I'm a big fan of Out & Back Again. Did 26 miles yesterday on Zwift. The goal setting feature has motivated me the most. I've got a fairly busy weekly schedule, so had you asked me a year ago if I could aspire to 60 miles a week, I would have given you the skeptical eye. Now, after 10 months of riding regularly, when I tick off that 60 mi/week goal, it makes me so proud to continue striving harder.
Nice video. I'd add three points. 1. Ride when it is dark: More than for the weather, I ride indoors when it is dark. This is great for two a days or those of us that need a day and a half to recover from a hard ride. 2. Two fans: What a difference a fan behind made. I use a box fan on high behind me with a small fan in front. I went from a lot of sweat to "normal" ride sweat. 3. Sweat wristbands: A friend who sweats a lot on the trainer said these tennis styled wristbands save his gloves and bike while riding indoors.
Manon is such a great presenter, it's always good to see her. I've been on Zwift on and off for a few years but lately I've been more dedicated to using it a few times a week to fit into a time challenged schedule, and my road cycling has gotten better
Welcome back Manon! I was late to the Zwift bandwagon and only joined last year while I was recovering from an injury. I had no idea how much use I would get out of my turbo trainer! The events and social aspect of Zwift make it much more enjoyable and I often prefer it to riding outside in poor weather.
We missed you, Manon! Welcome back! Thanks for the tips! I recently got a smart trainer because I moved to Arizona and it is too hot for me to ride outside. Zwift is fun and so convenient!
@@gcn Good A/C and a good fan... and lots of water 😁. I did my first ride outside last Monday, started early but only did 20 miles 😄. It was 85F/29C towards the end, so it was good.
I have my roadbike permanently set up in my office/Zwift room… only cycling I do outdoors is for my work commute throughout most of the year! I am loving Zwift in my leisure time ,so much as it is a quick jump on and ride in my busy life . Thanks for the tip about two towels
This has been a good one for me. I have been researching different trainers that won't break the bank for this winter. Also want to introduce clipless pedals as I am fairly new to the biking world. This channel has been extremely helpful. Thank you from Ontario, Canada
Glad we could help out! Have you watched this video? 👉 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ulhpwTRvAfo.html - This might help narrow your choices down 🙌
A key thing for me is safety. The first summer I had clipless, I had to slam the breaks to avoid a cyclist who'd cut right across my path without looking, and I went head over handlebars. I honestly think the pedals saved my life that day; they released exactly like they should and prevented far worse damage to both me and the bike. Ended up three years later adding road specific clipless pedals and using the double-sided ones only on my mountain bike due to hot spots on my feet -- the road models have a much larger contact area -- but it's the same deal; a secure connection, just enough float for my knees, not too much for them to release when they ought to.
Even though my spin bike is used more than my mountain bike which is used only in summer. I have to admit that indoor training can become boring because it is indoors. Nothing beats the experience of cycling outdoors!
We agree, outside is always best. That said, indoor rides can just be easier! Do you find that in winter you are using that indoor trainer all the time? ☔
My experience 5 key tips: 1. get started with an old computer or phone to run the apps( connectivity draws a lot of battery if you're using a mobile device) 2. be carefull with sweat ( it can ruin your bike and electronic devices) 3. Participate in series (races, group rides, workouts, challenges) this will keep you motivated to come back 4. get some background music or headphones( will help fight back the monotony) 5. Verify your equipment( bike, cleats, sensors, tires...) Just because youre static indoors doesn't mean that things dont need some checks/maintenance.
Great tips! Joining the races and social rides can be a great way to enjoy the riding 🙌 Thanks for sharing your tips, we love to see people spreading the cycling love 😍
Malta, is very sunny and the last thing which comes into your mind is to ride indoors. However, today I was thinking about starting indoor training because it offers a lot of advantages as Manon mentioned a few. Let's Ride On 🎉
A headband! I recently discovered how useful they are in catching *most of my sweat. Almost no dripping if I use a towel every 10 mins or so. At the end of the workout, the headband is soaked, but the towel isn't. No need for a second towel or a frame protector.
