A local tri shop here has a Computrainer setup with the route of a 1/2IM I’m doing in late '07. I can’t think of anything worse than sitting through a bike simulation on a trainer but thought I’d look into it if people recommend it. So I guess my question is, are these simulations a worthwhile training exercise or just another example of some vendor throwing a technological solution at a problem that never existed? If it is worthwhile, what is a reasonable amount to pay for this service?
I have a computrainer and when I have an “A” race I make a scouting trip to the course and ride with my Garmin and then download the course into my computrainer. I try and ride the course every other week. It is as close I can come to training on the course and mentally it gives me a bit of an edge. That said, I’m not sure riding the course once will do much good for the muscle memory.
By the way, I plan on riding the Ironman Louisville course as soon as they tell us what it is. I’d be happy to make it available to anyone who needs it
Ride an Ironman course on the CT? Shoot me first.
I’ve done a half once on the computrainer. and i think i am doing one friday based on my training schedule… if you have some good movies for video games its not that bad.
Riding the course once may help a little. But multiple times would be better what it would do for you is give you the ability to know when you should go hard and when to slow down a bit if there are climbs or other parts on the course coming. You need to be focused for this though or else it will just be like you are riding any computrainer course.
Grant
I hear they have a Tour de France one in case you’re unemployed or wish to take a month off of work. Sorry, but I’m riding the Tour a bag of cheetos is not going to be my only reward at the end.
I have done several half and full IM courses on my CT. Great training and I think worth the money, especially when I look out the window at 2 feet of snow. Can be a bit long and boring but a couple of good movies and cd’s and I get through it ok.
Sorry my training habits don’t please you. It’s people like you who really make me wonder why I look at this site.
And I was only offering to give people the course profile so they would have some idea.
You said it, not me:
“…or just another example of some vendor throwing a technological solution at a problem that never existed?”
I wouldn’t pay a nickel. Bike training is bike training. Roads are roads. Do the workouts that give you high power over the duration of a half, and then go race it.
Nothing wrong with CT training, of course. I do it myself. But I don’t bother with riding specific race venue courses. That’s not the type of workout I find is the best use of CT time.
Just am expressing my opinion that riding an IM course indoors would be BORING as hell. For me fun and interesting are needed ingredients for a good session and indoor training for 5+ hours sounds pretty lame.
How do you like that program i was thinking about getting it as soon as i get bored enough to drop 150 on it. It looks pretty cool. I’d like to be able to make some of the courses i ride so i know what gears to bring since a lot of them i’ve never riden before and they are too small of races for them to be online.
Grant