Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Trainer Breaks

No I didn't break the trainer, I realized that one of the differences between the trainer and the road, is that on the road you take breaks occasionally, whether it's 30 seconds at a traffic light, or pulling over to switch water bottles, etc. These periods when you stop pedalling don't occur on a trainer, so should one intentionally stop pedalling every so often, or even get off for a short time, and then go back at it?

This should probably be a poll, what does everyone else think?

I know a lot of guys don't take breaks, but I do. But then I'm not a competitor,
I just want to roll into Spring with a bit of life in the legs.

i usually take a break or two depending on long im on it

Depends on what your goal is. If you want to keep up with that group of guys you want to ride with. NO BREAKS.

If you want to lose weight it's better to take a couple breaks and spend more time on the saddle than to do one session till you hit the tired point and get off and stay off.

Take it from a guy who has lost about a 100 lbs. Skip the breaks. That is unless you feel some pain or onset of injury.

I've found that with running and biking just about the time you think you're going to die if you can somehow hang on a couple more minutes you'll work yourself through and past that feeling.

Listen to your body. Don't hurt yourself but somewhere along the line that other guy you want to ride with ain't taking no breaks so he can take no prisoners.

John

I Just do what the DVD tells me to to :). This weekend I did 2 Chris Charmichael DVDs... One was today called Time Trial - No breaks just intervals with varying intensity! Kisks my butt! Yesterday I did Criterium. They are about 60-65 minutes long and definitely are my hardest rides. I am doing them tpo lose weight and become faster on the road. OH and because it was raining most of the weekend.

So to the OP - I would take breaks if it helps you stay on longer. But I would also investiogate the DVD option.

I have been taking breaks at 5 miles this week, using my rollers. At every five miles I get off and do twenty push-ups, then stretch my hamstring, quads, and calf muscles, then 20 more push-ups and then I start again with 5 more miles. Today was a planned 50 mile on rollers, but at 42.5, my right calf muscled thought that was enough, so I am done.

Do what you want to do and what you want to do that day or that week. I also do 20 mile rides on the rollers without stopping and then do something else completely.

I have been taking breaks at 5 miles this week, using my rollers. At every five miles I get off and do twenty push-ups, then stretch my hamstring, quads, and calf muscles, then 20 more push-ups and then I start again with 5 more miles. Today was a planned 50 mile on rollers, but at 42.5, my right calf muscled thought that was enough, so I am done.

Do what you want to do and what you want to do that day or that week. I also do 20 mile rides on the rollers without stopping and then do something else completely.

I got tired just reading.

I got tired just reading.

I was just trying to make it clear what I was doing. I didn't think the post was that long.

No I didn't break the trainer, I realized that one of the differences between the trainer and the road, is that on the road you take breaks occasionally, whether it's 30 seconds at a traffic light, or pulling over to switch water bottles, etc. These periods when you stop pedalling don't occur on a trainer, so should one intentionally stop pedalling every so often, or even get off for a short time, and then go back at it?

This should probably be a poll, what does everyone else think?


Okay, so I posted the question...

As some of you probably know, I like to post a question, without trying to bias the replies, then when it's gone on for a while, put in my 2 cents (although I think it's closer to a $ now)

Personally I think it depends on a few things, first is what your training for, if it's so you can start the season with some decent length rides, rather then the 2 mile ride you usually start with after a 6 month hiatus, then breaks are okay. If your training so you can show how much machismo you can show off at the gym, of you have early season races planned, then no breaks. If your losing weight and getting some exercise, then do whatever you like, 3 15 minute rides with a 1 minute break in between, is probably better then a 30 minute, single ride.

As I said outdoor rides have micro-breaks built in, stopping for a traffic light, going down hill, without pedalling, getting off to switch things around, refill or switch bottles, stopping to stretch, etc. The idea is to keep such breaks short enough that you don't lose your momentum.

I don't take breaks and have plenty of "life" in my legs this Spring.
Ohno

but wogster, with weather like this in S. Ontario, the trainer will be ancient history soon...

but wogster, with weather like this in S. Ontario, the trainer will be ancient history soon...

It's the 15th of March, Southern Ontario can expect winter like weather up until the 3rd week of April, every year at this time, people like to declare that wintry weather is done, and they are always disappointed when it comes back with a vengeance. I expect the trainer to still get a lot of use, before moving to the garage for those riding season days when it's not fit to ride.

I do not get off the bike during my workouts. I just do what the DVD says to do. What is nice, there are breaks built into the DVD, like 3 to 5 minutes of easy spin for recovery after some hard efforts. That is a great break and then it gets hard again.

It's the 15th of March, Southern Ontario can expect winter like weather up until the 3rd week of April, every year at this time, people like to declare that wintry weather is done, and they are always disappointed when it comes back with a vengeance. I expect the trainer to still get a lot of use, before moving to the garage for those riding season days when it's not fit to ride.

I'm firmly in the "snow tires on until after easter camp", same as you. Just joking that you posted your trainer questions on one of the warmest days (so far) in 2009.