I honestly hate indoor training, but realise how beneficial it is for rapid improvement ave power and normalised power are very similar, or exactly the same. I used to use a simple desk fan, but realised it wasn't enough, especially on hot days. I got a ridiculously strong fan now and it's a game changer. Recommend investing in a decent fan above all else
A wonderful video! I completely agree with the opinion that "riding" indoors is safer, and it takes less time to prepare. About the fan: I prefer to pedal with the window open. This gives an influx of fresh air and gives conditioning. Instead of a mat, I use sweat baths. They can collect up to 150-200 milliliters of sweat during 1-1.5 hours of training - no mat will stand. Manon didn't say anything about water. I drink at least 1 liter of water from a flask for training.
Just joined fulgaz after using swift last year, fancied a change and it’s great. Treat myself to a new trainer as well, the Wattbike atom. What a great trainer it is no more getting my bike in and out
Plus Up Your Rides: I use a basic trainer inside and in the shop depending on if the kids need watching. The "resume later" feature on my Garmin watch is fantastic to plus up my out door rides with me mates. Add 5-10 miles on the trainer before hitting the coffee route.
You seem to have LOVELY winter weather! No snow, so it's not even freezing outside. I'd definitely rather bundle up and go outside. Here in Wisconsin, we spend months at a time below freezing with frequent snow to contend with. Last thing: one of the reasons I love cycling is I can GO places and get a feeling of speed. Doing these indoor workouts, we lose that. I think I'm going to invest in cold weather gear and just ride every day it doesn't snow.
I startet up with a wahooo kickr core ut after some time it faulted then I found a deal on Kicr + climb + wind and an old Screen . I also found old alu frame and a my ultegra 9 speed an to be honnest it works perfectly . I ride everything from group single run to race and tt on Zwift and love to ride with actual people, sooo many times I find myself riding with others. Great to be on the trainer near the famaly ;-)
Gotta pretty descent trainer setup in the garage using my old road bike so I dont have to take it off the trainer. Just installed an old TV and a chromecast dongle so now I amtrying that out instead of the tablet I had been using. I have spent ALOT of time training with you lot!
I have my Wahoo trainer set up in my basement. I have a tv that I enjoy riding along to a RU-vid video. I love the scenic rides through the Alps, Dolomite’s, Spain or anywhere. My Bluetooth earbuds with the music cranked up high to 11
Nice video ^^ The desk fan didn't do it for me though. Sure, it helped a bit, but I was still dripping wet even after a short ride. I found that a good-sized floor fan makes a lot of difference (mine's 18"). You can also easily position and angle it for maximum effect. They're not necessarily really expensive either.
My mate amd I went with a Zwift competitor back several years ago now, very early on, just because it seemed that lots of people were on Zwift, and we were just going against the grain. This had to be 5 years ago now, lol. In that years time Zwift went from taking off, to REALLY taking off, and just dominating the field. Wish I coulf remeber the name of the one we used. Was really cool, it was actual road footage for the rides. Anyway, we ended up on Zwift, but I barely used/ use it. I just prefer outdoor cycling. Living in North Carolina, its so much more temperate, even in the dead of winter than other places, I can get away with it. That said, I do want to get an indoor trainer in hopes of getting more rides in, as these days I find myself riding SO much less due to time constraints, and I feel that if I had my bike on a trainer again, if get a cheeky 15 to 30 minutes ride in more often than I am currently.
I usually switch things up in the winter. I focus more on lifting and cardio on the elliptical or taken spin classes at the end of my workouts. From mid spring to mid fall it's mostly outdoor cycling, usually 6 to 8 hours a week.
Any insights or a comparison of different indoor setups would be neat. Especially comparing the bike centered systems (like the one shown) vs the 'gym' options like stationary bikes.
Only thing I would disagree with is the fan... Tried the cheap, small fan for about a year. Would not recommend. Get a good fan that moves a lot of air. Best upgrade I've made! I am, however, in Texas so your mileage may vary... LOL!!
My wife just won’t have my bike in the living room with me sweating all over the floor, and frankly I see her point!! Just put some winter gear on and go on a ride
I have to set up the trainer in the kitchen. It's not really much quicker to set up then getting ready to go out in the winter weather. But it does mean I don't have to clean the bike afterwards. I mostly go out in the wet anyway but I like having a trainer for the few times a year the weather outside is actually dangerous
Thanks for the tips and pep talk! Always welcome in winter... Two questions though: One, how do you avoid having whatever room you train in not smell of sweat and its nastier acrid by-products permanently? Is this even possible? It's ok if the smell lingers for a bit afterwards but no if we're talking hours, days and beyond, especially if it's a bedroom or living room. And two, is floor vibration at all an issue with direct drive trainers, providing that they and the bike that's installed in them are functioning properly and well-maintained and lubed? I recently ordered a Core and am trying to get things ready for when it arrives.
