Trainer miles 'v' road miles

[MightyMitre]

Hello All

I've been doing a bit on the home trainer and today I did 40 mins but only a rung up a distance of just under 6 miles!

I was wondering if anyone knew how Trainer miles convert to Road miles? For example, how would 40 mins on the trainer compare to 40 mins on the road? I know if you're a runner and ran for an hour, to get the same workout on the bike you'd have cycle for at least 2-3 times longer again.

On this occasion I wasn't following a program, just watching TV and spinning my legs at a comfortable rate. Obviously there were no head winds or climbs, but at the same time no descents or free wheeling.

[RitaG]

Actually, from what I read in "The Ultimate Ride" by Chris Carmichael...

45 min on trainer = 1 hour on road
1 hour on trainer = 1.5 hours on road

For anyone who can be on a trainer longer than 1 hour, I say mucho bonus points!

It sounds like you have a computer? I have a rear-mount CatEye that keeps track of RPM, MPH, AveMPH, Distance, the works. That has helped me tremendously. I think I would be cheating quite a bit without it.

[nuthatch]

MM did you have the resistance fairly high? I usually ride 45 minutes and hit 10 miles (15 mph) at my target heartrate (140-145) but I've got the resistance down pretty low. I guess each trainer is different in that respect.

[MightyMitre]

Thanks RitaG - very useful. That Mr Carmichael seems to know what he's on about. Although I guess most of the people he coaches are probably working a lot harder than me - especially during July.

Nuthatch - I didn't have any resistance on. I was doing a cadence of about 70 as I'm coming back from a injury and was taking thing very easy as I've only ridden 20 miles since November.

My average speed was only about 8.2! and I wasn't really going for a sweat, more of a nice, Level 2 glow.

Can't believe how much fitness I've lost since November - it's gutting. The plan was that I was going to do some running a couple of times a week to kick-start my fitness again, but as it turns out quick fixes or corner cutting well and truely backfired on me. My orginal injury was in my lower back and it had been feeling good, so I got all excited and went out for a run. It was only really a jog - very gentle - and I felt great - till the next day!

Upshot is, Physio gave me a talking to, said I'd done too much and should start off with walking! Wasn't impressed with that, but she said I could build it up to running over the course of 3 months.

NOTE - wedding in 3 months, must get fit,loose weight, tone up. Aaaaaaghhhh!!

[nuthatch]

Oh gosh! How frustrating for you - the back is so tricky. It's incredibly easy to throw it out or injure it and slow to mend. But I guess we can't ride (or run or walk down the aisle) without it, so easy does it! Actually six miles sounds really good considering all the limitations put on you to be gentle with yourself!

[MightyMitre]

Yes - it's been a bit frustating. To the normal, non sports person this'll sound mad, but it's so hard to go gently. I want to be out there and at it. Still, I'm going to have to be stern with myself and focus on the longer term.

My physio's is very good. She was recommended to me be about 4 people all independant of each other who gave her rave reviews so I know I'm in good hands. She's managed to unearth all sorts of things relating to my pelvis and hip flexors which, I now know have been responible for the niggles I've had in my back for years!

I guess this is a good opportunity to start from scratch again and learn good cycling habits on the bike.

[nuthatch]

Good luck! I'll bet you'll be 'tearing it up' by the end of the summer! Keep us posted on your progress.

[annie]

MM,

I feel your pain! Seriously, I've had some times, due to injuries, when I have had to be off the bike. And come back slowly. It IS extremely frustrating. Your mind remembers what you can do, but your body is not ready to do that yet. And if you push it, there is a payback. All I can offer as advice tisto try and appreciate what you ARE able to do, at any given time. Focus on that, not on what you can't do. It will come. And since you've been in good condition previously, it will come relatively quickly. Good luck.

annie

[LBTC]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh My 60 minutes on the trainer last night at 70-80 rpm with light resistance netted about 19 km. whatever that is in miles. and the snow has returned so that's the best biking I'll be getting for awhile. thank goodness for kickboxing!

