For the Love of Bikes

Life is better on a bike!

Indoor Biking

December 12, 2011 /

Lately all of my riding has been indoors. My last ride outdoors was my bike ride to the store noted below. My last ride indoors was last night.

Riding indoors is exercise; riding outdoors is fun, freeing, centering, calming, inspiring and adventurous. It never feels like exercise.

Riding indoors is BORING, riding outdoors is anything but boring.

Riding indoors is necessary, for me at least while it is this cold (30’s and 40’s). I realize that those temps aren’t even that cold, but for whatever reason (I’m a cold weather wuss, no denying it) I can’t get myself to get out there and ride. I could see riding on a trail in the woods, but I don’t have a mountain bike.

Last night I rode 17.4 miles in just over an hour. I ride intervals every 5 minutes for 1 minute so it keeps it interesting (who am I kidding). I do think when I ride indoors that I work harder – no coasting, intervals, climbing out of the saddle and sprints. My average heart rate shows I am.

I’m going to try and get a “real ride” in later this week. Until then, see you on the trainer!

P.S. Or the treadmill, I’m still running. Which I still suck at. How’s your riding/off-season training going?

training

5 Comments

  1. Kim

    It was 48° and sunny on Sunday so I got a ride in outdoors – yay! I am totally with you about how boring it is to bike indoors. I can get kind of motivated by putting my stationary bike in front of my computer or DVD player and watching “Bicycle Dreams”. I’ve also enjoyed watching “Ride the Divide”. Good luck getting in your miles on the trainer.

    • Susan

      That does help, I sometimes watch previous Tours de France or movies like “Hell on Wheels” or “American Flyers”. I havent’ seen the two you mention, I’ll check them out.

      Thanks for the encouragement, it’s hard to stay motivated. I figure if I post it here maybe that extra accountability will help. Worth a shot! Good luck to you too!

  2. Brian

    I don’t have any way to ride indoors, so it is outdoor riding for me. Fortunately, my commute to work gives me enough of a workout to keep my legs from going to mush. I do find my weekly mileage has dropped since the arrival of cold weather, but I find it easier to get out and ride to work in the cold than to go for a leisure ride in the cold.

    • Susan

      I can understand why riding to work would be easier to pull off than riding for “fun”. Riding in the cold isn’t so much fun, at least the thought of it. When I actually get out and get warmed up it isn’t bad, but I can’t/haven’t gotten over that mental hump this winter. Anyway, I know what you mean. You’re using your bike for transportation and whether it’s cold or not you’ve got to get to work so I can see that helping. It’s cool you ride your bike to work so consistently!

  3. Bob Carpenter

    Started riding in “colder” weather this year 30-40 deg with little problem. Wearing the right cloths and overheating was a problem for awhile. I agree with the boring part of biking indoors. I joined a gym and ride the stationary bike when the weather is bad outside. Riding outdoors for me is about the views and distance. Indoors I ride a specific time and find myself clock watching. Going to try using audio books while riding indoors to pass the time better.

For the Love of Bikes Blog (2009 - 2023) is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Based on a work at www.loveofbikes.com.

© 2024 For the Love of Bikes

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