Indoor rowers league 2014/15, formerly Challenge Series

The forum for general banter about the team.

Moderator: The forum police - (nee naw)

Rodger
Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
Posts: 1084
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:55 am
I row on...: Model C with PM3
Location: Venlo, Netherlands

Indoor rowers league 2014/15, formerly Challenge Series

Post by Rodger »

Bad news: apparently the Rowing Company, now: IndoorSports, has pulled the plug from the yearly Challenge Series despite having over 5,500 participants last season. I was planning to take part and do all challenges this year.

For those who don't know what the Challenge Series is, there are/were 9 monthly challenges (plus two bonus ones in the summer). Your result was then calculated against the top entry in your sexe*weight category.
See: http://indoorsportservices.co.uk/challengeseries/

The challenges were
Round 1 - September: O'Neill Fitness Test (4 mins)
Round 2 - October: One Mile (1609m)
Round 3 - November: Joe Simpson Challenge (6344m)
Round 4 - December: Greg Searle Challenge (5000m )
Round 5 - January: Gut Buster (10000m)
Round 6 - February: Classic Indoor Race Distance (2500m)
Round 7 - March: Olympic Race Distance (2000m)
Round 8 - April: Boat Race Record (16 mins 19 secs)
Round 9 - May: Sprint Finish (500m)

The good news is that the series now gets a new start as the "Indoor Rowers League") on http://indoorrowers.org/en/.
From their website:
The Indoor Rowers League is an Indoor Rowing online championship taking place in 7 rounds (one per month) from September to March.
We propose this championship at no costs and there is also no prices and no money to win. It just gives you the opportunity to challenge your teammate and other rowers during the season.
The idea for the Indoor Rowers League started from the fact that the well known and beloved Challenge Series has apparently stopped operating.
We do not exactly copied the Challenge Series but the principle are the same.


Any Free Spirits thinking of joining up? You will need to register on indoorrowers.org, where you can set the Free Spirits affiliation in your profile. Less than two weeks to go to get your 4 minutes up on the board...
Last edited by Rodger on Tue Sep 30, 2014 3:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
M | 48 | 1.78 m | 76 kg
Image
User avatar
Paul Victory
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Posts: 10616
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:29 pm
I row on...: Model E with PM4
Location: Dublin

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by Paul Victory »

I think I'm already signed up, but thanks for the reminder that I need to get my 4 minutes TT done before month end.
M 68 6'1" 124kg (May05), 92kg (Feb06), 122kg (Aug10), 95kg (Sep11), 117kg (Jun13), now 98kg
Image
User avatar
strider77
Free Spirit forever
Posts: 6157
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:43 pm
I row on...: Model D with PM5
Location: Near Brighton

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by strider77 »

Thanks Rodger-I have signed up too :wink:
[b]67 5ft 10ins tall, 80k, proud to be a Free Spirit[/b]
[img]https://tinyurl.com/fsrsigs/fssig-285.png[/img]
Rodger
Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
Posts: 1084
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:55 am
I row on...: Model C with PM3
Location: Venlo, Netherlands

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by Rodger »

Maybe it would be worthwhile to ask them to link to our website as well on this page:
http://indoorrowers.org/en/interesting-links
Currently, only FIRT and Q-Power are linked to.

What do you think?
M | 48 | 1.78 m | 76 kg
Image
User avatar
strider77
Free Spirit forever
Posts: 6157
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:43 pm
I row on...: Model D with PM5
Location: Near Brighton

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by strider77 »

Rodger wrote:-Maybe it would be worthwhile to ask them to link to our website as well on this page:
http://indoorrowers.org/en/interesting-links
Currently, only FIRT and Q-Power are linked to.

What do you think?
I think it is a great idea Rodger :D

Thomas or someone needs to authorise it though see below :-

"...This page contains list to partner / teams / friends websites all related to indoor rowing or rowing.

All the referred websites listed on this page have approved to be here.

