CycleSoft Help is an online help system that provides complete instructions on the proper operation of all aspects of the CycleSoft application. When pressing the Help button within a window, the pertinent information concerning the current topic is displayed in the CycleSoft Help window. The help window is sizeable and the help text automatically wraps to fit in the window. The text may be scrolled to see the complete information on the topic or related topics.
To search for specific topics, select Index in the CycleSoft Help menu or choose the Search button within the help window. Topic search provides an alphabetized index of CycleSoft topics and a text box to enter specific search text. Select an item in the index or type the search text in the text box. Choose the Search button to locate the information related to the selected text.
For some windows, help is not directly available. As an example; when loading, creating or deleting user files, no other window may be accessed. To get help on these topics, close the window and then select Index from the CycleSoft Help menu. Select the topic from the alphabetized index or type the search text in the text box.
HELP - KEYBOARD OPERATION
The CycleSoft keyboard functions operate like those in other Windows applications. Here is a summary of the common keyboard functions.
Navigating menus:
Alt... select or cancel the menu bar
Alt + underlined letter... open a menu in menu bar
Alt + spacebar... open the control menu
Underlined letter... select an item in the menu
Left arrow, right arrow... select a menu in menu bar
Up arrow, down arrow... select an item in menu
Enter... open a menu or choose a menu item
Navigating windows:
Tab... select text boxes or controls in order
Shift + tab... reverse order of tab
Alt + underlined letter... select text box or control
Up arrow, down arrow... select option button
Up arrow, down arrow, space bar... select check box
Up arrow, down arrow, enter... select item in list box
1st letter of item... move to that section of list box
Text boxes:
Left arrow, right arrow... scroll through text in box
Home... move to beginning of text in box
End... move to end of text in box
Backspace... delete the character before the cursor
Delete... delete the character after the cursor
Ctrl + delete... delete all text after the cursor
Scroll bars:
Up arrow, down arrow... scrolls one session at a time
Left arrow, right arrow... scrolls one session at a time
Page up, page down... scrolls several sessions
Home... moves to top of list (oldest session)
End... moves to bottom of list (most recent session)
HELP - MOUSE OPERATION
The CycleSoft mouse operates just like the mice in other Windows applications. All clicking is done with the left mouse button. Here is a summary of the common mouse functions.
Navigating menus:
Click the menu bar to open or close a menu
Click an active menu item to select that item
Click the control box to open the control menu
Double-click the control box to exit the active window
Navigating windows:
Click anywhere on a window to activate it
Drag and drop the title bar to move the window
Click a command button to carry out its function
Click an option button to select it
Click a check box to toggle it on or off
Click a text box to begin editing text
Click an item in a list box to select it
Double-click item in list box to select and activate
Scroll bars:
Click scroll arrows to scroll one session
Click the scroll bar on either side of scroll box to move several sessions
Click and hold scroll arrows to continuously scroll
Drag and drop the scroll box anywhere in the scroll bar to go to any session
FILE - CREATE USER
A CycleSoft User is uniquely identified by a user name (up to 8 characters). Valid user names may include letters, numbers and the underscore (_) character. All user data, logbook sessions, and maintenance information are tied to the user name. Logbook session files are further identified by a year (2 digit number). Up to 2000 logbook sessions may be stored in the same user session file. Assuming you store one session every day, this is more than 5 years worth of data. Performance is improved if a new user session file is created every year (lemond._90, lemond._91,...). An unlimited number of users and user session files may be created.
To create a new user session file, open the create user window and enter the user name and the year (the current year is automatically displayed, but it can be changed) or select a user from the user list and change the year. CycleSoft will then create the necessary files and require you to add or update user and maintenance information in the maintenance scheduler window. If the user name already exists, the maintenance scheduler window will display the current information for that user.
FILE - LOAD USER
A CycleSoft User must be loaded into the environment in order to use CycleSoft Logbook, CycleSoft Maintenance and CycleSoft Trainer. If an attempt is made to access these items without first loading a user, the load user window will be displayed. To load a user session file, open the load user window and enter the user name and the year or select a user from the user list. User information will be displayed for the currently selected user. The load user window will automatically close after successfully loading a user.
FILE - DELETE USER
A CycleSoft User session file may be deleted from the system. This process only deletes those session files directly associated with the user name and year. Session files with the same user name, but different year are not deleted. Also, user, maintenance and trainer information linked to the user name are not deleted.
