"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Working and Training at the same time

How do you guys read books stuff on the screen and ride the trainer at the same time?

If I could figure out a system of sorts for this, I could probably double or triple my winter hours without too much harm because it'd be pretty low intensity base building.

Thanks!

I'm amazed that anyone can do this. I can't maintain concentration at all when I'm trying to engage my brain at the same time as staying in my training zone. I usually train with music... video is much harder. A mindless action movie is doable, but I've still caught myself idling, trying to listen to dialogue.

The best I've pulled off is x-box while on the trainer. I can't imagine trying to read.

either your work or training will suffer.

the work, which I'd imagine to be much more important would suffer most I'd say.

A lot of the reading is going to be scanning documents looking for phrases and words, nothing terribly earth shattering.

I want to give it a go if I can.

I can watch movies while riding the trainer with nary an issue. I just go by PE and ride endurance pace rides for 1.5-2 hrs while watching movies.

My racing mentor back in Colorado was a robot. He could ride the rollers for six hours and get his homework done. One time I called him and started a conversation. I noticed he was winded, and he said he had been on the rollers. After about 10 minutes, I realized he was still short of breath for a conversation. I asked about his recovery, and he said, "oh, I never got off the rollers, sorry." He was just riding one-handed, keeping up his end of the conversation, and staying up near his threshold.

One time we were riding rollers together and he pulled his jersey off (over his head). I know others who can do this kind of stuff, and it freaks me out on the rollers.

I'm trying to figure out what kind of arrangement I'll have to have to do this.

I guess I could read books while sitting up on the trainer and just pedaling at like 150ish-180ish W for 2 or so hours. That'd be decent if I could do it everyday in addition to other training. It won't have too much of a toll on me, but it should be good for the legs.

http://thebikedesk.com

400 dollars for that thing?

You've gotta be kidding me...

I use a music stand bought at musician's friend for around $30 if I remember right. Puts my laptop right where I need it. Of course I also use dictation software for just about everything, so typing is not an issue. I suppose you can wear some sort of gloves so as not to get sweat all over your keyboard, but I don't recommend it.

I also use Tacx trainers so I can set a wattage and leave it. This way if I slow cadence, my resistance goes up and I am doing the same watts regardless. Can't really do stuff that I need to concentrate on, but for endurance and tempo stuff, it works great. I also like to do the Real Life Videos they have so that I can go back and forth from a "real" ride to whatever work is on the computer.

I have tried reading books in teh past, but I just cover them in sweat. It's no good.

Finally, thinking takes up watts. I saw a study somewhere where a college kid studying was roughly utilizing the same metabolic consumption as someone riding at 300 watts consistently. In other words, there is only so much energy for you to parse out to various tasks.

I am pretty sure that this is why, when I am on for a TT, I could not do simple single digit math, and I often remember little of the entire experience. TTs are nice for the whole Zen clear the mind thing.

http://cache.gifts.com/photos/9/C/W/R/9CWRGC9Q4DTWR47FTALX_L.jpg

I could not read and maintain focus when I tried it.

Who in moist hell would pay 400 for a desk to put in front of your bike?

Finally, thinking takes up watts. I saw a study somewhere where a college kid studying was roughly utilizing the same metabolic consumption as someone riding at 300 watts consistently.

I don't know about that... when I'm studying I'm usually not way over threshold. :lol:

I'm certainly not getting anything done when I'm on during my 3x20s. But I have a warm up and cool down and time between sets. If nothing else it gives me the ability to monitor/answer emails to at least give the impression I'm around. More often than not I can adequately handle what is required of me.

The best I've pulled off is x-box while on the trainer. I can't imagine trying to read.

Sir, thank you for this idea. I will do this tonight!

I don't know about that... when I'm studying I'm usually not way over threshold. :lol:

Lol, that's what I was thinking.

I guess I'll stick to movies then...

http://thebikedesk.com

http://www.thegreathardwarestore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=194327&click=2744

$7.99

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1028751_-1_57000_20000_57500

I work at home, and couldn't get in more than a 1 hour ride during the day, if i'm lucky. Trying to work while on the trainer is just frustrating. On & off every 30 seconds.