Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - CycleOps... what for again?

So we did it! I've been waiting since last fall to get a trainer at a good sale price. Finally got one last week! :thumb:

Now that I have it, I find that I really don't enjoy cycling in front of the TV. I just sweat and sweat but it's no fun at all. And it takes forever to put even a few miles in.

Will this feeling go away? Will I get used to this or was it a waste of money? :eek:

I'm lucky in the fact that I've grown to somewhat enjoy the trainer. Reason is I train on it, not just pedal. If during the season all you do is just pedal and you are happy with the cycling level you are at then it likely is a waste of time other than burning calories. Riding an hour on a trainer is like 2 on the road as you get no breaks. I'm currently buying some spinervals and they seem to help make it more interesting or at least give you something to work at.

So we did it! I've been waiting since last fall to get a trainer at a good sale price. Finally got one last week! :thumb:

Now that I have it, I find that I really don't enjoy cycling in front of the TV. I just sweat and sweat but it's no fun at all. And it takes forever to put even a few miles in.

Will this feeling go away? Will I get used to this or was it a waste of money? :eek:

I have to agree that it's a wee bit boring, and yeah... the miles seem to take forever. You could try watching a movie while you ride... I like action movies, so if there is a car chase I'll pedal faster, go slower when the action slows down, etc. Time goes by quickly then.

You could also try other intervals, or even pedaling with one leg and alternate between legs for more variety.

V

I'm not sure what spinervals are... but yeah, the trainer is so I can ride when I can't ride so that my feet don't actually turn to lead, if you see what I mean.

Hubby put on a concert--Heart today. I think a good heavy metal DVD might be my best bet to avoid absolute boredom.

I'm not sure what spinervals are... but yeah, the trainer is so I can ride when I can't ride so that my feet don't actually turn to lead, if you see what I mean.

Hubby put on a concert--Heart today. I think a good heavy metal DVD might be my best bet to avoid absolute boredom.

Spinervals are workout DVD's that take you thru different intervals. They help pass the time a little faster. I have included a link below to give you an idea what they are. I have found them cheaper on Amazon.com, and usually buy them from there.

Spinervals DVD's (http://www.spinervals.com)

Will this feeling go away? Will I get used to this or was it a waste of money? :eek:

It never went away for me. I used my Kurt Kinetic trainer 5-6 times, let it sit in a corner for 9 months, and finally sold it last week. My trainer came with a Spinervals DVD, which I absolutely hated. Cycling in front of the TV just isn't for me!

In addition to the other suggestions try sticking an oscillating fan in front of you, that helps with the sweat dripping all over.

I got gym membership 30 yrs ago and use it in the winter . Since Iam NOT training for anything I only ride for health lose weight and fun . So when the serious winter hits I ride the bike at the gym boring but it gets me thru until end a march or earlier if we get back in the mid forties . If the snow and ice is gone I ride my reg bike any time . Can't see a use for me anyway buying a trainer but to each his own or her own .

What are you over 50 dudes Iam 53 training for anyway the olympics :)or somthing everyone here seems to be obsessed with speed instead of just enjoying riding ?

If it's boring then you're doing it wrong. Doing 2 hours on a trainer in front of a tv is a waste of time. Do intervals. I do my own workouts and after 45 minutes, I'm done! Got in a great workout, had fun and after I'm done, I feel like Rocky after one of his movie workouts! I hear that song when I'm working hard: Tatattattatata tatataaa, tutututututututuduudududuhhhh.Flying high nowwwwww!:p

Boredom is training for solo long-distance riding. No music, no TV. Set up the trainer in front of a blank wall and crank out 3 hours.

OK... that's just insane.
I watch movies when I ride my mag trainer. It's not really interesting, but it passes the time. If I'm riding the stationary 'bent, I play my Xbox.

I got gym membership 30 yrs ago and use it in the winter . Since Iam NOT training for anything I only ride for health lose weight and fun . So when the serious winter hits I ride the bike at the gym boring but it gets me thru until end a march or earlier if we get back in the mid forties . If the snow and ice is gone I ride my reg bike any time . Can't see a use for me anyway buying a trainer but to each his own or her own .

What are you over 50 dudes Iam 53 training for anyway the olympics :)or somthing everyone here seems to be obsessed with speed instead of just enjoying riding ?

Well I'm not over 50 and not training for a race or anything, I just like to go fast. Actually for me I like being able to show up at a group ride and ride with whomever I want not just with who I can keep up with. A little pain on the trainer in the winter means a lot in the spring. Plus were I live if I didn't ride the trainer I'd be stuck on a gym bike. That's not bad but I'd rather keep my body use to my bike.

I got gym membership 30 yrs ago and use it in the winter . Since Iam NOT training for anything I only ride for health lose weight and fun . So when the serious winter hits I ride the bike at the gym boring but it gets me thru until end a march or earlier if we get back in the mid forties . If the snow and ice is gone I ride my reg bike any time . Can't see a use for me anyway buying a trainer but to each his own or her own .

What are you over 50 dudes Iam 53 training for anyway the olympics :)or somthing everyone here seems to be obsessed with speed instead of just enjoying riding?

For me, it's not about the olympics (47 y. o.). It's about training the body to be better than it is at the moment. I don't belong to a gym, so I have to get more out of my stationary trainer. Call me crazy, but I actually enjoy riding the darn thing as long as I have a good workout DVD to go along with. :D

Denny

Not as boring as a tread mill. Still, I found myself getting into a more upright postion as I rode and a more sore butt as a result. I got a rowing machine & alternate between the two. Gets some upper body & ab conditioning in as well.

