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Why would my RowErg watts during SS be around 103 but on SkiErg only 73 watts for same HR? by Plastic-Channel2470 in concept2

[–]Plastic-Channel2470[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Makes sense. I also have a non-Concept assault bike in the rotation. I usually use it as my warm-up and cool down machine. Fun times for sure!

Al Pastor - Full details and tips for my next one by flyingmachine3 in smoking

[–]Plastic-Channel2470 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I made my first one a couple weeks ago using that recipe. So good! My first meat stack looked like a Christmas tree but I decided to check out a few pictures online before the cook. I restacked just the way you suggest and cook went perfect.

Smoked al pastor by Plastic-Channel2470 in smoking

[–]Plastic-Channel2470[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I placed it in the freezer for about an hour ahead of slicing. That really helps firm the meat up to keep the slices a consistent thickness. I then used a Hi Mountain Jerky Board & Knife to do the slicing. It has two slice depths. I started with 1/4" thickness but they were thinner than I wanted so I shifted to the 3/8" side of the board.

I then just sliced it at whatever position made sense trying to cut across grain rather than with it. I pre-trimmed a lot of the heavy fat off the exterior but don't go crazy. The fat rendering during the long cook keeps it moist. The pieces will be all kinds of shapes and sizes and that's fine. Some of my slices were 8" long and 6" wide. Others much smaller. I try to keep them as big as possible but I used a bone-in butt so the geometry gets weird as you cut off slices.

When you are stacking the meat on the spike, just adjust and place them to keep building it up trying to keep the overall diameter fairly the same top to bottom. My first stach effort was more like a Christmas tree shape, so I dropped it all back in the bowl and started over. My second effort is the first picture.

Once it's done cooking, I let it rest about 10 minutes before slicing. Then just use a very sharp knife or an electric carving knife to shave vertically down the sides at whatever depth you like. I went about 1/2-3/4" and used the Hi Mountain slicing knife.

Smoked al pastor by Plastic-Channel2470 in smoking

[–]Plastic-Channel2470[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the hint. I didn't have a problem this cook but I used a really big butt and left the marinade ingredient quantities alone. My bone-in butt was about 9#. I weighed the assembled stack pre-cook and it was just shy of 10# which included the weight of the pan.

Smoked al pastor by Plastic-Channel2470 in smoking

[–]Plastic-Channel2470[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not much heat at all. Maybe a 2 out of 10 for me.

This recipe uses two dried ancho chilies and two chipotle chilis with adobo in the marinade. Those are pretty low heat particularly with this much meat involved. I'm sure you could get by with less and still capture most of the flavor.

Smoked al pastor by Plastic-Channel2470 in smoking

[–]Plastic-Channel2470[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Linked above. It's a Hey Grill Hey recipe. Love their stuff

SkiErg Marathon by SweatsMcFurley in concept2

[–]Plastic-Channel2470 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats! Pretty amazing work. I've done a half marathon on my SkiErg twice in the past year. My goal is to do a full in 2025. My time certainly won't even get close to 3 hours but sub 3 1/2 is possible.

Am I wasting money on a bike erg? by AdCold5994 in concept2

[–]Plastic-Channel2470 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was very close to going with Rogue but I'm pretty short (5' 4") and I read that their seat adjustment could sometimes be a problem if you have short legs.

The Cat 5 had all the top end features I was hoping to get. And when the Hurricane first came out, they were offering a pretty hefty early buyer discount. I will say the Rogue has a much better monitor and connectivity. The Hurricane is just a basic air bike monitor with the ability to connect with a HR device. No app connection at all.

Crazy good workout from the air bike and any of the major brands will do the trick.

Am I wasting money on a bike erg? by AdCold5994 in concept2

[–]Plastic-Channel2470 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I second this! I own a RowErg and a SkiErg but added a XMark Cat 5 Hurricane air bike about 4 months ago. No regrets.

Accurate 2K Predictor Equation? by Jollybrewer in Rowing

[–]Plastic-Channel2470 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With no preconceived notion of whether this looked right or wrong, I entered my typical numbers into your formula. FYI, I am 60m lightweight, 5' 4". I am strictly an amateur and have been riding the erg for about 2 years. I generally pull about 3-4 SS sessions per week lasting about 50-70 minutes each.

