***General Cycling Thread***

[clonechemist]

Checking in, how many "pain cave" indoor riders here? Just bought a smart trainer for some training this offseason. Will definitely still be riding my fat bike outside whenever possible but hopefully this opens up a new off season training option.

I grabbed a Wahoo Kickr this August (local bike shop was clearing out prior year model for only $675). Finally set it up in my garage last week and have gotten 2 workouts in this week. With 2 little kids this is definitely a game changer for actually getting some workouts/‘rides’ in.

I’m planning to pick up a tablet to use Zwift but I’m a bit nervous about tablet performance in colder weather. Will see how it goes. For now I’m just riding with music and doing rough power-based workouts, but I know that might get stale so having Zwift or streaming content available should help.

 

[Gunnerclone]

Fat bike for outdoor riding in the winter and an Echelon brand bike for the basement. For indoor riding, I certainly appreciate having someone on the screen in front of me telling me what to do and keeping my interest up

That’s my winter training too. So convenient and as much as I try to ignore the leaderboard I never can and it definitely helps to push me. Also love to mix it up with their combo stuff like Arms & Intervals and Total Body programs.

 

[clonechemist]

I'm in the same boat, or at least was. I've got the pain cave setup, zwift, giant TV, second screen for whatever I want to watch. I've put in a lot of time on that over the years, but less so lately. I really should get back in the saddle, but life happens and hobbies shift a bit. Cycling will always be one of the hobbies/sports, but at the moment it's on the backburner. I think I rode outdoors once last year? and once the year prior? Back in 2010-2015 I was putting in 3-4,000+ miles a year and going crazy. First kid was born in 2016.

Same story here. I did some racing and semi-serious training from 2010-2014, then less serious but fun p******-contest group rides in Central Park at dawn after moving to NYC in 2015-2017.

Started having kids in 2017 and have gained 60 pounds since then. Hoping the convenient pain cave setup can help recapture the magic.

 

[Yaz]

Same story here. I did some racing and semi-serious training from 2010-2014, then less serious but fun p******-contest group rides in Central Park at dawn after moving to NYC in 2015-2017.

Started having kids in 2017 and have gained 60 pounds since then. Hoping the convenient pain cave setup can help recapture the magic.

Convenience is a big part of staying with it.

 

[BigBake]

Fat biking check in. Who's getting their fat bike out and enjoying the snow? Been some great snowfalls here in Des Moines making for some awesome conditions.

Trainer $.02, did the 2 week trial of Zwift followed by 2 weeks of Rouvy. Gotta say I didn't dislike Zwift but definitely prefer Rouvy. Zwift has a larger user base but if you like realism and real routes Rouvy is awesome.

 

[wintersmd]

Fat biking check in. Who's getting their fat bike out and enjoying the snow? Been some great snowfalls here in Des Moines making for some awesome conditions.

Trainer $.02, did the 2 week trial of Zwift followed by 2 weeks of Rouvy. Gotta say I didn't dislike Zwift but definitely prefer Rouvy. Zwift has a larger user base but if you like realism and real routes Rouvy is awesome.

God I miss my fat tire bike. I had to give up all upright 2 wheelers due to a severe balance issues. I have since gone to a recumbent tadpol trike. It is fun as hell but can't take off road in the trails.

 

[Cyismymonkey]

I wish I could ride today. Maybe later in the week.

 

[Colorado]

We went from no snow to having some snow to frigid temperatures right into the 50's. I haven't had the fatbike out yet in the snow this season. I did 2 hours on the road bike yesterday tho

 

[BoxsterCy]

Winter, so trying to get into riding this Technogym bike at LifeTime. Haven't done the "virtual outdoor rides" yet, just flat resistance fat burning while watching sports on the TV link up. Cool down by walking on their indoor track. Just need to keep it up. May try the virtual stuff option once I get my legs under me a little bit more after a few months off.

 

[clonechemist]

Same story here. I did some racing and semi-serious training from 2010-2014, then less serious but fun p******-contest group rides in Central Park at dawn after moving to NYC in 2015-2017.

Started having kids in 2017 and have gained 60 pounds since then. Hoping the convenient pain cave setup can help recapture the magic.

After the above post my kids started get sick in alternating cycles, and along with work and holiday stress that screwed any momentum.

But I’ve now got a pretty good setup figured out, and am getting used to Zwift workout options (primarily doing individual or group workouts so far). Would try some races but they’re mostly shorter than I’d like, and looking at some challenging group rides too.

 

[DSMCy]

Finally got my Kickr set up in the basement and have been getting in 3-4 rides the past 3 weeks.
I'm debating if I'll do RAGBRAI from Sioux City to Des Moines, but want to be in good enough shape if I decide to.

Upgraded to SPD pedals over the weekend too. I've just been using an old pair of tennis shoes, ha.
Not sure if I noticed a whole lot of difference but can't wait to get outside with them.

Saddle might be the other upgrade for this year. I think I want one slightly wider and with the cut out.
Been looking at the Brooks C17, but if anyone has any suggestions, let me know.
Last year I'd get pretty sore after about 20 miles and dealt with some numbness.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Finally got my Kickr set up in the basement and have been getting in 3-4 rides the past 3 weeks.
I'm debating if I'll do RAGBRAI from Sioux City to Des Moines, but want to be in good enough shape if I decide to.

