pastorbobnlnh 

I just finished logging my time on the Schwinn Traveler (mounted to the trainer in my attic) from last night. As I did so I wondered how much time I had invested, miles I had not traveled, and K-Cals I had burned since last October when the weather turned colder and headed towards winter.

Miles= 1200 (I know they are not the same as road miles )
Hours= 60 (my butt hurts just thinking about those hours )
K-Cals= 660,000 (so why haven't I lost more weight? )

I bought the Trainer with my 2004 Christmas bonus and felt pretty good about the 243 miles I used it between January 1 and June 1, 2005. But now I really feel as if I've got my money's worth. One final comment: Let the warmer riding weather begin!

Bob

P.S. The Traveler is the blue bike is on the trainer behind the gold Paramount.

Digital Gee

Actually, 1,200 trainer miles is equal to 960 road miles.

See II Samuel 19:36

stapfam

Or about 600 offroad miles.

1200 miles at 20mph. How do you find the inspiration to sit in your loft staring out of the window looking at the scenery for that number of hours? and Hope you were in a high gear for that distance to save the legs from overheating in the warmth from the 5 bar electric fire that runs off the generator fixed to the back wheel.

Well done for the perserverance- but summer is nearly here- Yippee. You remenber that bit don't you? Somewhere between the end of July and the 1st of September.

pastorbobnlnh 

Big Paulie,

When I ride 20 miles on the road I burn about 1200 K-Cals. The best I can do on the trainer in the attic is 600 K-Cals. It's not quite the same, but it's better than no miles at all.

Gary,

Can you help me out with 2 Samuel 19:36 = "Your servant will go a little way over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king recompense me with such a reward?" Probably a little DG humor but I don't get it.

stapfam,

And you are right about off road miles. No where near the same! I think of your off road exploits when I ride the dirt roads on my C-Dale. You are our UK Superman! Let the warm weather begin! I've been on outside rides four times in April.

Bob

Digital Gee

You're right, it's an attempt at humor. I did a little internet search on the word "distance" in Bible verses, and this is one that came up. But it actually had the word "distance" in it, but then again, I think it was a pretty modern version of the Bible.

I figured there wouldn't be any verses with the word "miles" in them.

The other part of the humor was my absolutely made up claim that 1,200 miles on a trainer = 960 miles on a road bike. That was fiction. It's like that old quote -- 78.4% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

pastorbobnlnh 

I wondered if something had been lost in translation. I use the NRSV. There are so many translations they are impossible to keep up with.

Bob

jppe

PastorB-having spent a little time on the trainer I continue to be amazed at your dedication and accomplishments pedaling in the attic. I don't know about the miles but I've always rationalized that an hour on the trainer is equivalent to 1.5 hours on the road. Trainers keep you constantly pedaling whereas on the road there is some coasting!! Many times you can keep your heart rate up higher on a trainer than on the road as well. And it's not like the scenery is constantly changing to keep your mind off how hard you're working!!

You've earned the right for warmer weather to come your way in a hurry!! Here's hoping you can pack up that trainer for the season here shortly!!

pastorbobnlnh 

jppe,

I probably don't work as hard as you on the trainer. I'm relatively new to the heart rate monitor. I bought a Polar CAD 200 with this year's Christmas bonus and installed it in mid January. My target range should be 112-148 bpm. When I reach 20 mph on the trainer (at around 85-90 RPM on the cadence), my heart settles into a comfortable 116-120 BPM. When I push harder I can hit 125 BPM. I usually stay on the trainer for 1 hour.

The 6 times I've been able to ride out on the road since January, I regularly hit 150+ BPM on the steep hills, averaged over 130 for the entire ride, and stayed in "The Zone" for 95% of the ride. (Now all this is contingent upon me using the computer correctly ) I know I need to push harder on the trainer, but that is easier said then done!

Bob

pastorbobnlnh 

Thanks BP!

nmichell

Just from mental fatigue alone, I think 1200 trainer miles have GOT to be worth AT LEAST 3600 road miles

jazzy_cyclist

+1

stapfam

+ yet another

Sorry to break the sequence but I can manage about 15 minutes on a trainer and no more.

pastorbobnlnh 

You guys are so kind! Stapfam, finally I have you beat! 90% of the time I ride 60 minutes. Sometimes I ride 45 and every now and then I go for 75-90. It all depends on how good Arnold or Diesel or whatever action/scifi movie is helping to keep my cadence going. I never go less than 45.

pastorbobnlnh 

UPDATE: I brought the Traveler (see the pic at the beginning of the post) out of the attic to end the winter on Saturday! A month earlier than last winter! I spent the afternoon unmounting the wheels I use on the trainer (the heavy chrome originals), remounting the lighter alloy set, adding Kool Stop brake shoes for better stopping power, adjusting the derailleurs, and cleaning and lubing the chain.

Sunday afternoon was a beautiful day. Light wind, sunny, temps in the high 60s. I rode around the lake (24 miles) and only had one mechanical when my chain slipped off the smallest rear cog. A quick adjustment to the RD and I was back on my way. I averaged 14 mph which is not great--- but not bad either--- after mostly trainer work since November. I could have riden further but needed to go home and spend time with the family. Ahhh! It was glorious to be outside in warm weather in only cyling shorts and shirt instead of my winter cold weather gear. What a blessing.

Bob

NOS88

I'll bet the Traveler was just as pleased as you to be out of the attic! The confines of winter can be a heavy weight. I fully appreciate and agree... the experience of cycling in warm sunny weather is a blessing.

jppe

You certainly earned that beautiful day! Good to hear you're out of the attic!