Performace Monitor Race Displays
If you've never raced using the Indoor Sport Services Venue Race system before then the information below explains the start procedure and what is displayed on your monitor during your race.
When you get on your race machine the monitor will be set for your race, however you will need to perform a small number of checks (please note: the rower and monitor will be on the settings chosen by the person who has just competed before you).
Pre-Race Checks
- Your 'Race Number' is displayed beneath 'Next Race:'
- Your 'Name' is displayed beneath 'Competitor:'
- Your 'Machine Number' is displayed beneath 'Erg#:'
- Set the 'Drag Factor'
- Adjust the drag factor to the setting you wish to race on(it is displayed in the bottom right hand corner). This can be done by adjusting the damper lever on the flywheel cage between 1 to 10 and rowing 2-3 strokes. - Set the 'Display Units' - To choose the units you wish to see your 'pace' displayed in use the 'Change Units' button to toggle between split time for 500m (/500m) & time elapsed, split time for 500m (/500m) & average split time for 500m (ave./500m), Watts (watt) and average Watts (ave watt), Calories per hour (cal/hr) and expended calories (cal).
You should inform the scrutineer behind your machine at this point if the Race Details do not match.
Set the 'height of the feet' by adjusting the sliding footplate.
Ask a scrutineer behind your machine if you need help performing any of the checks and settings above. You will be able to continue to warm-up on your race machine until instructed by the race controller/commentator to stop rowing.
Race Start Procedure
- Approx 2 minutes before your race will be started you will be asked to stop by the race controller. Please put the handle in the handle hook.
- Your monitor display will change to that shown here. Once this screen appears you will not be able to change the display as the race system will control all of the monitors for the race.
- The race controller will announce that the race is going to be started and request the competitors come forward and pick up their handles. It will sound something like 'will competitors on machines the red race system please come forward, pick up your handles, and prepare to start'. When you pick up the handle DO NOT pull on it as you may trigger a false start.
- WATCH YOUR MONITOR!!. It will display 'Sit ready', 'Attention', 'ROW'. Once it displays 'ROW' start racing.
Important
- Ignore any distractions around you, concentrate on your monitor, once it displays 'ROW' you can start racing!!
- Please do not try and cheat the system by jumping the start - this will give you a false start and will result in the race being stopped and will delay the overall race schedule.
- The time between 'Attention' and 'ROW' will be different for each race to prevent people trying to predict when the start is and jump it
- If a false start occurs the monitor will display 'False Start' and will list the lanes that have false started. Please stop rowing and put the handle back in the handle rest. Steps 2 to 4 will be repeated
Race Dispaly
Above the thick black line
- Top left of Screen - Distance to go for a 2000m race and time to go for a timed race
- Top right of Screen - Stroke Rate
- Centre of Screen (large letters) - Pace/500m split
- Bottom Left of Screen - Average Split /500m
- Bottom Right of Screen - Section will be blank
Below the thick black line
This section will show four lines of information:
- Line 1: This will show the leader on your race system and the number of metres they are in front of you
- Line 2: This will show the person immediately in front of you on your race system with the number of metres they are in front
- Line 3: This will show your name
- Line 4: This will show the person immediately behind you and with the number of metres they are behind you
What is Drag Factor?
'Drag Factor' is a numerical value for the rate at which the flywheel is decelerating. This number changes with the volume of air that passes through the flywheel housing. Since higher damper settings allow more air into the flywheel housing, the flywheel decelerates more quickly, resulting in a higher Drag Factor value. The electronic Performance Monitor measures the Drag Factor on the recovery phase of each stroke and uses it to calculate your score. This method of self-calibration compensates for local conditions and damper settings, making scores on different Indoor Rowers comparable. Indoor racing and the Online Community are made possible by this method of self-calibration.
The load on the Concept 2 Indoor Rower is unlike any normal resistance training equipment. There is no pre-set load; what is measured is the ability of the user to accelerate the flywheel overcoming the air resistance forces opposing the flywheel rotation.
The damper lever is on the side of the fan cage, is numbered 1 to 10 and controls the drag factor. With the damper lever set to level 10 more air can pass across the fan increasing the resistance (drag) on the flywheel and at setting 1 less air passes across the fan decreasing the resistance (drag) on the flywheel.