To delete a user session file, open the delete user window and enter the user name and the year or select a user from the user list. A warning message will alert that the user session file is about to be deleted. You are given the opportunity to cancel the deletion. Any workout sessions in this file will be erased. After sucessfully deleting the user session file, the user list is updated and the delete user window remains open for further deletions.
LOGBOOK -
CycleSoft Logbook is a full featured training database for the active cyclist. Consisting of a session editor and a session viewer, CycleSoft Logbook provides you with the tools to analyze workout performance over time. Session data consists of date (mm/dd/yy), elapsed time (hh:mm:ss), distance, average speed, heart rate (waking, resting, average, peak, ...) session notes (up to 30 characters) and extended notes (up to 70 additional characters). The elapsed time, distance and heart rate fields do not require any entry, thus allowing the user to record non-cycling activities such as jogging, swimming, NordicTrack skier, or just a rest day. If a field has no entry then that session is not used in any calculations for totals or averages. Sessions may be graphed and printed from within the viewer.
LOGBOOK - EDITOR
The CycleSoft Logbook editor window allows you to add, edit, delete and search workout sessions. When the editor window is opened, the most recent user session is displayed. All sessions may be viewed in sequence by using the scroll bar or the Previous Session and Next Session buttons. If no sessions exist in the user file, Add Session is the only function available. Session data fields consist of date (mm/dd/yy), elapsed time (hh/mm/ss), distance (4 digits plus decimal point), heart rate (3 digits), session notes (up to 30 characters) and extended notes (up to 70 characters). Average speed is automatically calculated after entering time and distance. Session data fields are checked for valid entries and sessions are automatically sorted by date as they are added.
Choosing the Add Session button clears the data fields and places the current date in the date field. After filling in the data fields, choosing the Save Session button stores the session in the user file and enables the other editor functions. The Cancel Add button enables the other editor functions but does not store the session.
Choosing the Edit Session button allows the data to be modified in all date fields. After updating the data fields, choosing the Save Edit button stores the modified session in the user file and enables the other editor functions. The Cancel Edit button enables the other editor functions but does not store the session.
Choosing the Delete Session button deletes the presently displayed session. You are warned that the session is about to be deleted and you have the option to cancel. After deleting the session, the other editor functions are enabled.
Choosing the Search button presents you with a sophisticated search routine. All data fields are cleared and three search mode option buttons become visible.
The search modes are:
less than (or equal to) (<=)
equal to (=)
greater than (or equal to) (>=)
Any or all data fields (except extended notes) may be included in the search and a search may be continued until only the specific sessions requested are left. The sessions found in the search may be viewed in sequence by using the scroll bar or the Previous Session and Next Session buttons.
Search Example:
You wish to locate all sessions in the month of July 91 with a distance between 30 and 40 miles and an average heart rate above 152 bpm.
Choose the Search button and enter the following data:
date: 07/01/91
distance: 30
heart rate: 153
search mode: greater than
Choose the Begin Search button and wait for the search. After the sessions (if any) have been found, choose the Continue Search button and enter the following data:
date: 07/31/91
distance: 40
search mode: less than
Choose the Begin Search button and wait for the search. Any sessions remaining will meet the initial search parameters. This process can be carried out any number of times to locate very specific sessions. When searching by notes, the search routine will find any occurrance of the search text within the session notes. The Cancel Search button allows all user sessions to be viewed and enables the other editor functions.
LOGBOOK - VIEWER
The CycleSoft Logbook viewer window displays up to 14 sessions simultaneously, and the window can be scrolled to show all sessions within the user file. Sessions may be viewed in daily, weekly, or monthly format. You can quickly switch between formats by selecting the desired format under the view menu. A checkmark in front of the selection indicates the currently displayed format. Totals and averages are automatically calculated for the viewed sessions in the appropriate format.
The daily format displays date, elapsed time, distance, average speed, heart rate and session notes. You may edit a daily session by double-clicking the desired session or selecting Edit Viewed Sessions in the view menu bar. The weekly and monthly formats display date, total elapsed time, total distance, average speed, average heart rate, average time per session, average distance per session and the number of sessions per week or month. The number of sessions includes any non - cycling sessions (or rest days) that may have been entered.
Just under the scrolling view window are the extended notes for the session currently highlighted in the view window. To see extended notes for other sessions, scroll the view window or click the desired session to highlight. Extended notes are only displayed for the daily view format.
