Base Riding and Spinning Class
 

Hello everyone,
I am currently doing 2 1/2 to 3 hourse of base riding three times a week. On days off, I join a spinning class at our local gym. Comapred to the base riding that I do, the spinning class is way more intense. My question is, would the spinning class invalidate the base riding that I do? or make it less effective in the long run? Should I just do the base riding? Hope to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advace.

BTW, I don't really have a specific goal. Just become a better rider throughout the year. Thanks.

You are training differently with each approach. Base riding, which I take to be distance riding, if done at intensity levels such that your heart rate is above 120 most of the time but not above 80% of your max HR except briefly is good for general endurance purposes. Spinning OTOH improves your peak cardiorespiratory capacity and is equivalent to interval training in many respects but a lot more tolerable. Both forms of training are effective and complement each other. Spinning classes are very time efficient for a bicyclist. Your goal is physical conditioning and enjoying biking more. Steve

I would spend all the time I had to riding outdoors to become better at riding out doors. Indoor Cycling is a great off season training but it will not replace the road or trail. Also find a coach for indoor that is not just there to see how long you can hold on to your LT without giving up.
Velocity