Machka 

I like the idea of an indoor trainer support group thread, and I couldn't find one when I did a search ...

Sometimes it can be very hard to motivate myself to get on my trainer in the winter ... after all, the trainer isn't the most exciting place to be. And from the comments I've heard from many others, I'm not alone in those feelings.

I keep track of my outdoor mileage on bikejournal, and that helps motivate me to ride outside, but I don't keep track of trainer mileage anywhere but in my own personal Excel file.

What would you think about starting a thread where we post our time on the trainer and the type of workout we did. We might include some personal workout goals as well, like number of times per week, speed, amount of time on the trainer, etc.

Perhaps we could even convince the moderators to make the thread a sticky, so we could access it regularly throughout the winter.

What do you think?

garysol1 

I think I would have to lie about how long I can stay on my rollers before falling over from shear boredom. Actually I would be game. We still have a couple more months of outside weather left here though

Machka 

Riding a trainer is great for building mental endurance! After spending two or three hours on one, mentally, something like a century or longer seems like nothing!!

I'm hoping I won't have to start riding my trainer for a few weeks yet, but we just never know when "The Snow That Stays" will fall and make outdoor cycling more challenging.

Zin

I think its a great idea, Machka! There is great benefit to working out on the trainer and rollers.

Pedal Wench

I'm in. I'm already putting in hours during the week, because I'm already losing light too early. I hate it. Right now, I'm just doing my time, since I don't have a sensor on the rear wheel. I put aerobars on to give my hands options, since I have some issues with my hands - doctor's orders...

Machka 

I use my aerobars for extra hand positions too. The variety is nice!

I suspect I'm going to have to start riding my trainer sooner rather than later ... they're predicting the thick white rain for tomorrow.

Powerful Pete

Already been riding the trainer exclusively on weeknights for the past two weeks. Ugh. No enough daylight. Goodness I look forward to weekend rides outside!

... but it is a great workout on the trainer...

Machka 

I'm a full-time student who also works part-time and I am really having trouble fitting any sort of exercise into my schedule just now. I suspect that when I get settled into it, my situation might be better, but for now, unfortunately, exercise has been shoved to the bottom of the heap.

However, today on my way home from classes, I got an idea how I could combine studying and exercise. I used to try to read while riding my trainer, but that doesn't work very well for me ... the books are usually too heavy for the stands, I can't see the small typing, and when I'm concentrating on reading I am barely moving the pedals.

But I *can* watch TV and ride - even when I have to read sub-titles and things, I can see them and I still keep my riding pace up to a reasonable level.

I have been transcribing all my notes from the handwritten version in class to a computerized version ... just my way of studying, and also putting them in a format that I can easily add to, expand on, sort, find, etc..

What I think I might try is to create PowerPoint slides of my notes (a simple copy/paste thing) and that way I will be able to read them off the computer while I ride!

garysol1 

Hmmmm, if you could just figure out a way to turn your trainer into a generator that powered your TV. No pedal...no TV...........

biket

All you forced inside during winter weather or the short days and you still have to train take a min to check the new E*Motion rollers from www.insideride.com
Very easy to ride and closer to riding outside than Any other trainer.
(Except the Super Trainer)

HWS

I've been mixing it up the last couple of weeks. I'll ride outside when I can, rollers/trainer when I can't. I started using Spinervals also. I do half the workout on the trainer, then switch the bike over to the rollers for the other half. Keeps it from getting too boring.

gcasillo

Going to have to look into aero bars for extra hand positions. My biggest problem is my hands going numb after 15-20 mins. It doesn't get too cold here over the winter, so I can get out for a ride if I mount an HID light on my helmet.

Any tips on improving comfort at contact points? Perhaps stand and mash from time to time? I tend to sit and spin relentlessly.

Machka 

The aerobars will even help the sitting contact point because you can stretch out on the aerobars and when you do that you shift your sitting position. Then when you are sitting upright, you can rest your hands on the padded arm rests of the aerobars.

When I ride, I usually alternate between the two - a few minutes stretched out in the aerobars, a few minutes sitting up and so on.

chimblysweep

i'm in-- i just got me some tasty new rollers and a lovely track bike for on 'em.

cyclochica

I'm game too, riding my trainer has been one of the few things keeping me sane since I can't commute right now. I have a stupid question, how do you figure out your trainer miles? Should I just move my computer sensor to my back wheel?

DnvrFox

I see Machka beat me to the punch.

A few days ago I proposed an indoor trainer support group on T&N, also.

Anyway, FWIW, I am forming an "Indoor Trainer Support Group" with their own Yahoo Listserv from folks from BFN, Rec.Bicycles.Misc, the 50+ forum at BFN, and Bike Journals, if we can get the thing going.

Hopefully, if we have the listserv separate from BFN, it will be safer than my original post a few days back.

If interested, send an email to the address below. In fact, I believe I have enough interest to get the thing going.

Group home page: https://groups.yahoo.com/group/BicycleTrainerSupport

Group email: BicycleTrainerSupport@yahoogroups.com

Send an email to:

BicycleTrainerSupport@yahoogroups.com

to be a participant.

DnvrFox

We now have 6 (oops - now 11) folks in the Trainer Support Group, which is enough for a group.

Please join us.

Group name: BicycleTrainerSupport

Group home page: https://groups.yahoo.com/group/BicycleTrainerSupport

Group email address: BicycleTrainerSupport@yahoogroups.com

DnvrFox

We are up to 14 (oops - 19) participants.

Come join us.

Group home page:


https://groups.yahoo.com/group/BicycleTrainerSupport


Group email address:


BicycleTrainerSupport@yahoogroups.com

biket

I calculate all my training inside in terms of hours not miles.

zacster

I would stick to minutes myself. I've never lasted an entire hour.

DnvrFox

Okay, we are up to 14 (oops - 19) (oops - 24) (oops - 35) participants

Come join us

Group home page:


https://groups.yahoo.com/group/BicycleTrainerSupport


Group email address:


BicycleTrainerSupport@yahoogroups.com