On Jan 31, 3:48 pm, mike <
[email protected]> wrote:
> On Jan 31, 3:16 pm, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote:
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> > On Jan 31, 3:06 pm, mike <[email protected]> wrote:
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> > > I am looking for either recommendations or examples of a training
> > > program I can use during the winter off season. (Living in Northern
> > > Ontario, outdoor riding is not an option.)
>
> > > I recently picked up a Tacx Sirius Mag trainer for my mountain bike
> > > and am looking to make the most of my time on it. I am primarily a
> > > cross-country rider, revisiting the sport after a number of years
> > > off.
> > > My biggest area I wish to concentrate on is my endurance.
> > > The guy I ride with, kills me on the long climbs (short steep rocky
> > > hills is my area to shine).
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> > > Any recommendations would be great.
>
> > > Mike
> > >mlawrenc(at)gmail.com
>
> > Snow riding is the best summer riding training I've found.- Hide quoted text -
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> > - Show quoted text -
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> That was fine early fall, when there was only an inch or two. The snow
> in my front yard past my waist.
> I normally stop riding outdoors at about 6 inches of snow.
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> Mike- Hide quoted text -
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> - Show quoted text -
Is the waist-deep due to drifts, or the normal amount on the ground
over there at the moment? Are there no trails around that get enough
foot traffic to create a bit of a groove you can sludge through?
While our snow isn't quite waist deep yet, I manage to MTB year round
in NH. Sometimes the snow is hub deep, sometimes it's only 9", and
sometimes it's 18". It's hard work and slow going, but awesome
exercise. I could usually make better time walking, but I like riding
more, and it builds the muscles I'll use in the summer. Also,
downhills are a blast!
If it's out it's out, only you can say for sure, but I manage to ride
in some pretty deep stuff over here. You could even shovel your
favorite trail once, and then keep up on it with something like this
here
http://tinyurl.com/2la8ek.
http://www.icebike.org/ has some excellent info as well if you want to
ride year round.
I can't bring myself to advocate indoor riding, but if you must I'd
use rollers over a trainer. At least you have to balance, and it
helps your pedaling form instead of hurting it. I've got a set, but
I'd rather ride outdoors.
Another idea that I've been saying I'll do soon and not doing is
building obstacles outdoors. Skinnies, etc. Wrap with chicken wire
or something to add traction, and you can work on bike handling.
What about "urban assault" style riding where things are plowed &
shoveled?