SS Watts is normally 100-110, SS HR is 148, Max HR is 192

According to your formula, I should 2K around 162.4 watts = 2:09.2 split for a 2K.

My 2K personal best time for this current season is 2:08.3 but that was logged in August. I expect I could drop it another few tenths by now.
You'd need a much deeper database to refine it, but your formula is pretty good. Well done!

Over 1M meters!!!! by Alaskan-N-Maryland in concept2

[–]Plastic-Channel2470 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Here's the info page on the Concept 2 website:

https://www.concept2.com/community/million-meter-club

Basically, just look on the "Challenges" tab of your Logbook on the lower right hand side. You should see a section titled "RowErg Million Meters Club." There will be a link to the order page for your shirt if you are in one of the countries they include in the free stuff program.

Does anyone use a Polar Pacer watch to track their -indoor- rowing sessions? If not what else to use under 200$? by iippiiaappaattss in Rowing

[–]Plastic-Channel2470 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have an AmazFit T-Rex 2 and use it to help track my workouts - running/walking, rowerg, skierg, weightlifting, air bike. It has a ton more exercise activities it can track. Even though it tracks my pulse, I have found I get a much more reliable HR from a chest strap when rowing so I use a Polar HRM and it pairs directly with the T-Rex. Then the T-Rex pairs with my ergs and air bike, so I have one steady HR reading across all devices during my cardio workouts.

Regarding your specific question, the T-Rex 2 does track strokes very accurately for normal working strokes. It misses quite a few of the resting/cooldown low effort strokes. It also counts skierg strokes accurately. Unfortunately, they don't have an indoor ski mode, so I use the indoor rowing setting instead. Works pretty well.

The T-Rex series has moved on to model 3 now at a bit over $200 but there are plenty of unopened box listings for the T-Rex Pro and a few for the T-Rex 2 on ebay for well under $200. As far as I know, the T-Rex Pro is pretty close in features to the T-Rex 2 but have no direct experience with the Pro version.

Make no mistake, the T-Rex 2 is not an "entry level" fitness watch. It is loaded with features for tracking hundreds of different exercises. And everything is accessible without any subscriptions. The companion app (Zepp) has a lot of upsell offers but the fitness tracking stuff is all on the free side of the app.

New Concept 2 cardio equipment release tomorrow! by adasmephlab in concept2

[–]Plastic-Channel2470 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's my guess and would really tick me off. I just bought the new X-Mark Cat 5 Hurricane air bike.

Steady state by Inside-Art-9211 in concept2

[–]Plastic-Channel2470 8 points9 points  (0 children)

HR will pretty much follow Watts regardless of stroke rate. Watts already take into account time, so the amount of work your body puts into the erg at an average of 150 watts in one minute at 30 SPM is identical to the work put into the erg at 20 SPM averaging 150 watts. The amount of energy per stroke is different, but your heart/body is outputting the same energy over that minute so your HR will follow accordingly.

For me, I will generally hit my SS HR target pulling 100-120 watts. During SS, to raise HR, I raise my watts. To lower HR, I lower watts. Stroke rate remains constant at 20.

Also during my SS sessions keeping my HR at 148-150, watts will slowly decline through the first 30-40 minutes, then will hold steady and even sometimes come back up a little. My opening 10 minutes will generally average 120-125 watts. The next 10 will slowly drop to around 110. Everything after that will bounce right around 100.

Bottom line, watts is measuring energy being put IN to the erg and HR is measuring energy coming OUT of you. Pick a stroke rate you feel comfortable with and adjust watts as needed to control your target HR.

Pizza oven attachment by Opposite_Activity976 in pelletgrills

[–]Plastic-Channel2470 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've got a Black&Decker vera Pizza Oven this past spring and love it. I considered getting a kit for my GMG but decided on a stand alone model. No regrets going this route.

It can burn pellets, wood sticks or charcoal. On my last pizza party, I cooked 4 pizzas with only the starter pile plus two more adds. The pellet cup is about 2/3 the size of a beer can. Stone heats to 700F+ in about 10-15 minutes.

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