Easy going indoor riding

[carlislemike]

Ok, probably a bizarre question but does anyone ride indoors in the winter whilst watching the tv/films? Am late 70s, not searching for Zwift etc levels of fitness or strain but rather just to keep the leg joints flexible during the more dreek winter months. Already have a reasonably decent indoor trainer ( wheel on job) and just wondering about other people’s opinions and suggestions. Brother in law uses an indoor rowing machine and follows a lot of tv while exercising. Anyway, suggestions welcome especially as to whether fans, tech gizmos, etc., are needed.

[Jezrant]

I listen to podcasts or Radio 4, open the window if too warm, and occasionally check my heart rate and cadence.

[rjb]

Some care homes use indoor trainers with Google maps street view to enable residents to cycle around routes which they remember or to explore new areas. Indoor touring.

[Paulatic]

As a means to get fit after illness I took a 12 mth subscription to FulGaz thinking if I use it for 6 mths I’ll be doing well. My only experience to that point had been a mind numbing mag turbo trainer 20 years earlier.
Here I am nearly two years later still subscribed to FulGaz and still using it at least three times a week. I was in Australia yesterday and Cornwall the day before. Never rains, no traffic, no head wind unless you want one, Often think I’ll just do 30 minutes, so absorbing I look at my watch and it’s an hour later. Effort is as easy or as hard as you want a 'steady' mode is just the job for your needs. turn the legs and move along the road/track at the same speed as the guy who filmed it.
Cafe stop is handy too

[gbnz]

Have only ever used exercise bicycle variants, but spinning the pedals at high speed, decent heart rate, even putting it into a lower gear for muscle work, can be excellent as a training exercise (Nb. Used gyms for 3 decades, only commenced use of an exercise bicycle when leg/pelvis/thigh was broken into several pieces 23 months back (Nb. Would have been at least 19 months prior to spinning)

Have always found sufficient focus on the exercise, with music through the headphones, more than sufficient. Would actually find reading books, papers, internet pages, too off putting, when having a decent workout (Nb. Will have to be spinning the next couple of weeks; 12" bits of metal or whatever the legs built around, are definitely aching when walking or hard cycling at present

[ed.lazda]

I use Zwift and Fulgaz. Both -- especially Fulgaz -- make it feel a bit more like going for a bike ride than spinning an indoor trainer. You don't need to be fit, or even aiming to be fit, to use these programs. You can bimble around or join group rides. I often have music or an audiobook playing, and occasionally have watched TV. If you like the idea of an indoor bike, go for it and you'll find out what approach suits you best. For me, when it's sleeting outside and blowing a hoolie, going for a ride in Australia or sunny Spain is brilliant.

[carlislemike]

Great encouragement, thanks folks

[VinceLedge]

There is even the currently free MyWhoosh to try out, which is very very similar to Zwift.

[Vorpal]

I did quite a lot of that when the kids were small & it was hard to get out on my own.

I just used a basic turbo trainer and watched films. I didn't use any software or anything. I did try some of the films & settings recommended with the trainer (this was pre smart trainers), but I found it was easier to pick a film I liked & just pedal through it. I did vary the difficulty a bit according to my own inclination (see what I did, there )

edited to add: I just set up the turbo in front of the telly. It wasn't too noisy for me to hear over. My backup plan was to use headphones.

[Cowsham]

I use Zwift and Fulgaz. Both -- especially Fulgaz -- make it feel a bit more like going for a bike ride than spinning an indoor trainer. You don't need to be fit, or even aiming to be fit, to use these programs. You can bimble around or join group rides. I often have music or an audiobook playing, and occasionally have watched TV. If you like the idea of an indoor bike, go for it and you'll find out what approach suits you best. For me, when it's sleeting outside and blowing a hoolie, going for a ride in Australia or sunny Spain is brilliant.

What's the price of these subscriptions and can you fit a kit to your existing indoor bike/trainer?

[Manc33]

I have a ZTTO thing on my handlebars with my phone in landscape orientation, although the mount only works properly with it in portrait, I did manage to get it to stay in landscape, but indoors it's OK, outdoors it wouldn't be secure enough that way around.

I watch old comedy series on it like Goodnight Sweetheart, Bread, Frasier etc. A phone is a bit small really and could do with being a tablet, but I'm not spending money on one of those things, plus I have no idea how it could be mounted to the handlebar the way the phone is with one of these things...



It was only about £10 from China.

I found I can't listen to music when I'm pedaling because I start trying to pedal to the beat. Sad but true. Can't help it.

[maanderx]

I haven't got a smart trainer, but invested in one of these 12 years ago. You can still get an
extremely tough workout on it (and hone you bike-handling skills). As well as using your gears,
it also has resistance settings (0-1-2-3).

[Paulatic]

[

What's the price of these subscriptions and can you fit a kit to your existing indoor bike/trainer?

https://fulgaz.com/ I think it’s currently £15/mth if paid yearly.
Your trainer needs to be smart. I use a Wahoo Snap usually similar on EBay as users upgrade to wheel off systems.
Knowing what I know now , I actually use it, I’d probably buy wheel off if I’d my time again.
A friend got a big bonus from work. He blew it on a Watt bike and has used it three times! You just don’t know until you try.

[Cowsham]

I haven't got a smart trainer, but invested in one of these 12 years ago. You can still get an
extremely tough workout on it (and hone you bike-handling skills). As well as using your gears,
it also has resistance settings (0-1-2-3).

I like that idea

[Cowsham]

[

What's the price of these subscriptions and can you fit a kit to your existing indoor bike/trainer?

https://fulgaz.com/ I think it’s currently £15/mth if paid yearly.
Your trainer needs to be smart. I use a Wahoo Snap usually similar on EBay as users upgrade to wheel off systems.
Knowing what I know now , I actually use it, I’d probably buy wheel off if I’d my time again.
A friend got a big bonus from work. He blew it on a Watt bike and has used it three times! You just don’t know until you try.

Can my smart tv be used to display the road journey?