Wind Training

A few people have mentioned using the wind trainer lately, so why not add to it? Aside from the rain, I can't ride on the trails right now due to injury. Doesn't stop me grinding away on the trainer though so have had one set up in the lounge for the last couple of weeks.

Dunno about anyone else, but the whole, "No pain, no gain" things sits well with me. I believe you have to push your body in order to improve it so sitting there pedaling away comfortably won't cut it. Sure, you will probably maintain some level of cardio fitness this way, but it might be nice to improve somewhat. Boring as it is, this is all I've got right now, so I tell the story of my latest 'rides'...

I started with a session of 35 minutes, then 45 building up to the last couple of 1h15, both of which went pretty much like this:

Take three bottles of water and stand them strategically within reach, turn on the TV to something you know you can watch for over an hour (oh look - the cricket) and away you go. The pace is easy for the first few minutes, then either crank up the resistance in the trainer or go up through the gears, or a combination of them both. Keep things hard, but not so much your gonna fry the legs in half an hour. Every 15-20 minutes I crank the resistance up full bore and hit top gear (48/12) and stand for at least 5 minutes to try and work the legs like a nice little climb would. Sometime in that 15-20 minute cycle also be sure to push hard, at a really quiet intense pace for 5-10 minutes (in this period, forget what I said about frying the legs and just go for it!). Then reduce the workload for a while and cruise for a bit. Even sit 'no hands' for some time and cruise.

Coming over the hour barrier the last couple of times I've been tired, and what with the 'climbs' and pushing hard the legs are saying they don't have much left. Down to the last water bottle too. All good - so it's working!

So set a time goal to finish in. I like to picture myself at the end of a big ride... we're down on the bitumen around St Albans for example and it's a sprint home. Do that stand and 'climb' thing once more, pushing really hard, take a break for a minute or so then go for a big finish. Top gear, sitting down, set the resistance on the trainer to something that is tolerable for only a minute or so... then push it like this for the next 10. This is hard work now, but we're really flying... well, that's what will be happening if I ever get to ride outside this damn room ever again!

Push, push, push, crank away, head down. A river of sweat runs from the face (thankfully onto an old towel strategically placed on the handlebars). What's happening on the TV is not really a concern anymore, I'm still flying. All that matters is seeing the clock tick over on that goal time. Look up, minutes left - you're kidding... head down again! In a moment of weakness I click down a gear or two. What a wimp... no, no, switch it back up there and push, push, push!

Until... Bingo! Time goal is reached, I picture myself blasting through the line on the Dirtworks, what a sprint finish! Job done, flick back down the gears and spin out for a cool down. The settings that started it all seem laughably easy after the last push, wow, that feels good!

Step off the bike and feel relief to still be able to stand. Look at the bulging legs while trying not to drip all over the lounge carpet. Yup - nice workout... this better make a difference come the time I'm back on the trails for real!