Alactic indoor cycling trainer tips

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Tuesday, 15 June 2010 09:49

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Winter bike sessions the Alactic way

Groan. Outside it is dark cold, windy... maybe even wet. Weather best suited to a good sleep in. Being any “normal” dedicated triathlete, the Jiminy Cricket of Triathlon hollers in your mind: "You have an indoor trainer!”

by Glenn Macnamara

You imagine your poor cobwebbed, dust- bundled bike trainer sitting quietly in your garage and pity grabs you. You are up and dressed, ready for your session.

Question: Is indoor training as beneficial as outdoor?

I get asked this question repeatedly.

The cycling purists will say is No, it is not the same.

Most of them are full-time professional cyclists. They also often get to train in warmer more hospitable climates in winter. Most triathletes are not in that position.

What do you lose on training indoors?

For me, the biggest “loss” is the road handling skills and riding in the weather conditions. That is, riding in the windy and wet weather that we may compete in. I have done many time trials on indoor trainers and ridden excellent times but could not match them on the road. One of the reasons for this was not learning to ride in all types of weather conditions. A way to beat this is to schedule your weekday rides on your trainer and then ride outdoors on the weekends. During winter, you can plan a bike time trial every second weekend.

Strive for a balance

If at all possible I suggest a balance of indoor and outdoor training in winter.

I know from many months spent in Europe that there is plenty of opportunity to ride in the late morning. If you are a working triathlete, aim to do your long rides outdoors over the weekend. This way you keep your road handling skills.

 It still amazes me so many dedicated cyclists on the Highveld continue to ride in the early morning. I feel it is more beneficial to ride a little later in the morning when it is warmer. My outdoor sessions are more productive when my body is warm as I spend less energy keeping warm and more on riding.

 This helps you keep your road skills up to scratch.

However, sometimes the weather seems so uninviting that it is more appealing to be indoors. My reply is Do it! Training must remain enjoyable as far as possible.