The Workout: Riding Indoors Means All the Sweat, None of the Hazards

There are many great things about our community: wonderful schools, active citizens, vibrant villages. One thing that's not so great? Winter biking. By March, cyclists are eager to begin the outdoor riding season, but slushy, rainy, cold conditions keep us inside. When the weather finally turns, we want to be ready to go. While I enjoy spinning for exercise, there's nothing like spending some time in the saddle of your road bike to truly get prepared for that first outdoor ride.

That's why, when a friend suggested bringing our bikes to Alberto's for an indoor group CompuTrainer ride, I readily agreed. For the uninitiated, a bike trainer is a piece of equipment you place under your rear wheel so you can pedal without moving forward. It's a bit like a treadmill for your bike. And in a climate such as ours, it's a necessity.

In the past, riding a trainer meant sitting in your basement alone, pedaling away, possibly while watching TV. Now, however, it's increasingly common to do group rides on trainers hooked up to computers. These CompuTrainer rides measure how fast and far you go, and also let you virtually race with the other riders around you. It's becoming a great option for winter training, so I couldn't pass up the chance to join in.

I waffled between feeling hard-core and feeling like an idiot as I braved the freezing cold and loaded my bike on the back of my car to drive to Highland Park. My friend was running late, so I was left to make my way into Alberto's alone, even though I wasn't entirely sure where I was going or what I was doing. Fortunately, I was greeted by Brendan, who showed me to the basement and got me set up. Soon enough, other people trickled in, including my riding companion. She and I rode in the back, while five of the fittest women I've ever seen were up in the front. “Look at the arms on the one on the right,” I said to my friend. “They're all muscle.” Suffice it to say, my arms don't look like that.

Brendan loaded the computer programs, then 3...2...1...we started. “Well, this is easy,” I thought. It was also a little strange: A group of us in a low-ceilinged, dark basement, on our road bikes, riding along as if we were outside. I pedaled and chatted with my friend, jealously admiring the arms of the women in the front row. Suddenly, mid-sentence, my cadence slowed dramatically. I looked at the computer screen. We'd hit our first hill. Conversation ground to a halt and the sweating started in earnest. After what seemed like hours but according to the clock was just a few minutes, our hill was over and we could go back to socializing. I knew, however, that another incline was coming and kept an eye on the monitor. Once again, the hill was upon us and we sank into silence. 

As we pedaled, I became aware of the information displayed on the computer screen. For each rider, it showed how far we'd gone and what our average pace was. I saw that my friend was almost a full mile ahead of me. I looked over at her, riding next to me yet somehow far ahead. I realized I needed to pick up my pace. No more chit chat. Game on, baby. 

So there I was, in a basement, pedaling my heart out so my little computer bike could catch up with my friend's little computer bike. As we got to the end of the virtual course, she started to fade a little bit and I made my move, pulling even with her just after we finished our last hill. 

Was it like riding outside? Yes and no. I was able to get the feel of my road bike, but there was no scenery, fresh air, or warm sun. On the plus side, there were no distracted drivers, barking dogs, or darting squirrels. Trying to beat my friend was significantly more motivating than pedaling alone on a trainer in my house. All in all, I will gladly do group CompuTraining again, especially when I'm longing for those warm days of spring.  And next time, I plan to be more aggressive. I wonder if the winner gets a medal?