Or 516.3 km to be exact. More to come too. Haven’t actually moved an inch. It’s a little weird riding on a trainer. I tried it about ten years ago and couldn’t stand it. It’s maybe there’s better television now, but I think what really does it for me is having better intel on what’s going on.
When I last tried a stationary trainer all I had was my Cat Eye “bicycle computer” which told me how “fast” I was going. I flailed about looking for a gear and roller tension combination that felt normal, alternating huffing and puffing with bouncing up and down. I don’t think I made it through an episode of Star Trek Voyager before giving up on it.
But now, my trainer has a power meter. And I have a heart rate monitor. And if I want I can even watch a video pretending I’m hill climbing in Northern California, while the trainer adjusts the resistance every time I ascend. And I can watch my power, heart rate and cadence whether to do intervals or stay in this zone or that zone.
And because it’s cycling there’s no pressure or strain on my achilles tendon.
I’ve yet to stay on it for more than 90 minutes at a time, where I can ride outdoors (you know, like actually moving) for six and a half hours. But even that short time prepares my perineum for the cycling season.
I’ve still got one more run to do, but I am looking forward to getting the bike outside. Having a power meter has really spoiled me too. I don’t know if I can go back to riding without one.