Trying out rollers for winter training.
Image Source: “Best Cycling Rollers Review” Triradar.com.
We all know that nothing can beat the real deal – tailwinds, long climbs, and the wind in our hair – but to get the most out of the riding season we have to put in a bit of winter training. Once you decide that riding during the off season is the choice for you, you are tasked with the age old question…”how?”.
Many join the lively community of Spin, others will choose magnetic, wind, or fluid home trainers and then there are the brave few who decide rollers are the way to go. People who train on rollers are often purists you may also find that they drink their coffee black and drive cars stick shifts.
Personally, I decided to go the roller route because of the real life training it provides your core – the balance you need on rollers is the most similar I have experienced to being on the road. I made a trade off, giving up some of the resistance options available in other trainers for the skill building that rollers can bring to the table. My question to you is, how do you train in the winter? What, if any, do you feel are the pros and cons of that method?
Here is to reliable cleats and carpeted floors,
Whitney McKiddy
I ride all winter! I moved to lovely west Tokyo which has the most spectacular road conditions I’ve ever experienced. Steep winter passes freeze over, but that just means longer rides to the beach instead!
I use a BKool trainer for the resistance and incentive provided by actual (or ghost) riders and supplement with core workouts. I’m linked to my Strava group and besides giving each other kudos for our workouts, we all gather miles each week trying to get to the top of the list.