Hate/Hate Relationship with Trainer

[SheFly]

I HATE my trainer. There. I said it. If I am forced to ride the trainer any more this spring, I think I will end up taking a hammer to it. It's spring, and I want to ride my bike OUTSIDE and actually go SOMEWHERE!

Thankfully, the forecast is looking up for the weekend, and they're CLAIMING that the sun will appear today. At this point, I've forgotten what it looks like.

Sorry - had to vent.

SheFly

[LadyinWhite]

You and me both! We had one nice day about a month ago and I went outside - absolutely refused to ride the trainer. Now I'm paying the price. my Girl went back on the trainer this past weekend and I've been riding indoors all week. I'm sore - stiff from not riding for weeks while I scowled at the bad weather.

We are supposed to have nice weather tomorrow and saturday. Here's to us getting outside SOON!

T.

[Crankin]

Hi Cathy,

Well, for the first time I am complaining about the weather, too. Usually I try not to, since I actually like the "changeable" aspect of New England weather. We put our trainers away a couple of weeks ago, since unlike you, we are only training for ourselves, not racing. I can't bring myself to take it out of the closet! So, on my vacation week, when i planned to ride at least 150-200 miles, I have ended up going to the Thoreau Club. Since I barely go there anymore, the first 2 days were fun, but now I am just pissed! My husband doesn't belong there anymore, so yesterday we put on our rain gear and went for a 2.5 mile walk around the hill, just to get outside!
Today looks like it might be salvagable in the late PM. I might ride my commuter bike to CVS later this morning and then take a real ride later. Looks like almost 70 degrees on Sunday!

[stacie]

The house next door to me is for sale. YOu might miss the change of seasons though.:D

[rij73]

I hear you about the weather... I don't have a trainer, but have already found myself wanting one even though I've only had a bike for 2 or 3 weeks! I expected to be able to ride it much more by now. Pesky weather...

[SheFly]

The house next door to me is for sale. YOu might miss the change of seasons though.:D

LOL! But where are you - after this "spring" I might be convinced ;)

SheFly (who is really Canadian, so shouldn't be complaining AT ALL)

[SheFly]

Robyn - I typically don't complain either, but I am SO SORE from riding the trainer (it's so different from being able to actually ride your bike on the road).

I am planning on two races this weekend, and the forecast is for sunny skies and warm(-ish) temps - YAY!

I am also planning on heading out for a ride this afternoon. Enjoy yours!

SheFly

[crazycanuck]

Shefly..you can always move down yonder to Australia. No need for a trainer...well perhaps when it's one of those 40c humid days in Perth when you wonder when the Fremantle dr will start blowing..(it's a wind..)

Can i say it's 18c tonight & it feels nippy outside :o

C

[Jo-n-NY]

Count me in on being really upset with the weather. I got some outdoor riding in with the early DST, put the trainer away and for sure do not want to take it out again. I just keep buying my time over the last couple of weeks.

I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel beginning with this weekend and into next week. I sure do hope that nice weather is here to stay once it comes.

~ JoAnn

[Crankin]

Thanks for the offer; no moving for me... I have already lived in "endless summer" for about 21 years, in 2 different states.
The sun is shining!!!!

[roadie gal]

I was going to put up a thread just like this, but you guys on the East Coast win. I've had one good day out on the road before it started to snow again. But it was only a dusting here, not the deluge you got. *sigh* Spring!

[Thorn]

I hear ya....we got this pretty little weekend at the end of March and then it has been rain, 8" of snow and more rain since then. It was another 2 weeks on that darn trainer. Arrrggghhh!!!!

Of course, DH and I both played hooky Tuesday afternoon and went riding. This weekend is looking great around here. My concern now, though, is now that it is finally nice will we behave ourselves this weekend or overdo it?!?!?!:D

[SheFly]

My concern now, though, is now that it is finally nice will we behave ourselves this weekend or overdo it?!?!?!:D

Don't know about you, but I am definitely on the overdo bandwagon ;) . Two races this weekend..... Plus some riding. And all OUTSIDE!

