2013
Monday 14 January 2013
Sunday 13 January 2013
Tacx trainer lack of support
It has been a while but due to a lot of requests, one to be precise, I am doing another post. The person who put forth the request shall remain nameless although I will say that last night around midnight I received two texts, one from him and another one from the other drunk (I presume) sitting across the table from him (I hope). Both texters professed their love for me. I hope they both meant they loved me in a father figure, you're a miserable old prick kind of way but I guess I will never know for sure. I do know for sure that when some guys drink they can get strange and when some guys drink Red Bull and vodka pants become optional. I do know that.
Onto my little rant now. I purchased a Tacx Bushido trainer about two months ago and finally received it a month ago. This trainer with the proper Tacx software should allow me to train with my computer hooked up to a big screen tv so I can see all sorts of different info such as my watts output, cadence, speed etc. while climbing to a video of the Alpe d'huez, with the brake of the trainer reflecting the steepness of the climb. The steeper the hill the harder it is to pedal. There are also virtual courses where I can race against a virtual opponent on many different famous race routes or race online against other riders sitting on their trainers in their basements or garages. How cool is that.
The problem with all this is I can't get the software to work on my computer. Every time I set the program up it freezes and I have to control-alt-delete to get out of the program. Very frustrating indeed but what is even worse is the customer support provide by Tacx. It is virtually nonexistent. Ask them a question and they usually send a link to their analysis tool which is really just a way for them to ignore your troubles.
When I investigated further I found that this problem with the software is not confined to only me. The problem is widespread with many customers of Tacx swearing they will never buy a Tacx trainer again. They too can't believe how bad the customer support is and how problematic the software can be.
I have discovered that although my Tacx software says it will work on Windows 7, 64 bit, this is apparently not true and just about anyone with Windows 7 has a great deal of difficulty getting it to function. I am now getting a used desktop computer with an upgraded video card and Windows XP which I hope will solve the problem. I have my doubts but who knows, I might get it to work. It has certainly been a painful and more expensive than I thought it would be learning experience.
Lucky for me I can always take solace in the fact that out there somewhere somebody loves me, hopefully in a father figure, you're a miserable prick kind of way.
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| My nonfunctioning setup |
The problem with all this is I can't get the software to work on my computer. Every time I set the program up it freezes and I have to control-alt-delete to get out of the program. Very frustrating indeed but what is even worse is the customer support provide by Tacx. It is virtually nonexistent. Ask them a question and they usually send a link to their analysis tool which is really just a way for them to ignore your troubles.
When I investigated further I found that this problem with the software is not confined to only me. The problem is widespread with many customers of Tacx swearing they will never buy a Tacx trainer again. They too can't believe how bad the customer support is and how problematic the software can be.
I have discovered that although my Tacx software says it will work on Windows 7, 64 bit, this is apparently not true and just about anyone with Windows 7 has a great deal of difficulty getting it to function. I am now getting a used desktop computer with an upgraded video card and Windows XP which I hope will solve the problem. I have my doubts but who knows, I might get it to work. It has certainly been a painful and more expensive than I thought it would be learning experience.
Lucky for me I can always take solace in the fact that out there somewhere somebody loves me, hopefully in a father figure, you're a miserable prick kind of way.
Tuesday 30 October 2012
Trainers
I had another spin class last night and once again it was an excellent workout. The hour went by quickly and the sweat poured off me. Although I like going to them I have been searching for another way to "ride" in the winter and it seems computer trainers are the way to go.
After considerable research I have decided there are 3 worthy trainers that interest me. They all have their plusses and minuses and picking one will be difficult. The one feature they all have that I really like is if you are climbing a hill on screen the pedalling will get harder to reflect that and the reverse is true if you are going downhill. Very cool.
The first is the Proform TDF which is an entire exercise bike. It has it's own display screen which gives power output, calories burned and several training stats. You can also display this information along with this course you are riding on a computer or through the computer to a big screen tv. The ability to map your own rides using Google maps and then riding them in the basement is also possible.
The second is the Computainer which you attach your rear wheel to like many regular trainers but this one also displays many different training stats through a computer onto a big screen tv if you like. You do need a computer though which hooks up to the handlebar mounted control module. It has virtual courses which are cool because you can set the power output of a virtual rider (Metal man) and then chase after him. It even has a draughting option. It also allows you to ride real videoed courses.
The third is the Tacx trainer which is a lot like the Computrainer in that it attaches to the rear wheel of your bike and uses a handlebar mounted control module to display through your computer onto a big screen. The Tacx has videoed courses of famous rides as well as the virtual rider option. Some models also have a steerer which your front wheel sits on so you must steer while going around corners or you will "crash". Some models, such as the Bushido power themselves through your pedalling which is pretty amazing.
