BKOOL Cycling simulator - User's manual

If you have a PC (Windows) or a Mac (OSX)

You can download the BKOOL Cycling from here

If you have a talbet or mobile phone (Android)

Find the BKOOL Cycling app on Google Play.

If you have an iPad (IOS)

Find the BKOOL Cycling app on the Apple Store.

To run the Simulator, you need an internet connection and the email and password that you used to register on Bkool.com.

If you are not registered, you can do so on our website.

If you check the option "Remember me", the next time you run the Simulator you will just have to click on "Enter".

The Simulator can manage several users.

Remember to have ANT+ or Bluetooth connected.

Scroll down to see all the sessions currently available.

Remember that you can schedule the ones you want to ride from the website.

How do I schedule a session? – BKOOL

A session is represented by a card containing the information on it. If there are cyclists currently doing a session, the number of cyclists will be shown with a red dot in the top left-hand corner. In the top right-hand corner, the views available for this session will be shown. At the bottom of the screen, just above the name, you will be able to see from left to right:

  - total distance (km/miles)
  - accumulated slope (metres/ft)
  - average gradient

When you access a BKOOL Cycling route, you will see if there are already sessions started by other users. You will be shown if the session is in progress and the number of users that are in it. You will be allowed to join a session during the Warm-up period and if there is a group outing organised by BKOOL within the next hour, you can sign up for it

Before entering a session in progress, in addition to being able to see who is taking part, you will be able to see where they are in the provisional classification and the intensity at which they are riding in W/Kg.

You will also be able to see the users who have reached the finish line and the position they occupy in the provisional ranking.

In each of the session settings, there will be text to explain about each setting:

• Required warm up (It is not possible to edit this option in live sessions created by other users).
• Competitive mode.
• Wind (if you enable this option, real time wind will be recreated).
• Slope reduction
• Share data with other users during the activity. 
• Real Wather.
• Show opponents in the video.

You will find the search option in the menu:

After clicking on "Search" you can search for Routes, Workouts, Velodromes and create FTP tests.

For each option, you can apply filters based on criteria that you specify. 

This way you can find your friends by looking for them by their name if they are doing a session at that moment, or select the session that best suits what you’re looking for.

PC

ANT+ (Recommended). Using the ANT+ antenna connected to a USB port on the PC.

Bluetooth Smart 4.0. Windows 10 or higher is required.

MAC

ANT+ Using the ANT+ antenna. You will need to have a USB - USB-C cable

Bluetooth Smart 4.0 (Recommended).

IOS (Ipad)

Bluetooth Smart 4.0. (Recommended)

Android tablet

ANT+ Some table models include an ANT+ antenna (check the technical specifications of the device). If not, you can use the ANT+ antenna and connect it to a USB port with an OTG cable.

Bluetooth Smart 4.0. (Recommended)

Once registered, you have to pair your device (trainer, bike, heart rate monitor, etc.) to the Simulator. To do so, open the Simulator, then click the conexion botton. 

You will see the gollowing image.

Once your device is paired, you can close the window and select the session you want to do.

In the upper right you will see the time and the two communication technologies you can use to pair your device. The rotating arrow around them means that the simulator is scanning for devices to connect. It is perfectly normal for the Simulator to try to find a trainer or bike via Bluetooth and ANT+ at the same time.

BKOOL Cycling is fully compatible, and control the resistance of the following trainers and bikes.

The certification we make of Smart trainers ensures a reliable simulation, where the sensations when pedaling climbing and descending slopes are adequate. But this doesn't mean that other trainers or bikes are not compatible and work well: if your device broadcasts in the standard ANT+ FE-C protocol, it is surely compatible too. Please check this out in the manufacturer's site.

We recommend you try pairing your trainer with the Simulator. We add new models periodically, so yours may not be listed.

You will find the settings option in the menu.

From here you can select the default view, change the video or 3D quality, and adjust other Simulator options.

Simulator version and information about your subscription and devices.

You can also send us a report if you have a technical problem. This way we will have the data that will help us identify the cause.

5.2 Edit Profile and Avatar

You can edit your profile and avatar by clicking on your profile image, upper left corner.

Edit profile. Configure your personal data.

Avatar. Configure your avatar in 3D view to your liking.

In the store you can spend your Bkoins.

Depending on the type of session, different views will be available. You can switch between them.

In 3D view, pressing the V key will change the view angle.

7.1.2. VIDEO

The workouts indicate the target zone. You should stay in the specified range to meet the goals. Watts will be shown in red if you exit the assigned range.

The ERG system automatically adjusts the trainer's resistance, regardless of your pace, so you can ride at the specified watts. Deactivate it using theP key.

As long as you don't have the video view disabled in the app settings, you can enjoy videos during your workout.

Note: Workouts that are very long will not have video.

The velodrome sessions offer three views.

GLOBAL

3D

VIDEO

During the session you can adjust certain options by clicking on the icon in the upper right corner, the Esc key or back icon. You can also see all the information on the session, who else is riding and the keys or gestures for different options.

Different options for the session.

See who is riding and their level.

Information about the session you are doing.

The information on the screen can be reduced or hidden, there are several states:

During warm-up it is not possible to make this change, so the screen will appear in L until the session starts. This change can be made by pressing the following keys:

During a session you can choose three ways to display the data. To change from one mode to another press the down ▼ or up ▲ key, or swipe in that direction if using a tablet.

8.3 END OF THE SESSION. DATA SUMMARY SCREEN

To end the session you just have to click on the button with three stripes on the left. 

