Turbo training v cycling outdoors

mnichols · Post by **mnichols** » 9 Jan 2016, 9:01am

Coming from a weight training background i don't understand the logic amongst a lot of cyclists that cycling in the wind, cold and rain is somehow superior to training indoors

Tomorrow the forecast is freezing temperatures, icey roads, strong winds and rain all day. In my book that's turbo training weather, but I know I am going to get loads of stick from people in the club for not braving the elements.

But from a physiological perspective, all other things bering equal training is training. Your body isn't going to have a different physiological response whether you are training in the wind, cold and rain or training in the garage.

So where does this attitude/belief come from? You don't get it in other sports. If anything its the reverse footballers, cricketers, rugby players would consider cancelling. Mountaineers, Walkers, Yaughtsman, kayakers, outdoor swimmers would be considered reckless if they went when the weather forecast was too bad. Gym goers don't drag the weights out into the rain.. So where does this attitude come from in cycling? And what is the logic?

Post by **Mick F** » 9 Jan 2016, 12:23pm

Fresh air in your lungs, travel, transport, exploring, seeing new places, meeting like-minded people, enjoying the "man and machine in perfect harmony" ............................................ the fitness is a by-product, not an aim.

That is the difference.

TonyR · Post by **TonyR** » 9 Jan 2016, 12:29pm

What exactly are you training for? A bike race on static bikes in the gym? Because otherwise there is merit in training on the road in real conditions so that you can learn to handle rough roads, riding on a wheel, riding into headwinds or driving rain and even simple things like picking the right gear for the conditions and gradients or when and how hard to brake for that corner.

Post by Si » 9 Jan 2016, 12:35pm

As Mick says: depends why you are doing it: if it's just for getting fit then stay in (although it will be a very specific fitness that you gain), however if you cycle because you like cycling then go out and enjoy it. Personally I find static cycles/turbo trainers mind numbingly boring.

But from a physiological perspective, all other things bering equal training is training. Your body isn't going to have a different physiological response whether you are training in the wind, cold and rain or training in the garage.

Again this is only true if you are doing it to stay fit rather than to become a better cyclist. For instance you (and I use the word "you" to mean anyone in general rather than you personally) won't get road buzz on the turbo so when you finally emerge from the garage in the Spring and try to do an all day ride those people who may be less fit than you but who can sit in the saddle all day will leave you behind after a while. Likewise, when you emerge in Spring and hit your first rainy head wind you will die because you won't be used to the physiologically draining effect it will have on you.

Remember - no such thing as bad weather- just bad kit choices. I love riding when all the roads are iced over and the fields covered in snow - it's magical. But I make sure that I have the right kit on me and the bike to allow me to do it....starting with the good old spikey tyres.

Mark1978 · Post by **Mark1978** » 9 Jan 2016, 6:07pm

A lot of people are cycling because they enjoy cycling. They aren't training for anything except more cycling.

That said I'm doing a lot of turbo rides this winter since I got Zwift.

reohn2 · Post by **reohn2** » 10 Jan 2016, 11:38am

mnichols wrote:Coming from a weight training background i don't understand the logic amongst a lot of cyclists that cycling in the wind, cold and rain is somehow superior to training indoors

Tomorrow the forecast is freezing temperatures, icey roads, strong winds and rain all day. In my book that's turbo training weather, but I know I am going to get loads of stick from people in the club for not braving the elements.

But from a physiological perspective, all other things bering equal training is training. Your body isn't going to have a different physiological response whether you are training in the wind, cold and rain or training in the garage.

So where does this attitude/belief come from? You don't get it in other sports. If anything its the reverse footballers, cricketers, rugby players would consider cancelling. Mountaineers, Walkers, Yaughtsman, kayakers, outdoor swimmers would be considered reckless if they went when the weather forecast was too bad. Gym goers don't drag the weights out into the rain.. So where does this attitude come from in cycling? And what is the logic?

Gardeners grow young plants in a greenhouse,then harden them off outside in the elements,if they were kept in the greenhouse(gym)they wouldn't sustain outside,there defence against illness would be lower due to a depressed immune system because of the controlled environment.
That controlled environment is predictable,stable and as easy or as hard as you want it to be.
The unpredictability of the elements breeds character,gives appreciation and respect of those elements and nurtures something that the controlled environment of a gym/turbo trainer is a poor substitute for.
In short there's no substitute for experience of the-well worn phrase alert-great outdoors and all it has to offer.
The only time not to go outdoors to ride is when it isn't safe to do so,ie;high winds,very slippery icy conditions,a war zone

Post by **Vorpal** » 10 Jan 2016, 12:12pm

Riding a bike is good for my physical health. Doing it outside is good for my mental health.

