Enjoying or Enduring the Turbo?

Due to the unpleasant cycling weather I have been partaking in a spot of indoor cycling which I am surprisingly beginning to feel indifferent about .
Previously I detested the torture machine and experienced some discomfort in the nether regions including numbness in the little General! But not deterred and spurred on by a reinforced vigor to beat my Ironman bike pb(4:51) next year, I have been enthused and almost excited by the prospect of spending time on the turbo.
I did a few runs whilst in Spalding in the lead up to Christmas. I used the Spalding Triathlon run route and because of the ice it was taking me between 4-6mins longer than in race mode.
Now I am back in Brum I am trying to get arse in saddle time. Turboman has recommended a training session that replicates a 2hr L2 ride. I'm not sure of that but the session feels OK and takes your mind of the fact you go nowhere fast. Warm up(10min) then 30sec all out followed by 4min steady for 6 reps then a warm down(10min). This has been taking 47min for those too inebriated to work it out. I've done it twice now but my legs don't feel like they are doing a 2hr ride. On the plus side though I am getting 120+ cadence on the effort part and 90+ on the steady part and getting an enjoyable 47min workout. Thanks Turboman.
Tomorrow is a run with a turbo session planned for the evening again. Snow is scheduled!!!!
Any other turbo sessions are gratefully received. Anything to take the mind away from the boredom.
:-)

a merry xmas to all

Well folks I will be without the world wide web for a few days so enjoy the Xmas period and dont overindulge.

I have just carried out my longest stint on the torture contraption helped out by watching the classic John Wayne film 'The Quiet Man'. Two hours of turbo is more than enough for anyone. If anyone has any tips on going long(on the turbo) i'd be grateful.

see ya'll next week

A new steed waiting to be ridden!

After years of abuse for riding my 'girls bike' Giant TCR i have finally passed it on to a friend and spent some hard earned cash on a new bike. The Giant originally cost me £1250 back in 2000/1 and in the end the only original components were the handlebars,frame and STI's. It was a great bike that fitted me and felt comfy for most of the time but, its time to stop reminiscing and move on. Its gone to a good home.

So whilst scouring Ebay, Wiggle, Cycling Weekly ads and Planet X i was looking for something around the £1000 mark. Not an extravagance when I was looking for a full carbon steed.

Daz almost had me with a Raleigh Avanti Carbon. A very nice bike with Shimano 105 but I couldn't get to see one in the flesh. Planet X was next up, good deals and good value but there is something about the road frames I just don't like. Then Daz suggested Halfords!!! Hello since when did Halfords and cycling extend their knowledge beyond spotty youths, bmx's and crap mountain(use the term loosely) bikes. When Chris Boardman is involved I guess.

A trip to Halfords to look at the bike was first on the agenda. In typical Halfords expectations they had to cut the U-lock of the demo model!

The black Team Carbon with SRAM Rival groupset with carbon STI's and Ritchey wheels looked good for a grand only I was after one of the 500 limited edition bikes. I cheekily asked if they did a Forces discount but alas no, but they did do a student discount. Bargain! I'm doing a Masters in Education and I thought I'd be getting 5% like Amazon offers. To my surprise it was 10%. WOW the bike for £900.

Well the bike arrived last week, No204, but weather has prevented any riding. Lets face it, it's white and carbon. Who wants to be cleaning off the road grit, salt and snow.

The bike weighs an allegedly 17.6lbs (medium frame) but there is room for improvement. A lighter saddle or carbon chainset might be on the upgrade list eventually. I've just added some Look Carbon Keo pedals which still has the 'on the road' weight sub-18lbs. I'm also waiting on a 24g white carbon bottle cage from Taiwan.

I cant wait for the first nice day to try it out. Til then its turbo, I'm getting used to the numbness, and running.

Have a great Xmas and New Year everyone. Train smart! Winter miles, summer smiles blah blah blah :-)