Yearly Archives: 2008

Unassisted Mounting

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After having seen the video today of duder mounting and dismounting the E-Motion Rollers, I decided that I was tired of having to rely on walls to balance myself when I, myself, mounted the rollers. I decided I was tired of having to use a crutch to get started on my indoor workouts. I decided that I was tired of requiring assistance in order to get the aluminum drums rolling and my wheels flying on them. I decided that I was going to learn how to ride them alone.

Without aid.

Without hesitation

And without fear.

And on my own.

Imagining myself mounting the rollers as effortlessly and naturally as the honorable man in the video, I set about slowly and patiently. I took heed to his example and first mastered the initial spin. I spun the wheels and balanced the bike until the rollers stopped and the bike threatened to fall. I did this until I could perform the maneuver as easily as switching from G to C in the first position.

Then, just as slowly, and just as patiently, I began to move my left foot to the pedal. Not to clip in, no, but only to increase my confidence that I could clip in if I so desired. I practiced this until it came just as naturally as the initial spin, as if moving from C to F.

Finally, having mastered the first two movements, I began work on the third. All the thousands of times I’ve clipped in while on the road gave my left foot the knowledge it needed to find the pedal, clip in and before I knew it, without even having to tell my leg to push, I was spinning. The move from F to A minor was mine.

I was spinning. I’d gone from A minor back to G. Without aid. Without hesitation. Without the use of a wall, or a crutch, or a helpful hand. I had done it.

And I had done it.

On.

My.

Own.

(so now I reward myself with a glass of Pinot Grigio, some corn chips, and Babylon 5 – so much for 50 minutes worth of rolling)

Indoor Riding

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So, in case you haven’t noticed, it’s pretty cold. It’s been in the single digits for a while now, and in case I haven’t mentioned it, I’m not a fan of riding in the cold. My excuse the last week or so has been b/c I’ve been sick with a minor upper respiratory tract infection. My excuse this week is that it’s Christmas week, and as such, is pretty hectic. My excuse next week will be b/c it’s New Years, and I’ll be very tired because of it.

I know, those are excuses, not reasons. After all is said and done, the truth is if I wanted to, I’d find a way. But unlike others, I’ve had to face the cold (ha!) harsh reality that riding in the sub-zero cold is too harsh for me. I won’t whine about why it’s too harsh for me, suffice to say that for daily outings, it just is. Riding should be fun. Riding in tear-freezing temperatures, at least for me, isn’t. That’s my burden to bear, and I bear it without shame.

But that leaves me with a problem. I do love to ride, and I love the benefits of riding. I’m healthier and happier. That’s what got me into it to begin with, after all, and that’s what will keep me in. But how to ride when the weather doesn’t allow, or when one allows the weather to stand in the way (as is my case)? There are three main choices… stationary bikes, trainers, and rollers.

I prefer rollers over stationary bikes and trainers b/c rollers force you to stay balanced, while the more traditional trainers keep you upright on their own. Rollers train your riding form as well as your fitness level. I currently have a set of rollers I use when it’s too cold out, but they aren’t perfect. They’re not bad, mind you, as far as rollers go, but they suffer from the same thing most other rollers suffer from… they’re rigid. They just sit there holding the wheels in place, and as such, they don’t feel natural. Sure, you can move side to side, and mine have wheel guards to keep me from rolling off the cylinders, but there’s no forward/backward motion, so it feels stiff and unforgiving. Moreover, they don’t allow for out of the saddle sprinting very well. Once I’m up and rolling, I’m stuck in the saddle until I stop.

I’m here to tell you, that’s not natural at all. My future gf/fiance/wife will appreciate the benefits of occasional out-of-the-saddle riding.

The other problems rollers present are all easily overcome.

  • Bored? Sit them in front of a television (or sit a television in front of them). Better yet, sit them in front of a television with a DVD player attached. If that’s not your thing, put on some music and ride to the rhythm.
  • Getting too hot or staying too cold? You’re indoors… I’m going to assume that being able to afford a bike and rollers means you can afford to control your climate. You can always put a fan up to give you the illusion of wind (or to just keep you cool). Consider a headband to keep the sweat out of your eyes. If you’re rolling as you should be, you’ll sweat.
  • Can’t mount or dismount? Well… this remains a bit of a struggle for me. I still need a wall for support, but I’m making it a goal for January to conquer that weakness. More on that later…

However, as I said, the one thing I’ve found that the rollers simply don’t do is feel natural. In a fixed position on the ground, they don’t let the bike move naturally as you pedal, which (unless you’re like me and have a perfectly flawless stroke), becomes very obvious after the first few revolutions. This fixed position also makes it difficult to stand up while riding. Not impossible, but you have to be really really careful and know what you’re doing. I’ve not tried it yet, b/c I’m not keen on launching myself off the rollers and into the television stand. Maybe someday…

And that’s why I really want to find myself in possession of an E-Motion Roller. The videos on the site highlight the natural movement of these rollers, as well as the bumper system that makes out of the saddle and in the saddle equally natural.

