I have recently relocated from the sunny climate of Sydney, Australia to Nottingham, England (Blame the girlfriend!)...and as such no longer have the opportunity, or more so the weather to go on proper training rides every day.
To that end I have just invested in a Cycleops Fluid2 trainer.
From reading the forums, I get the distinct impression that severe boredom is the enemy of all indoor trainer users.
What suggestions do you all have regarding methods of keeping my training interesting?
Anything you can suggest would be greatly appreciated!
hey! i just moved from sydney to rimouski and quebec city in canada for the same bloody reason.. talk about climate change. won`t realistically be able to ride outdoors until april, so i spent a packet on some kreitler rollers to get me through some long base training sessions. weather here yesterday was -24 to a top of -14 with snow and a bit of wind. just luvvly, eh?!
as for the boredom factor? training dvds, music, tv, intense competitive visualisation, more music, pretty girly walking round the apartment 😉
I play video games. It would be even better if, say, I had some aero bars that I could use whiile playing, but as it is, it reminds me to shift my position around on the bike (which is important, since your weight settles differently when you're riding the trainer than when you're out on the road). This is my battle against boredom. I play about an hour worth of games, then I'm off the bike and off the TV for the rest of the day. It's perfectly mindless (but not nearly as mind-numbing).
I suggest you start as structured training plan on your turbo , which would include a number of different sessions . This would breaks the monotony in a number of ways - and allow no time for luxuries such as tv !!
1/ Recovery Rides/Stamina - concentrate on pedaling technique , high cadence ( 100 + ) , and efficency 2/ Power Interval Sessions - eg 6 X 4 mins with 2 mins rest Cadence at less than 70 , but high heart rate 3/ Sprint/Lactate - Intervals
I usually watch stages of the tour. Everyday during the tour, I tape them knowing that in December I will be using them again. It sometimes feels like you are there....you will be pedaling nice and easy to get the base miles in, and all of a sudden you are going crazy trying to keep up with the finish line sprint.....
I second the Spinervals DVD's. My wife got me 1.0 No Slackers Allowed this year and the 45 minute sessions goes quite quickly. Previously I watched Tour highlights, but the time seemed to drag on. Spinervals has a large selection of DVD sessions to focus your training efforts. They are worth a look.
I play video games. It would be even better if, say, I had some aero bars that I could use whiile playing, but as it is, it reminds me to shift my position around on the bike (which is important, since your weight settles differently when you're riding the trainer than when you're out on the road). This is my battle against boredom. I play about an hour worth of games, then I'm off the bike and off the TV for the rest of the day. It's perfectly mindless (but not nearly as mind-numbing).
Hope this helps! D.
That was truly the best tip I ever heard. But wait.. I gotta buy new aero bars? Ahhh.... I do need to get that new job.
I play video games. It would be even better if, say, I had some aero bars that I could use whiile playing, but as it is, it reminds me to shift my position around on the bike (which is important, since your weight settles differently when you're riding the trainer than when you're out on the road). This is my battle against boredom. I play about an hour worth of games, then I'm off the bike and off the TV for the rest of the day. It's perfectly mindless (but not nearly as mind-numbing).
Hope this helps! D.
that's such a great idea. unfortunately i can't implement it in to my roller sessions without severe injury.
I have recently relocated from the sunny climate of Sydney, Australia to Nottingham, England (Blame the girlfriend!)...and as such no longer have the opportunity, or more so the weather to go on proper training rides every day.
To that end I have just invested in a Cycleops Fluid2 trainer.
From reading the forums, I get the distinct impression that severe boredom is the enemy of all indoor trainer users.
What suggestions do you all have regarding methods of keeping my training interesting?
Anything you can suggest would be greatly appreciated!
Get rid of the girlfriend! 😄 Your riding will get better and more interesting instantly!
I have a computrainer (living in Canada wheres its winter half the year you need something motivational) What I also have is software by a company called fitcentric... their product offers a graphical interface to ride on your computer. You can meet others on the internet and ride with them as well... some of the rides turn into real hammer fests!
Check www.fitcentric.com I really don't know if your trainer is compatible, but it wouldbe something else to kill the boredom!
Thanks much for the link to time trial training. I checked this out tonight and it looks to be very comprehensive a great review of how to really train hard. I only wish I had seen it earlier (like as in NOVEMBER!!!) to get going for this spring. Have read (Seven Weeks to a Perfect Ride) by Lance Armstrong and can't seem to figure out how I could get up to 5+ hours a day by week 7 to do well 🙁, but this link seems to have some balance for those of us with full time jobs as well.
Good stuff.....
daymat said:
I suggest you start as structured training plan on your turbo , which would include a number of different sessions . This would breaks the monotony in a number of ways - and allow no time for luxuries such as tv !!
1/ Recovery Rides/Stamina - concentrate on pedaling technique , high cadence ( 100 + ) , and efficency 2/ Power Interval Sessions - eg 6 X 4 mins with 2 mins rest Cadence at less than 70 , but high heart rate 3/ Sprint/Lactate - Intervals
You could try taking a visit to Tacx they have a lot of software & videos of real routes such as Milan San Remo that you can ride an any trainer with a upgrade kit. Or you could I guess watch the routes on Media player & change gear or friction as you hit the climbs descents etc.
I have recently relocated from the sunny climate of Sydney, Australia to Nottingham, England (Blame the girlfriend!)...and as such no longer have the opportunity, or more so the weather to go on proper training rides every day.
To that end I have just invested in a Cycleops Fluid2 trainer.
From reading the forums, I get the distinct impression that severe boredom is the enemy of all indoor trainer users.
What suggestions do you all have regarding methods of keeping my training interesting?
Anything you can suggest would be greatly appreciated!
I invested in an i magic, since it has moving schenary power, cadence, heart rate and speed and a number of courses and terrain is enough to keep one occupied. now i only have to find away of urinating indoors on the trainer, this isn't a problem out doors on the move 😄
now i can enjoy listening to music or watching a video etc whilst indoors during this crabby weather.
If you have the money check out computrainer. The software, which loads onto your pc, is amazing. You can train against your previous times, preset riders or online against other riders. It is like going to a race everytime you get on the trainer. You should go to the computrainer web site and check it out. It is a cool 1600 bucks but if you have it, it is worth it. eBay has them cheaper. Or look at the Cycleops Electronic Plus trainer. That too has the software. Yet, you don't have all the online people that computrainer has. Literally, people get together on line and race.
O.K. stupid question. I have tried to play my PS2 while riding inside, but I could never find a position on the bike that was comfortable enough while holding the PS2 controller. Any suggestions? Do you guys who play while riding just sit up the whole time? Please help. Thanks.
O.K. stupid question. I have tried to play my PS2 while riding inside, but I could never find a position on the bike that was comfortable enough while holding the PS2 controller. Any suggestions? Do you guys who play while riding just sit up the whole time? Please help. Thanks.
I have tri bars so i just settle in the rests or situp and play 😄
I have recently relocated from the sunny climate of Sydney, Australia to Nottingham, England (Blame the girlfriend!)...and as such no longer have the opportunity, or more so the weather to go on proper training rides every day.
To that end I have just invested in a Cycleops Fluid2 trainer.
From reading the forums, I get the distinct impression that severe boredom is the enemy of all indoor trainer users.
What suggestions do you all have regarding methods of keeping my training interesting?
Anything you can suggest would be greatly appreciated!
Get an iPod with lots of songs on it. Get a Fan Focus on your Pedal Mechanics
