I can't be the only one...

[Owlie]

...who thinks riding on a trainer is harder and more uncomfortable than the road, right?
I'm fine for three hours on the road/trail. Fifteen minutes on the trainer is about my limit. Part of that I can put down to not having ridden since it got cold, but gah! I'm getting saddle-related discomfort and overheat way too easily. I must remember to get out of the saddle occasionally and open the window before I start.

Okay, done whining now.

[radacrider]

Nope, I can't do more than maybe 45-50 minutes, which includes warm up and cool down periods. To survive:

• Use a fan
• Drape a towel over the handlebars to catch sweat
• Only used trainer to do intervals - 3 minutes top hard effort, 3 minutes cool down effort, repeat about 5-6 sets
• Used for single leg spinning practice, switching legs

Could never do just pushing gears, no amount of tunes or TV could keep me on the trainer.

[yetigooch]

I agree, trainers are hard to ride on. I think it's the sheer boredom of not going anywhere that's tough. When riding, the scenery, the wind in your face, etc makes riding longer easier.

[Mr. Bloom]

I keep a Y membership for wintertime use...at least it offers a hubbub of interesting people to break the monotony of "stationary motion". I've never to taken to either of my trainers...

[LivetoRide]

I have to agree, Owlie! I get worse hot spots on the trainer than the road (hot spots have always been a thing for me while cycling) and and I can't stand the trainer for more than an hour. This year I've been doing my inddor riding at the LBS's indoor trainer times, and riding with friends does help with the boredom.

I second radacrider's suggestions and I have to add that I'll sometimes get off the bike a time or two and stretch. For me, it helps with breaking up the time and it helps with my tight hamstrings.

[OakLeaf]

It's no different from riding in the flatlands ... if there are no elevation changes and no turns, you never change your position on the saddle and it gets uncomfortable pretty quickly.

Lots of LBS's have group trainer/roller sessions in the wintertime, helps break the monotony anyway, and you get to ride your own bike instead of those ill-fitting things they have in the gyms.

[ibike2]

I agree - Trainers are NO FUN!!

If I can make it to a 1/2 hour without getting off, the 1 hour is usually alot easier.

Do you ride in the same gear the entire time?

[malkin]

On rollers, I think the element of imminent danger keeps me engaged and requires little muscle shifts to keep balance, but still it's not like real riding.

Listening to music is even a trick, because if I get too involved in the music, it's a crash for sure.

[Tri Girl]

you're definitely NOT alone on this one. I have ridden my trainer for 2 hours once this winter (and had a huge saddle sore to show for it afterward). My limit is about 1 hr and then I want to strangle myself.
I wish I could love it more. Definitely better than the spin bikes at the gym, but hardly by a huge margin.
It's a necessary evil, I'm afraid. Even tho it's supposed to be 60 degrees today, I get to a certain point of winter that even THAT feels cold (well, that and the wind is supposed to be 30 mph).

I want spring/summer back...

[HillSlugger]

It's no different from riding in the flatlands ... if there are no elevation changes and no turns, you never change your position on the saddle and it gets uncomfortable pretty quickly.

Lots of LBS's have group trainer/roller sessions in the wintertime, helps break the monotony anyway, and you get to ride your own bike instead of those ill-fitting things they have in the gyms.

I discovered this summer how truly hard it is riding in the flatlands, but at least there is some capacity for coasting and the bike moves around under you to move the pressure points around a little bit.

[ridebikeme]

Like Selkie, I have spent many hours on the trainer. I have also been riding a trainer for 25+ years... it seems to be life in the state of Maine.

With that said, I would definitely use a fan to keep you from over heating... and perhaps two if you should feel that you need it. If you have a room, basement, garage that is a bit cooler, then perhaps that would be more comfortable. With the shop offering trainer classes for awhile now,; I've noticed that people are way more comfortable if the room isn't above 55 degrees. It may be a bit cool to start, but it isn't long before you are warmed up and needing a fan.

Now for the motivation piece... some people watch tv/movies etc... Some use training DVD's . Personally I can't use tv, because I find myself pedaling too slow. I do watch lots of pro races on DVD'S, and lots of training DVD'S. I also have set my trainer in a room where there are lots of trophies, medals, and those will guilt me into riding. ( and yes there are days that I need that HA!)You can do the same thing with great photos, race numbers etc... I find the first half hour is the hardest, but it gets better after that. Do you have a goal for the upcoming season? Race? Tour? Charity ride? Those can be the carrot at the end of the stick for motivation as well. Write down in a log or the computer, how long you rode, time, how you felt,sleep the night before, and other things going on at the time... are you working late? Didn't get enough sleep? How's your diet? Writing things down can be a way for you to track yourself, but also it tends to give people that extra encouragement that we all need from time to time. And lastly, play games with yourself on the trainer... how long can you stand? Pedal with one leg? etc... Do you have any friends that you could train with from time to time?

Good luck with your training! If you are able to stay on the trainer over the winter, you will be grateful in spring, and be rewarded for your hard work!



http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[loopybunny]

...who thinks riding on a trainer is harder and more uncomfortable than the road, right?
I'm fine for three hours on the road/trail. Fifteen minutes on the trainer is about my limit.

Werd...

I was thinking that same thing yesterday. There is no natural shifting of position while on the trainer (like you'd shift when climbing) and I become very uncomfortable very quickly.

[rubywagon]

I just spent a very painful 45 minutes on the trainer. Why do I always feel like I'm going to barf, like I am working so much harder on it? Awful, yet not as bad as not riding at all.