I looked back at some of my comments about spinning after my first couple of workouts, and I may have been harsh. No matter how you slice it, I leave spin class worn out and sweaty. I am finished by 6:45 am, and I am able to get to it regardless of the weather. I think I need to stop complaining.
Here are a few adjustments I have made over the last 6 weeks, spinning 3 days a week.
1. I no longer wear my clip-in shoes. I just stick with running shoes. The pedals only accept my MTb shoe, which is really not designed for high revolutions of spinning. They are too rigid. Road clips are made from plastic they float a little bit more, where a mtb clip is designed to stay firm. Spinning in these shoes wears out my clips, gets left over dirt and mud all over, and makes my knees sore. Also, much of spin class is built around standing. The push-pull effect of clip-in pedals is nearly ineffective in the standing position. Instead, I just wear my running shoes and tighten down the straps good. I don t have to get off the bike with any quickness for a stop sign, or a stray dog, so what's the difference?
2. I have become much more comfortable in the standing position. I rode in a snow bike race last weekend in Deleware park, and stood through most of the tough 2 mile course. In most outdoor biking situations you wouldn't do this, but riding in snow is a different animal all together. A higher gear ratio keeps the rider from spinning out in the snow. It also means that you have to stand to turn the gear. All the spinning classes over the last month and a half helped me feel comfortable and balanced while exerting a great deal of power.
3. I getting a knack for the different basic resistance levels. I find that my brain works best by adjusting my resistance knob like time on a clock. I get my baseline resistance at what I know to be 4.5. For me, this happens to put the resistance knob at a 12 o clock position. From there, I go up by "30 minute" increments for power settings. Resistance level 5 is at "12:30" and level 6 is at "12:00" again. When I go above level 6.5 I go up by "15 minute" increments. Also, I find that a 5.5 sitting and a 5.5 standing are a full turn difference. If the instructor says to spin sitting at 5.5 for a minute, then stand at 5.5 for a minute, I have to adjust my tension knob even if the rest of the class doesn't. For me, spinning with too little resistance is far more painful than too much resistance.
This list is just getting started I'm sure. I'm really enjoying my current routine. I lift at the gym MWF and spin TThS. Then I still commute by bike the 4 miles each way to work. I feel as good my skin as I have in quite some time. And, I don't feel guilty if I have an extra buffalo wing or two. It makes is totally worth it.
original video source
Hazyl and Mommy were both home sick today, so it was just the two of us. The highlight of my day was riding in the snow bike race. I didn't have the right bike for the job, but I still made it. I rode the snow bike race pulling Daylia, a 6 yr old, with a single speed geared 42x14. I had to stop to shed some layers, buyer made it! It may have been 2 of the hardest miles I've ever put in on a bike.
original video source
Choosing the right tire can help make you feel much more secure in the saddle. Riding the wrong tire may waste a significant amount of energy unnecessarily. I'm still working through it.
original video source
this was probably one f the tougher days out in the snow on the bike. But I did it! And I got video footage to prove it. Enjoy!