my public statement

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heythorp said:
Let me guess, there are no conclusive tripple blind test that can confirm or deny their benefits?
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LOL, well no, those tests don't exist because, for the most part, cyclists generally don't do them. Spin classes are for the non-cyclist...in general. I also don't want to say you're wasting your time because they might help you. I have no experience with them, and even though JDog says they exist, I fail to believe him. I think it's like the Easter Bunny.

Basically you gotta do what you gotta do. I've said my opinion before about what I think will work for a lot of people. I also know you well enough (though admittedly not that well) to know that once you have your mind set on something you're going to plug away at it regardless of what other people say. So I'm not going to say you should do A/B/C if you choose to do X/Y/Z. For all I know, X/Y/Z may work just great for you. Who knows!
 
bigbird1.jpg


Next time wont you sing with me!
 
so, in conclusion:

heythorp is either playing devils advocate or provoking norm
norm does not believe in spin class.
jdog believes in them, but not the benefits, per se

me, well, i say time in the saddle inside, whether spinning or riding a trainer, is still time in the saddle. granted, inside. i only do the classes twice a week b/c of the exact reasons mentioned: they ARE NOT geared toward real cyclists (not that i am one at 220 lbs, but that's another story). the other two days i'm on my own and i try to simulate rides i've done or actually go outside and ride. but, on my own its lots and lots of out of the saddle hammering.

again, since i smoked myself yesterday i don't have all that much to add that may be useful. or helpful. or working.
 
i was working at rt 15 bikes when spin classes started to become really popular. a bunch of our friends that were heavily into road riding decided to take a bunch of spin classes, and found that the more spin classes they did, the worse their cycling fitness got. i did a few and also found it did little to noting for my cycling ability. they could very easilly be considered cross training though. spin undoubtedly increases your cardiovascular strength and endurace. so, if you look at them like swimming or running, both of which have about the same effect on cycling as spinning(in my personal experience), they are a perfectly valid base-season training aid. just don't do more than one or two a week.
 
ok then:

so, if riding a spin bike does nothing for fitness (or is it the spin class?) then is riding on a trainer also useless?

i don't expect, nor did i ever expect, for the indoor riding to make me a sick mt. biker...but i can't fathom that sitting on a bike, pedaling for 40 minutes, doesn't have some type of positive effect on ones real world, outside cycling fitness.
 
The trainer works for me, ask Heythorpe how I'm doing right now. Granted it's only LM but hills are hills.

Jake, the spin class will help you. They are helping you. From all accounts that first hill on PP was previously a problem for you but you did well getting up it that day. I don't know how your endurance is but you were able to climb that.

At a certain point though, they don't help, they hurt. You've admitted yourself that changing your grip on a weight bar can mean a tremendous amount of difference in power. The spin bike is setup wildly different than your mtn bike. At a certain point, the differences will be too big to the point that it's not going to help you. Sean is referring to those guys who are already well trained. He cites guys who, "were heavily into road riding." These guys are in the realm where it doesn't help them.

A trainer is your bike, same setup you're used to, put on a trainer. And a trainer ride is often times more effective because there's no coasting. You sit on that thing for 60 minutes, you ride for 60 minutes. You go out on the road or on the trail, you're coasting or soft pedaling for up to 15 minutes, sometimes more.

You're worrying too much. You'll be fine. Just stick with your plan because the worst thing you can do is listen to a bunch of meatheads like us and switch it up every 4 days.
 
Hmm, I like spinning. Plus, the trainer-girl is pretty fit - you definitely would!
 
jdog said:
For me the winter is about doing other things that might also add to my fitness. I love to Snowboard, Snowshoe and XC ski. I also like doing a mellow mt bike ride with some tool strapped to my back so I can do some trail work.

Ten years ago I was riding rollers a bunch in the winter and I actully found them fun. I have never been a big fan of a regular trainer.

***Shameless plug warning****

I have a bunch of Cyclops Fluid 2 and Blackburn Ultra trainers left so they are both $100 off now.. $199 takes either. These are both great units.

Also 40% off all winter gear and 50% off all womens winter gear. And yes there is a lot left to choose from.


j-
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J, if I take one of those 50% off pink womens crop tops, wrap it around the handlebars of that carbon rush, then put the bike over my shoulder and say it makes me feel warm on cold days, does that still count for the sale price?
 
walter said:
J, if I take one of those 50% off pink womens crop tops, wrap it around the handlebars of that carbon rush, then put the bike over my shoulder and say it makes me feel warm on cold days, does that still count for the sale price?
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Only if you wear nothing but that crop top from now on. Even in winter.

..You can wear any matching bottom of your choosing.
 
walter said:
J, if I take one of those 50% off pink womens crop tops, wrap it around the handlebars of that carbon rush, then put the bike over my shoulder and say it makes me feel warm on cold days, does that still count for the sale price?
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this is what walter meant by being a jackass...😀
 
And They Wont B My Winter Shoes!

J
You Still Have That Trek At The Shop?
 
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bonefishjake said:
well, as advertised, i "rode" lower needle, needle, switch and the lake today.

for those of you interested in reading some serious b!tching, continue. otherwise...punch out...NOW!

i felt abosolutely miserable and it was probably the most painful seven miles i've ridden since i first got back on a bike almost two years ago.

i'm still trying to convince myself that it was the cold...or the fact that i "rode" hard yesterday...or something. anything. i don't know. i didn't expect to clear needle (as a side note, the level of fitness needed to do this on an SS is fawking redonkulous) but i expected a little more.

makes me wonder why the fawk i am beating on myself like this for in the middle of the winter....eating fawking bird food. i won't need to worry about beating heythorp up needle b/c the fawking needle itself kicked my fat, slow, still outta shape @ss.

for those of you with tiny violins, play 'em if you got 'em.
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Jake, like Heythorp said, you have to take alot of things into consideration, I recently have. I have been riding seriously now for about 5 years, at what I thought was a good pace, I have never been on a group ride up until this past fall. Bamm, kick in the balls, Im slow.

You need to consider that alot of the folks here have many years and many miles under their belts, and being all gung ho and riding balls out, while good in theory, may not be the best in the long run. Our quick little spins on the trainer/spin classes doesnt compare to the hours and hours and miles and miles that alot of these folks get in of actual saddle time. We are a bit behind, and with the proper attitude and guidance, it will all come together.

I do my best when Im out with a crowd, and everyone is great, positve and encouraging, thats what we need, remember, this is fun, these guys and gals are here to give advice and positive influence, to make it beter, and I take it all in. Sure I get frustrated when I bail out of a ride half way through, but I understand that I am riding with folks that spend a great deal of time in the saddle, and the only way Im going to get better is if I keep at it. I dont look for sympathy or try to make to many excuses, I look for help and advice on how to be a better rider, and so far, everyone has done just that, total positive vibes.

I know it sucks at times and I dont know if its the beers or the fact that Im concerned about norms "easy ride" I volunteered for that is only 8 hous away, but take it easy, have fun, it will come, we just have to stay positive and remember that this isnt a lazy mans sport, you gotta work for endurance and speed.
 
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