hotrod

It's almost winter and I haven't seen any threads about indoor training yet. What's up? I live in N. IL and it will soon be way too cold for me to ride outside. I just bid on a Cyclops Fluid Trainer on Ebay. Hoping to be in much better shape for my second season of riding. What are your plans for winter training? What is your advise for using a trainer? Rollers don't sound like they are for me.

Bike Collector

Try "Spinning" at a local health club. I bought a CycleOps trainer last winter. Used it about 5 times tops. It just isn't the same as riding outside. Can't get motivated, Spinning, however adds a unique atmosphere to training indoors. Enjoy.

WoodyUpstate

I mount my road bike on a trainer for the winter, and used it extensively for 3 years now. I usually ride 3-5 times per week indoors once the cold and snow (Upstate NY) arrive permanently.

Some suggestions. . .

1) Use a heart rate monitor. It's much easier to gauge intensity - or lack of. An inexpensive HRM is MUCH better than none at all. Nothing fancy needed.

2) 45 to 90 minutes is enough. I usually ride 60 to 90 minutes. Less and you don't get enough of a workout. More and it gets really boring and difficult to focus. 60 intense minutes is about right.

3) You may still need a recovery day after a 60 minute spin with several hard intervals. No overtraining allowed - even in the winter.

4) Entertainment a must. I have a small TV set up to watch. It's fine for zone 1-3 tempo rides as I can watch TV and still catch the plot. When I'm doing intervals the TV provides background noise as I can't focus on anything but keeping the hammer down. Suggestion. . . Intervals during commercials. Set a DVD or VCR up and watch cycling videos.

5) Air flow needed. Get a fan or two going and take your shirt off. Riding indoor is HOT if you're working hard. You'll sweat like crazy no matter what.

6) Even mag and fluid trainers produce plenty of noise when you're really hammering. Wind resistance trainers (like the one I use) are like jet engines when they get cranking.

7) Vary your workouts to keep it interesting. Intervals one night, and a steady spin the next when your favorite show is on.

8) Computers. A rear-wheel-pickup computer is great as it allows you to watch speed and record mileage for your log. Anything to keep it interesting.

9) The biggest obstacle is motivation.

killerasp

i personally dont like working indoors. when it hits 30 mintues, i start to have a case of ADD. i dont know about latest new bikes thay exist , but my school gym has some nice ones but still, it can only hold my interest for so long. thats when the HOT HOT HOT blonde girls take up the dozen or so stairclimbers and running machines make me wanna stay a bit longer to enjoy the view.

RonH

I bought a Cycle-Ops magneto trainer about a month ago. Have already used it 5 or 6 times when it was raining.
I download music with a fast beat to my MP3 player and put it in my back pocket. Listening to fast music keeps me going and I can vary the workout with different tunes each time I ride.

hotrod

Thanks for the great info. I was notified that my trainer shipped today!! Now, I'll get a big fan, some good tunes, and hopefully stay motivated enough to see m thru winter here in IL I'l post my impressions of the CyleOps Fluid unit for those interested.

Brian_T

Hey Hotrod,

Where are you in Northern Illinois? Drop me an email offline and maybe we can compare winter training. Heck, maybe we can get together and go for a few cold-weather rides.

RegularGuy

Hey Hotrod, if you don't live too far from Amboy, come out on Tuesday evenings for the Rock River Valley Bicycle Club's weekly trainer "rides." A bunch of us bring our bikes and trainers to the Green River Cyclery. We watch training videos, ride in place, and sweat and laugh. It's a good motivation.

If you do live too far from Amboy, start your own trainer rides. You need a TV, a VCR, some videotapes, some friends and a place to get together.

DnvrFox

I've got two road bikes (one for me, one for my wife) on trainers sitting here in my finished basement. But, I know from last year that I won't ride them much. They simply bore me to death. I am amazed and confounded by those who can regularly ride 60-90 minutes!! Good for you.

Perhaps if we had some sort of "support" group here where we talked about or posted our times on the trainer??

I have the best of intentions - just can't stand the darn things, but also know I NEED to ride them to keep in shape.

As long as the weather is anywhere decent, I will ride the mtn bike out on the trails, but am NOT a fan of winter, icy riding, as some are.

Anyone else for a sort of support or at least discussion group?

Trek2Kgirl

Try a training video such as Spinervals (www.spinervals.com). I've got 8 of them and love them. It's not the same as being out on the road, but the videos keep you engaged and give you a killer workout. They range from 45 minutes to 2 hours in length--I've done the 2 hour one and the time does pass by.

hotrod

I live in Lake County. How far is this from Amboy RegularGuy? Where are you located Brian_T? I like the idea of getting together for some training rides if it isn't too cold. Thanks for the Spinervals recommendation Trek2Girl.

RegularGuy

Amboy is in Lee county...pretty well to your west.

astroboy

I just got a cycle ops fluid trainer since the weather here hs become cold again...

I have ridden it the last few days, and haven't had any trouble going thru a 30-45 minute ride...I'm going to contiue to work, and hope to ride an hour a day inside all winter....

Should prepare me for my most fit summer yet...

earleybird

you might find this link of interest

https://www.jbst.com/i-Coaching-2002.html

astroboy

here is a pic of my set up

Brian_T

Nice setup Astroboy. Mine's similar but in the garage. (Wife says no bikes in the house with the new floors...)

Hotrod, I'm in Lincolnshire.