Fifty Plus (50+) - First ride on the stationary - Ugh!

Took the first ride this fall on the stationary bike last night. All I can say is I hope winter holds off. Did 20 minutes and I had muscles burning that I forgot I had. 20 minutes seemed like eternity. Just seemed a lot more grueling than even a few hours on the road. Our usual routine calls for 40-45 minutes on the stationary and some bench work for winter. The stationary we have is one of the "recumbent" style bikes. It's comfortable, but a lot different from riding a road bike.

On a happy note - the forecast for the next week at least doesn't include any snow. Temps above 50 on many of the next 10 days.

A couple of questions on trainers for those of you that use them - what is a good brand to get? What's the cost typically, and is there a big difference in magnetic vs. fluid drive?

Take care,

Steve

I find that the recumbent bikes build a different set of muscles, not that that is bad although I do not enjoy it, as it also improves some of the less worked cycling muscles. Hate to say it, but keep at the recumbent- It won't get any easier, but speed will come up and if you still keep the same workout in without slacking, it will improve you when you can't do other cycling.

Today has seen the highest recorded temperatures in October in the UK since records began. Bit different to last Saturday night when we had the lowest temperature for the month in the South for this October. Won't last though as they are promising a cold Winter, so Don't know what to expect or how cold, or how wet, or how often I'll be at the gym instead of riding.

With all the bad weather we've been having here in New England, we went out and spent a small fortune for a new treadmill. Had an old cheapo that neither of us liked so we figured we'd actually use a nice one. We're using it daily along with free weights but were also thinking of buying a trainer. Our biggest concern is having to change bikes each time one or the other of us uses the trainer. She has a 44 road bike and 13' mtn bike and I have a 52 road and 18' mtn.

aj

Costs can be anywhere from $90 to $400+. Mag trainers seem to have enough resistance for me. Supposidly the pedalling gets easier as you spin faster. Fluid trainers are progressive in resistance, which like a Nautilis machine gives you a better workout. On the down side, many of the bikers I talked to complained about oil leaks. Maybe I talked to the wrong bikers.

The major types of trainers are fan-based, fluid, and magnetic. I have read that fan-based is the most faithful in terms of resistance, fluid is close, and magnetic is the furthest away. I have a CycleOps Fluid-2 trainer which was somewhere in the $200 neighborhood, although I see classified ads for used units that are less.

My wife and I switch off. It's very easy - just remove your rear skewer and replace it with the trainer skewer, put it in the stand and you're off. Takes a minute or two at the most, and after a couple times it's no big deal. I also got the wheel stand for the front; this is optional, but has slots so that the bike will be level or tilting up, or tilting down. One thing that I learned was that trainers will kinda chew up your rear tire (I think maybe it's the heat), so be prepared to buy a new one or save an old one for this purpose. It's a good workout, but can be boring compared to a real ride.

Trainers and torture. Both start with "T."

In the winter when I can't ride during the week because of lack of daylight, I might do intervals in the trainer but that's for only 20 minutes, the most boredom I can handle at one time.

I have read some funny stories about what happens when a fluid trainer leaks its fluid. Seems the fluid gets flung everywhere, which some spouses reputedly don't appreciate if it happens in the family room. Apparently those seals go sometimes.

I use a friction based trainer: www.1upusa.com. Not cheap, but it's solid, adaptable to about any wheel size, and it's quiet.

Get yourself a good training video.

The time will "fly" by, so to speak. Truly.

Join our support group.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/BicycleTrainerSupport/

Every mag test I read said the Kurt Kinetic fluid resistant trainers were the closest thing to riding outside. I don't know about that but I'm pretty happy with the feel of the resistance on mine. It's designed so the fluid can't leak unlike the other fluid trainers, check out their website for more info.
Definitely pick up one of the Spinerval training videos as they make the time on the trainer pass quickly & give you a great workout.

A couple of questions on trainers for those of you that use them - what is a good brand to get? What's the cost typically, and is there a big difference in magnetic vs. fluid drive?
Steve

Steve:
I spend much time reading the BF post for trainers. I wound up with Cycleops2. A hydraulic trainer for about $300. It works as advertised. No complaints.
You put you favored bike in it and train away.
I do not share the opinion of many who say that the trainers are boring. I find it very demanding to get up to the speed of road biking. For instance: 16.5 MPH at 93 RPM with 700 x 25, 120 PSI tires, 36/16 gears and my HRM is 120+++. One gear up and my HRM is 130+++ and speed is 18-19 MPH. That is not boring. Proper hydration is an issue. I sweat like a pig with a fan blowing on me.
I am trying to maintain 17 MPH for a long time such as several hours. I am trying to train for a long trip in the spring 2006. That is the driving motive for me.
My impression is that a trainer is harder than road biking, definitely more focused and analytical.

Get yourself a good training video.

Any recommendations, Dnvr?

Steve

Steve:
I spend much time reading the BF post for trainers. I wound up with Cycleops2. A hydraulic trainer for about $300. It works as advertised. No complaints.

Thanks for the recommendation Will. Still not sure if we'll go with a trainer or stick to the recumbent trainer. It would be nice to sit on my bike though...

Steve

Any recommendations, Dnvr?

Steve

There are a whole series of training videos/cd's.

Spinervals.com has a bunch, and you can read their description at the Spinervals site.

Nashbar.com has them on sale for $24.95 each, last time I looked.

Personally, I use the

"Clydesdales"

which is designed for big guys like me, and is more of a basic training video. You will find warmups, interval training, cadence training, training standing up, etc.