If you want your site to be listed here and it is not yet there then please send us the link to your website and the written permission of the owner of the site to be referred by us at news@indoorrowers.org and we will be happy to add you!....."
[b]67 5ft 10ins tall, 80k, proud to be a Free Spirit[/b]
[img]https://tinyurl.com/fsrsigs/fssig-285.png[/img]
User avatar
Grobi
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2019
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2019
Posts: 3587
Joined: Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:26 am
I row on...: Model D with PM5
Location: Ingolstadt, Germany

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by Grobi »

Hi all,

I just registered and added "Free Spirits IRC" to the indoor rowing team affiliation list :fswink:

You should now be able to select Free Spirits as your team affiliation in your profile.
Athletes row, others just play games

Peter

55y, 1,89m, 85kg

Image
redshell
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2017
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2017
Posts: 263
Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 8:55 pm
Location: South Yorkshire born & bred living in Eynsford, Kent

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by redshell »

Rodger wrote:Maybe it would be worthwhile to ask them to link to our website as well on this page:
http://indoorrowers.org/en/interesting-links
Currently, only FIRT and Q-Power are linked to.

What do you think?

Good idea Rodger
Image
User avatar
Stan
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Posts: 9405
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:28 pm
I row on...: Model C with PM4
Location: Malvern

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by Stan »

Just registered for this. Thanks Rodger :D
pb times
Image
User avatar
plummy
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2020
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2020
Posts: 8306
Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:17 am
I row on...: Model E with PM4
Location: Sale, Cheshire, UK

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by plummy »

It's not exactly the simplest site to navigate around is it...?
60 yrs old, 76kg, 5' 10"
43Mm metres rowed. Re-setting the bar much lower now. Getting too old for this malarky
Image
User avatar
Paul Victory
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Posts: 10616
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:29 pm
I row on...: Model E with PM4
Location: Dublin

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by Paul Victory »

Can we make this post a stickie?

I've just entered my time for this months challenge (the 4 minutes O'Neill fitness test) and I can see where I stack up overall, within my age category (with and without LWTs included) and against my fellow Free Spirits members. So far, Alan Wisniewski is the only other Free Spirit to have entered a distance.

They've put a lot of work into it and it would be great if as many of us as possible could support this initiative. However, as always, there's no onus on anyone to do this unless they want to.

This is the link to enter the challenge http://indoorrowers.org/irwlmenu
M 68 6'1" 124kg (May05), 92kg (Feb06), 122kg (Aug10), 95kg (Sep11), 117kg (Jun13), now 98kg
Image
User avatar
plummy
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2020
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2020
Posts: 8306
Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:17 am
I row on...: Model E with PM4
Location: Sale, Cheshire, UK

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by plummy »

Sticky now...
60 yrs old, 76kg, 5' 10"
43Mm metres rowed. Re-setting the bar much lower now. Getting too old for this malarky
Image
User avatar
Richard Lindner
Stop posting and start rowing!
Posts: 119
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:59 pm
I row on...: Model D with PM5
Location: Somerset, UK

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by Richard Lindner »

Registered and Free Spirits affiliation set. Just got to do a decent 4 min :-k
Rich

Image

62yrs 99kg 5' 11"
User avatar
Paul Victory
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Posts: 10616
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:29 pm
I row on...: Model E with PM4
Location: Dublin

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by Paul Victory »

I don't know if I've breached any guidelines, but I just sent Sebastien Chaumiole a link to our website. #-o Thomas, are you OK with this?