IMO the biggest advantage to using an indoor trainer is that you're always at home. You'll never get stranded on an indoor trainer, be it a puncture, a bonk, or an injury. While I certainly think these things add to the adventure of proper cycling and give you a story to tell, it does mean that indoor training is a very safe place to push your limits. Recently I went out riding and punctured. I didn't have sufficient kit with me to repair so I was knackered. Yes my fault of course and I've since invested in some new stuff to make sure it doesn't happen again - but what if I had already used my spare tube, or my pump had broken, etc. I'd be in the same situation. Point is I was left stranded, and just about everyone I knew with a car was on holiday, so I really had no way of making it home. In the end, it was the generosity of two passing cyclists that bailed me out. At least it wasn't raining... Indoor trainers sacrifice much of what makes cycling such a great, enjoyable experience - but they sacrifice it for the safety of home. If you're trying to get fit by cycling, an indoor trainer is very hard to pass up because of that safety. And not to mention that, unlike an exercise bike, an indoor trainer and accompanying bike is not limited to the living room you put it in. When you feel like it you can go roam the world on the same two wheels!
@bindingcurve I don't drive, as many others don't, but even so the point was more that on a turbo, the very second you want to stop, you can. You just get off and that's it. Anywhere else and there's some element of making your way home and getting your kit back indoors. Not bashing crits of any kind by the way, they're definitely a good way to train and enjoyable for many, but they aren't a solution to this particular hypothetical problem
I have thought about indoor trainers but prefer the fresh air. There have only been a very few days I haven't been able to ride (in the UK) and that was due to ice on the road. Otherwise layer up and off I go.
With the intro to the video, so typical that in Britain they're able to film a "winter" tipping-down-rain chilly damp scene in late August or early September.
that broad tooo is desireable looking for me and gibbruh,, ive been in the bike sport for well over thirty years, about the only phases i havnt tasked is the extreme biking, where the cats dive thier mountain bikes off of canyon cliffs etc pretty extreme maneuvers, ive done some rough tough mountain biking tooo, thirty so years ago i showed up at an exercycle spin challenge at one of the shops back in the lower northeast, the cats had it once a week for awhile, i often showed up in classic standard work boots (i might yet touch on some of me wearing work boots running/sprinting on a stretch of train tracks down there as a cross training, training, here or other threads) and i spun some extremely high cadences (danny palm shot once chimped "its his work boots") that had a few cat one twos standing with thier monkey jaws dropped, and I've fielded the mag trainers even with the bike videos, and some dam fast strong furious intervals sprints on those tooo, and very many desires fulfilling, right to the past days the old man here is still tasking some dam fast strong intervals sprints
I want to do indoor cycling for zone 2. I am not currently a road bike rider so a totally newbie I have access to a Swift set up would you recommend trying it?
You having a laugh 😂 right now the weather is the complete opposite of when this video is suited for , so I guys get outside and enjoy the sun before it’s gone and come back to this video in about three months cheers
What about training plan in indoors, could it be similar to outdoors training, for example 1x HIT, 2x endurance, 1x recovery, 1x HIT for 6 day tarining plan in week?
It's exactly the same as the "old" version except with the option of the single cog thing. I have the "old" version and it's great. Glad I bought it when I did tbh, as now it's £100 more expensive, and at the time there was a £50 discount voucher available.
What I would need is a tutorial on how to convince my wife that we have room for a trainer. 😂 She's probably happy not to see and/or hear about bikes during our Canadian winters.
One question please, what do people use for viewing? I see a lot of people with an iPad but that seems way too small for something like Zwift. Currently using YT videos but my TV in my garden building needs replacing so using my laptop and just think it too small let alone with so much info in Zwift to see. I’d like to connect it through a TV but seems you need Apple TV, is that right?
i coulda saved money on a rear wheel! ha jk that trainer cost as much or more..i woulda got more use of it though, hard to get my bike around stuff/to places. winter coming up for fatbikes!
Idk man. I have a love hate relationship with my trainer. I can’t be around it (on it) for more than an hour. Lol. Outside I can ride for hours no problem. Can I do that indoors? Not a chance.
