Good bike trainer downloads

[Oh Canada]

Cheers all.

I apologize if this is a thread already but I just registered yesterday and after scouring a few pages in the forum, I couldn't find a topic related to this. If there is one, please link me to it so I won't waste anyone's time.

That being said, it is starting to get cooler here in Canada and the bike will have to come off of the road very, very soon....heartbreaking....

I'm looking for some good downloads I can follow while on my trainer during these next 5-6 months. I was a big fan of spinervals but you tend to get bored of riding the same things over and over.

I've now purchased the sufferfest series and really like them but with only four possibilities I'm hoping there's more out there.

Any suggestions....free to download or otherwise??

Thanks for your help.

 

[elapid]

I buy the professional road races on DVD from World Cycling Productions. I typically buy the spring classics, TdF and Giro, but I only buy them if the races were worthwhile watching. For instance, I did not buy the 2009 TdF because it was such a yawn fest. I now have a good library of cycling DVDs dating back to 2005 to get me through the Canadian winter. I also watch other cycling movies such as A Sunday in Hell, Hell on Wheels, Overcoming, Detour de France, Road to Roubaix, Stars and Watercarriers, The Impossible Hour, La Course en Tete, and the Greatest Show on Earth. And then I watch other sports (cricket, rugby, surfing) and any old DVD. I typically watch races during interval sessions and movies during endurance and recovery sessions. Really anything to get me into the basement and through another hour or so on the trainer! Aghhh.

I have thought about investing in either the Tacx or Elite trainer systems with their real life and interactive racing DVDs, but have not done so yet for various reasons (costs, bugs, and non-Mac systems).

 

[Oh Canada]

Huge help

Thanks so much! That list was excellent...

I must ask. Do you try to repeat cadence, gearing etc when watching the videos or just do your own ride? I've only really done the spinervals type where they're constantly giving you instruction...

 

[Sprocketboy]

Training DVDs

There are a lot of good DVDs out there for training purposes, with the newest trend of featuring scenery instead of just sweaty riders indoors. Spinervals has produced some good DVDs (I particularly like the Lake Placid Ironman one, which is over 3 hours) but EpicRide and Global Ride are very good as well. I have done reviews of all of these at various points. If you check my blog, http://www.tindonkey.com, and search "Tour de Basement," you will be able to read them and see some clips as well. Many of these DVDs have training programs built-in for you to do, or you can do your own thing. EpicRide even offers multiple soundtracks through iTunes so the training does not get stale.

Not only do I second the recommendation for World Cycling Production race DVDs (which you can always get a year or two after they are issued at a reduced rate) but I also enjoyed the Reconrides for L'Etape du Tour done by Markus Neuert of Cyclefilm (http://www.cyclefilm.com). You get a good feel for the countryside in these, which is great if you actually go and ride the stretches as I did this summer. Of course, the Liz Hatch "Ride with Me" DVD from Cyclefilm also offers a pleasant diversion, if not perhaps so useful for training. Or perhaps so, depending on what you are training for! None of these are free but if you train enough you will want to switch them a lot so you don't get bored through the endless Canadian winters.

 

[woundedknee]

http://www.scientific-coaching.com/Coaching Services/Spindoctor Turbo

I have used the above turbo sessions while watching DVDs of the Tour/Giro for shorter interval session 40-60min. Then at weekend watched a film or one of the recon series for a longer session up to 1.5h - same as elapid mentioned. It helps pass the time. Hope this helps and have a good winter!
PS It was pretty cool last time I was in Canada (-40 in Lake Louise) but its the most beautiful county on earth so lucky you.

 

[elapid]

Thanks so much! That list was excellent...

I must ask. Do you try to repeat cadence, gearing etc when watching the videos or just do your own ride? I've only really done the spinervals type where they're constantly giving you instruction...

Over winter I typically try to maintain fitness with endurance rides (not really endurance, as I can rarely stand more than 90 minutes on the trainer), increase some initial speed with stomp intervals, and build leg strength with tempo intervals. I do this to my own set schedule, and do not try to match what professional riders are doing in the peloton on the DVDs. I try to get out on my 'cross bike as often as possible, but I live in Ottawa so it is rare to be able to get out for more than an hour without getting too cold. Other than that, cross training is excellent over winter, especially cross-country skiing and skating.

 

[hscoach2]

http://www.racedayrush.com

and they're Canadian...you'll see lots of Ontario content

 

[Oh Canada]

Great responses

Thanks everyone, you're amazing!

I've read the forums for quite some time but never registered. Glad I did and happy you were all so generous with your recommendations. I'll definitely check them all out.

Elapid...I know exactly what you mean. I live in Barrie and have been converted to road riding this year over a long mountain bike career. Stopped racing when my son took away my free time . Just bought a road bike at the bike show (Gary Fisher) that wasn't going to break the bank before I knew if it would hang up the MTB and now I'm hooked. Don't think I'll stop this!

Cheers all...