martin@auvax (Don Martin) (07/20/83)
1. I'm a tourist who loads up a bike with 70 odd pounds of
gear and goes cycling off into the sunset for 2 or 3
weeks during the summer but I also enjoy going out for
club rides and the occasional century. Living in
Alberta, summer is great for cycling but in the winter
the snow gets too deep. Not to mention the rather cool
weather and very short days (sun is up at 08:30 and
down by 16:00). I've been RR for the past two winters
on and off and just have a set of rollers without any
addons of any kind.
2. As to whether they are of any value or not, I enjoy
using them and therefore for me they are. At -40 C
(same as -40 F) there isn't a lot you can do outside
even if you're the hardiest of souls. There are some
other valuable advantages that may not be immediately
obvious:
- RR helps to promote a smooth cycling style (pedal
round).
- Using a watch that has a second hand (or is digi-
tal) allows you to monitor your cadence and
achieve the cadence you desire.
- MOST IMPORTANTLY, RR ensures that you very quickly
learn to ride a straight line.
3. The use of Gadgets is dependent upon what you wish to
achieve during RR.
- Variable load can be used to strengthen muscles to
simulate hills or cycling into a head wind.
- A crank speed monitor (TACH?) is nice to have but
a watch with second hand and a little counting can
do the same thing.
- A road speed gadget would only be usable if you
had a wind-load device to simulate air resistance.
Of dubious value.
- Heart rate monitors would be nice. If you are
involved in a training program and wish to monitor
your progress this would be a good idea.
- A blower on the front or an electric fan will keep
you cool and the floor dry.
4. If you should decide to acquire some rollers, there are
a few thing to watch out for.
- Where do you plan to use them? It's nice to have
at least 1 wall handy just in case.
- I've ridden my rollers for the last 2 winters (not
as often as I should) and have only gone off once.
My wife does not appreciate the two "3 inch" black
burn marks on our hall floor.
- Protect your bike from perspiration, this salty
substance has a tendency to speed up corrosion.
Wrapping your top tube with a cloth may be all
thats required.
- From time to time I really enjoy RR but if you
think something like jogging is boring then you
had better find a distraction during RR.
5. All in all, I believe that the advantages outway the
disadvantages and recommend RR.
Don Martin
Athabasca University
Edmonton Alberta