Additional calculations at the bottom of the view window include total and average distance, total and average elapsed time, average speed and average heart rate. At the bottom right of the view window are the All Sessions and Search Only option buttons. The All Sessions option button displays the entire list of sessions in the user session file. The Search Only option button (available only after a successful search) displays only those sessions found in the search.
LOGBOOK - DIARY
Weekly and monthly training diaries are available to store more detailed session notes and/or summaries of the desired week or month. Likely items to keep track of are diet, weight, waking and resting heart rate, sleeping habits, illness or injury, weather, bicycle maintenance, races and group rides. A weekly or monthly summary might include a description of any conditioning trends you discover while analyzing your daily sessions.
The logbook diary is actually a fairly sophisticated text editor. The diary window is sizeable and the text automatically wraps to fit the window size. You may scroll the window vertically to see text that does not fit in the window. Standard editing functions include cut, copy, paste, delete and restore. The diary makes full use of the Windows Clipboard so you may copy and paste text from other Windows applications.
To access the weekly and monthly diaries, just double-click on the desired week or month in the logbook view window or select Edit Diary or View Diary in the view window menu bar. Edit and save your diary entries by selecting the appropriate menu items in the diary menu bar. Print the diary entry on the active Windows printer by selecting the Print menu item from the File menu in the diary menu bar.
LOGBOOK - PRINT SESSIONS
The logbook view list can be printed on the active Windows printer. Sessions are printed just as they are viewed. The view format and the All Sessions/Search Only functions also affect the printout. Each printed page includes a heading with the session list and the calculated totals and averages are printed at the bottom of the last page. The heading includes the user file, user name, number of sessions and page number.
To print the viewed sessions, select the Print Viewed Sessions menu item in the Print menu of the view window. To print the viewed sessions and the extended notes for those sessions, select the Print Sessions and Extended Notes menu item in the Print menu of the view window.
LOGBOOK - GRAPH SESSIONS
The sessions displayed in the view list can be represented on a bar graph. Four different session attributes may be graphed and a running average line graph may be superimposed on the bar graph. The attributes that can be graphed include distance, elapsed time, average speed and heart rate. The graph can display sessions in daily, weekly and monthly formats. Up to 52 sessions may be viewed simultaneously and the graph may be scrolled to show all viewed sessions. The graph is also affected by the search routines in the view window.
To create a graph, first display the desired sessions in the view window. Select the view format and any search parameters if required. When the proper sessions are displayed in the view window, select Graph Viewed Sessions from the Graph menu. This will open the graph window and the bar graph will display the distance attribute.
The graph header indicates the displayed attribute, the user file and the number of items (sessions, weeks or months). The graph footer displays by date the range of items currently visible in the graph. The vertical axis is automatically scaled for the displayed attribute.
The first item in the graph corresponds to the item at the top of the view list. Use the scroll bar to move the desired range of items into the graph. The running average line graph can be toggled on and off by selecting the Show Running Average menu item in the View menu on the graph menu bar. The current attribute can be changed by selecting the desired attribute in the Attribute menu. To redraw the graph to correspond to the items in the view window, select Update Graph in the View menu on the graph menu bar. To redraw the view window to correspond to the items in the graph window, select Update View List in the View menu on the view menu bar.
The mouse pointer changes to a rectangular target in the graph window. When the mouse pointer is placed over a bar in the graph and the left mouse button is pressed, an amplitude window appears in the upper right corner of the graph. The date and attribute amplitude are displayed in the amplitude window for the specified session.
LOGBOOK - PRINT GRAPH
The logbook graph can be printed on the active Windows printer. The graph is printed exactly as it is displayed. To print the graph, select the Print Graph menu item in the Print menu of the graph window.
LOGBOOK - SEARCH SESSIONS
Three different search functions are available in the Logbook viewer window. To move to a specific date in the user's log, use the GoTo... function in the Search menu. Enter the date of interest and the session whose date is equal or greater than the date specified will be highlighted in the viewer list. The GoTo... function will work with daily, weekly and monthly session formats.
The Find... function in the Search menu is identical to the search routine in the Logbook editor window. To use the Find function, follow the instructions under the Logbook Edit topic. After completing the search, return to the view window by closing the editor window. If the search is successful, the Search Only option button will be activated and the sessions found in the search will be displayed in the viewer window. All calculations reflect only those sessions found in the search. You may switch between the sessions found in the search and all of the sessions in the file by selecting the Search Only and All Sessions option buttons respectively. The Find... function only works with the daily format.
