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How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark??
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 2008-10-14 1:44 PM |
Pro  4528    Norwalk, Connecticut |  Subject: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark??OK so here is my dilemma, i live in the Northeast, when i get up in the morning it is dark, when i get home now it is also dark. I used to bike train a couple of days a week in the am or after work when it was light out and had an hour or two before shower and go to work or before i left for home, now the only time i find to ride is on weekends, and i don't think that will be enough training, not to mention winter is fast approaching. It is only biking that i have an issue with, since i now run with my buddy in the dark in the morning and the gym i joined has a 4 lane 25m lap only pool. So do you do a bunch of spin classes or just get on a trainer?? Should you do both, or is just spin ok?? Obviously i ask because i do not have a trainer, but access to spin bikes. Thanx for the help!! |
| 2008-10-14 1:57 PM in reply to: #1741953 |
| New Haven, CT | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? For me its been spin classes and trainer. Because of family and work obligations, the majority of my biking is spin/trainer anyhow. In this my first season, I've been MOP on the bike generally even without a lot of outdoor riding. (I am going to try mtb'ing this winter on weekends when the roads are no good to ride if you want to join me.) As your are in Norwalk, I have a very good friend who is a trainer in Norwalk (shes also a lawyer, wife and mom of 3 so she understands what being busy is like) and might be able to give you some leads on the best gyms in the area (she's also a marathoner and, next year, will be a triathlete). PM me if you want me to put you in touch. |
| 2008-10-14 2:03 PM in reply to: #1741953 |
Master 1718  Loughborough, England | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? Turbo trainer! Then, get in some long rides at the weekend. I wouldn't fancy riding on my own in the dark but cycling clubs will often organise night rides (with lights obviously) so you could always get involved in them if there are any in your area. |
 2008-10-14 2:09 PM in reply to: #1741953 |
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| 2008-10-14 2:30 PM in reply to: #1741953 |
Champion 8766 Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? Get a trainer. An hour 2-3 of times a week will carry you through the winter. |
| 2008-10-14 2:38 PM in reply to: #1741953 |
| Elite 2443 Athens, Georgia | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? I ride at night all the time. I have a rear blinking red light buy I don't use a headlight. 80% of my rides are between 10pm and 2am. My work schedule is crazy and that is pretty much the only time I have to ride it. And I don't own a trainer or rollers so I just stick it out. I ride with my BIL who is also a LEO and we have similar shifts so I am not too worried about people just getting run over. We choose our paths accordingly depending on how early or late it is in the night. |
| 2008-10-14 2:39 PM in reply to: #1741953 |
| Champion 10471 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? Spin classes at the gym on their spin bikes are OK. But not the same as riding your own bike on a trainer. Invest in a trainer. Record shows on a DVR. Watch TV and ride at night. Welcome to training in the winter time.  |
| 2008-10-14 2:43 PM in reply to: #1742164 |
| Expert 946 Barrington Area, IL | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? KSH - 2008-10-14 2:39 PM Spin classes at the gym on their spin bikes are OK. But not the same as riding your own bike on a trainer. Invest in a trainer. Record shows on a DVR. Watch TV and ride at night. Welcome to training in the winter time. I was just going to ask about the worth of Spin Classes - if anyone has any more info on them that would be great. Also - from everything I have seen I should go with a fluid trainer if I get one - does anyone disagree with that? |
| 2008-10-14 2:55 PM in reply to: #1741953 |
| Champion 11989 Philly 'burbs | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? I just went for a nice ride during my lunch hour. Plan on doing more mid-week mid-day rides until it gets too cold. Then, the trainer. |
| 2008-10-14 2:56 PM in reply to: #1742157 |
| Expert 938 | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? triguynewbie - 2008-10-14 3:38 PM I ride at night all the time. I have a rear blinking red light buy I don't use a headlight. 80% of my rides are between 10pm and 2am. My work schedule is crazy and that is pretty much the only time I have to ride it. And I don't own a trainer or rollers so I just stick it out. I ride with my BIL who is also a LEO and we have similar shifts so I am not too worried about people just getting run over. We choose our paths accordingly depending on how early or late it is in the night. LOL...no headlight for me would end my ride by probably the first 100 feet or so, definitely the first 1/4 mile. You must live in a pretty urban area with nicely paved roads. I'd catch a nasty pothole, go off where the shoulder should be but isn't, put my wheel in a storm drain, or catch a car in pretty short order in my semi-rural area.