SheFly

p.s.
I think I see the sun out there!

[Veronica]

I actually find the trainer and Spinervals are really good for focusing my training. I don't like it as much, but if I am ever to be able to complete the Triple Crown stage races ( 3 of the hardest double centuries in CA) I need to continue my relationship with my trainer. :rolleyes:

V.

[Thorn]

I actually find the trainer and Spinervals are really good for focusing my training. . . . I need to continue my relationship with my trainer. :rolleyes:
V.

Yeah...I suppose...if you want to keep me honest, I have to admit that the time I spent on the trainer this winter has really paid off (so maybe there is such a little respect in that hate/hate relationship--just a little). This was the first winter we used something like Spinervals and the difference is amazing.

However, I think I agree, Shefly....it is screaming to be an overdo weekend and I'm sure there will be a rainy day soon enough where I can recover on that darn trainer :)

[gingergin]

I've been on my trainer so much lately because of all this rain that I think I am actually starting to get comfortable on it (but I still hate it)!
Now when it gets nice out this weekend my bike path will be a MOB SCENE!

[maillotpois]

I like the trainer for recovery rides. It's hard for me to to really do a recovery ride outside, because I get carried away and have a hard time not riding too hard. Plus, there's just too much climbing around here.

I have to try to pretend that I have a positive relationship with the trainer. Of course, I am not sentenced to ride it through the winter because we don't have snow. I ride it 1 - 2 times a week max. If I wasn't able to ride outside through the winter at all I would probably feel much more resentful. SheFly I really admire the fact that you are so diligent in your training in spite of the torture device!

[Jo-n-NY]

Actually I do not mind the trainer at all during the winter. In my head I know at that time of year that is what I need to do and do not have a problem with it.

But when DST came early and we actually has spring like temps for a while I felt it was like a gift and I got my outdoor miles started earlier this year. Then this week we are back to winter like temps and on the calender it is spring and riding the trainer is now like someone else said, "overkill"

~JoAnn

[Crankin]

This was the first year I used a trainer; previously, I went to spin classes 3 times a week and got some x country skiing in, along with weights, etc. My husband dropped his gym membership, so he bought a trainer. I bought one, too, since my husband, who is a very strong rider, doesn't have much will power in the off season.I also got the Graham Street Yoga/Spin training program. This was the hardest training I've ever done, even worse than when I was working with a personal trainer, getting ready for my trip to Austria. I had to decide if I was going to go for the cadence or use the gears he suggested, because I couldn't do both and keep my knees healthy, so I went with the cadence goals. The circuit training things were also unbelievably hard. Just when I was feeling really strong, I got sick and didn't do too much riding in February. I got on the bike outside in March, very happy with the early DST. I had 2 rides to lead in March and generally was glad I was sweeping because my lungs didn't really clear up until April 1st.
So, I guess the trainer is a choice between working hard at home or taking the time to go to the gym and spin class. It is harder for me than riding on the road, and I am nowhere at the level that SheFly is. I do a lot of hill riding, but it is nowhere as hard as what I did on the trainer!

[SheFly]

Great points by many of you on the value of the trainer during the off season, and I really do agree. However, this should NOT BE the off season anymore, which is why I was whining about having to ride it...

Thankfully, that is now behind me. The sun is shining, temps are in the upper 60s, and it looks like it will be a GLORIOUS weekend for racing! The trainer lives for another day ;) .

SheFly

[Veronica]

We really have no off season. Don't throw things at me. :D That's probably why I stick with the trainer stuff even during the great weather. I know the intense workouts I do with Coach Troy are really to my benefit. And I ride outside nearly everyday with my commute.

My sis in Windham, Maine says the weather should be great this weekend. I hope so. She needs a bright spot.

V.