Solvang Double

[maillotpois]

Ditto on the spinning thing. Before I started riding, I had a year of spinning 2 - 3 times a week. When I did get on the bike everything came really easily to me - and I did Death Ride for the first time a year after starting cycling**. I think spinning lays a great base for road riding.



**Granted I flamed out and only did four passes because I thought I was going to barf all day, but my point is I progressed quickly because of the spinning background.

[Brandy]

I think spinning lays a great base for road riding.

I find it so hard to go back into a Spinning class now though! I mean, time constraints and childcare dictate that I have to if I want to get a workout on the bike in sometimes, but I stare at the clock the whole time...lol! I need to get over that because I'm being hired by a local gym to start subbing soon. I need to find a way to teach with road cycling in mind, I can't be bothered with all of the jumping and in and out of the saddle now.

[maillotpois]

The best Spinning instructors I have had have been serious riders. None of the stupid "ride swinging your arm at your side" BS that you would never actually do on a bike. Very focussed intervals - often using race scenario visualizations, which makes it more fun. I think you will be able to come up with some productive and focussed workouts.

I don't spin any more either. I just do the Coach Troy DVDs.

[Bike Goddess]

Well, I was a roadie snob when it came to spinning classes. However, after my bike accident in January and then not able to do much activity for about a month, I decided to give it a try.

The first week I went (3x a week) I thought I would die at the end of the class! I was soooo tired. But I've kept at it and now it's 3-4 times a week. The instructors I have are mostly indoor cyclists, but they use outdoor training plans when they do the classes. I'm definitely in shape leg wise and cardio wise for when I get back on the bike. I try to push myself a little further each week. Yesterday when we did a cadence count I was up to 138rpm. I was pretty happy about that as it wasn't that hard for me.

I recommend spinning because it does help with the cardio and also with keeping a steady pace on the bike. We do some jumps, a lot of standing in different "gears" and lots of cardio and leg work. I"m so glad I have something to keep me in shape while I heal. I don't know what I'd be doing at this point if it weren't for spinning.

I"ve gotten my friend Sarah to go a couple of times. She immediately noticed a difference in her riding style- she's more consistent in her cadence and stronger on the hills. She was already a strong cyclist (another young'un)and spinning is just accelerating her training.

One of the women in our club- Laurie Fenech (MP- she races with MACO) does spin classes 5x a week, races on the weekends, rides most every day and runs as well. This is in addition to a full time job as a teacher! She is winning races in her category this year. She's 51- and beats people who are 30. Go figure!