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| 2008-10-14 3:05 PM in reply to: #1742180 |
| Master 1718 Loughborough, England | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? Wolff27 - 2008-10-14 8:43 PM Also - from everything I have seen I should go with a fluid trainer if I get one - does anyone disagree with that? Fluid trainers are probably the best to go with if you can afford one. |
| 2008-10-14 4:10 PM in reply to: #1742180 |
| Champion 10471 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? Wolff27 - 2008-10-14 2:43 PM KSH - 2008-10-14 2:39 PM Spin classes at the gym on their spin bikes are OK. But not the same as riding your own bike on a trainer. Invest in a trainer. Record shows on a DVR. Watch TV and ride at night. Welcome to training in the winter time. I was just going to ask about the worth of Spin Classes - if anyone has any more info on them that would be great. Also - from everything I have seen I should go with a fluid trainer if I get one - does anyone disagree with that? Do you mean spin classes at the gym on their spin bikes? Or do you mean a spin class where you take your bike and put it on a trainer? There are two types. Spin classes at the gym on their spin bikes get the job done, but it's not the same as being on your bike. The bike is hard to fit to you exactly and the resistence wheel is not the same as gearing on your bike. Not to mention, some spin classes have you doing crazy stuff like push ups on the handlebars or pushing the tension all the way up so you can barely pedal. |
| 2008-10-14 4:28 PM in reply to: #1741953 |
| Expert 1240 Columbia, MO | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? That's easy...get a different job |
| 2008-10-14 4:38 PM in reply to: #1742264 |
| Expert 946 Barrington Area, IL | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? tridantri - 2008-10-14 3:05 PM Wolff27 - 2008-10-14 8:43 PM Also - from everything I have seen I should go with a fluid trainer if I get one - does anyone disagree with that? Fluid trainers are probably the best to go with if you can afford one. Thanks!! |
| 2008-10-14 4:39 PM in reply to: #1742576 |
| Expert 946 Barrington Area, IL | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? KSH - 2008-10-14 4:10 PM Wolff27 - 2008-10-14 2:43 PM KSH - 2008-10-14 2:39 PM Spin classes at the gym on their spin bikes are OK. But not the same as riding your own bike on a trainer. Invest in a trainer. Record shows on a DVR. Watch TV and ride at night. Welcome to training in the winter time. I was just going to ask about the worth of Spin Classes - if anyone has any more info on them that would be great. Also - from everything I have seen I should go with a fluid trainer if I get one - does anyone disagree with that? Do you mean spin classes at the gym on their spin bikes? Or do you mean a spin class where you take your bike and put it on a trainer? There are two types. Spin classes at the gym on their spin bikes get the job done, but it's not the same as being on your bike. The bike is hard to fit to you exactly and the resistence wheel is not the same as gearing on your bike. Not to mention, some spin classes have you doing crazy stuff like push ups on the handlebars or pushing the tension all the way up so you can barely pedal. I meant Spin classes with their bikes. I would love to have one where I bring my bike in but don't know of any in my area. Thanks! |
| 2008-10-14 4:49 PM in reply to: #1742658 |
| Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? Wolff27 - 2008-10-14 5:38 PM tridantri - 2008-10-14 3:05 PM Thanks!!Wolff27 - 2008-10-14 8:43 PM Also - from everything I have seen I should go with a fluid trainer if I get one - does anyone disagree with that? Fluid trainers are probably the best to go with if you can afford one. I got a fluid trainer fairly cheaply off of nashbar.com - it's their own model and it works just fine for me. I'm not a good enough cyclist to discern between a "good" fluid trainer and a "bad" fluid trainer. Re: spin class - that is a VERY volatile subject around here. Best just to do a search for the threads about it here on BT and see what people said. Until you get a trainer, it's certainly better than nothing at all, though. |
