Got my new Kurt’s Kinetic liquid trainer last week and finally tried it out this weekend. The temps are hovering in the low to mid-30’s and it’s so raw outside, I’m happy to have an alternative. I ride in this kind of weather often (and all through last winter) so it’s totally possible — my system of layering works well. But no matter what I do, I can’t seem to keep my toes warm. Even the “pocket” toe warmer patches don’t do the trick in these temps.
I like the trainer — it took me awhile to put it together and learn how to mount my bicycle, but now I’ve got the hang of it and I can get going pretty easily. Both days this weekend I brought my bike in the house and used it, but I’d like to rig it up either on my front porch or in the barn, when the weather gets a little warmer.
I’ve resigned my gym membership for now; with spinning on my trainer, swimming twice a week, and the occasional run here at home or through the park, it seems I’m set without the expense of the gym. We’ll see how it goes… I’ll miss the feeling of community at Island Fitness, as so many of my friends go there. It’s been two years, and I’ve enjoyed it. But for the past six months, I just haven’t gotten enough use.
I did the same thing the first year I got my trainer. Unfortunately, the DVDs I watched then were pretty boring, and if I got into a movie, I never seemed to workout very hard. The last two years however, there has been virtual cycling DVDs on the market. I find these much better for my training, and this year, there is a new company that has made three rides from Hawaii. I found them on http://www.globalride.net, but I think they are for sale on Amazon as well. Check em’ out, you might like them too.