INDOOR CYCLING IN WINTER
Saving Your Cycling Sanity, by Larisa Chinces
I love riding outside, especially in the mountains, with the beautiful views and the wind in my face as I race downhill on the roads.
Here in Romania there are of course four seasons per year. However, winter can be long and tough and seem to be endless. Yes, Autumn and winter can be really difficult here considering that winter temperatures can even reach -20 degrees Celsius. I live in Transylvania in the city of Sibiu. This area is surrounded by mountains and the temperatures are lower because of this. Riding out in the cold can be difficult and dangerous due to slippery icy roads. It’s also difficult and not healthy for breathing all the cold air for long distance and time. The snow falls deep and the roads are icy. It’s super for skiing, which I love, but it means that I cannot ride outside so much. I still need to train though and I now have Elite to help me.
Since my interactive trainers arrived, I have concentrated on using the Elite Nero rollers. I’d only used rollers a few times before, and I wanted to get used to them. It gives me a feeling of movement on the bike, which I love. As I also test products from other brands, and with Covid restrictions limiting time outside, it’s also given me a chance to test the new saddle from Selle italia. Working as well, I often get home late, teaching skating to young children here in Sibiu, or training at the gym on the way home after work, and so time is not always available for road rides. Thankfully for me, I just have to get changed, set up the Nero rollers and the My E-Training app and I can ride away happy in my home, getting the training that I need for when the weather is warm and when Covid restrictions are lifted.
Elite indoor trainers have saved me during the recent weeks, with winter weather – I love my cycling, and the Nero rollers are like riding for real.
I’ve also noticed how much my core has improved using the rollers and my power levels too. The great thing about the Elite a Nero interactive rollers is the data that the My E-Training app by Elite gives me: cadence, power etc etc, meaning that I can really focus on these and train at a level where I can literally see my improvement. When I have managed to get outside and ride, I’ve noticed how the Elite Nero rollers and my training have helped me to develop and to maintain my form. That’s important to me. I’ll be racing in Europe this year, on mountain bike stage races, so I need to build up endurance- and Elite are helping me.
Yes, I have been getting out on both my road bike and my mountain bike, but having the Elite Nero interactive rollers and the Interactive XR Trainer means that I don’t have to miss my training rides. I like that I can set up routes either here in Transylvania or anywhere else in the world… which is great for me… I like the idea of travelling – even interactively. When I have managed these winter rides, it’s been really good to be able to relax and enjoy the scenery and the riding, without feeling too tired or out of practice, or with my cycling fitness being dropped. Using the Nero rollers has ensured that I am able to stick to a winter training programe, meaning that my trips out in the winter are so much better. I really have noticed the benefit already and I am excited about moving onto the Elite Direto XR interactive trainer next and climbing hills at home.
We all want to enjoy our cycling and to give all that we can to get the most from our cycling. Winter can make this difficult, especially here in snowy Transylvania. However, so far, after only a few weeks of using my Elite Nero interactive rollers, I’m already seeing the benefits when I sneak back out to the hills, well wrapped up of course. I’m a mountain girl at heart and I love the outdoors. I also love Elite, because it’s already helping me to enjoy my winter riding more than usual.
Next time, I’ll talk about how I’ve found the different interactive options on My E-Training and Zwift etc. But for now, I’m smiling and a very happy cycling girl… Thanks to Elite and their amazing trainers.