It's the 15th of March, Southern Ontario can expect winter like weather up until the 3rd week of April, every year at this time, people like to declare that wintry weather is done, and they are always disappointed when it comes back with a vengeance.

One of the guys with our local rando club put it best when the snow started falling before our ride this past Sunday:

"Beware the rides of March"

As I said outdoor rides have micro-breaks built in, stopping for a traffic light, going down hill, without pedalling, getting off to switch things around, refill or switch bottles, stopping to stretch, etc. The idea is to keep such breaks short enough that you don't lose your momentum.


You assume that everyone has the same outdoor riding style. To some riders, being on the trainer is a microbreak!:rolleyes:

You assume that everyone has the same outdoor riding style. To some riders, being on the trainer is a microbreak!:rolleyes:

Well, I will admit, I don't ride like I wanna be there 15 minutes ago, I did that when I was 17, now that I am 47, I am a lot more willing to stop and take pictures of the roses, while smelling them...... Your lucky Beanz, you might get on a trainer once every couple of months, for those of us who spend 6 months of the year (November to April usually), without being able to ride on the road, the trainer can be very important, to keep from losing half your riding season to getting back in shape for the season.

You assume that everyone has the same outdoor riding style. To some riders, being on the trainer is a microbreak!:rolleyes:

Those 10k footer centuries are loop courses. You get to rest those mighty tree trunks you call quadriceps for at least a little while.:lol:

I just make it a habit to stand every 5 minutes for about 10 seconds to give everything a break. i'm off the trainer now thou couldn't take it anymore. Cold or not I'm on the road.

I just make it a habit to stand every 5 minutes for about 10 seconds to give everything a break. i'm off the trainer now thou couldn't take it anymore. Cold or not I'm on the road.

I'm still on the trainer, more because we still need a good gullywasher to get rid of the last of the salt on the roads, and a lot of drivers are not used to seeing bikes on the road yet, so the chances of getting run over is still too high. Although I do see more and more riders out though. I was thinking of going out today, but the bike computer is on the wife's bike which is on the trainer, so waiting for the old tax refund so I can pick up another computer, and get the bike tuned up for the coming year.....

I'm still on the trainer, more because we still need a good gullywasher to get rid of the last of the salt on the roads, and a lot of drivers are not used to seeing bikes on the road yet, so the chances of getting run over is still too high. Although I do see more and more riders out though. I was thinking of going out today, but the bike computer is on the wife's bike which is on the trainer, so waiting for the old tax refund so I can pick up another computer, and get the bike tuned up for the coming year.....


I understand, that is why I have a thread called SANDBLASTED in this forum.

Those 10k footer centuries are loop courses. You get to rest those mighty tree trunks you call quadriceps for at least a little while.:lol:

Yeah, but it's a 62 mile climb. Last 38 is mostly downhill but that's after 6 hours of straight climbing, not 45 minutes. I'm not comparing only my rides here. I'm sure quite a few of the others don't ride for 45 minutes and take breaks every two minutes!:p The OP's comments sound general. If he had said "I" get a rest on "MY" rides, it would be less of a generalization.

Even on flat rides, I don't rest my legs. If I do it's after 35 miles of nonstop pedaling. I'm a spinner and rarely stop the pedals. And I don't stop to switch waterbottles!:D

I wonder what type of trainer the OP has. I can coast on mine.:)

When I ride my trainer I take breaks, but not frequently and not for long. 5 minute break once an hour, and if I'm riding longer than 3 hours, then I'll give myself a 20min break around the midway point.

Yeah, but it's a 62 mile climb. Last 38 is mostly downhill but that's after 6 hours of straight climbing, not 45 minutes. I'm not comparing only my rides here. I'm sure quite a few of the others don't ride for 45 minutes and take breaks every two minutes!:p The OP's comments sound general. If he had said "I" get a rest on "MY" rides, it would be less of a generalization.

Even on flat rides, I don't rest my legs. If I do it's after 35 miles of nonstop pedaling. I'm a spinner and rarely stop the pedals. And I don't stop to switch waterbottles!:D

I wonder what type of trainer the OP has. I can coast on mine.:)

Okay, the idea here is that for those of us in Northern climates where summer riding means dodging cars, we don't have 100 mile long bike trails here, you are continually starting and stopping. So a short stop every once in a while is a normal part of summer riding conditions, heck on one of the on street bike routes here, there is that bane of many cyclists, the political, multi-way stop, every friggin' block . So going full bore for hours on the trainer is not real world riding conditions.

Let me explain what I mean by a political multi-way stop. This is a stop sign on each side of an intersection so all traffic must stop, rather then being placed by traffic engineers for safety reasons, these are placed at the direction of city politicians to reduce automotive traffic on certain streets, so that politically powerful people don't have to deal with traffic on their streets, instead the traffic is routed onto busy arterials where the peasants live, in apartment blocks. Of course the arterials don't have bike lanes :notamused: so they route bicycle traffic onto those less busy streets where a bike route sign is sufficient. Of course the cyclist then needs to deal with all of the politically motivated multi-way stops, they then wonder why cyclists and people on bikes ignore those stop signs most of the time.....

