Stationary Biking in a pinch?

Badger South said:

So my question is, in a pinch, is there any worth in riding a stationary bike? Will it do anything
to maintain physical conditioning, or will it actually hurt me.

I spent last week at a ski resort and rode one of their LifeCycles every night for 30-60 minutes. It
was quite uncomfortable, because of the huge saddle and upright position, but my heart rate said it
was a good aerobic workout. Today I got out my bike for the first time in a week, and I was way off
my pace. Coincidence? Hard to say.

If forced indoors, I'd recommend putting your bike on a trainer. It will have the geometry and fit
that you're used to. Trainers aren't that expensive.
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA terrymorse.combikeOpen ↗

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Due to the snow on the bike trails around here, and some minor physical problems, I can't get out
and ride. I don't have a set of rollers.

So my question is, in a pinch, is there any worth in riding a stationary bike? Will it do anything
to maintain physical conditioning, or will it actually hurt me.

If you push as hard on the stationary as you do on the road, you'll get just as much aerobic
benefit. It won't help your steering precision, but other than that, it's a whole lot better than
not riding at all.

Quoted message said:

My feeling is that a top of the line machine, like a nautilus stationary would be helpful.

Top or bottom doesn't really matter as long as you can get the resistance and pedaling cadence you
need out of it.

Quoted message said:

The one I have, bought by the wife many years ago is the kind with the tension friction strap
around a flywheel. Lower quality than I would have liked. But it looks like with this weather I
may end up having to pull it out and get my pedalling that way for a few days.

A lot of people ride a stationary or trainer all winter.

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

"Terry Morse" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Badger South wrote:>

was a good aerobic workout. Today I got out my bike for the first

Quoted message said:

time in a week, and I was way off my pace. Coincidence? Hard to say.
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA terrymorse.combikeOpen ↗

When you say your pace was off, do you mean that you weren't as strong as expected?

Thanks.

M.

On Mon, 02 Feb 2004 00:31:14 -0500, Badger South <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

physical problems, I can't get out and ride. I don't have a set of rollers. So my question is, in a
pinch, is there any worth in riding a stationary bike? Will it do anything to maintain physical

The one I have, bought by the wife many years ago is the kind with the tension friction strap
around a flywheel. Lower quality than I would

I have one of these. I can't seem to bring myself to use it; I suspect that I wouldn't mind once I
got started, though.

That said, I'm going to experiment with my bike on a treadmill. I salvaged a treadmill Sunday, and
will try these strategies:

-- Ride bike on treadmill. Use strap to hold bike back so I can
get some resistance by pedalling harder than treadmill is running

-- Disconnect motor. Ride treadmill like rollers.

-- Look for the rollers that drive the belt. Create bicycle rollers set out of them.

I suspect that riding on the belt as if I was walking may cause the belt to wear quickly (due to the
concentrated load, and the design where the belt just rides over a flat, stationary surface),
although I don't particularly care. If I think it is wearing too fast, maybe some bicycle lube under
the belt will help.

I have no idea if ANY of it will work...but I haven't got the money (or, at least, I don't
prioritize it) for rollers or a trainer.

Quoted message said:

TIA

-B

--
Rick Onanian

On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 08:47:26 -0500, Rick Onanian <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On Mon, 02 Feb 2004 00:31:14 -0500, Badger South <[email hidden]> wrote:

<snippage>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The one I have, bought by the wife many years ago is the kind with the tension friction strap
around a flywheel. Lower quality than I would

I have one of these. I can't seem to bring myself to use it; I suspect that I wouldn't mind once I
got started, though.

Well, I've been riding it and it's remarkably similar to the feel I get riding my -actual- bike, so
it's gonna be good. In fact in some ways it's better, b/c I can watch TV, close my eyes and
daydream, listen to tunes, and increase the resistance to above what I get on the trail.

In addition <g> I can ride until I'm _just_ about to fall over, and voila - no fears of falling off
the cliff into the river. Yay, me. ;-)

Quoted message said:

That said, I'm going to experiment with my bike on a treadmill. I salvaged a treadmill Sunday, and
will try these strategies:

You sir, may have an extra copy of the 'crazy adventure' gene. Please have it checked before you do
yourself bodily harm! <g>

Quoted message said:

-- Ride bike on treadmill. Use strap to hold bike back so I can
get some resistance by pedalling harder than treadmill is running

-- Disconnect motor. Ride treadmill like rollers.

-- Look for the rollers that drive the belt. Create bicycle rollers set out of them.

I suspect that riding on the belt as if I was walking may cause the belt to wear quickly (due to
the concentrated load, and the design where the belt just rides over a flat, stationary surface),
although I don't particularly care. If I think it is wearing too fast, maybe some bicycle lube
under the belt will help.

I have no idea if ANY of it will work...but I haven't got the money (or, at least, I don't
prioritize it) for rollers or a trainer.

OK. I'll be checking back in the hopes you survive the noble experiment.

-B

(Denver C. Fox) said:

I don't think a trainer will keep you up to the condition of outside riding, but I believe it will
be much better than doing nothing.

I ride mine 45 minutes per day as hard as I can. But, when I can get outside, I am not as fit as I
would have been had I done the same amont of training outside.

That doesn't mean it is not of value.

I think it's gonna work OK, for me. The feeling is similar. As I noted in a post to Rick, there is a
decent upside.

My house has a full basement that's 3/4 underground, and so in the winter it's a nice 50 degrees.
Although I brought the sta. bike upstairs for testing, the basement would be a good location.

I think the trick for using a stationary bike, or really, any other piece of aerobic equipment
is that you also do actual outdoor training (jogging, rollerblade, bike), and use the bike as
an adjunct.

Earlier attempts to regularly ride were missing this 'feel' of the actual ride, plus the
motivation/reason (to stay in shape, or at least not lose ground, when you can't get outside).

Thanks for all the kind, and useful replies: Terry, David, Rick, and yourself. ;-)

-B

Let us know when you get out of the hospital.

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Badger South said:

physical problems, I can't get out and ride. I don't have a set of rollers. So my question is, in
a pinch, is there any worth in riding a stationary bike? Will it do anything to maintain physical

The one I have, bought by the wife many years ago is the kind with the tension friction strap
around a flywheel. Lower quality than I would

I have one of these. I can't seem to bring myself to use it; I suspect that I wouldn't mind once I
got started, though.

That said, I'm going to experiment with my bike on a treadmill. I salvaged a treadmill Sunday, and
will try these strategies:

-- Ride bike on treadmill. Use strap to hold bike back so I can
get some resistance by pedalling harder than treadmill is running

-- Disconnect motor. Ride treadmill like rollers.

-- Look for the rollers that drive the belt. Create bicycle rollers set out of them.

I suspect that riding on the belt as if I was walking may cause the belt to wear quickly (due to
the concentrated load, and the design where the belt just rides over a flat, stationary surface),
although I don't particularly care. If I think it is wearing too fast, maybe some bicycle lube
under the belt will help.

I have no idea if ANY of it will work...but I haven't got the money (or, at least, I don't
prioritize it) for rollers or a trainer.

Quoted message said:

TIA

-B