What do you guys think of Spinervals?

[aka_kim]

I've only done The Uphill Grind and No Slackers Allowed, and really like them both. I do Spinervals on a LifeCycle (which is not something I'd recommend), so anything over 45 minutes is out for me.

[Veronica]

Funny I was just going to post about Spinervals and the value of a cadence sensor.

We have from the competition series: No Slackers Allowed, The Uphill Grind, Aerobic Base #1, Sufferarama, Muscle Breakdown, Recovery & Technique and Mental Toughness.

I do stand on the bike while it's in the trainer.

Personally I think the hardest ones are Sufferarama, Muscle Breakdown and No Slackers in that order.

We've just put the cadence sensor back on the bike in the trainer and that makes the workout MUCH harder. When he tells you to spin at 120 RPMs you know whether you're doing it or not. No guess work and it is HARD.

V.

[SadieKate]

The ones we use for strength and interval training:

• The UpHill Grind
• Big Gear Strength
• No Slackers Allowed (easiest of these 3)

The ones we use for recovery (alternate days):

• Ride Strong with Team Clydesdale
• Recharge

You built strength, speed and cadence with his tapes. I actually like them better than the CTS tapes.

[slinkedog]

Great replies and thanks for the recommendations! What are CTS tapes?

[Veronica]

Oh Sarah, I must disagree. No Slackers I find harder because of all the Superspin sets. Maybe it's just because of the way I'm made, but I'd rather climb than SuperSpin.

V.

[SadieKate]

Oh Sarah, I must disagree. No Slackers I find harder because of all the Superspin sets. Maybe it's just because of the way I'm made, but I'd rather climb than SuperSpin.

V.

Well, I haven't done them since last winter so I may have to test again. Yes, I don't like spins either but they're better than the 1-legged big gear stuff. Maybe I have the tapes mixed up. I just got the bike on the trainer again but now I'm running around dealing with Bubba's poison oak. We think it's gone systemic. He looks like someone poured boiling water on his legs and has chills. A little birdie is telling me that the Rice Valley Tandem Rally is off the agenda for this weekend.

[aka_kim]

He looks like someone poured boiling water on his legs and has chills.

Oh, awful. Maybe time for a visit to the doc?

I think super spinning is MUCH easier than slow grinding, making No Slackers my favorite tape. And on a related note, today's Road Bike Rider newsletter has something by Jonathan Vaughters saying that it's extreme and unnecessary for us all to try to climb at high cadence like Lance (100 rpm).

All this talk of Spinervals... maybe I'd better go do one this evening.

[Veronica]

Oh poor guy - that sounds awful. I'm sending good thoughts your way.

[SadieKate]

Carmichael Training Systems (Oh, yeah, says Slinke, THAT Chris Carmichael. I wanna be like Lance!)


CTS

[slinkedog]

I suppose if I do those, I'll be 'dancing in the pedals' like Lance!!