All three of these trainers have their pluses and minuses and the biggest minus is they're not cheap. They are all in the $1500 to $1700 range so you would have to be pretty serious about training to purchase one. I have no doubt though that anyone training on one of these through the winter would be well ahead of the curve come springtime. If interested in one you should check out their web sites to get the complete story on each one because I have only given a brief synopsis of what each trainer is capable of.
After considerable research I have decided there are 3 worthy trainers that interest me. They all have their plusses and minuses and picking one will be difficult. The one feature they all have that I really like is if you are climbing a hill on screen the pedalling will get harder to reflect that and the reverse is true if you are going downhill. Very cool.
The first is the Proform TDF which is an entire exercise bike. It has it's own display screen which gives power output, calories burned and several training stats. You can also display this information along with this course you are riding on a computer or through the computer to a big screen tv. The ability to map your own rides using Google maps and then riding them in the basement is also possible.
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| Proform Tour de France |
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| Computrainer |
The third is the Tacx trainer which is a lot like the Computrainer in that it attaches to the rear wheel of your bike and uses a handlebar mounted control module to display through your computer onto a big screen. The Tacx has videoed courses of famous rides as well as the virtual rider option. Some models also have a steerer which your front wheel sits on so you must steer while going around corners or you will "crash". Some models, such as the Bushido power themselves through your pedalling which is pretty amazing.
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| Video ride from Tacx |
Friday 26 October 2012
Stiff and sore
Yesterday I rode almost all the way to Badjeros and back. The ride took 2:10 but the real story is how the ride there differed from the ride back.
While getting ready for the ride I noticed that the wind was picking up but from the house it was tough to tell the direction. As soon as I got moving it became obvious that the wind was coming from the SW and it was steady and strong. This made the climb up the Pretty River road much slower than usual. To make things even more difficult was the road surface which was tarred and gravelled several months ago and is now a rough surface with much more rolling resistance. I doubt anyone will be setting their personal best climbing Pretty River road for a few years.
The wind blew steady down the hill. I made up it to Robroy and continued straight through but now it seemed even stronger, blowing directly from the SW. On days like these I am glad I didn't buy aero wheels because they definitely would have given me handling problems in the cross wind.
At 30 kms out I turned around and headed back. Riding home was a complete contrast to the ride out. With the wind now at my back I made great time although near the end I was lagging a bit, mostly because I was pooped from the ride out.
Riding up and into the wind for 30 kms took 1:25 with an average speed of roughly 21.5 kph. Riding back took only 44 minutes with an average of 37.8 kph so it was like two completely different rides. I should also note that because the bottom half of Pretty River road is so rough and there is still loose gravel I don't push hard on that section. Crashing on that surface would rip your skin to shreds.
I also had a close call in the traffic circle at Poplar and High where the car driver was oblivious to the fact that a bike was in the circle.
In the evening I went to my first ever league curling game and it was great. I actually got some rocks in the house and swept my ass off and let me tell you, sweeping those rocks all the way down the ice is hard work. Despite my limited ability we won 8-3 so we had to buy the first round of drinks for the losers which is how it is done in curling. Certainly takes the sting out of losing.
I think I'll take it a bit easier today.
While getting ready for the ride I noticed that the wind was picking up but from the house it was tough to tell the direction. As soon as I got moving it became obvious that the wind was coming from the SW and it was steady and strong. This made the climb up the Pretty River road much slower than usual. To make things even more difficult was the road surface which was tarred and gravelled several months ago and is now a rough surface with much more rolling resistance. I doubt anyone will be setting their personal best climbing Pretty River road for a few years.
The wind blew steady down the hill. I made up it to Robroy and continued straight through but now it seemed even stronger, blowing directly from the SW. On days like these I am glad I didn't buy aero wheels because they definitely would have given me handling problems in the cross wind.
At 30 kms out I turned around and headed back. Riding home was a complete contrast to the ride out. With the wind now at my back I made great time although near the end I was lagging a bit, mostly because I was pooped from the ride out.
Riding up and into the wind for 30 kms took 1:25 with an average speed of roughly 21.5 kph. Riding back took only 44 minutes with an average of 37.8 kph so it was like two completely different rides. I should also note that because the bottom half of Pretty River road is so rough and there is still loose gravel I don't push hard on that section. Crashing on that surface would rip your skin to shreds.
I also had a close call in the traffic circle at Poplar and High where the car driver was oblivious to the fact that a bike was in the circle.
In the evening I went to my first ever league curling game and it was great. I actually got some rocks in the house and swept my ass off and let me tell you, sweeping those rocks all the way down the ice is hard work. Despite my limited ability we won 8-3 so we had to buy the first round of drinks for the losers which is how it is done in curling. Certainly takes the sting out of losing.
I think I'll take it a bit easier today.
Wednesday 24 October 2012
Spin class
I have now joined the Y with the intention of going to spin classes over the winter to try to keep some biking fitness in me. I would like to have a good start to next season and hopefully build on that because my goal will be to get a top ten in next years Centurion. Now if anyone had ever suggested to me years ago that I would be happy being in the top ten in anything I would have told them they were nuts but times change.
