Cycling DVDs

[psuaero]

I worked hard this summer to lose a considerable amount of weight and get in better shape. Now that the colder weather is fast approaching the northest I'm considering an indoor trainer or rollers to keep it going through the winter.

Anyway, I was thinking of driving around in the car with my video camera out the sun roof or on the passenger mirror and then burning a couple hours of it onto a DVD. I have a projection screen home theater so it would be almost like actually being out on the bike. Then I got to thinking there must be something out there like this already. Anyone seen anything similar. I'm not looking for some coach to yell at me like a spinning class but rather some nice scenery to pass the time. I would probably cost me $15-20 in gas not to mention time to make it myself so anything under $25 would be ideal. If it had some cool scenery (Rockies, Alps, or Pyrennes) that would be a bonus.

John

[operator]

spinervals?

[GuitarWizard]

Get the Chris Carmichael DVD series.....no pretty scenery, and the coach doesn't yell at you...but they are one hell of a workout, and will kick your ass into even better shape.

Other than that, just watch a movie or something...

[Zin]

I have both. Some of the Carmichael DVDs and Spinervals. Both are great work outs. Both are geared more toward a trainer moreso than rollers.

[racer102]

What is the difference between rollers and trainers?

[DIVA]

What is the difference between rollers and trainers?

Here's your answer.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=130001&highlight=trainers+rollers

BTW, I just ordered Charmichaels series. Should arrived sometime next week. If there's anyone who has duplicate spinervals dvd's, let's talk. Tks. :D

[crawfman]

What spinerval dvd's are the best? I'd rather do my own spinning classes in the comfort of my apartment this winter. I just finished looking at the spinervals site and there are so many dvd's to choose from. I want something from the competition section. Maybe an interval dvd...there's the "have mercy"dvd with 2 hours of intervals. Also maybe a aero base one and maybe a recovery one. Just curious to here what you all have to say about them.

Wes

[bing181]

What spinerval dvd's are the best? .. snip ... Just curious to here what you all have to say about them.

Wes

Me too. Or any further comparisons with the Carmichael series.

B

[Dwayne]

If you do this...

Get your car up to ~130mph or so and start filming. Then go home and play that while you're on the rollers and tuck down. Let us know how it feels. :)

[Powerful Pete]

Here's your answer.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=130001&highlight=trainers+rollers

BTW, I just ordered Charmichaels series. Should arrived sometime next week. If there's anyone who has duplicate spinervals dvd's, let's talk. Tks. :D

Here I am, my dear. I have Aero Base Builder I and II and Tough Love. PM me. :D

[Powerful Pete]

Me too. Or any further comparisons with the Carmichael series.

B

Have not used the Carmichael series, so I cannot compare.

I have two Aero Base Builders, which I am using to get back into shape (work, family, 20kg extra, etc etc :o )

They are excellent in terms of developing, well, a base. :) A lot depends on how well trained you are. I think that the Aero Base spinervals (each about 1 hour of real riding) are excellent to maintain some fitness through the depths of winter, and/or build from a relatively low base.

The Tough Love is a lot more intense, and is in the range of 2 hours if I recall, but I really have trouble not considering suicide beyond the first hour on the trainer. :(

I suspect with one another structured training video of a couple hours, I could develop a decent winter training regimen for the garage, but it really is hell to maintain the mental interest, at least IMHO.

[y2kdad99]

I would second the recommendation of the Spinervals. I am just getting back into cycling and generally ride 10-20 mile rides on wknds, but can't get out much during the week. I recently purchased a LeMond Revmaster to use for indoor training and have been using the Spinervals. I think they are a pretty good workout -- not like riding for real, but much better than nothing. I also bought the DVD set from the 2003 Tour de France, and I use this also for some variety.

As for your original question, when I was looking into DVDs I did find several sites that offered "virtual" rides. I thought the best was www.bike-o-vision.com . I have not purcased any yet, but I may if I get bored with my current dvds

[timmhaan]

If you do this...