As for the water bottles, I have 2 cages on my bike, one on the seat tube, one on the down tube, the one on the downt ube is easy to get at, the one on the seat tube, because it has a sloping top tube, is not so easy to get at. Rather then crash trying to get at the bottle in that stupid bottle cage, I find it much easier, when the one on the downtube is getting low, to simply switch the two bottles when stopped at one of the numerous stop lights and stop signs. This is less of an issue on the trainer where extra bottles can be kept on the nearby dresser, but again it's emulating real world riding conditions. When both bottles are low, then I need to either dig another bottle out of a pannier or resupply. Since it's impossible to get into the panniers while riding (if you know how, let me know), that usually means a stop. The bottle(s) in the pannier are usually NOT bike bottles, so it means a stop to refill the bike bottles.

Again the whole idea is to try and get the trainer distance to be more like outdoor riding conditions.

I ride on rollers and have a trainer, but I can't coast on rollers without either getting off or grabbing on to something. When I do my ride outside for my 40 mile loop, I have to stop twice at a stop sign and a 4 way stop at a highway crossing. Both are within the first mile of my ride. If I stop again, it is usually because of a mechanical breakdown, or when I get to the 20 mile turn around point. I call my wife (or text) to let her know I am on my return trip. So when I do a roller ride, I pedal more and longer and don't coast. I noticed when I did my first outside ride this week, I did more coasting than I thought I did outside.

Both are good workouts for me. I guess it really doesn't matter what you do, as long as you are doing it.

Okay, the idea here is that for those of us in Northern climates where summer riding means dodging cars, we don't have 100 mile long bike trails here, you are continually starting and stopping. So a short stop every once in a while is a normal part of summer riding conditions, heck on one of the on street bike routes here, there is that bane of many cyclists, the political, multi-way stop, every friggin' block . So going full bore for hours on the trainer is not real world riding conditions..

Our local streets are packed too. One must ride up into the mtns to avoid traffic or drive 40 miles to the trail for a car-free ride. I guess it depends on how much one really wants to ride the bike!:D



As for the water bottles, I have 2 cages on my bike, one on the seat tube, one on the down tube, the one on the downt ube is easy to get at, the one on the seat tube, because it has a sloping top tube, is not so easy to get at.


What bike do your ride? I have a sloping toptube, a Lemond 57 cm. I have no problems working the bottles while riding but I do it while riding with no hands. Helps when you can ride handless for miles. Really helps when a bee enters the helmet thru a vent. Remove the shades and helmet, shake the bee and not lose a stroke.:D

Maybe the bike size makes it tough trying to access the ST cage?..and I do use the large bottles.

Yeah, but it's a 62 mile climb. Last 38 is mostly downhill but that's after 6 hours of straight climbing, not 45 minutes. I'm not comparing only my rides here. I'm sure quite a few of the others don't ride for 45 minutes and take breaks every two minutes!:p The OP's comments sound general. If he had said "I" get a rest on "MY" rides, it would be less of a generalization.

Even on flat rides, I don't rest my legs. If I do it's after 35 miles of nonstop pedaling. I'm a spinner and rarely stop the pedals. And I don't stop to switch waterbottles!:D

I wonder what type of trainer the OP has. I can coast on mine.:)

Note to self: NEVER ride with Beanz unless suicidal tendencies emerge! :twitchy:

Our local streets are packed too. One must ride up into the mtns to avoid traffic or drive 40 miles to the trail for a car-free ride. I guess it depends on how much one really wants to ride the bike!:D




What bike do your ride? I have a sloping toptube, a Lemond 57 cm. I have no problems working the bottles while riding but I do it while riding with no hands. Helps when you can ride handless for miles. Really helps when a bee enters the helmet thru a vent. Remove the shades and helmet, shake the bee and not lose a stroke.:D

Maybe the bike size makes it tough trying to access the ST cage?..and I do use the large bottles.

Just thinking, to get a car free ride of any distance, you would need to be North of Newmarket, and that's 50km one way. I don't have a car, and I think driving to a place to ride is silly, so I would need to ride there, and that 50km is mostly very long rollers that in places close to 3km peak to peak, and the trend is uphill.

The problem is that the bottles I have are fairly tall and the cage is fairly high on the seat tube, so you need to twist slightly to get it in or out, tough to do while moving, fairly easy at one of the numerous 4 way stops on my usual weekend cycling route. Funniest thing, I actually prefer cycling in heavy traffic to driving in heavy traffic, no obstructions to your view and a bicycle can stop on a dime and turn on a nickel, so as long as your aware of what's going on around you, I think it's actually safer! Since stop signs and lights are a normal part of riding and that means a lot of stopping and starting, I don't mind if I need to stop on the trainer.

I was just trying to make it clear what I was doing. I didn't think the post was that long.

The post wasn't long it was the workout that wore me out.

It really isn't too hard of a workout, considering it really lets your heart rate drop when doing the stretching. But, I do get my heart rate back up when doing the push ups and the riding. I really need to be running, but my calf muscle still won't allow it.