Betta

I've moved away from the mountains...extremely sad! but I do have the luxury of going back up on weekends. But that is only two days verses 5. I'm extremely worried about losing my climbing legs and being dropped by my partners in the mountains. I now live in the flat lands...ugh! I am so bored. I am going to find a group to entertain me, but flats just don't do it for me. I want more burn. Help! any ideas besides riding in big gears up soft tiny climbs? Should I start weight training? oh, the thought of a gym scares me...I like being outside. I already run and swim. I push myself on the flats as hard as I can...but I get bored and start to space out and slow down.

livestrong91

Get a trainer and a climbing block (I think made by Cycleops). You can get the block for $15-20. I just went to Supergo and bought a trainer for $55.

timmhaan

riding into a headwind is another thing. sounds like you covered your options already...going to the gym, riding a big gear, and going faster on the flats.

Avalanche325

Get a five foot rope and tie one end to a cinder block and the other end to your seatpost. Drag that sucker for about 50 miles.

SDS

Ummm....find a club time trial to do once a week? If they are eastern mountains the altitude won't matter much.

jslopez

Heart Rate Monitor maybe?

I was thinking of getting a simple (Reebok Precision Trainer) HRM jsut to keep me focused when riding.

Betta

I'll try the cinder block idea
No, altitude is not a problem. Just strength/muscles
Getting involved in time trials is not a bad idea, but I'm not really into racing--just like beautiful scenes and nice rides. I guess I've been spoiled.

55/Rad

Move back to where you were. Why did you move in the first place?

55/Rad

roadfix

Glad it's nothing serious...... I thought you lost partial use of your leg due to an injury.

my58vw

I ride fast on the trainer and feel the burn... I mean pain... the raised block on the trainer works well...