Bike Trainer very different from the road

[IFjane]

Oh KayTee, I'm laughing my head off!!! I'm glad you're training toast-free though... but you're giving me the idea to watch RHPS on DVD while I"m on the trainer.

Happy trails, everybody!

Cha Cha

But Cha Cha, don't forget:

It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust
That starts to drive you insane

I wonder if it's possible to do the Time Warp with cleats?

[hgrill02]

[QUOTE=Apparently, I began daydreaming a little too much. Before I knew what hit me, I tipped over and was flailing on the living room floor. My son ran in to the room find out what all the racket was about and asked if he should call 911.

I picked up my bike and what was left of my pride, and hopped back on that horse. Hurry up, Spring!! [/QUOTE]

OMGosh!!! and I always worry about kissing the road! Be careful..

[Shagge]

Inspired by this group (& the extra 10 lbs on my behind), I finally broke out my trainer today.

I plugged in a Netflix movie (March of the Penguins), planted my bike/trainer in the living room, and jumped on.

Were you on rollers? It took me a long time to find my balance on those things. I had to set them up in a door frame for the first couple of months just in case I lost control and let my wheels slipped off the side. I've switched over to a clamped-in model because it lets me do more (read, watch movies, etc.) while working out. Also, I find I need to stand up once in a while to prevent numbness, which I was never able to do on the rollers.

Disgusted after a week of poor eating after the holidays, I climbed on my trainer for 2 episodes of The West Wing last week. It passed the time, but I think music helps me keep up my cadence up. One thing about rollers (vs. other trainers)--they do help your technique.

Does anyone else have thoughts on rollers? I'm wondering if I should mix it up and suffer through a few workouts on them once in a while.

[MaineMaid]

...to all of you and this topic; I've been on the trainer 3-4 times a week and have been using a 20 year old Walkman, , to try to break the boredom. I thought it was ME!!! I thought everyone must LOVE jumping on the trainer!!! Thank god!!! And Jen....I'm laughing myself sick picturing you entering into some kind of zone and tipping the whole thing over.
Anyway, a friend has given me a mp3 player and I'm going to create a play list...(not that there's anything wrong with 25 year old music from Bruce Springsteen,Bob Seeger,Van Morrison,and Jimmy Buttet), but I need something more.
Have any of you listened to books on tape while on the trainer???

Jan

[KayTee]

I did try spinning to audiobooks a couple of times but, like Shagge, found that music helps me maintain a more consistent cadence and effort. It was also more difficult for me to time and concentrate on intervals while listening to a book.

Oh and if you have bad knees, can't do Coach Troy's off-bike squats and lunges, and want a break from standing in the big ring/12 instead, THAT's when you do the Time Warp

[Aint Doody]

Shagge, I use rollers. I ride them for 10 miles every Tues & Thurs morning while watching televison. Since I have to pay more attention to what I'm doing, it seems like it's not quite as boring as when I was on a stationary trainer. What a work-out! I've finally gotten where I can reach up and scratch my nose--a real accomplishment. I usually stop about every 3 miles to drink.

[mimitabby]

Shagge, I use rollers. I ride them for 10 miles every Tues & Thurs morning while watching televison. Since I have to pay more attention to what I'm doing, it seems like it's not quite as boring as when I was on a stationary trainer. What a work-out! I've finally gotten where I can reach up and scratch my nose--a real accomplishment. I usually stop about every 3 miles to drink.

so what happens if you get knocked off balance (by scratching nose or whatever?) on rollers?

[sbctwin]

I used rollers back in the late 70's, early 80's. I always used them in a hallway. I could never be sure of my balance. I don't know why I quit, but it kept my legs in shape, my seat in shape. I quit riding for many years - life, health - got in the way. Now, I am back riding. I am so happy to be able to ride again and looking forward to training for my first century (some day, if not this year, maybe next). My DH got me a trainer for Christmas (in Oct). I only ride 30 min a day. I work up a good sweat. I have a fan blowing on me from the time I start and we do not have the heat on in the house (house kept at 58 F at the most). I know that my riding has suffered, SOME. I take it in stride. I work hard on my trainer, but am thankful that I am riding. My trainer will keep my seat in shape that I will be able to start commuting to work when the weather is 30F+ in the morning (4:15am) and I can start "training for that century" for this year. It just depends on what you want. Yes, the trainer is boring. I tape the previous nights tv shows and watch parts of them. It keeps my mind active. On the trainer, I don't have to worry about my balance (for the most part). I am on my bike, I am riding, I create my own world for that period of time. It takes mental discipline, more than physical discpline, for me to succeed. I AM HAPPY......

[Wahine]

I used to ride rollers for 30 min for form work, then I'd switch to my stationary trainer for the rest of the ride, I would go at least an hour in total and up to 2. It really broke the work out up and helped my technique. But alas, we have moved and the rollers were one of the things to go when we downsized, so I haven't riden em recently. They do take a lot more focus and a lot more core. I also know someone who broke their wrist when the fell off a set of rollers.

[Aint Doody]

What happens is you crash & burn! It's a challenge to scratch my nose. I'm hoping to graduate to grabbing a quick drink while still on the rollers. I'm to much of a fraidy cat to try it yet.

[Shagge]

What happens is you crash & burn! It's a challenge to scratch my nose. I'm hoping to graduate to grabbing a quick drink while still on the rollers. I'm to much of a fraidy cat to try it yet.

My DH can go no-handed on the rollers for a nice long drink. I don't see that being a possibility for me. But it is a drag to have to stop for water and then start up again. Getting those rollers moving is the hardest part for me. I think I'll get on my trainer tonight while my DH cooks dinner for me

[HillSlugger]

This may be naive, but why is balance on rollers harder than road biking? How to you climb on and start up?

I like my trainer because I can concentrate on TV, or zone out for a while but my arms and rear get sore from the rigid, locked-in position.

[SouthernBelle]

My DH can go no-handed on the rollers for a nice long drink. I don't see that being a possibility for me. But it is a drag to have to stop for water and then start up again. Getting those rollers moving is the hardest part for me. I think I'll get on my trainer tonight while my DH cooks dinner for me

May be worth investing in a Camelbak just for the rollers.

[spokewench]

This may be naive, but why is balance on rollers harder than road biking? How to you climb on and start up?

I like my trainer because I can concentrate on TV, or zone out for a while but my arms and rear get sore from the rigid, locked-in position.

You can ride off the side of the rollers and they are moving too. The road does not move and usually, you can't ride of the side of the road unless there is a real lip on the side of the road.

Try them once, then you will know what the difference is!

[LadyinWhite]

Spinervals really help make the trainer more exciting.

V.

Agreed. I use the trainer for 1hr 3x a week and alternate between music, spinervals or a regular movie. Something compelling but that I've already seen so I can stop and start again with days in between.

I have the cyclops fluid 2 and it's ok. It's not very quiet but I don't care b/c it's downstairs in the basement and I always have my headphones on for video or audio.

I am such a wimp when it comes to riding in cold weather that I really would be lost without the trainer. I want to be able to just jump on the bike and go when the warm weather hits without having to "transition" my butt.