Once the session is finished a panel will appear on the right with all the data of the session carried out and with the option to save the session or not. 

At the end of the session you can cool down for a few minutes, which will not be counted in the session data

At the end of a session, you can save it or delete it. If you save it, you can analyze the session data in the "History" section of Bkool.com. If you delete it, no data will be saved.

From the simulator settings, in "About the App", you can send a report to BKOOL. This way, we will have all the data on your device and the simulator's process registry, which we can use to help you solve certain technical problems.

This mode allows you to look in on a session. You can follow the riders and send them messages of encouragement. BKOOL isn't just about sweating; you can also enjoy watching your friends ride :)

You can access spectator mode for any of the sessions that are taking place at that moment. Just click on the session, and then on "Spectator mode".

Select the rider you want to follow in the list of positions. You can write messages on the road or text the cyclist.

The method for changing views is the same as when riding a session, as are the rest of the options.

ERG mode lets you control the desired power at all times, since the resistance applied by the trainer will adjust automatically, regardless of your speed, cadence or gear, to keep the power at the specified value.

This lets you do controlled workouts as the trainer will adapt the power to whatever you specify.

Note: The trainer's braking system needs a minimum speed in order to offer certain resistances. If this speed is not reached, the trainer will not be able to offer the specified power. In this case the speed must be increased.

ERG mode is activated automatically when you are doing a workout or class. Also, if you entered Goals when setting up a session on the website.

To activate ERG mode manually in any route session, press the P key, or by touching the power value on tablets. After a few seconds, ERG mode will be turned on at the current power value.

Use the + or - keys to increase or decrease power by 5 watts (not available in workouts).

To deactivate it, press the P key again, or by touching the power value on tablets. The trainer will again respond based on the gradient of the profile.

The Simulator indicates that you are in ERG mode.

When you click on a workout, you will see an outline profile of it 4, and the time in each Zone 5. Shown under the name are the total time 1 and difficulty of session 2, as well as the IF (Intensity Factor) and TSS (Training Stress Score) values 3 of the workout.

The workouts indicate the target zone. You should stay in the specified range to meet the goals. Watts will be shown in red if you exit the assigned range.

The the hour of the day is shown in the center of the screen 3

The ERG 5 system automatically adjusts the trainer's resistance, regardless of your pace, so you can ride at the specified watts.

Deactivate it using the P key, in which case you will have to adjust your speed/cadence and the gears on your bike to stay in the Zone. If you press the P key again, ERG mode will keep you at the watts you have at that exact moment.

If a specific cadence range is assigned for your current block, this value will be displayed 4.

Next to your name you can see the compliance (%) 2

At the end of the workout, you will see the compliance (%), normalized power, average HR and effort (IF).

One of the easiest and fastest ways to have everything under control and only worry about pedaling is to ride sessions in the velodrome.

There, it is you who decides the training intensity, whether you want to ride hard, warm up or go for the hour record.

You can ride velodrome sessions in the Simulator by going into Search > Velodrome

You can choose between the Galapagar velodrome in Madrid, the Luis Puig velodrome in Valencia or London velodrome.

Set up your session by selecting the number of laps to ride. 

If you prefer to limit your session by time, you can do so on our website Sessions > Velodrome

Velodrome sessions offer three views: Global, 3D and video.

You can see them in point 7- Views.

You can also ride two classic velodrome events.

Kilometer record

A classic event in which you have to complete four laps of the velodrome as fast as possible.

Hour record

60 minutes to ride as many kilometers as you can in the velodrome.

Many cyclists have tried it, but only a few have managed to go down in history. Will you be among them?

- Make sure you've connected it to your device.

- It's connected but it doesn't detect the ANT+ USB stick.

- Are you using Garmin Express or Agent (or any other software that uses ANT+ technology, such as Adidas MyCoach, etc.) on your device? Close Garmin Express (it's incompatible with the BKOOL Simulator) and turn off all other Garmin programs and processes on your device. (Windows: Task Manager >> Applications/Processes // MAC: Activity Monitor). Also, make sure you're not using Garmin's USB ANT+. To use BKOOL Cycling, Garmin Agent must be off; otherwise, the two programs may conflict with each other.

- The ANT+ libraries may not be up-to-date on your computer..

Try installing the VC redist program from the following link.

Make sure that the file name is VC_redist.x64 and install it.

Important: restart the computer once installed. .

Open the Simulator. It should detect the USB ANT+ and the ANT+ icon should be highlighted in white when you go into the "Pair the simulator" menu. After a few seconds, the trainer will be detected via ANT+.

- If the above doesn't work, there could be a conflict in your computer's COM ports. Use another USB port or go into the Device Manager and look for the USB ANT+ Stick 2 in LibUSB. Right click and select Uninstall. Take out and reinsert the USB to install USB ANT+ again. You can also try restarting the computer after uninstalling USB ANT+.

The firewall or antivirus on your computer could be hampering communications between the Simulator and the server. Try adding an exception in both tools for our program (BKOOLCycling.exe), or temporarily disable them. If the antivirus is free, you can simply uninstall it and install a different one later.

• Go over point 16.2, regarding the firewall or antivirus.
• >An internet connection is required to log into the Simulator and start a session. If the connection is lost during a session, it may be possible to finish it, but a session can't be started without a connection.

The high-definition display depends on the characteristics of the device. If the Simulator slows down or freezes during sessions, lower the quality or disable video and 3D from the settings.

You can check the Simulator requirements for your system here.