Training this winter

It's pretty bad. Today I feel like I've got that Labyrinthitis again. Depressing beyond words.

Chin up Rob. It's early days. Mine isn't going to plan just yet due to so many parties and drinking but I hope to get back on track next week.
I also have a very bad back that just won't shift

More so than this thread?!

I heard the airport shut again on Monday. Sounds squeezed through a pretty tight window to get back. Been on the cross bike?

Nah, in between bikes atm, new one not built, old one in bits!

ooOOoo exciting!

christ, that sounds amazing. Ive only just discovered I like belgian beers, Duvel is pretty good, but thats probably like someone who first discovers english ale saying "mmm greene king ipa!"

It's exactly like that.

Wrong section of the forum, but I attended a Belgian beer introductory session at the Jerusalem Tavern many years ago where the Belgian Beer Ambassador to the UK talked us through the different types of beer and we tasted examples of each. Top night.

Back on topic - my training has been non-existent for a month which, during the cross season, is something of a downer. I hate being ill.

Another rollers session tonight. I'm using the sufferfest videos (the new ones that aren't free), and I think they're amazing for motivation.

In the new year I'll be swapping rollers for the turbo, but my road bike will still be in pieces.

Has anyone got a good trick for using a tackx turbo with a track bike? I remember having issues with the clamp cups not fitting with track nuts.

ohh that Belgian 9%er sounds good.
You would not believe how many beers I drank in Ghent and how strong they were.
11.5% was the strongest I 'sampled'
:)

Seeing is believing!

I was impressed by MrsC's capacity to keep up with you. Can she ride a bike as well?

Has anyone got a good trick for using a tackx turbo with a track bike? I remember having issues with the clamp cups not fitting with track nuts.

I have some special tracx nuts for a fixed wheel. Bit like the tracx skewers for road bikes. I got them last year from Cycle Surgery - hard to find. In the end they called round their branches and found one in the West End with a pair which i managed to get.

My trick is to use a rear wheel with an on-one hub. Hollow axle so i just push a rear QR skewer through and it makes the whole lot wide enough to fit. It doesn't need to reach out the other side.

I have some special tracx nuts for a fixed wheel. Bit like the tracx skewers for road bikes. I got them last year from Cycle Surgery - hard to find. In the end they called round their branches and found one in the West End with a pair which i managed to get.

Sounds like that'll do the trick, I'll keep my eye out.

My trick is to use a rear wheel with an on-one hub. Hollow axle so i just push a rear QR skewer through and it makes the whole lot wide enough to fit. It doesn't need to reach out the other side.

I am toying with the idea of consolidating my wheelsets. So I might look at a hollow axle rear hub for the winter bike.

Another rollers session tonight. I'm using the sufferfest videos (the new ones that aren't free), and I think they're amazing for motivation.

In the new year I'll be swapping rollers for the turbo, but my road bike will still be in pieces.

Has anyone got a good trick for using a tackx turbo with a track bike? I remember having issues with the clamp cups not fitting with track nuts.

I have some special tracx nuts for a fixed wheel. Bit like the tracx skewers for road bikes. I got them last year from Cycle Surgery - hard to find. In the end they called round their branches and found one in the West End with a pair which i managed to get.

Decathlon have them for about 6 quid.

I had to stick a few washers on the axle on one side, between the large track nuts ^ and the frame to centre the bike on the roller bit as theyre set up for road bikes with gears and cogs n shit on one side. If you get what I mean.

I got them last year from Cycle Surgery - hard to find.

I've always found Cycle Surgery to be located in very obvious places on busy high streets.

Nuts, Oliver

Keep your puns out of here, Shick, or I'll "go hippy" on you.

I had to stick a few washers on the axle on one side, between the large track nuts ^ and the frame to centre the bike on the roller bit as theyre set up for road bikes with gears and cogs n shit on one side. If you get what I mean.

Actually both road and track wheels run in the centre line of the bike regardless.

The issue you are having is because one side of the turbo mount is fixed and the other adjustable, so because a track rear end is only 120 wide you have to wind the adjustable side 10mm further to get it to hold fast, hence shifted the whole lot 10mm to the left.

Twice as bad with a 110mm rear end.

Ahh yes, thats the problem.

Training, training, la-dee-dah...

Thinking of joining Virgin gym, oxford st for some lunch time spin sessions and weights as I just cant find the time for proper training at the moment.
Anyone have any experience of this place, any reason why I should stay away?

as long as it has the right kit at the right price - WIN.
Places like Virgin however (i used to look after a gym at one of their branches) have a lot of pointless equipment, with maybe just one squat rack.
I say clear out a lot of these "core" training machines (torso rotation, back extension, ab crunch etc) and get another squat rack!!
Rant over.

Thanks. I think out of desperation and shrinking clothes Ive made my mind up anyway. Its not cheap but Ive never paid for it before.... Theyve got shit loads of spinning bike machines thingys which look pretty good.
For a 3 month contract I get the rest of Dec free, just pay the joining fee, then pay for jan and feb. So doesnt seem too bad.

No worries. I've had my fair share of experiences of health clubs/gyms, and before joining anywhere, I always try to visit them at times I'm going to train at and imagine my training session during that time.
For you, if you want to train at lunch times, make sure you drop in and (for example)
Check how many bikes are being used. How many students are hogging the squat rack? etc etc.
This is a quiet time of year for gyms and health clubs, where offers are usually pretty good. New Year will be mental, and inductions will be high.
Always know what you want to do before you get there, and have a back up of exercises if a particular piece of equipment is being used. Thats my advice.
Sorry mate, I hope i haven't gone on there....

as long as it has the right kit at the right price - WIN.
Places like Virgin however (i used to look after a gym at one of their branches) have a lot of pointless equipment, with maybe just one squat rack.
I say clear out a lot of these "core" training machines (torso rotation, back extension, ab crunch etc) and get another squat rack!!
Rant over.

The whole weights area at Birmingham virgin is placed on top of sponge foam. Its like squatting on a matress. I noticed one chap squatting in running shoes with his feet wobbling all over the place looking like either his ankles or knees were about to go pop. I started a friendly casual conversation, at the end of which I mentioned that standing on a firm surface both helps and is safer for lifting weights. That weightlifting shoes like I was wearing had wooden soles and that many people even lift barefoot. I hinted that he should try barefoot. But guess what he does?

Gets out a fucking bosu balance board thing and squats on top of that.

Did you ask him what he was training for. If he ski's or snowboard's for example, he's knows how to train IMO, and may very well be recovering from an injury?
Squats don't come naturally to most, but you have to do them to get better. I'm sure that by watching your perfect squat, he learnt a lot.....

I try my best not to give unsolicited advice to anyone in gyms, because everyone has their own thing going on. And everyone hates some arrogant nob coming along and telling them what to do. I actually waited till he said something to me. And I only broke my rule of unsolicited advice because his legs were wobbling around like jelly. He seemed to be happy on his balance board though, so I just left it.

Virging does actually have two squat racks now, but they are on sponge. Fitness first in stirchley has one Ivanko pro powerlifting barbell. Not sure who ordered it as its totally over the top for there. but its lovely to use, they have the same bar at the coliseum in Aston which people like Lee Marshall are breaking world records in the deadlift with.