Paul V
M 68 6'1" 124kg (May05), 92kg (Feb06), 122kg (Aug10), 95kg (Sep11), 117kg (Jun13), now 98kg
Image
User avatar
Paul Victory
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Posts: 10616
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:29 pm
I row on...: Model E with PM4
Location: Dublin

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by Paul Victory »

A bit off topic, but has anyone compared the O'Neill Fitness Test benchmark distances that are shown on the Indoor Sports Services website with the Boat Rate Test benchmark distances. http://indoorsportservices.co.uk/traini ... _race_test

There's a huge disparity between the two. The distance required to get a particular rating for your category over 16 minutes is 3.84 times the distance required to get the same rating over 4 minutes for those in their 20s and this ratio increases as you get older. For over 70s, it's actually greater than 4, meaning you have to row at a faster pace over 16 minutes to get the same rating as you got over 4 minutes!

For my category (60-69 MHWT), the difference in pace is only 1.02 seconds per 500m. Crazy stuff!
M 68 6'1" 124kg (May05), 92kg (Feb06), 122kg (Aug10), 95kg (Sep11), 117kg (Jun13), now 98kg
Image
User avatar
Recess
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2015
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2015
Posts: 668
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 1:35 pm
I row on...: Model D with PM5
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by Recess »

I tell you one thing, you don't want to accidentally go to indoorrowing.org ... Especially at work!!

I managed 1206 at a local gym, but it didn't feel real as it wasn't on my home machine. So will have another bash soon.

John
It's not how far you go... It's how go you far.
Image

Follow my training blog as I try to break a world record: http://johntherower.com
User avatar
plummy
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2020
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2020
Posts: 8306
Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:17 am
I row on...: Model E with PM4
Location: Sale, Cheshire, UK

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by plummy »

Can't remember last time I did a 4 minute row and I can't say I was particularly looking forward to this one - but, how hard could it be, it's ONLY 4 minutes!!

Given my PB (1156m was set 7 years ago), I'm half pleased with my 1118m tonight. Was it all out, dying on the floor after? - no, but there wasn't much left. Maybe I could pull another 15~20m on another day. It's a score on the scoreboard though.
60 yrs old, 76kg, 5' 10"
43Mm metres rowed. Re-setting the bar much lower now. Getting too old for this malarky
Image
User avatar
strider77
Free Spirit forever
Posts: 6157
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:43 pm
I row on...: Model D with PM5
Location: Near Brighton

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by strider77 »

Well done Dave =D>

Paul regarding your off topic point, I agree with you that it makes very little sense

According to the 4 min test I am in the Excellent category, whereas for the 16 minute test I am above average only which is very odd :shock:
[b]67 5ft 10ins tall, 80k, proud to be a Free Spirit[/b]
[img]https://tinyurl.com/fsrsigs/fssig-285.png[/img]
User avatar
Stan
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Posts: 9405
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:28 pm
I row on...: Model C with PM4
Location: Malvern

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by Stan »

Thought I would have a quick go at this today as I haven't registered a distance. Having done no sprinting at all this year other than the occasional ctc I had no idea of what I could do. As usual for me in this situation I was too cautious at the start but finished quick. Managed 1080 but there is more in the tank so I will try to have another go before the deadline
pb times
Image
Rodger
Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
Posts: 1084
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:55 am
I row on...: Model C with PM3
Location: Venlo, Netherlands

Re: Challenge series 2014/2015

Post by Rodger »

From their website:
I have decided to extend the September Challenge until Monday 6th of October 2014, 12:00 AM GMT.

It's going to be a choice for me on Sunday between this, the new CTC or a PB attempt for the 6k.

They also announced the challenges will stay the same this year as in the CS, apart from ditching the last two challenges (16'19" and 500m - I don't know what's the reasoning behind this).

