Red Chilli Interactive

by Larisa Chinces, Red Chilli & Lake Cycling Ambassador

Red Chilli interactive

Christmas holidays have passed, and me and my family had a wonderful time. We all gorged ourselves with delicious food and drinks, pretty much of the time, spending time at the table with relatives and friends. New Year came with a fresh start (and 1-2kgs extra) and new resolutions plans for most of us. This winter was atypical here in Transylvania. The snow came really late and very little of it. This is causing me problems, because the conditions for skiing are very poor and from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t happen only here. The global warming is becoming more and more present unfortunately, and yes, we all need to do more.

But enough with the negative things and let’s concentrate on what we can do for ourselves. We need to get out and to get fit again.. – so, off we go!

Red Chilli & Elite Interactive Trainers

This month I’ve set up my RedChilli bike on the Elite Smart Trainers. Red Chilli hasn’t been used on the indoor trainer before. It was interesting to see how it performed. It’s the first time that I try the trainers with this bike. The trainers I have from Elite are Elite Direto XR and Elite Nero Rollers – both are the top of the range from Elite and are compatible with all of the top trainer apps and programmes: Trainer Road, RGT, Zwift etc. It’s been a while since I’ve cycled and I’ve missed it. Even though we don’t have so much snow at the moment the weather here isn’t so cycling-friendly either. Let’s pedal!

Setting up the RedChilli on the Direto XR was easy peasy lemon squeeze. I had to remove the old cassette which was on the trainer, because it was for a 10 speed cassette from my previous Scott. So, I put the trainer’s original 11 speed cassette and voila. I had done it myself – I only borrowed the necessary tools for removing the cassette and put the new one on. It was the first time I’ve done such a thing, and I admit it wasn’t hard at all. The cassette is now on, and now it’s time to put the new bike on. Thankfully, it was also easy and took little time. It was exciting ti see the Chilli ready to ride indoors. After I had fixed it on the trainer, I made a few adjustments on the rear shifter (the boys from the bike shop I worked at taught me), and everything was running smoothly.

Indoor Action – Outdoor Performance

All things nice and smooth, and in a blink of an eye I see myself enjoying the new bike on the trainer. As I wrote in my previous articles about the RedChilli, the bike geometry makes it really comfortable to ride weather outdoors or indoors since it was specially made for my measurements. It is even silent and discrete, and it won’t bother my family or neighbours. The interactive rollers were easy to setup too. I didn’t need to make any changes, just place it where I want to train, lock it, start it et voila! Cycling rollers are great in their most basic form, as they work the core muscles so well, and help to improve your pedal action. Using the Elite Nero rollers, I’m able to stay warm and dry indoors and to set myself goals and training targets.

I know that the feeling from the trainer can’t compete with the real feeling on the road etc. but it is what it is and we can make the most of it from this experience. Nowadays the technology is more developed and it makes the whole trial more and more interactive and real. With the Elite MyETraining App, you can actually train like on the roads that you are preparing for, as next races or next bike trips. It’s called Elite Real Video and you can ride to an interactive film of climbs and rides around the world, making it a great realistic training experience.

The great thing about cycling indoors this year, is having the Red Chilli. The rollers seem smoother and easier, and I’m more comfortable on the Direto, as the geometry of the Red Chilli was made for me. It means that I can truly concentrate on my pedal action, perfecting it and getting the maximum from my training and each pedal stroke, through the great new bike from Red. Hills and my super comfortable Lake carbon sole shoes too. More of my energy is transferred to the bike and it’s fun for me to challenge myself. Yes, having a custom fit Red Chilli makes a huge difference 🙂

Training for Challenges

I am currently preparing and training for 2 events this summer: Transfagarsan Challenge and Paltinis Challenge – both tough amateur cycling races. The routes are about only climbing, and very long climbs too. T-Challenge is on road only and it will take place on the 7th of July 2023. It’s about 37km with 1570m elevation and it reaches a peak altitude of 2.042m. Also, for Paltinis Challenge the route is 19 kilometres and 900m elevation. You have 2 option to choose the type of the race for Paltinis – road or offroad. I like both. The Paltinis climb on road, well… it’s also challenging, even though it’s shorter than Taransfagarasan Road; some of the sections of climbs are steeper, which really challenges your abilities and strength – mental and physical.

Being able to simulate this kind of ride, and setting the routes on the trainers is such a huge opportunity, and will help me so much. Make sure that you register for both of these events and have a wonderful experience plus visiting my bautiful hometown Sibiu from Transylvania- it’s a magical place.

Anyway, enough writing for today – get on your bike and pedal to the Metal ! \m/