Turbo Training - what do you get up to?

[Andy R]

Well I'm much the same, except that sitting on a turbo trainer in the workshop doesn't have the psychological benefits that "real" riding has (well, not for me at least). I have to get up into the hills and forests otherwise I'm even grumpier than I usually am.

I am that sort of age though......

 

[kaiser]

It looks much more scientific than I had realised....would a HR monitor be a real benefit to have? (I guess it would tell me when I'm about to die )

YES
When I ran marathons, I started to train by a HRM and it worked shaved half a hour of my PB in about 2 months (2.58 if you are interested) Train smarter not harder as they say ! I think there is a deal in Lloyds the chemist and they have some at under £15 !!!

I'll say maybe :? It depends on what type of person you are. Lots of folks have HRM's and don't train by them,glorified stopwatch, if your the analytical type or like to log your sessions got for it. At the moment I'm using a suunto t3 and like it, lots of little gadgets to keep you motivated.

If you have a spare bike :roll: a cateye Astrale with cadence kit and rear wheel sensor is a good monitor. Turbo tyres are available too for 26" and allegedly reduce noise and heat.

Try some podrunner podcasts or try to get some spinerval DVD's(tough love is a killer), coach Troy will put you through your paces Alternativley the Rocky boxset's good for a workout.

Favorite sesh just now is :10min W/U
20min flat out
5min rest
20min flat out
5min cool down

 

[Bear-Chan]

OK, don't FFS try the above then!! You will die!! Maybe..

ok....is there anything in your book for 40-something unfit bastids then?

Either that or i'll set it up in Small Child Mode for a while

hey neil
due to work i dont get out half as much as i'd like, so compared to this lot im very unfit!
i started just doing what felt right - going for 15 minutes at first at what i'd reckon was about 70% of my capacity - kind of fast road cruising pace, with 3 minutes of warm up warm down on each end. it soons flys past and quickly turns into 20, then 25. ive started breaking things up now a bit more and introducing more hard sections and more quick spinning too.
its made a HUGE difference when i actually do get out on the bike.
HTH!
BC

 

[neilll]

hey neil
due to work i dont get out half as much as i'd like, so compared to this lot im very unfit!
i started just doing what felt right - going for 15 minutes at first at what i'd reckon was about 70% of my capacity - kind of fast road cruising pace, with 3 minutes of warm up warm down on each end. it soons flys past and quickly turns into 20, then 25. ive started breaking things up now a bit more and introducing more hard sections and more quick spinning too.
its made a HUGE difference when i actually do get out on the bike.
HTH!
BC

Cool....thanks dude

 

[JustKev]

I haven't ridden in over a year so I'd better take it easy then

yep - take it easy mate but one or two 30 minute sessions per week and your fitness will soon pick up.

And lighter evenings from next week so a few post work rides could be in order

 

[Andy R]

Seems like everybody is into this turbo training lark except me - maybe I'll have to give it another try.
I think the reason that I find it so boring is probably the same reason that I find road riding boring too. Since I was 16 I have been involved in off-road sport in one shape or form (fell running, trials, enduros, 4x4 trials, sled dog racing and mountain bike riding/racing) and so I don't really think of myself as a "cyclist" - just somebody who likes doing off-road stuff.

Although I have owned loads of motorcycles I never bought a road bike either (for the same reasons as above probably - it just didn't do it for me). In fact I only started riding MTB's in the late 80's as a way of keeping fit during the sled dog racing off-season and sort of slipped into a bit of racing too. Now I don't have a motorcycle at all, nor any sled dogs but I find that I'm enjoying my mountain bikes more than I ever did - after 40 years of playing about off road I suppose it's just in my blood.

Old dogs, new tricks - that sort of thing..... :?(or no fool like an old fool )

 

[neilll]

And lighter evenings from next week so a few post work rides could be in order

Hopefully....takes me over an hour to drive from Bedford to Corby (even more going the other way in the mornings :evil: ) so when I get home now it's dark :cry:

Will be ordering a CycleOps Mag Trainer VERY soon.....thanks for all the tips chaps

 

[heathy]

Who's using what on their TT's then, anyone using MTB's :?:
I'm using a shogun trail breaker 2 on mine with a mtb conti turbo tyre Its a bit of a gillopi.
Would i be better off using a road bike :?:

 

[neilll]

Who's using what on their TT's then,

Planning to use this: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17620

Doesn't look quite like that anymore but the rims 'n' tyres are the same.

 

[cchris2lou]

I was going to use the MTB but was advised to go with the road bike .