Come along and test the Techniker Krankenkasse Contrainer at the TK Bike Camp at the Cyclassics Expo and the Deutschland Tour. Get tips and tricks about cycling.
Dates - The TK-Bike Camp stops here
The TK-Bike Camp at the Cyclassics:
- 18 to 20 August 2023 in Hamburg
The TK-Bike Camp at the Deutschland Tour:
- 23 August 2023, Sankt Wendel
- 24/08/2023, Merzig
- 25.08.2023, Winterberg
- 26 August 2023, Essen
- 27 August 2023, Bremen
But what can you expect from the TK Bike Camp Contrainer? There are a total of four modules to choose from, which are designed to make cycling more enjoyable and safer for beginners and ambitious cyclists alike.
An overview of the modules:
Bike fitting
At the TK Bike Camp, you can bring your own bike and have the bike equipment and essential technical functions checked and ergonomic adjustments made to suit your body size and constitution.
Bike coaching
TK's bike coaching offers you an analysis and specific tips and recommendations to help you maximise the benefits of road cycling.
Fitlights-Challenge
On site, racing cyclists can test their reaction and action speed in a fun way with the Fitlights Challenge.
VR bike training
Take the reaction test and sensitise yourself to different distraction manoeuvres with the help of a virtual reality bike simulator.
We spoke to Institute Director Elmar Trunz-Carlisi, who helped develop the so-called Contrainer.
TOUR editorial team: You helped develop the Contrainer for the TK-Bike Camp. Why don't you briefly explain what it's all about?
Elmar Trunz-Carlisi: The Contrainer is a converted sea container that we developed especially for the Techniker Krankenkasse and are currently using in the TK Bike Camp. With the Bike Camp, we want to make cycling safer, more effective and more attractive. And for beginners to ambitious athletes. The programme comprises four modules: Bike fitting to adjust the bike ergonomically, bike coaching as a kind of "open consultation hour", VR bike training to support road safety and Fitlights Challenge as an example of reaction training.
How did the development come about? What is the goal?
We have been working with TK for some time and the converted sea container has already been used for other prevention measures. With the increasing popularity of cycling and cycling sports, the aim was to develop an attractive offer that is specifically tailored to this target group and that improves the cycling experience and makes it safer.
The programme consists of four modules: Bike Fitting, Bike Coaching, Fitlights Challenge and VR Training. We have already explained the four modules in the article above. How does a bike fitting work in 15 minutes?
Our bike team consists mainly of graduates from the German Sport University Cologne. When we developed our bike fitting service, we brought the renowned bike fitting expert and former fellow student Dr Kim Tofaute on board. He provided us with conceptual advice and also trained our team intensively.
What are the benefits of bike fitting? Can it replace a detailed bike fitting at a trusted supplier?
In our experience, there are many people on everyday bikes as well as ambitious cyclists on road bikes or MTBs whose settings need optimising. Many have got used to the position and don't realise that it could be healthier and better. With just a few adjustments, we can provide a better feeling and better ergonomics on the bike. Of course, our offer cannot be as in-depth as a one-to-one appointment with a specialised provider. But we definitely provide a good introduction.
What do the participants take home with them?
First and foremost, an ergonomically better adjusted bike, if you come to the bike camp with your own bike. We can help even if you don't have your own bike, as we have fitting bikes and all participants receive a bike fitting pass to take home. It contains the relevant dimensions, which can then be transferred to your own bike or to other bikes.
That sounds very sensible. Then on to the next module. Bike coaching also involves determining individual training zones. How does this work without performance diagnostics?
Of course, we do not carry out spiroergometry or lactate diagnostics. Our recommendations provide orientation values. Last but not least, coaching is also aimed at everyday cyclists. The aim is to motivate people. It's not that difficult. For example, we show how the WHO recommendation of 150 minutes of activity per week can be achieved with little effort. In this way, we can motivate people to pedal regularly and sometimes even harder and get their heart rate up a bit.
A dose of motivation like this can often provide the necessary impetus for a little more exercise. And what exactly does VR training involve?
In the safety training with VR, we primarily want to raise safety awareness. An awareness of how distracting a mobile phone can be, for example, and an awareness of potentially dangerous situations. For example, we measure reaction times in various situations, such as distractions caused by a smartphone. Ideally, people will then be more aware and therefore safer on the roads.
And now to summarise: Which module for whom?
Of course, not every module is equally suitable for everyone. If you regularly go to a professional bike fitter, you can skip the fitting module. But experience has shown that this only applies to a minority. The coaching module also covers the large target group of beginners, everyday cyclists and ambitious leisure cyclists.
- Bike fitting: For all those who don't already go for a professional bike fitting
- Bike coaching: For beginners, everyday cyclists and leisure bikers
- VR-Bike Training: Everyone benefits equally from this
- Fitlights-Challenge: Here, everyone can prove themselves and compete with others in a small challenge.
What else do interested parties need to know?
We can only fit bikes that are in good working order, we are not a workshop. It sometimes happens that people arrive with rusty bikes, so unfortunately we can't adjust anything on site.
So: Bring a bike in good working order.
Exactly. But you can also do it without a bike, because we have our fitting bikes and the fitting pass for you to use at home. The values can then be transferred to your own bike.
Thank you very much for your time and the interview.
TK is a partner of various races at the events
On 27.08.2023 the TK Cycling TourThe first Jedermann Tour, formerly the Jedermann Tour, takes place in Bremen. The start and finish are in Bremen city centre. The 66 (Bremer Runde) to 106 km (Weserrunde) long race runs partly on the elite route, so that there is the opportunity to enjoy the fully closed streets of the Hanseatic city. Registrations are still possible.
Also in August there is the TK-Ride Tour at various locations, which are the finish towns of each stage of the professional race. You have the opportunity to experience a route of up to 15 kilometres on your bike in the immediate vicinity of the finish area. All you need to take part free of charge is a bike and a helmet. Here to go to the registration.
Fit, fitter, TK-Fit!
With TK-Fit is the TK fitness programme. All you need to get started is a smartphone with a fitness tracker and the TC app. The TK fitness programme is integrated into the app and can be easily connected to your fitness tracker.
Especially for cyclists, the sporting challenge of the TK-Fit Challenge, which runs for three months and aims to achieve the weekly activity target of 60,000 steps or 40 kilometres by bike in ten of the twelve weeks. Those who enjoy walking and cycling can easily combine both activities - for example, walking 30,000 steps and cycling 20 kilometres. The reward is up to two 1,000 points in the bonus programme.
Log in TK insured persons aged 16 and over can apply.