The From...To... function in the Search menu is a search routine that only deals with beginning and ending dates. To search for a sequential range of sessions, enter the first and last dates of interest. This function is ideal for analysing specific weeks or months in the viewer session list. If the first date is left empty, the search starts from the beginning of the file. If the last date is left empty, the search continues up to the final session in the file. Like the Find... function, if the search is successful, the Search Only option button will be activated and the sessions found in the search will be displayed in the viewer window. All calculations reflect only those sessions found in the search. You may switch between the sessions found in the search and all of the sessions in the file by selecting the Search Only and All Sessions option buttons respectively. The From...To... function will work with daily, weekly and monthly session formats.
TRAINER -
CycleSoft Trainer is an optional hardware/software product that will interface you and your bicycle via your computer's serial port and displays a cockpit-like view of real-time data. Data is displayed graphically with arc, bar and pie meters, analog clocks and annunciators. The simulated pacer displays training intensity as a percentage of your maximum heart rate, leading you through a wide variety of programmable indoor workouts covering all fitness levels. After the training session, the entire workout may be reviewed and the data stored as a session in CycleSoft Logbook. CycleSoft Trainer is a DOS program that can run inside or outside of CycleSoft.
CycleSoft Trainer can be started from within CycleSoft by clicking the Run Trainer menu item in the Trainer menu. If a user file is not currently loaded, the Load User window will appear. If the hardware has not been configured or if you have not entered setup information for CycleSoft Trainer, you will be requested to do so.
As CycleSoft Trainer starts, the interface hardware is initialized and waits for you to begin the workout. After the workout is completed, CycleSoft Trainer returns to CycleSoft and prompts you to save the data as a session in CycleSoft Logbook. The training session is identified by a file name in the notes field ("T_ddd" where ddd is a 3 digit sequential number). Stored training sessions may be reviewed in CycleSoft Logbook by scrolling the view window until the desired session is highlighted and then selecting View Trainer Session in the View menu. For details on the operation of CycleSoft Trainer, refer to the CycleSoft Trainer User's Guide.
TRAINER - USER SETUP
Selecting the User Setup menu item in the Trainer menu opens the User Setup window. If a user file is not currently loaded, the Load User window will appear. The window will display the setup data for the last training session run by that user. Choose the Load button after reviewing a training session stored in CycleSoft Logbook, or select the Load Trainer User Setup menu item in the View menu in the Logbook View window to obtain setup data from any training session that was stored in CycleSoft Logbook. Customize the selections in the trainer session parameters and user parameters sections and save the changes before leaving the window. This data will be used by CycleSoft Trainer for the next training session for this user.
TRAINER - HARDWARE CONFIGURATION
Selecting the Hardware Configuration menu item in the Trainer menu opens the Hardware Configuration window. Using the pull down lists, select the preferred screen colors, the serial port (COM1 or COM2) connecting the CycleSoft Trainer interface hardware, and the LPT1 printer. Save the new configuration before leaving the window.
MAINTENANCE -
CycleSoft Maintenance provides the cyclist with a means of keeping track of routine maintenance of the critical bicycle components that may otherwise be neglected. It is easy to overlook a maintenance item until it becomes obvious that a component has become damaged due to a lack of timely maintenance.
By using the average distance per year traveled by the cyclist, CycleSoft Maintenance can estimate recommended periods of maintenance for each component. Of course, there is no replacement for routine and thorough inspection of the bicycle, but CycleSoft Maintenance can eliminate unnecessary and expensive repairs caused by neglect.
If Auto Reminder is activated in the maintenance schedule, you will be reminded of maintenance requirements when the user file is loaded. Auto Reminder may be temporarily disabled by removing the checkmark from Auto Reminder in the CycleSoft Maintenance menu. When exiting CycleSoft, you have the option of saving the current setting of Auto Reminder. Maintenance information is linked only to the user name and is independant of the year of the user file.
MAINTENANCE - REPORT
The CycleSoft Maintenance Report lists user information and maintenance dates for all maintenance items that have been activated. Both the last maintenance date and the scheduled maintenance date are displayed. The report indicates if a scheduled maintenance date has expired. The Print button provides a hardcopy of the maintenance report on the active Windows printer.
