Turbo trainer in between rides

[Stevee]

Hi guys,

I currently only ride every other day for about 30-35 miles each ride; the only reason i don't ride every day is because I would be too tired to keep it up for too long. Would it be advantageous to set the turbo trainer up and do 30mins or so on that on the days that I dont ride or is it more important to recover properly?

Thanks
Stevie

 

[Garz]

If you want to spin at a low intensity to stretch the legs out then it should be fine as long as your giving yourself ample recovery time and eating the best you can to aid the recovery process. Some days if the legs just ache theres no harm in having a two-three day break at all.

 

[jimboalee]

If you want to spin at a low intensity to stretch the legs out then it should be fine as long as your giving yourself ample recovery time and eating the best you can to aid the recovery process. Some days if the legs just ache theres no harm in having a two-three day break at all.

Agree with this.

On non-cycling days, all you need to do is encourage bloodflow. A brisk walk does the trick and its less expensive than a turbo trainer.

 

[Stevee]

Already have a turbo trainer so might set it up to see, but do you think it will actually improve my riding at all? Obviously it would be very gradual but is it going to help or just make my proper rides more difficult :S?

Thanks

 

[jimboalee]

Does your turbo have a fan, fluid or electric brake?



You could use it to burn off some calories, but that's bloody boring unless you can position it in front of a good movie on your big-screen.



I do the opposite to this scenario. I ride to work to burn off the calories and ride the gym bike to build strength.



My tutor, when I did my PTI course said "One day, the gym session will be more exhaustive than the 100 km rides you do."

I am now close to that. My legs ache more after a good gym bike session than riding a 100km Midlands Mesh Audax.

 

[Stevee]

I am not 100% sure what my turbo is tbh, it doesnt have a fan and i don't think it's fluid either, all i know is it has a cable type thing that you can adjust to make it harder/easier does that tell you wahat type it is :S?

I'm looking to do this not so much to burn calories off or anything but just generally improve my cycling overall.

 

[Hont]

Active recovery rides (i.e. spinning on the turbo) are said to help recovery and can definitely improve your pedal efficiency as you don't have to concentrate on anything else (like steering for example). If you have a turbo then you might as well use it. I'd still take one day a week fully off the bike, though.

 

[Garz]

I am not 100% sure what my turbo is tbh, it doesnt have a fan and i don't think it's fluid either, all i know is it has a cable type thing that you can adjust to make it harder/easier does that tell you wahat type it is :S?

I'm looking to do this not so much to burn calories off or anything but just generally improve my cycling overall.

I'd say its a magnetic one then!

 

[jimboalee]

I'd say its a magnetic one then!

Not suitable for steel rims.