Upgraded to SPD pedals over the weekend too. I've just been using an old pair of tennis shoes, ha.
Not sure if I noticed a whole lot of difference but can't wait to get outside with them.

Saddle might be the other upgrade for this year. I think I want one slightly wider and with the cut out.
Been looking at the Brooks C17, but if anyone has any suggestions, let me know.
Last year I'd get pretty sore after about 20 miles and dealt with some numbness.

I tried the C17 synthetic version of the Brooks classic leather saddle. Ended up putting my Specialized saddle back on and selling the C17 on Craigslist.

 

[cycloner29]

Finally got my Kickr set up in the basement and have been getting in 3-4 rides the past 3 weeks.
I'm debating if I'll do RAGBRAI from Sioux City to Des Moines, but want to be in good enough shape if I decide to.

Upgraded to SPD pedals over the weekend too. I've just been using an old pair of tennis shoes, ha.
Not sure if I noticed a whole lot of difference but can't wait to get outside with them.

Saddle might be the other upgrade for this year. I think I want one slightly wider and with the cut out.
Been looking at the Brooks C17, but if anyone has any suggestions, let me know.
Last year I'd get pretty sore after about 20 miles and dealt with some numbness.

I made the switch to SPD pedals a couple years. I got the style where I can clip in on the one side and use regular shoes on the other side. I’ve never had any issues trying to clip out in an emergency either. I would not go back to regular pedals!! I think they made a big difference.

 

[DSMCy]

I made the switch to SPD pedals a couple years. I got the style where I can clip in on the one side and use regular shoes on the other side. I’ve never had any issues trying to clip out in an emergency either. I would not go back regular pedals!! I think they made a big difference.

Yep I got that same style. I pull my kids in a Burley and we stop at parks pretty often when we go for rides. I wanted the option of not clipping in, or wearing my old shoes.

 

[DSMCy]

I tried the C17 synthetic version of the Brooks classic leather saddle. Ended up putting my Specialized saddle back on and selling the C17 on Craigslist.

Thanks, good to know. Anything specific you didn't like?

I was in Bike World on Saturday and they said they don't have anything to "fit" for a saddle. I figured a larger bike shop like that would have some sort of technology.
I'm going to call around Des Moines to see what other shops have.
I'd prefer to try something out or actually get fitted before I buy, but maybe that won't be an option.

 

[BigBake]

Thanks, good to know. Anything specific you didn't like?

I was in Bike World on Saturday and they said they don't have anything to "fit" for a saddle. I figured a larger bike shop like that would have some sort of technology.
I'm going to call around Des Moines to see what other shops have.
I'd prefer to try something out or actually get fitted before I buy, but maybe that won't be an option.

Kyle's in Ankeny has the gel seat thing that helps measure your sit bones. There's also some decent at home hack options you can try too.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Thanks, good to know. Anything specific you didn't like?

I was in Bike World on Saturday and they said they don't have anything to "fit" for a saddle. I figured a larger bike shop like that would have some sort of technology.
I'm going to call around Des Moines to see what other shops have.
I'd prefer to try something out or actually get fitted before I buy, but maybe that won't be an option.

Just hurt after 15 miles or so. It's synthetic so it wasn't going to "break in" like their leather. I didn't want to do the time/miles to try and break in a leather so tried their synthetic, just didn't work out for me. Got along fine last summer with the original Specialized.

 

[Yaz]

Finally got my Kickr set up in the basement and have been getting in 3-4 rides the past 3 weeks.
I'm debating if I'll do RAGBRAI from Sioux City to Des Moines, but want to be in good enough shape if I decide to.

Upgraded to SPD pedals over the weekend too. I've just been using an old pair of tennis shoes, ha.
Not sure if I noticed a whole lot of difference but can't wait to get outside with them.

Saddle might be the other upgrade for this year. I think I want one slightly wider and with the cut out.
Been looking at the Brooks C17, but if anyone has any suggestions, let me know.
Last year I'd get pretty sore after about 20 miles and dealt with some numbness.

I moved all my saddles to the brooks c 17 synthetic...love them. Clipless pedals improve your power and efficiency. Unclip early and often until you get the feel for being one with your bike. Get your saddle sooner than later to prepare for Rag and keep in mind you may need to raise or lower your seatpost dependent on the new saddle height vs previous. If your saddle is similar in length, find a spot on your handle bar to the nose of the old saddle, measure, match it to the new

 

[Yaz]

Thanks, good to know. Anything specific you didn't like?

I was in Bike World on Saturday and they said they don't have anything to "fit" for a saddle. I figured a larger bike shop like that would have some sort of technology.
I'm going to call around Des Moines to see what other shops have.
I'd prefer to try something out or actually get fitted before I buy, but maybe that won't be an option.

Go-to Kyle's in Ankeny, buy your saddle there. They have a contraption that will measure your sit bones. Saddles are a *****. They either fit or they don't and you may buy a couple before you settle on one btw. A bike fit will do you wonders too if you haven't had one.

 

[BoxsterCy]

@DSMCy

Correction: I was the C15 "Carved" I tried.