Funny thing about the trainer. I've been eying them lately. Just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Last year a friend and I had a buddy system going and we we have a local recreation center with a small wellness center (small but close), so I joined. Small meant limited equipment, but they had a bike there and one with a fancy computer where you rode a variety of courses... hilly.. flat.. they even tracked your stats where you could view them online. The thing I liked the most was the virtual riders. It kept me motivated to push. As soon as I'd overtake one there was another just up the road.

My friend had a goal to loose 15 pounds before a vacation and once that date arrived, I was riding solo, but I kept going until my paid membership ended. I started to get frustrated as they only had one bike there and it was a total bummer when I'd show up for a ride and the bike was already in use. Four treadmills and only ONE bike. Once I found the right seat height that suited me I was OK. The seat WASN'T comfy at ALL. It was meant to make sure you didn't stay on that thing more then a half hour!!

I DID loose twenty pounds (OK OK-- I gained 5 of that back) in the six months... I'd ride about 7-8 miles in a half hour... so between 14-16 mph... up hills that were often 4-5% grades and one course had a kicker at the end that spiked to 12% just before the finish line.

I'll have to look at that trainer again!!

Shannon