I must admit I didn't think my age group (55-59) would be so competitive. This year I worked hard, dropped my time by a significant amount yet I only improved a few places to 17'th out of 97 riders. In order to be in the top ten I would have had to knock off another 6 minutes or so . Six minutes may not seem like much but at 30 kph that's 3 km which is certainly a significant distance.
Today was my first spin class and what a workout it was. I now understand how Susan and Brian improved so quickly this year. The class was an hour long and the instructor, a very nice young lady, kept us sprinting, climbing, standing, sitting and sweating for the entire time. If they handed out an award for who sweat the most I would have won it hands down. Both my jersey and bike shorts were drenched at the end of the session. On Sundays there is a 2 hour session but I think I'll pass on that one until spring rolls around. I want to keep some leg in me but 2 hours on an exercise bike seems a little much to me.
Next time out I will wear my heart rate monitor and report back on the results. It should give me a pretty good idea on how good a workout it is.
I must admit I didn't think my age group (55-59) would be so competitive. This year I worked hard, dropped my time by a significant amount yet I only improved a few places to 17'th out of 97 riders. In order to be in the top ten I would have had to knock off another 6 minutes or so . Six minutes may not seem like much but at 30 kph that's 3 km which is certainly a significant distance.
Today was my first spin class and what a workout it was. I now understand how Susan and Brian improved so quickly this year. The class was an hour long and the instructor, a very nice young lady, kept us sprinting, climbing, standing, sitting and sweating for the entire time. If they handed out an award for who sweat the most I would have won it hands down. Both my jersey and bike shorts were drenched at the end of the session. On Sundays there is a 2 hour session but I think I'll pass on that one until spring rolls around. I want to keep some leg in me but 2 hours on an exercise bike seems a little much to me.
Next time out I will wear my heart rate monitor and report back on the results. It should give me a pretty good idea on how good a workout it is.
Wednesday 17 October 2012
Motivation.
With the change of seasons comes a change of activities. I haven't been on my bike for over a week now, one reason being the weather has been awful and the other reason is I am now lacking in motivation. I did ride over 3300 kms this year which was 900 more than last year.
Motivation for me this year was to improve on my time and placing from last years Centurion race. I really enjoy going out for rides but preparing for a race helps me to focus on the task at hand. When I mountainbiked a lot it was the same because I did a fair amount of racing for a while so all rides led to the goal of better fitness for better results.
I don't think there are many rides left in me this year due to the fact that there is nothing to work towards now. A rest is always good but at the same time it's a bit of a drag that my biking fitness level is sure to drop over the winter. To stay relatively fit in the coming months my activities will include hiking up Blue, snowshoeing, downhill skiing and snowboarding and to keep some bike fitness there is a good chance I will go to some spin classes. My friends Brian and Sue went to spin classses this year and the improvement in their bike fitness was impressive so it can only benefit me as well. I will be also be curling but that will be more for fun than fitness.
My one other goal is to keep my weight down. This year I dropped almost 10 pounds which makes a big difference when you are doing a tough climb. Think of the effort it takes to carry a 10 pound sack of potatoes around and then relate that to lugging that weight on your back climbing a hill. It's worth it to keep that weight off so I can start next season with a good base fitness. My motivation next year will be to crack the top 10 in my age category in the Centurion. It will be difficult to do as I was 17'th out of 97 this year and to gain the top 10 I would have had to knock another 5-6 minutes off my time. It won't be easy but goals easily reached aren't much to celebrate are they.
Motivation for me this year was to improve on my time and placing from last years Centurion race. I really enjoy going out for rides but preparing for a race helps me to focus on the task at hand. When I mountainbiked a lot it was the same because I did a fair amount of racing for a while so all rides led to the goal of better fitness for better results.
I don't think there are many rides left in me this year due to the fact that there is nothing to work towards now. A rest is always good but at the same time it's a bit of a drag that my biking fitness level is sure to drop over the winter. To stay relatively fit in the coming months my activities will include hiking up Blue, snowshoeing, downhill skiing and snowboarding and to keep some bike fitness there is a good chance I will go to some spin classes. My friends Brian and Sue went to spin classses this year and the improvement in their bike fitness was impressive so it can only benefit me as well. I will be also be curling but that will be more for fun than fitness.
My one other goal is to keep my weight down. This year I dropped almost 10 pounds which makes a big difference when you are doing a tough climb. Think of the effort it takes to carry a 10 pound sack of potatoes around and then relate that to lugging that weight on your back climbing a hill. It's worth it to keep that weight off so I can start next season with a good base fitness. My motivation next year will be to crack the top 10 in my age category in the Centurion. It will be difficult to do as I was 17'th out of 97 this year and to gain the top 10 I would have had to knock another 5-6 minutes off my time. It won't be easy but goals easily reached aren't much to celebrate are they.
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