Get your car up to ~130mph or so and start filming. Then go home and play that while you're on the rollers and tuck down. Let us know how it feels. :)

i bet it would be pretty cool. especially if you had a nice big TV directly in front of you. put a fan on the highest setting as well for the air effect. :)

[Az B]

That IMAX move with MArio Andretti is pretty good. I think it's called "Grand Prix". I've got an 8.5' wide projection screen in my home theatre and sometimes I'll watch one of the HiDef travelogs that are always on.

The fan is a must have. If you can get one of your kids or significant other to toss some leaves and bugs in the fan every once in a while it makes it more realistic.

It's still hard for me to do it more than 20 minutes at a time. It's just not riding. It's like having a date with an inflatable love doll. Don't ask me how I know...

Az

[MRVcycles]

You might want to try a used book/video store too. I saw some just last week.(should have gotten them right then and there) The name of the tapes (older VHS) escapes me right now. If they are still there when I get back there I'll probably pick some up. They had San Francisco and Hawaii.

[MRVcycles]

VIDEOCYCLE ! I knew as soon as I hit submit I'd think of it. BTW they were like $7.00 each

[socalrider]

I like some old Paris-roubaix's from the 80's that I converted to dvd.. Kelly/Moser/Lemond battling it out, they are just perfect.. And Phil Ligget doing the commentary, what could be better..

[nlaplaca]

I can't vouch for all the Spinervals but 2 of my favs are big gear strength and no slackers allowed.The big gear dvd really works your legs. You are pushing your biggest gear most of the time and then you get off and do 30 lunges and then get back on the bike. First time i did it my legs were sore for 3 days.

[Dieter]

That IMAX move with MArio Andretti is pretty good. I think it's called "Grand Prix". I've got an 8.5' wide projection screen in my home theatre and sometimes I'll watch one of the HiDef travelogs that are always on.

The fan is a must have. If you can get one of your kids or significant other to toss some leaves and bugs in the fan every once in a while it makes it more realistic.

It's still hard for me to do it more than 20 minutes at a time. It's just not riding. It's like having a date with an inflatable love doll. Don't ask me how I know...

Az


It's Super Speedway. I think they made a second edition to it as well, a year or two ago.

In the making of that movie they strapped an IMAX camer to a race car, upped the power beyond what that racing category allows (to keep up), and then race. Fantastic images and sound.

I have a fairly decent HT with a projector. Will give it a shot later. Need to remember not to lean in corners....

[cyclingfreak]

I have tried the DVD's from Chasek - they are not bad and work with any cycling trainer (not rollers though) - you can find them here: www.2crossings.com

[JohnZ]

As for your original question, when I was looking into DVDs I did find several sites that offered "virtual" rides. I thought the best was www.bike-o-vision.com . I have not purcased any yet, but I may if I get bored with my current dvds

My wife treated me to some Bike-o-Vision DVD's for my birthday, and I love them. I watched the Puerto Rico DVD last week, and it was awesome. The scenery was fantastic, and I felt like I was on vacation. Believe it or not, I can't wait to get back on the trainer and watch more. They are exactly what the OP was looking for.

[Ktmartin]

If you get the Cyclops Fluid 2 it comes with the Carmichael DVD and is a great trainer all for $230 shipped

[98wrangler]

Sounds like the Spinerval DVDs are the industry standard. Question: are these DVDs still "user-friendly" if you have a spinning bike (like the ones at the gym). I just acquired a Schwinn IC Pro, so it doesn't have rpm, cadence, watts, etc. I've simply got a knob to put some tension on and take some tension off. Would the Spinerval DVDs still be good for me, or will I be frustrated b/c I can't follow along with their units of measure/tension?

Many thanks.

[pegster]

I've used Spinervals, but they bored the heck out of me. What has really jump-started my indoor cycling efforts has been a new audio (mp3 or cd) product called Cardio Coach http://www.cardiocoach.com
They've put out 5 volumes so far, Vol 5 is the longest. Each has a variety of sprints, hills, etc and the music is great. You can get it with the Coach's encouraging voice or without. I love these!! I am dripping with sweat when I'm over and burn tons of calories. And they are fun! (Plus, I can still watch baseball and do it, heh heh....) Theyare actually supposed to be able to be used on any sort of cardio equipment, but they are perfect for an at-home spin class..