OK from the newbie - First trainer ride at home today! Just finished and am drenched in sweat. I am superwoamn. I did one of Chris Carmichael's one hour workouts. It was as hard as spinning class or even harder!! AWESOME!! And the calories I am sure melted off...I feel skinnier already!!

I know this will improve my cycling and I can not wait to get my computer fixed so I can accurately know my cadence. ( i counted but I think th ecomputer will be easier)

Go get some great training videos - and see it as training for biking or an incredible way to lose weight! Either way - I really am very proud of myself. I never knew I could have my own incredible exercise maching for $215 dollars! WOW.

In My defense i thought I was on the over 50 forum when I made my comment sorry :0 I still think to many are obsessed with speed instead of the joy of riding . I have lost over 90 lbs so far and I average about 13 mph ride about 20 miles a day 6 days a week ! mostly on my bike and in the gym when the weather is insane here in Michigan .

If you have access to a gym your much better off IMHO or some form of workout besides just a bike . We all need upper body strength to balance things out . Juat spinning infront of a TV all winter on a trainer would drive me nuts . I have a trainer and found myself IMO not getting a balanced workout nor getting out enough . If your going to use a trainer IMHO you also need some free weights . But thats just me . But Iam a old fart whata I know Iam so dumb I let myself get up to 371 lbs at about 280 right now I think I only weigh myself 1 time a month . 60 lbs to go I will say this thou spinning on a trainer beats setting on a couch all winter getting fat !

I don't think trainers are bad just very boring and NOT anything close to a complete workout but thats only my 2 cents if its worth that . I also credit my bicycles for my weight loss I luv riding just not in my living room :) nuff said

Trainers are possibly the most insipid things in cycling. Feeling never went away for me, though I still enjoy it more than running.

Silver lining for me is realizing -- without the wind and the fact that you need to steer and get to go places when actually riding -- how much exercise you get. Trainers are harder than just riding because you can't coast, but if I sweat this much on a trainer it probably means the real thing is hard work, too...made me hydrate and take in food much more on longer rides.

It also make me by more winter gear and cowboy up to ride outside...

Best thing I have for riding on my trainer is my IPOD. Just crank the tunes and go. I wear a Heart rate monitor and try and maintain an average up over 130 and go for an hour, hour and a half once in awhile but that gets real old. I am not quite as bored as before but still never is great. TVis usually on but I don't listen to it often. Sometimes I will even read while on it as long as I can maintain a decent Heart rate. One thing I have noticed that sitting up while riding on the trainer increases the heart rate.

The first year I had my trainer I used it 3 or 4 times. That's it. Partly I got used to it, partly I learned how to keep myself interested. I watch exciting movies, like the matrix or Kung Fu. One of my favorite shows is The Adventures of Brisco
County Jr.

You will be watching with half your mind, so what works may not be what you expect. Trial and error.

Spinervals are good, I'd give them a call or a email. The tricky part is finding the ones that are right for you. A few are compilations of previous discs.
Like this one...
http://www.spinervals.com/products/item14.cfm

You will also need a fan, on a stand, unless it's cold enough and you can just open the door to keep
from getting overheated.

If it's boring then you're doing it wrong. Doing 2 hours on a trainer in front of a tv is a waste of time. Do intervals. I do my own workouts and after 45 minutes, I'm done! Got in a great workout, had fun and after I'm done, I feel like Rocky after one of his movie workouts! I hear that song when I'm working hard: Tatattattatata tatataaa, tutututututututuduudududuhhhh.Flying high nowwwwww!:p


+ many many many billions. I only did intervals on mine. Anywhere from 20 mins to 1 hr.

So my secret weapon to keep myself on the trainer really is a heavy metal DVD: Metallica S&M is my favorite.

So I put the bike on the hardest gear in an attempt to improve my uphill speed. My husband came in a freaked out. He said it looked like it was "rocking" the back wheel. Is that normal?

He stopped me after only a few minutes and good thing too. Now my knees feel like I have crawled across miles or rocks. Ouch!

yes a little, but it should be tight. The bottom bracket might not be real stiff either, so you are more apt to see a little swing on the rear wheel. I know my Specialized Allez was more mobile than my CAAD9. The CAAD9 has a super stiff BB.

Aah. Ok. We have my Fuji (Newest 3.0) but will try his Allez to see if this changes. Thanks!

I was never a trainer guy until I picked up a Tacx Imagic. It's very much on the pricey side, but it's great. I love the Real Life videos. They have real video footage of Tour de France rides and other places that sync to the speed you're going. It also gets harder or easier based on the slope. They've really given me the motivation to hit the trainer an hour or 2 a night. It's a blast cruising around the Dutch countryside in front of my 50inch plasma. There's some additional software that allows you to race against other real people over the internet. I haven't tried that yet because I assume I get smoked. It's expensive (around $1000) and the software's a bit on the buggy side. I haven't had much trouble but apparently others have.

Got in a great workout, had fun and after I'm done, I feel like Rocky after one of his movie workouts! I hear that song when I'm working hard: Tatattattatata tatataaa, tutututututututuduudududuhhhh.Flying high nowwwwww!:p

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/PhotozOnline/rocandbull.gif

If you live in Grapevine I hope you've been out the last few days! It's been beautiful. I would encourage you to try to get out and ride outside more. With the proper clothes you ride in winter here. It's hard to do nothing but trainer for months.

Oh absolutely! I've been out ... I'm a commuter so if you live in the area, you probably see me coming and going. :) The trainer is really for rainy or below freezing days, which we don't have too many of. But you know--when it rains in Texas, it really rains!

The idea just sounds boring to me, so I've never actually tried it. Ditto with walking on a treadmill. I'd rather ride in the cold and the dark than in the house.