A Realistic Workout Schedule: Gym & Road

[Cassandra_Cain]

1. Get lights and ride before work or after work.

2. Get a trainer and some training DVDs and ride in the house.

V.

You read my mind!

Shortened days still suck, but we do the best we can - the above helps a lot!

[extra-vert]

Well I'm in Sunny California, but I bought a fluid trainer anyway, (used from ebay). The biggest favor you can do for yourself if you're riding indoors and you really want the workout is to get one or two of two "Spinervals" DVDs. Talk about cranking it up a notch!

Btw, I love Bab JuJu's response about the workout - Very helpful! Thank you!



Now, just to motivate!

[cherinyc]

Since you're moving anyway, why not move to the south?? The weather is decent enough here pretty much year round. I see lots of cyclists out even in January. Of course it's not all sun shiny perfect weather, but with a windbreaker and long pants, it's comfortable enough.

Actually, I am moving to Denver, CO - which is more South than NJ. I hear that the weather is milder there, with more sunny days....so maybe I will have more "good riding" days.

Re: the suggestions about getting lights and riding at night....the area I currently live is NOT very bicycle friendly, even in daylight. There are practically no shoulders (just steep drop offs) and tons of potholes. I also have something called night myopia, which means I can't see very well in the dark even with lights. I feel that if I don't end up killing myself first, that one of the lovely residents of the Garbage...I mean Garden State would do it for me.

What's the return policy on these trainers I wonder, say if I realized after a month, that I just hated riding indoors?

[Lenusik]

Let's see.. I suppose the goal is to be able to race (cycling) if I decide to try it, but other than that, I would like to lose about 8-10 lbs, and generally just get in better shape. I love to play! i love various sports, I am 36, but I want to play like I am still 26. Does that help?

I am very imppressed that you have well defined goals. Most people cannot figure out what they want. You are already on the right path. Therefore, you goal to race soon is very attainable. Maybe, set it for spring time.

Having a trainer is a good thing, but if you have someone to push you, it definitely work. I started riding with my DH and he is GOOD. In a year I could already ride with the best amature women riders and beat plenty of men. So, have someone to push you.

In terms of your schedule. Certainly be realistic. There is aways a point of deminishing retunrs. I would ride 3-4 times a week, preferably longer rides. But if your rides are aroud 20 miles, ride hard or use intervals. Then do your other activities 2 times a week (for me it is competitive tennis). Leave 1 day to recover. With time, you may need 2 days depending on how hard you work out and your personal recovery schedule.

[xeney]

Re: returning trainers. Performance told us we could return it for any reason within six months, I think? Double check that. We went to the local store and they were pretty helpful in the selection process. REI is also a possibility -- they sell them online, I think, and you can return anything at REI.