Cycling is something I have been doing recreationally now for about 6 years. As a kid I rode my bike everywhere as well, and because I grew up in the country, all my neighbors were at least half a mile away. This meant I put up some pretty serious mileage on my huffy over the years.
3 years ago, my wife bought me a bike trainer for Christmas so u could get in some winter training miles before the spring hiking season. This was the first year I had really taken on road biking seriously, and I would need a number of base miles in the saddle to get used to the whole thing.
This winter I am giving the spin classes at the gum a shot rather than using the trainer. It's fun to share the experience with others rather than sweat it out alone in the basement at my house.
It's really taking some getting used to. Here are three things I am picking up after about a month of spinning three days a week.
1. Get to class early. Bikes fill up quick, and arriving at the gym in your bike shorts without a bike makes for some head turning while you lift in the weight room.
2. Get your bike settings figured out. Just like on the road, each notch of adjustment can make you feel sore or cramped afterwards. Find what works for you, and make sure you have time to set it up that way every time you go to class.
3. Figure out your standing resistance settings vs. seated settings. Typically, when the class instructor has us get up out of the saddle, I have to turn up the tension knob 1.5 to two full turns. Then when we sit, I ease it back so I can spin. This is something I don't see many people doing, but to me, it is the only way to simulate riding outdoors.
Any other ideas?
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