I also use

"No Slackers Left Behind"

which is much more advanced and pushes you quite hard, pretty much at the top of my ability. In fact, I can't keep up with them. The folks training with you on the video are all top racers, etc., and even they are pushing themselves. High speed cadences (some as high as 150 rpm), a lot of standing and riding, and fast repeating intervals.

The trainer makes you go through a series of gear changes and gearing combinations designed to push your aerobic capacity.

I need to get a couple more videos!

I have two tv's - one for the video (which I sort of know by heart, now and keep low) and one for the morning news shows.

There are also Carmichael videos (Lance A.'s trainer) I have heard good words, but have never used them.

A video gives you a systematic, challenging and varied routine which really makes the time go faster. I can vary the tension to meet my aerobic demands.

I use a mag trainer with an adjustable tension (from the bars). I find the adjustable tension very useful when I stand up, as I kick the tension way up to provide the needed resistance when standing.

Here is my spinning "room," which I have shown repeatedly, but repeat here in the case that you somehow missed it! :D

You will notice that the "leveler" for the front wheel is homemade from a 2x4 and two dowels, and works great. PLease note the tension cable from the mag trainer to the front bars.

However, if the weather is even slightly decent, I will be riding outside!

http://members.aol.com/dnvrfox/wtroom1.jpg

I've used the 1up trainer for a few years and it's easy to set up and quiet. It's a little pricey but service is great and something to be said for simplicity.

Here's a link:

http://www.1upusa.com/

Like others, I avoid riding indoors whenever possible and try and stick to the roads even in nasty conditions.

Any stationary exercise needs to be done in front of a TV! I'm not a big TV fan, but video's of the Tour de France or something else you might enjoy definately helps with the boredom that accompanies all of these "non-road-based" activities. Use an adequately sized fan to help keep you cooled down. It will also minimize the sweat you produce. If you do sweat on your bike (or whatever) be sure to wipe down your bike, because the sweat will cause some nasty corrosion. I bought a used Nordic Track that had been used by a "big sweater" and it is rusted pretty badly. (It 's works fine and only cost me $20!!) You don't want this to happen with your prized bike!!

Happy training! :)

I read this thread with interest as I just rode my CycleOps Fluid2 for the 1st time Monday. Turned out to be an excellent experience because I followed the training video that came with the unit.

I use a HRM to gauge my performance/output. I've used it for about a year now. I have a 20 mile training route that I've broken into 5 legs. Over the past year I've diligently kept tract of my HR average and time during each leg so, with the trainer I can now pretty much duplicate my daily on-course ride effort.

For me, it seems riding the trainer is harder than the course even though I try to keep the HR consistent with the course averages over each leg.

I'm very pleased with the CO Fluid-2.

..rickko..

Bought a set of rollers last year and ditched the trainer, best thing for me to do. Rollers make you concentrate and make you work on form as well plus the amount of sweat seems to be about the same.

http://members.aol.com/dnvrfox/wtroom1.jpg

That really is an outstanding setup, Dnvr. I'm amazed every time I see it.

Oh... is that headlight I see on the bike??

Steve

I read this thread with interest as I just rode my CycleOps Fluid2 for the 1st time Monday. Turned out to be an excellent experience because I followed the training video that came with the unit.

I use a HRM to gauge my performance/output. I've used it for about a year now. I have a 20 mile training route that I've broken into 5 legs. Over the past year I've diligently kept tract of my HR average and time during each leg so, with the trainer I can now pretty much duplicate my daily on-course ride effort.

For me, it seems riding the trainer is harder than the course even though I try to keep the HR consistent with the course averages over each leg.

I'm very pleased with the CO Fluid-2.

..rickko..

Same here, rode mine for the first time last week. The Carmichael "Time Trial" dvd came w/mine. OMG, that was tough! I only lasted 40 min, and I've been doing 3 group rides/week for over a month now.

That really is an outstanding setup, Dnvr. I'm amazed every time I see it.

Oh... is that headlight I see on the bike??

Steve

Nope, just glare.

Thanks.

But, today, I did an hour of cardio at the gym (winds here are about 50-60 mph, no fun for riding), plus worked out there and at home. I am now maxing out (300 lbs) the pec machine and the back extension machine (and I am going to be 66 this week)! I do enjoy the "sociability" of the gym.

For some reason I enjoy the "progression" in lifting weights. Sort of strange, huh?

(Those cycling DVD's can really put you through your paces!)

Thanks for the recommendation Will. Still not sure if we'll go with a trainer or stick to the recumbent trainer. It would be nice to sit on my bike though...
Steve

Steve:
I just noticed this post of yours.
I have a fancy, expensive Recumbent trainer as well as a CycleOpps2.
Here is my impression of that:
The Recumbent is great to burn up calories more easily because of the position you are in. I find a TV absolutely necessary with this because you are just pushing away. My wife loves it.
Unfortunately it does not simulate a normal road bike action. Different muscles and different posture and different saddle. I can burn 800 calories/hour without killing my-selves. Now that is level 11 at 95 RPM.

The CycleOpps2 on the other hand resembles real biking. I go on it one day and see the effect (positive) the next day on my bike. Interval training makes sense since it feels as if you hustle up a hill. It is very hard and therefore for me not boring.
I am sure we will not all agree on that point.
I enjoy finding my physical limits using a HRM. I also monitor hydration, cadence vs. load.
BTW, a towel over the bars will protect the bike from sweat.