I very much appreciate them continuing the challenge series as the indoor rowers league. But it's a bit of a shame they didn't have more time to set it up properly and get more participants. There is a total of 127 entries now, 7 in my class (sex/age/weight). Only 10 of the 127 are female right now.
M | 48 | 1.78 m | 76 kg
Image
User avatar
Thomas W-P
Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
Posts: 5093
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:44 pm
I row on...: Model C with PM3
Location: Newport, Essex
Contact:

Re: Indoor rowers league 2014/15, formerly Challenge Series

Post by Thomas W-P »

They now have a link to us on their interesting links page. The more FS on board the merrier...
51 yrs - A cyclist these days
Image
User avatar
Recess
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2015
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2015
Posts: 668
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 1:35 pm
I row on...: Model D with PM5
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Re: Indoor rowers league 2014/15, formerly Challenge Series

Post by Recess »

A quick bump to this to let you know I won the 'participation' prize!! I think it's just a prize for turning up... But still, 100 euros won't go amiss!! Does this mean I can say I'm a pro? Quit my job at the BBC and make a living from indoor rowing? No? Bah...

Of course, this may all have been a scam, and I'm about to have my PayPal account hacked...

John


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It's not how far you go... It's how go you far.
Image

Follow my training blog as I try to break a world record: http://johntherower.com
User avatar
plummy
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2020
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2020
Posts: 8306
Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:17 am
I row on...: Model E with PM4
Location: Sale, Cheshire, UK

Re: Indoor rowers league 2014/15, formerly Challenge Series

Post by plummy »

Be sure to tell Mr Osborne - I'm sure he'll want a cut.

Congrats on winning - any cash bonus surprise is a nice thing to have :D
60 yrs old, 76kg, 5' 10"
43Mm metres rowed. Re-setting the bar much lower now. Getting too old for this malarky
Image
User avatar
Paul Victory
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
Posts: 10616
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:29 pm
I row on...: Model E with PM4
Location: Dublin

Re: Indoor rowers league 2014/15, formerly Challenge Series

Post by Paul Victory »

Congratulations John.

You should make a point of spending it on some rowing gear.
M 68 6'1" 124kg (May05), 92kg (Feb06), 122kg (Aug10), 95kg (Sep11), 117kg (Jun13), now 98kg
Image
Rodger
Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
Posts: 1084
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:55 am
I row on...: Model C with PM3
Location: Venlo, Netherlands

Re: Indoor rowers league 2014/15, formerly Challenge Series

Post by Rodger »

Congrats, John!
Actually, Alan beat you to it:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3078
M | 48 | 1.78 m | 76 kg
Image
Rodger
Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
Posts: 1084
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:55 am
I row on...: Model C with PM3
Location: Venlo, Netherlands

Re: Indoor rowers league 2014/15, formerly Challenge Series

Post by Rodger »

A new team-based competition is added to the IRL for 2015/16. Looks interesting.
From: http://indoorrowers.org/en/entry/offici ... ion-8-on-8

Dear Rowers,
As you all know the Indoor Rowers League is an indivudal competition.
Looking to the participation in the 1st season had me thinking about some additional motivation.
I came to the conclusion that a team competition on top of the individual one may bring some more rowers in the competition.
After completely rethinking my first proposal and based on Anne Bourlioux's recommendation, I'm glad to announce today the team competition in the Indoor Rowers League.
The competition will be named "8 on 8" based on the fact that we will have 8 rowers rowing 8 challenges per team.

How does this work?

Each team can have at maximum 10 rowers. Those rowers will all participate to the individual challenges of the IRL and the best 8 results will be added to a score. The team that has the best score will get 100 points for the month. At the end of the season the team that has the most points wins.
In order to get a bit more fairness in the whole competition. Each team member time will be compensated based on the world record in his sex - age - weight category.
For example if a 56 y/o LWT women rows a 26 min time on the 6k and a 20 y/o heavy weight man rows a 22 min time and there is a difference between the world record of both categories of 3 min in the advantage of the male rower than the time of the lady will be discounted 3 mins bringing it to a 23 min time.

Registration for the team event will start with the league registration mid of August.
Team registration closure is at the end of the first month event i.e. 1st of October.
A 100 Euro price will be awarded to the winnner team.

Hope that this team event will see a lot of participation!

Stay tuned!

Cheers

Sébastien @ indoorrowers.org
M | 48 | 1.78 m | 76 kg
Image
Post Reply