Heltor Chasca · Post by **Heltor Chasca** » 10 Jan 2016, 12:20pm

reohn2 I can relate to this gardening analogy [emoji23] Very good. And Vorpal I get the mental health observation. I would go stir crazy if I couldn't get outside.

I'm at the polar opposite of the indoor sport/exercise world. The sport I excelled at was sailing. I've always been into outdoor pursuits and sports: hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, canoeing and my work entails being outside 365 days a year.

About 10 years ago, one winter, I decided to look around at my 'bad weather' options. I went to a few local gyms and swimming pools to have a look. I was horrified. My senses were overpowered by the smell of artificial chemicals, artificial light, artificial temperatures, artificial music, artificial prices and artificial people.

I didn't get it. And still don't. NOTHING will simulate or stimulate like the great outdoors.

reohn2 · Post by **reohn2** » 10 Jan 2016, 4:49pm

Vorpal wrote:Riding a bike is good for my physical health. Doing it outside is good for my mental health.

+1 in spades

PH · Post by PH » 10 Jan 2016, 5:21pm

Vorpal wrote:Riding a bike is good for my physical health. Doing it outside is good for my mental health.

That's very good, I'll add it to " Winter miles make summer smiles"

TonyR · Post by **TonyR** » 10 Jan 2016, 6:57pm

Just thinking, for those that are into skiing, why spend all that money going to the Alps when you can do it here in the UK without the fog and snow and wind and freezing temperatures to deal with.
http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/attr ... 40331.html

loch eck steve · Post by **loch eck steve** » 10 Jan 2016, 8:55pm

I find on my bike I see so much more of the countryside and the wildlife in it , I enjoy the fresh air and exploring new areas , like mick says the fact that it keeps me reasonably fit is just a by product.

Flinders · Post by **Flinders** » 12 Jan 2016, 10:07am

reohn2 wrote:
Vorpal wrote:Riding a bike is good for my physical health. Doing it outside is good for my mental health.

+1 in spades

+1 for me too.

I have a problem with turbos. I have one, but I find it so boring I don't use it. I need to lose some weight, and the weather has been bad most days I have been able to go out recently. Also a nasty cold I couldn't get rid of stopped my going out, but I could have done a bit of pootling on the turbo instead. I didn't.

My trouble is, I get depressed due to a condition I have, and getting out on the bike helps makes me happier. When I first got ill and it was at its worst, I think it saved my life. The turbo doesn't help much with that, even if I use it outside. So I don't. But that means I get fatter and less fit, and madder with myself for that, so that makes me even more depressed.....

I wish I could find a way to set up a book where I could read it, so I could regard it as 'work' as well, which might help me do it, but so far I haven't been able to do it successfully (the books in question are big heavy books, not paperbacks).

Post by **Vorpal** » 12 Jan 2016, 10:17am

Flinders wrote:I wish I could find a way to set up a book where I could read it, so I could regard it as 'work' as well, which might help me do it, but so far I haven't been able to do it successfully (the books in question are big heavy books, not paperbacks).

They make stuff for that

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Pr ... 0000_64513

Instructables also has instructions for a DIY one, so that you could enhance it if you need something sturdier http://www.instructables.com/id/Bike-ha ... ok-holder/

Mark1978 · Post by **Mark1978** » 12 Jan 2016, 12:04pm

Flinders wrote:I have a problem with turbos. I have one, but I find it so boring I don't use it. I need to lose some weight, and the weather has been bad most days I have been able to go out recently. Also a nasty cold I couldn't get rid of stopped my going out, but I could have done a bit of pootling on the turbo instead. I didn't.

Everyone feels that way about turbos, I used to until I started riding on Zwift. Now I'm using that I'm getting up at 5am excited to do an hour riding on the turbo, - mad I know

I wish I could find a way to set up a book where I could read it, so I could regard it as 'work' as well, which might help me do it, but so far I haven't been able to do it successfully (the books in question are big heavy books, not paperbacks).

A Kindle or iPad with some sort of mount for the bike would be the solution there.

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