| 2008-10-14 4:52 PM in reply to: #1742684 |
| Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? I have grown to tolerate my mag trainer... Even during a IM plan, most mid week rides are 90 mintues a less a couple time a week. Not too hard on the trainer if you had to. Then the weekend for long rides. My current plan had four days in a row that I had to spend 2.5 hours on the trainer each day. THAT sucked, but doable. I got a lot of movies in those four days. |
| 2008-10-14 5:50 PM in reply to: #1741953 |
| Expert 842 | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? Since I live in the same state as you, I face the same thing. I just ride the trainer 2-3 times during the week and then get out on the weekends. Mix up the workouts, do some spinervals, watch some movies, the time eventually goes by. I have been thinking about investing in some lights to get out in the morning. But I am a little weary since I live off of very narrow back roads and don't trust half asleep drivers. I would like to get a set of rollers just for something different. Mark |
| 2008-10-14 10:36 PM in reply to: #1741953 |
| Extreme Veteran 307 | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? Trainer - but totally boring! #1 favorite movie to watch while on the bike (right now): GI Jane. Anyone got other great trainer movies? |
| 2008-10-15 4:56 AM in reply to: #1741953 |
| Expert 795 Oak Ridge, | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? Living in the same state, albeit the other end, I can totally relate. For the last month plus I've been on the trainer during the week only getting outside on the weekends. Suggest springing for a trainer and as has been suggested by others record movies, buy some Spinnervals, do some searches for various interval type workouts you can do. I found it very boring "just riding" on the trainer but instead doing some high intesity interval type workouts that mix things up (while having something on the television or my iPod on) really makes the time go by fast. I try to be efficient with my trainer rides doing higher intensity work and short (no more than 1h to 1h 15min) rides during the week. Leave the longer stuff for the weekend when can get outside. No experience with spin classes so can't comment there. |
| 2008-10-15 8:29 AM in reply to: #1742119 |
| Expert 828 | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? I have a trainer I use mostly but I also ride in the neighborhood at night. After 10pm there is zero traffic in our area. Neighborhood Assoc. regs say no cars allowed to park on the street and everyone follows except when there is a football party etc. and the streets are lit extremely well, so I can ride w/o lights and no cars whatsoever around a 1.5 mi loop...I have my own crit circuit all to myself... That being said, I detest the cold (which is why I left Indiana for the Southeast coast) and most of my rides are on the trainer from Nov until March..... |
| 2008-10-15 8:31 AM in reply to: #1743615 |
Champion 6540 South Jersey Gold member | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? The trainer. I love the trainer - makes it so much easier to execute bike workouts when you don't have traffic, stops, turns, squirrels, dogs, etc. to worry about. Enjoy! |
| 2008-10-15 8:31 AM in reply to: #1743257 |
| Expert 828 | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? ggwellness - 2008-10-14 10:36 PM Trainer - but totally boring! #1 favorite movie to watch while on the bike (right now): GI Jane. Anyone got other great trainer movies? (I'll continue the hijack of the OP) Get 24 from blockbuster.com and it makes time fly...I love that show. (Hijack over..back to the OP) |
| 2008-10-15 8:36 AM in reply to: #1741953 |
| Expert 1187 Ontario | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? Check out this site for trainer workout ideas: |
| 2008-10-15 8:45 AM in reply to: #1741953 |
| Elite 2423 | Subject: RE: How do you bike train when your job is dark to dark?? Over the past year I have done most of my rides indoors. I get out occasionally. Cyclo-OPs fluid 2 trainer, Spinnervals, and A LOT of TV shows. I prefer TV shows over movies. Get seasons on DVD and watch away. |
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