MAINTENANCE - SCHEDULER
The CycleSoft Maintenance Scheduler is used to enter user data, activate components to schedule, enter the average miles per year the cyclist puts on the bicycle, and activate the Auto Reminder. User information includes 30 character fields for user name, address, city/state/zip, and bicycle description. A 15 character field is for the user's phone number. Check boxes are used to activate the various components to schedule. Only the components that have been activated (cheched) will be tracked for routine maintenance. For example, if any components have sealed (no maintenance) bearing systems, you would deactivate those items. If an item is activated, the last maintenance date for that item can be changed when the schedule is saved.
By highlighting the appropriate option button, select one of the four distance ranges that most accurately represents the miles per year traveled on the bicycle. Make sure that the Auto Reminder is activated (checked) if you wish to be notified of an expired scheduled maintenance date. The Save Schedule button stores any changes and allows you to change dates of last maintenance. The Cancel button closes the window without saving any changes.
UTILITIES -
The CycleSoft Utilities are a collection of useful programs for the cyclist. Utilities may be used at any time within the CycleSoft environment. For example, while entering session data in CycleSoft Logbook, you can call the metric conversion utility to convert distance from kilometers to miles without having to leave the editor. Utilities include frame size, bike fit, gear inch chart, speed/cadence calculator, metric conversions and target heart rate estimator.
UTILITY - FRAME SIZE
The frame size utility provides a list of commonly available frame sizes. Most bicycle manufacturers now measure frame size in one or two centimeter increments. The chart also indicates the english equivalent in inches. Use the bike fit utility to determine correct frame size.
UTILITY - BIKE FIT
The bike fit utility calculates frame size and saddle height from the cyclist's inseam measurement. The inseam is measured in bare feet from the floor to the top of a book placed between the legs. Press the book firmly upwards against the crotch to simulate sitting on the saddle.
Frame size is measured from the center of the bottom bracket to either the center of the top tube or the top of the top tube. Center to center frame size is 65% of the inseam. The center to top frame size is 65% of the inseam plus 1/2 the diameter of the top tube. Saddle height is measured from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle and is 88.3% of the inseam.
Enter the cyclist's inseam measurement and the unit of measure (centimeters or inches). The frame size and saddle height values are calculated automatically. Use the frame size utility to select the standard frame that most closely matches the calculated values. The Clear button erases all data boxes.
UTILITY - GEAR INCH CHART
The gear inch chart utility calculates gear inches for every combination of chainrings (up to 3) and cogs (up to 8). The formula for calculating gear inches is the drivetrain ratio (chainring teeth / cog teeth) multiplied by the rear wheel diameter. To get rollout (distance traveled through one crank rotation), multiply gear inches by pi (3.14).
The gear inch chart helps to select chainrings and cogs for the type of riding the cyclist intends to do. Ideally, those gears that will be used most often should be spaced no more than 8 - 10 inches apart on consecutive shifts.
To use the chart, select the rear wheel size and enter the numbers of chainring and cog teeth. Gear inches will be automatically calculated. The Print button produces a printout of the chart that can be taped to the bike for help in memorizing your gears. The Clear button erases all data boxes and chart data.
UTILITY - SPEED/CADENCE CALCULATOR
The speed/cadence calculator utility calculates speed or cadence when the other two values are known. This is a handy utility to use in combination with the gear inch chart. Enter the gear inches and either speed or cadence and the remaining parameter is automatically calculated. The Clear button erases all data boxes.
UTILITY - METRIC CONVERSIONS
The metric conversions utility simplifies the task of dealing with english and metric units of measurement. This utility provides conversions between centimeters - inches, kilometers - miles, and grams - ounces. Select the conversion type and enter the initial value to convert. The initial value is automatically converted. The Clear Entry button erases the data boxes.
UTILITY - HEART RATE
The heart rate utility estimates the cyclist's maximum heart rate and target range for aerobic activity. Maximum heart rate is determined by subtracting the cyclist's age from 220. The upper aerobic target limit is 87% of maximum and the lower aerobic target limit is 65% of maximum. Anaerobic training occurs at heart rates above the 87% value. Ideally, the maximum heart rate should be measured under the supervision of a physician. Enter the cyclist's age (1 - 99) and the values are automatically calculated. The Clear button erases all data boxes.
WINDOW -
WINDOW - TOOLBAR
The CycleSoft Toolbar provides an easier way to access frequently used functions in the CycleSoft main menu. The toolbar buttons are grouped according to the headings in the menu. Toolbar buttons remain depressed as long as the button's function is active on the screen. To activate the toolbar, click on the Toolbar menu item in the Window menu. When exiting CycleSoft, you have the option of saving the current toolbar setting.
