Bike Thong... it's what the cool kids wear!!

Annie and I spent a little time this weekend converting our extra bedroom into a training/workout room.
And, I got the HiFi fitted on the trainer!!  Took a little filing here and there, but now it's snug as a bug in a rug

If 29ers weren't tall enough... put it on a trainer and you better find yourself a step stool!

Yeah, I'm sporting the complete set - mat, bike thong, and phone/remote holder (not pictured, 2 climbing blocks).

I've got three, count em, three training videos to utilize.  The deal at the LBS was two videos, and they even dug up a mountain bike video for me.  When I got home and opened up the trainer out popped another video, and luck be a lady, it wasn't one I already had!!  SCHWEET!  

1. Mountain Biking (no longer available as a DVD - you can download it on your computer, but I got the classic DVD suckers!!) from the TrainRight series from Carmicheal Training Systems.

2. Force - from the realRides series with Robbie Ventura

3. Race Day  - from the realRides series with Robbie Ventura (the freebie!!)

Now I'm all set to get my "trainer on" once the weather completely turns on us... until then, I'll be tearing it up on the 4300 whenever possible... which will mean more forays into the realm of night riding!!

I'm so excited!!

After recovering from my turkey coma I went for a ride at Foxboro.  Man, I am really loving that place!!  The more I ride it the more I really like it over there.  It's got a nice range of terrain, plenty of technical spots to keep your skills sharp (or force you to walk some) and it feels like I find a little more every time I get out there.  At some point I'll be able to piece together a nice fluid ride out there... but until that time I'm enjoying the exploration.  This last time I found a whole section of slick rock... with some drops.

Nice roller

Big drop

Almost looks like pavement here... but nope, straight up rock face

plenty of ways on and off this island

When I arrived there was a group just getting back from their ride.  Looked like a bunch of NEMBA guys.  I chatted while I was getting my shit together, took a group picture for them, and then I was off.  I haven't been on the bike enough lately, and I could feel it... but with the aid of some GU throughout the ride I was good to go.  That stuff if pretty damn amazing!

Saturday before the Georgia game I headed over to International Bicycle to drop off the HiFi for a tune up (gear slippage under force, and general creaking and whatnot), a slick rear tire, and the trainer!!  The guys over at International have always been great, and this visit was no exception.  Got a sweet deal on the tune up - I really appreciate them doing the work that is needed, and pricing accordingly, rather than forcing a package deal.  Went through the trainers they have... and boy do the high end models have some sweet gadgets!!  But with the trainer I got I also got 2 free training DVDs.  And of course, they went the extra mile and searched for a mountain bike specific DVD for me.  Super awesome!  Oh, and the best part of the whole thing - my bike will be all set to pick up today (actually was probably ready yesterday), super fast turn around!  

That's the Fluid2

So I'm excited for this week.  Weather looks good so hopefully will be out on the trails after work a couple times this week.  I'll have the HiFi all slicked up and now that I have a trainer I can start setting that up.  Throw a more regular gym routine in there and we'll get this off season rolling!!  

Looks like I'll be able to get a nice full season in this year... so full in fact that in just April and May I can equal my racing total from this year!!  Next time I'll explore my tentative schedule for 2012.  

 

It costs monies to ride

I've been looking into trainers for the winter - consulted with my Dild's grill teammate, and I'm feeling pretty confident with the decision to go with the Fluid2 from CycleOps.

Then comes the logistics as to where I'll be setting it up, which bike will be on it (getting a slick rear tire for said bike) and then setting up some sort of training regime.  I've bowed out from coaching this season so I can concentrate on being an athlete myself - let's see how that turns out.

But wait!!  Why am I preparing for the winter when there is still PLENTY of riding to be had???  Good question!!  So before I get into trainer mode I need to get into "night rider" mode... which is another mode I haven't accessed previously.  So on top of a hefty trainer purchase, I need to get a lighting system that will allow me to do some solid riding as the sun starts hiding from us.

I've looked a little and I'm thinking right now that a Light and Motion Stella 300 would be a good light to get me out there.  

Here's the deal.  I don't want a crap light that is going to make me go 3 mph out there.  But with the trainer purchase on the horizon (plus a new wheel set for the HiFi next season) I don't want to get killed with the bill either.... so I'm hoping something like the Stella 300 will be an adequate light to allow me to still get some solid riding out there in the darkness.  

So, let the honesty flow.  I know some of you must have some experience; so give me the good, the bad, and the high priced.