Brrrrrr

[acc]

@PrintError 2111 wrote:

I’ll second Tim. I had a Cycleops trainer a few years ago and warmed up on it before winter rides. Traded it for a set of shifters though… it was one of those long days.

That’s the trade-off. I want to upgrade some things on Spartacus i.e. “Sparky” but probably won’t have the money to do that if I get a trainer. But I am enjoying reading about them, thank you for getting me started. Meanwhile I’ve almost learned all the words to Celine Dion’s “I’m Alive,” apparently a popular spinning song. Sheesh. Poor Spartacus, his paint seems to get bluer all the time.

[Mark Blacknell]

Huh. Just when I thought that there was little more depressing than the simple act of using a trainer, ACC introduces me to the concept of listening to Celine Dion while on a trainer. I think I’d want to just end it right there.

(ACC – there are loads of hardly-used trainers out there – lots of people buy with high ambition, and then realize that it’s just taking up space. Save money through their mistakes.)

[Tim Kelley]

Trainers are great for short, high intensity workouts. While doing longer workouts, I like catching up on movies.

[CCrew]

@Mark Blacknell 2125 wrote:

(ACC – there are loads of hardly-used trainers out there – lots of people buy with high ambition, and then the neighbors downstairs complain about that obnoxious buzzing noise

Fixed it for ya

[OneEighth]

ACC-
Rollers would let you train indoors on your bike and would have the added benefit of honing your balance and the smoothness with which you pedal. Another benefit to rollers is that they don’t take much space when you aren’t using them. They do take some getting used to, though.

[acc]

@Mark Blacknell 2125 wrote:

Huh. Just when I thought that there was little more depressing than the simple act of using a trainer, ACC introduces me to the concept of listening to Celine Dion while on a trainer. I think I’d want to just end it right there.

(ACC – there are loads of hardly-used trainers out there – lots of people buy with high ambition, and then realize that it’s just taking up space. Save money through their mistakes.)

Possibly Kenny G would be worse. Lemme know.

Thank you, I will look for the silicone-based one on Craig’s List however, it is unsettling to find myself associated with anything silicone-based.

[acc]

@OneEighth 2128 wrote:

ACC-
Rollers would let you train indoors on your bike and would have the added benefit of honing your balance and the smoothness with which you pedal. Another benefit to rollers is that they don’t take much space when you aren’t using them. They do take some getting used to, though.

The phrase, “the added benefit of honing your balance,” caught my eye leading me to imagine spectacular misadventures in my utility room. I strongly suspect in my case a helmet would be necessary when riding on rollers. Visions of Lucille Ball floated in front of my eyes.

The one benefit of riding back and forth through Reptile Jungle near Reston is I finally learned how to stop falling off my bike whenever I hit the brakes. Plus, I stopped hitting the brakes when I saw a snake, now I just name them. (Clipping in and out was a mystery for so long.)

[OneEighth]

The trick is to use the rollers very close to a wall that you can lean against/touch for stability.

[acc]

@OneEighth 2131 wrote:

The trick is to use the rollers very close to a wall that you can lean against/touch for stability.

Brilliant, thank you. I would not have figured that out. Well, not quickly.
ann

[CCrew]

@acc 2137 wrote:

Brilliant, thank you. I would not have figured that out. Well, not quickly.
ann

Actually to take that one better, at first set them up in a doorway.

As to the clipping in and out thing, I’ve found it’s much easier when you’re on your back with the bike on top of you

(edit: oh, that just sounds wrong)

[brendan]

@acc 2108 wrote:

Any suggestions as to brand and/or type?

This may not be an issue with brand new units, but I was disappointed to find that the trainer I bought in the 90s only works with 26″ tires. Something to keep in mind if you go to the used market.

Brendan

[acc]

That was perfectly acceptable and prevented me from saying I usually found myself thrashing around in the gutter, screaming “Oh God,” repeatedly as if it were a magic incantation that would cause the clips to immediately release. So much for trying to teach Spartacus a “safe” word. BTW your self edit made the entire joke all the funnier. Thank you.

On the serious side, I had no idea how hard it was to learn to clip in and out. But eventually it just became second nature.

[Dirt]

@consularrider 2116 wrote:

I saw some signs on Sunday west of Vienna saying the trail would be closed, but didn’t stop to look at when or what for.

They’re paving through Reston. I was out that way on Sunday and didn’t stop to read either. I did notice new blacktop approaching Reston Towneeeeee Centreeeeeeee.

[Dirt]

Trainers are the work of Stan (that’s what I called Satan when I was a child). I would rather brave pretty much anything than ride on a trainer. I can’t even remember which friend I loaned my really expensive rollers to about 5 years ago. I hope they’re enjoying them.

[PrintError]

Didn’t expect this, but there was a VDOT light up sign informing us of the Thursday closure. Normally they put up a few pieces of paper which are invisible to us night commuters.

Thanks VDOT.

[Author]

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