The only problem is that they’re not cheap. Still, one gets what one pays for, and since I’m dead set on hitting the mountains again next year, not to mention staying in shape in the meantime, I’m seriously considering dropping the not-insignificant cash for these things. Perhaps the most important point, however, is that since they’re good enough for The Fat Cyclist, they’re certainly good enough for me.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to trying out the mount/dismount technique shown in the last video on their video page.

Off the Saddle

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When, at the same time one encounters temperatures below 10… verily, below 5, and a persistent cough due to cold, one might be tempted to throw on layer after wind breaking layer, air up the tires, lube up the chain with a durable lubricant, wheel the bicycle out of the garage and make ones way against 10+ mph cross and head winds the 8 miles to work.

Not me. This morning, I resisted the temptation, utter and compelling though it was, and decided to eschew the saddle for the seat… the handlebar for the steering wheel… the painful yet oddly numb fingers and toes and lips and nose for the same, but toasty and warm.

I’m proud of myself. It’s not often that I’ll be so staunch and resolute in the resistance of temptation, hedonist that I am. But this morning, I put my foot down, and though the Drop was calling my name loudly and clearly, I had to let her down, pass her by, and sit my butt down in the seat behind a steering wheel instead.

My cough, painful and persistent as it is, might have bolstered my ability to resist the temptation to ride this morning, but I don’t want to give it too much credit. That inner strength is mine and mine alone.

I Have a 6 Constitution

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I’m home again today on account of throat crud. About halfway through my ride home yesterday, I felt a familiar soreness when I swallowed. I rejected it it out of hand. Nope. Not going to happen again, not so soon. I can’t remember the last time I was sick, but I don’t think it was that long ago.

Blah. Doesn’t matter. I’m home now, and it’s snowing out. Today would have been a fantastic day to ride! But the way it’s snowing, I’m sure I’ll have tomorrow as well.

BTW, the answer to yesterday’s question is Steven Brust. I *love* the communication style between his characters.

I don’t like too many inches…

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In the break room this morning I was chatting with a co worker. She mentioned that they were predicting snow this week. I’m not in the old habit of checking the forecast yet, so it was a surprise to me.

“No. Snow you say?”
“Yes. Snow, even as I say it.”
“And so you do. Fah. I hope it’s not too bad.”
“Tell me, may I ask you a question?”
“Certainly. You may ask anything, but I reserve the right to refuse to answer.”
“But of course. This then, is my question.”
“I anxiously await your question. Please note how I stand ready.”
“Here it is then: Will you be riding your bike in the snow?”
“Certainly! But only if it snows lightly. I don’t like too many inches, after all.”

I’ll leave it up to the reader to find the humor in that. If you found it, you and I think alike. If not… then I must admit to part of me being rather proud of you.

And a question of my own, posed to you: Can you guess the name of the author I’m reading right now?

Balancing Speed and Duration

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Temperature at Departure: 16°F
Average Speed: 13.2mph.
Wind Chill Factor: ~0°F

That, my friends, is cold. It may not be Antarctica cold, but it’s cold. I did OK in the clothing department, though my face suffered a bit. I’ve not bothered yet with the balaclava, on account of not liking the affect it has on breathing and how grungy they get, though this morning gave me cause to seriously reconsider that position.

I’ve found, that on days as cold as today, that as much as clothing, the trick to keeping warm is to balance the time you spend out in it, and the speed at which you ride in it. You can’t go too fast b/c the bitterly cold wind will work it’s way through clothing eventually. For me, it starts with the fingers and toes and moves in from there. Then again, you can’t go too slow b/c the cold air will, eventually, work it’s way through the same clothing.

The thing is… the trick, you see, is that it’ll take a lot longer on a calm day to get cold than on a windy day. So…

For that reason, I typically err on the side of taking it real easy on cold days and minimizing the break away sprints. Even on the downhills, I’ll feather the brakes in order to keep the speed down. For me, today’s temperature, at 16°F, and wearing my claw finger Toastadas, 16mph was about all I could manage before the digits felt the bite of the frigid wind. Faster than that, and they started to ache a bit.

So take it easy out there. It’s cold out.

Warm Morning Commute – ~34°F

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Temperature at departure – ~34°F.

It was pleasantly warm on the way in to work this morning. I was dressed more heavily than usual, on account of the drop in temperature expected this afternoon, but even my face, which I typically leave uncovered, was relatively comfortable. Even with a mildly stiff NNW wind, I wasn’t that cold.

Third day back in the saddle and I’m already feeling better because of it.

Other than the temperature, it was completely, blissfully, wonderfully uneventful.