Bike Forums - Trainer Miles

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- - Trainer Miles - Do they Count? (https://www.bikeforums.net/training-nutrition/790425-trainer-miles-do-they-count.html)

Trainers take a lot of discipline and a willingness to torture yourself incessantly. I have yet to use mine this year but I fear it will be making an appearance soon.

When I can't get out on my road or trail bikes, I alternate between a roller trainer and a recumbent exercise bike with programming for hills. Last year I watched mystery DVDs (the TV in front of my trainer has a build-in), and the whodonit aspect kept my interest throughout the 60 minutes that I put in. My latest discovery, however, is foreign language films with subtitles. The combo of reading/watching staves off boredom. It's also broadening to see viewpoints and lifestyles of other countries.

I don't count the miles, but I do consider the time spent on the trainer the most important and productive time spent on my bike.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeye370 (Post 15024101)

Thanks guys. That's encouraging. I had heard it was a lot different, but dismissed it as something that was being made out to be worse than it really was.

So in essence, while I'm not going as long as I do on the road, I'm working as hard or harder. Correct? That would make sense, because although I feel that I'm working hard outdoors, I'm drenched and whooped when I climb off the trainer.

Be sure you have at least one 24" box fan about 6' away, blowing right on you. You would like to have enough wind that it's more comfortable to wear cycling glasses. When you overheat, a portion of the workload is simply cooling your body, which leaves less for working your legs. I usually ride at 15° below room temperature and without a shirt, even with the fan.