MM, you'll come back from your injury better than ever before! Keep a positivie attitude and do like Annie says - focus on what you can do today!! push the envelope in tiny strides and you'll get there....I just have to ask, though, with cycling being your favourite sport and it has such a low impact effect on joints, what were you thinking to try running? Of course I say that because running has always hurt me - my hips, back, neck, shoulders, etc...ouch! walking really is underrated by many. It was the mainstay of the fitness and weightloss path I started on several years ago. I walk to work, in all types of weather, about 2.5km, or about 1/2 hour each way. My backpack is pretty loaded with clothes, food, etc, which I figure just makes me stronger! Start small, work up to big. you can do it!! Just be o-so-careful to keep moving but not too much!

and I'm sure you know the wonders of ice, ibuprofen, heat and massage. You might try to find an aromatherapist or herbalist who can make a salve with ginger and arnica, too....I use that for all the sore spots and it's so fabulous!

Good luck!

namaste,
~T~

[MightyMitre]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone, and good advise about focusing on what I can do , instead of what I can't do. I guess gently does it.

LBTC - Good question. I had several reasons for wanting to start running. Firstly, while the weather is so cold and horrible I'm not riding as much and as running gives you the maximum workout for minutes spent, thought it was a good way to keep the fitness ticking over. It's handy to just be able to pull on a pair of running shoes and you're out the door and I also get a some kind of strange pleasure when running in the dark or in bad weather. ( All very safe, get's dark here at 4.30pm at the mo and lots of people about where I run.)

My other reason was I thought it would be a good way to meet some new people. There's a group called Brighton & Hove Running Sisters who meet every week very near to where I live and liked the idea of meeting some more women.

My boyfriend also cycles, which is great but at the same time I quite liked the idea of having a sport of my own.

On saying that - running may be good but hang on, there's no freewheel!

[spazzdog]

For any interested party (thank goodness I ran for so long since, in my school days metric wasn't a big part of math taught):

5 kilometers = 3.1 miles
10 kilometers = 6.2 miles
50 kilometers = 31 miles
100 kilometers (metric century) = 62 miles (yeah, that makes Cinderella 105K)

for you sprinters out there:

100 meters = 0.0621371 miles or 328.084 ft
1500 meters (in track, the metric mile) = 0.932057 miles

[BikeMomma]

MM, it's so neat to hear your British terminology! My Mum is British, originally from Essex (Southend-on-Sea), but has lost much of her strong accent. The subtleties are still there though. We've had her brother and family (my uncle) come over to visit a few times (my cousins were bridesmaids in my wedding ), as well as my Nan and Grandad once when I was 10 years old, so I am extremely fond of the British way of speaking. So different from where I was born in raised, which is California (we have our own funny ways..).

Also, I have to say, you are very near my relatives (uncle, Nan - Grandad passed away about 10 years ago) in Basingstoke, Hampshire, so needless to say, I will be paying closer attention to your posts, for sentimental reasons! I've never been to visit there, regrettably. I sooo want to visit, but time off from work schedules, airfare for my family of five, and spending money once I get there are big obstacles.

Get better with that back soon, and everybody's right - easy does it. Once you injure your back, it's very susceptable to re-injury. At this point, I think the trainer is the way to go, no running, although I know you love that too. It's even less impact than the road, without the bumps and bad roads. Keep at it, you'll get there!

[MightyMitre]

Hi Bikemomma - nice to hear about your British connections. Yes, Basingstoke is probably about just under 2 hour drive from Brighton, which if you know anything about England and our clogged up roads, isn't really all that far. Probably about 80 miles. I haven't actually been there but I know the old town is meant to be very nice.

I live right on the coast, about 10 mins walk from the sea which is lovely -good for blowing the cobwebs away. Brighton, like Southend is very popular with Londoners coming for a day out, and in the summer on a hot day the pier is usually packed with people having a traditional day out at the English sea side - fish and chips, beer , ice cream and candy floss ( think that's cotton candy in Californian ) Not to mention we don't even have a sandy beach. It's all large shingle so there's loads of deck chairs all over the place.