The Dreaded Bike Trainer - Maybe?

The Dreaded Bike Trainer!

Maybe?

As the weather starts to turn that means many of us head inside and say hello to our bike trainer. Ugh! No more beautiful views as we race down the road. No more flying downhills or grinding uphills. A receipt for tragedy.

That is usually what goes running through my mind when my bike hits my trainer for the first time during the off season. That happened this week. However, this season I am going to try and look at being indoors as something of a positive and chance to improve.

Kevin Mackinnon, a former pro triathlete and coach, once wrote -

"The consistent effort is one of the factors that makes indoor training more efficient. Like running on a track or riding in a velodrome, the conditions are also very consistent, allowing you the opportunity to do test sets and gauge your progress."

To read the full article that the quote came from click here. I appreciate what he said about consistency because how often do I come to a light and wish that I could keep going because I am in the middle of an interval or a really great ride. More then that I think it helps my mental state to see improvement. I think that is true of most people. Seeing improvement helps keep us motivated. If you disagree with me please post below and share your thoughts. I would love to hear.

There is one other key piece that I am keeping in mind this winter on my trainer and that is the chance to do drills to improve muscular endurance, pedaling efficiency, power output, and build my threshold pace. When I shift my perspective to look at my indoor riding as an opportunity rather then a drag not only does the ride get easier, but then I open myself up to learning something new which could be the difference during racing season.

If you would like to join me on the trainer Bicycling Magazine and Triathlete Magazine have a few suggested training rides to get you started.

Make the Most of Your Trainer Time with These Indoor Cycling Workouts 

Quick Cycling Workouts for Power and Endurance

10 One-Hour Trainer Sessions