[Wil Davis]

Thanks for the link - the stuff on their web-site looks quite good. I have 4 of the Spinervals series, but after a while Coach Troy's enthusiastic yelling gets a bit old - so I've ordered "Californian Coast", and "European Sampler".

- Wil

[Wil Davis]

…snip
Would the Spinerval DVDs still be good for me, or will I be frustrated b/c I can't follow along with their units of measure/tension?

Many thanks.

I think they'd work quite well even if you don't have all the meters & monitors & things. The music they use is geared to the pulse/rate of the cadence, so after a while, if you try to keep to the gears they suggest, keeping up with the music is all that is required (even in the rest intervals). If you can't keep up at the beginning, just use a lighter gear (Coach Troy has no way of checking that you're not cheating ;) ).

Hope this helps -

- Wil

[The_Guru]

Anyway, I was thinking of driving around in the car with my video camera out the sun roof or on the passenger mirror and then burning a couple hours of it onto a DVD.

You may be onto something here ...
I'll drive around where I live [Zürich, Switzerland] and make a DVD.
We can swap?

Actually, that offer extends to anyone else too ... if you do 60 minutes onto DVD, MiniDV, VHS,
or DivX I'd be happy to swap with you.
It doesn't have to be at cycling pace - just a continuous feed of predominantly non-highway
movement to showcase the area.

I'll try get out with the camera tomorrow.
Once it's done, I'll put it up for download so it can be viewed on a PC, too.

G

[Az B]

You may be onto something here ...
I'll drive around where I live [Zürich, Switzerland] and make a DVD.
We can swap?



What a great idea! I live very close to the Tour de Georgia route, that should make for a good trade for some alpine mountain adventure!

Az

[Wil Davis]

Update:

I received my order from bike-o-vision (http://www.bike-o-vision.com/) yesterday, and so far have tried "Californian Coast".

It's quite engaging, although I could do without the stills and the occasional close-ups of the fauna. I found the speed to be a little strange at first - I kept trying to keep up with the gearing/cadence which would give the speed at which I was seeing the scenery pass by.

It's obviously filmed from a car - the perspective is about right, but I found that I kept changing gear according to what the road was doing - I'd change up for the obvious descents, even free-wheeling on some of them, and change down (and even stand!!) for some of the hills. The music is fine and does give it a pulse, making it easy to get into a rhythm, but I suppose you could always turn the volume down, and use your stereo/MP3/CD-player instead.

I rode for about 45 mins last night, and used less calories than if I'd done the Spinervals "Sweating Buckets" (about 45 mins), so I suppose it's not quite as intense as having Coach Troy yelling at you, but it is far more interesting.

FWIW -

- Wil

[roadbuzz]

Sounds like the Spinerval DVDs are the industry standard. Question: are these DVDs still "user-friendly" if you have a spinning bike (like the ones at the gym). I just acquired a Schwinn IC Pro, so it doesn't have rpm, cadence, watts, etc. I've simply got a knob to put some tension on and take some tension off. Would the Spinerval DVDs still be good for me, or will I be frustrated b/c I can't follow along with their units of measure/tension?

Many thanks.
Useful, but not absolutely necessary. They direct you to pedal at certain cadences. You can guide yours by matching the cadence of the riders in the video, or counting revs for 6 seconds and multiplying by 10. For CTS DVDs, you'll need an HRM, tho'.

[Master Cylinder]

http://www.ridenrun.com/product.aspx

[Wil Davis]

http://www.ridenrun.com/product.aspx

Well, I "sneaked some peeks", and I think there might be some problems with these -

IMNSHO - major annoyances would be:

1) incredible short MTV-type shots (nothing longer than 1.5 to 2 seconds!!) - uggghhhh! I feel sick, why is the camera moving around so much! roooowwwwllllfff!!! huuuughhieeeeee!!!

2) views looking back and from above tends to weaken any illusion that the viewer is on the bike

3) wretched annoying voice of nagging commentator (come back Coach Troy, all is forgiven!)

4) awful music

er, that's it…

- Wil

[A02]

Tacx has a Reality DVD series that look nothing short of amazing... but I think you have to have their Fortius or iMagic and a computer to play the DVD. Does anyone have any idea if these DVDs can be used in a standard DVD player?

http://www.cbike.com/tacx_fortius.htm#Passo