My indoor setup … 🚴🏻

Posted on October 21, 2020 by PedalWORKS

I have setup a “pain cave” as an indoor cycling studio.

I don’t like riding in the cold or wet weather. And, I don’t want to return to the gym anytime soon. As long as it was sunny and dry, I welcomed riding outside, and training in the local parks. Now that the weather is changing, and we are experiencing an uptick in Covid cases, I’m happy to stay home.

But I need more equipment. I have some dumb bells, an exercise ball, and a mat. This is enough for strength training. But what about indoor cycling?

I decided to purchase a smart trainer. You know, one of those direct drive ones where you remove the back wheel, and connect your drive train directly. I have an extra carbon road bike I can dedicate to the cause, and space in my den – a converted walk-in closet – to set it up.

Which trainer?

There are so many to choose from. I began asking around, and calling the local shops. In the end, I chose the Wahoo KICKR CORE. I’m a big Wahoo fan 😃 It gets excellent reviews for reliability, features, and noise. And, it was available locally for a good price. I had it setup in a day.

Now, what software to run on this smart baby?

Until I started researching, I didn’t realize there are so many apps to choose from.

I was familiar with Swift. Everyone seems to be using it. But I don’t like the virtual reality aspect. It’s not real enough. It’s like a video game. And, I never liked video games 😂 I know the social features are popular, but that’s not the type of cycling I enjoy.

That’s where I had to start. What kind of cyclist am I, and what do I expect from an indoor trainer?

I’m not a racer. I enjoy century events and Gran Fondos, but I do them for the experience, never expecting to win, or even compete, except maybe with myself. I prefer solo rides to group rides, and I like to train with structure. Despite my age, I still think I can improve, become more efficient, and get stronger. I want my indoor experience to be like my outdoor road rides.

This helps.

Given that, Swift is out. Sufferfest is more for racers. The videos actually put you in races. That’s not for me. TrainerRoad gives you all the stats you need, but is visually uninteresting.

I want a more realistic experience.

Two apps come strongly recommended. FulGaz and Rouvy. Over the next 1-2 weeks I’m planning to test them out – they both come with a 14 day free trial – and select one for the winter.

Stay tuned 😂

PS – If you have experience with either, let me know your thoughts.

He’s unpredictable …

Posted on December 10, 2015 by PedalWORKS

I dressed for rain, and look what happened. Sun. Blue skies. And, no wind. Rain and blustery winds were forecast when I headed out the door this morning. Had I known, one of the road bikes would have gotten a turn.

Lou: “That would have been nice. I’ve been hanging here next to the furnace for a month. And by the way, you need to replace the furnace fan. The noise is driving me crazy.”

Apparently, we are between systems. Another low pressure system, and rain, is headed this way tomorrow. This sunny break was unexpected. It seems forecasting the weather in these parts is as unpredictable as what Donald Trump might say next.

Trump’s hate-mongering is relentless, and his thinking suspect. Build a wall to keep Mexican’s out, because they cause crime in the US. No Muslims either, because they are terrorists. Everyone needs a gun so the mass murders can be quickly stopped in their tracts. And, shutting down the internet to prevent radicalization.

What will he conjure up next?

He has turned the Presidential election into a circus. The Republicans are stuck between that proverbial rock and a hard spot. They can’t win with him, and they can’t win with him running as an independent.

Hilary Clinton must be gloating.

Condemnation has been swift, and surgical.

Tom Mulcair, leader of the NDP in Canada got it right when he said today, “I say we … should make sure Donald Trump stays out of Canada”. And, there are calls for the Trump Towers in Vancouver and Toronto to be renamed.

A former prominent planner for the city of Vancouver, Brent Toderian, suggested on Twitter that Vancouver residents call on the owners of the Trump Vancouver building to remove the aspiring politician’s name.

He tweeted, “As #Trump calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S., I seriously suggest that Vancouverites call on @TrumpVancouver to remove his name,”.

Hear! Hear!