the dreaded trainer

asltiffm

Ok, so I came a couple weeks ago asking how to get faster. Because of your advice, I have been trying to figure out how to get more rides in and I finally resigned myself to the torture of the trainer. It really is the only way I can ride during the short hours of winter. You were so helpful answering that question so I am back for another. Without a heart rate monitor or a speedometer, how can you tell if you're working hard enough or not to make a difference?

I don't feel comfortable standing up on the trainer because it feels like the whole thing is going to rock over so when I get off, everything that was in contact with the seat is on fire and numb (like when you sit on a leg for too long). Any remedies? Also, any ways to actually make it fun...or less like torture? My basement gets pretty boring to look at after a few minutes.

rileysowner

I have considered getting a trainer a few times, but decided against it every time so far for the very reason of it would get boring quite fast. Add to that the recommendation of getting a trainer tire so it does not chew up your bikes tire, and I just keep putting it off. I would suggest to make it more interesting that the easiest option is a TV or maybe some interesting MP3s to listen to.

trijoe

I trainer, A LOT. I get up at 5AM while the rest of the house is sleeping, get on my gear, slink down to the basement, and get my 60-75 min ride in. If I can fit in an outdoor ride or run during the day, then HUZZAH! Otherwise, I'm happy with my morning trainer ride.

I keep the iPod on the bike. It's the only way I can gut it out. But it works. Intervals help, too. WU, 10min easy, 10min hard, 10 easy, 10 hard, repeat till CD. Next thing I know, I'm done.

Um, if you feel like you're going to fall? You really need to readjust your trainer. That bike should feel SOLID.

There are some affordable cycle computer options. Cateye Astrale 8 works nicely and is easy to install yourself. For more money, Garmin makes a nice HRM/cycle computer combo called a FR60. You'll probably have to buy the cadence detector, or cycle computer, or whatever they call it, separately. I keep this on my trainer bike.

Numbness. Oh jeez. There are a few ways to address this: You can take your bike in (not sure what you ride) to a LBS and get it fit. Odds are, it's not fit to you very well. You can adjust the saddle so your goodies are more comfortable. Or you can consider a specially designed saddle, like the Adamo. It's expensive and weird looking, but it's great for keeping blood pumping through a person's reproductive parts.

On fireness: Sounds like a job for Chamois Butter. You may want to zip on down to your LBS and pick up a tube. It's this funny feeling crisco-looking stuff that you rub on your chamois and/or skin, and acts as a lubricant. Body Glide also helps.

Good luck! I hope you're able to get it all working for you!

wellbert

Maybe your seat isn't adjusted right. I don't find the trainer to be more uncomfortable to ride on than say, the road. It's the noise that bothers me.

Sometimes tilting the nose of the seat UP just a TINY bit will help a lot with that. And remember - stiff seat for long rides. Big cushy seats are for sitting straight up and going around the block once.


I watch TV while I'm on the trainer. I think it also helps to have a fan.

sillygoose1977

Do you have a climbing block on your front wheel? If not then you are probably pointed slightly downhill which can get uncomfortable. I found mine a good CycleOps block at D**k's for only $20.

As far as the boredom goes, it just something to work through mentally. I have cycling dvd's that I use sometimes. Each is about an hour ride through Hawaii, but I also just crank the music and let the tone of the songs dictate the intensity of the ride for the 3-5 minutes.

I would definitely check the set up of your trainer. It shouldn't feel like you are going to fall over if you stand up. Even a good 30 seconds to a minute standing will help your bum.

asltiffm

Well I guess I need to get a wheel block. I currently have a paver stone under the front wheel but maybe it's still lower than the back and I just didn't realize it.

How do you readjust your trainer? I don't know if it actually would fall over...I guess I am just used to being able to rock it back and forth as I stand up and I couldn't do that, obviously. Felt weird. It is so different than riding for real.

That chamois butter...How would you ever get the chamois clean after using that?

cloggsy71

If your bum is numb sat on your bike seat, then your seat may be wrong for you...

I recently bought a Turbo Trainer, but knowing Turbo Training is inherantly boring, I bought one of the Tacx VR trainers; the Tacx Genius. This gives you the best of both worlds IMHO! Don't get me wrong, it ain't cheap, but you get what you pay for I guess?

Standing on the trainer doesn't feel natural because you can't swing the bike from side to side like you normally would when riding on the road.

So far, so good - I love my Turbo until I can get back on the road properly!

wellbert

Why swing the bike side to side on the road? I guess some pro sprinters do it, but I understand that's hell on your wheels.

A lot of trainers give an unnatural pedal rotation feel, that might be why standing up feels strange.

amiller7x7

Re: "That chamois butter...How would you ever get the chamois clean after using that? "

Just wash the shorts as usual (I use a washing machine and air dry) - it washes clean fine - have used it for years without problem for both indoor and outdoor rides.

asltiffm

I'll have to look for some of that chamois butter. I've been riding for 13 years but never tried any.

As an update, I put another paver under my wheel and rode again...this time for longer. Now it feels more like a normal ride. Nothing was numb or tingling. It's amazing what a couple inches incline can do to a body! Still not my favorite thing in the world...but much less like torture.

I went for a 30 mile ride (outside) on my touring bike on Sat. It was very slow. I went for a ride today (outside) on my road bike. I have come to the conclusion that I need to get a big under the seat bag...one that can carry a bit of food, the phone, patch kit and a windbreaker and I would be willing to take that bike on longer rides....maybe not 50 mile rides...yet but certainly 30 miles. I would love to see what kind of time I could make on the road bike on that same ride.

StuAblett

I used to have a trainer when I lived in Canada, hated that thing, I then got a set of roller, yeah, learning curve, but I certainly liked it a lot more. Have you had a pro bike fit done? I did that a while ago, cost a bit of money, but well worth it, I was able to set up my road bike very well. A TV/Laptop and some of the DVDs for just this type of training would be great I think.

About a bag for your bike, I have a small underseat bag for each bike, spare tube, patches and a basic tool kit in it, but for longer rides I have a waist belt that I like. A buddy of mine hates to have anything on his waist or back so he has one of these things....

http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/MTXBeamRackEX


He loves it, has a big bag that just slides right on to it, and it has a little drawer that you can put your tool kit into.


That kind of thing, there are lots of companies making these.

What he likes about the rack is for shorter rides, you can easily take it off, but for longer rides the rack and bag combo go right back on and hold a fair bit. I think his rack is rated at a max load of 15lbs.

Cheers!