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How to Love Cycling Indoors

If you’re like us, you miss riding your favorite trails and roads with your normal crew, pushing your pedals, sucking in as much fresh air as you can until your lungs reach their maximum capacity, and sweating it all out as you explore. It’s what we live for.

But, in times like these, with many of us living under stay-at-home orders, it’s important to be adaptable and keep the love for the ride alive! We’re not here to say it’s just as good as the real thing. What we are saying is that you should keep your mind open to it and give it a try.

Follow these tips and tricks below and you might find yourself enjoying it, even after the stay-at-home orders end. One thing we know is that riding indoors beats not riding at all. Let’s start with Step 1.

STEP 1: FIND YOUR NICHE

Like outdoor cycling and mountain biking, with indoor cycling, there’s not just one way to enjoy it. Below are a few of the most popular for you to consider.

Riding with a Basic Trainer

This is your cheapest option and you can likely use a bike that you already have. No need to figure out any apps—just mount your bike to the trainer, hop on, and pedal while listening to your own music, watching your favorite TV program, or rehearsing your notes for your next Zoom work meeting.

When shopping around for a bike trainer, consider price, potential resistance, how much noise it makes, durability, and the compatibility with your bike type (rim brake/quick release or disc brake/thru axle.) Basic trainers can cost anywhere from $200-$900, so take your time finding one that suits your needs most.

If you are more experienced, know that some trainers max out on resistance, so if you are a burly sprinter, choose one that can handle all your wattage. If you have roommates who you want to keep good relationships with, it’s worth investing in one that’s less noisy. On the other hand, if you live by yourself, and plan to ride with your headphones on, that might not be a concern for you.

One trainer we recommend? The Copilot Fluid Trainer because it’s so straight-forward and easy to set up. There’s no assembly, tools, or need to adjust the resistance of the roller.

Riding with a Smart Trainer and Cycling App

If you love the competitive and social aspects of cycling, and you’re ready to take your indoor cycling up a notch, you’re going to love using a smart trainer. What makes smart trainers different than traditional trainers is that they have the capability to interact with an app or a software program and can apply your speed and power in real life to the virtual one. You can think of it as an arcade video game in your own home, minus the time limits and quarters.

Although more expensive than a standard trainer—they start around $500 and run all the way up to $3500 for a dedicated “smart bike” like the Wahoo KICKR BIKE. Simply put, they can be more fun.

Popular app options include Zwift, Sufferfest, and Trainerroad. Each requires a monthly subscription that’s around $10, an internet connection, and either an iPad or iPhone, computer, or a bike computer.

In Zwift, you can ride alone and jump into one of dozens of races, or you can ride with other your friends in real-time. Enjoy making your own personal avatar (which you may decide to look exactly or nothing like you) and earn rewards like jerseys and helmets as you leave others in your pixelated dust. You can also send messages in real time, and thus, still keep your shit-talking just as in-form as your fitness as you hammer in your house!

Recently, for the Virtual Tour of Flanders, the producers created the difficulty of the climbs and course as close to the one in real-life Ronde as they could. There also are eRacing leagues on Zwift, and events where you can ride with Tour de France-level pros. Yes, this is the surreal real and virtual world that we live in today—pretty cool.

Riding with Peloton or SoulCycle

Riding with Peloton or SoulCycle At Home is a top choice for people used to spin classes in gyms. It’s similar to riding with smart trainer and a cycling app, except Peloton and SoulCycle have their own bikes and software platforms. There are virtual studio-like settings, scenic courses, and live classes with a live personal trainer who can cheer you on to personal bests. Or call you out by name if they "see" you're slacking from the numbers you’re putting out.

Peloton and SoulCycling At Home start around $2,250 and the app is around $40 per month. But with its premium package, comes premium results, and they truly are all-in-one solutions that don’t require using your own bike.

Step 2: Be comfortable on the Bike

Once you’ve figured out which indoor cycling niche best suits you, it’s time to figure out your uniform. Just like outdoor riding, comfort is key. Below are some of our shoe, jersey, glove, and base layer recommendations—and what makes each one different—for your indoor cycling pursuits:

Shoes

Imperial Shoe: A full-featured 215-gram shoe that rivals minimalist designs in weight and features our own ultralight monofilament Synchwire mesh upper that fits and feels like a second skin.

Empire SLX Shoe: Weighing just 185 grams, the Empire SLX has pro-level performance and unrivaled comfort thanks to its Synchwire mesh upper, thermal-welded Teijin® TPU for structural support, and high-modulus Easton® EC90™ SLX2 carbon fiber plate.

Empire E70 Knit Shoe: The sock-like comfort and breathability of the Xnetic Knit technology and the support from the internal TPU skeletal system come together in this beautifully crafted knit cycling shoe.

Trans Boa Shoe: This shoe starts with a perforated, breathable microfiber and mesh upper that conforms to your foot, offers a BOA® L6 closure dial for fast, intuitive adjustment, and is complete with an Easton® EC70 carbon composite outsole and replaceable heel pads.

Republic R Knit Shoe: Supple sock-like knit uppers combine with a co-molded and nylon outsole and molded Eva footbed so you can enjoy each mile with full support and total comfort in the Republic R Knit Shoe.

Savix Shoe: Simple and understated, the Savix is a breathable mid-range shoe with a sophisticated BOA® dial closure system that allows you to fine-tune the perfect fit.

Techne Shoe: The three straps on the Techne Shoe provide a great range of fits and the universal 3/2 nylon outsole allows you to mount either your indoor cycling mountain bike or road bike cleats, depending on your pedal preference.

Rev Shoe: With the Rev Shoe, it’s easy to get going thanks to the comfort of the wide range of adjustment with the three-strap retention system and the full power and traction of a stout nylon sole fused with our durable co-molded rubber tread.

Carbide R II Shoe: The Carbide Rubber II Shoe has all the performance features you need to stay comfortable while taming rugged off-road terrain, including a nylon and rubber co-molded outsole for grip, a synthetic fiber upper with mesh panes for breathability, and three wide straps for easy fit adjustments.

Jerseys

MEN’S Chrono Expert Jersey: Made with a stretch polyester, this jersey will keep you feeling comfortable on any indoor ride you choose. The lightweight fabric is up to the challenge of hours in the saddle in while the raglan sleeves provide freedom to move.

MEN’S Chrono Sport Jersey: The updated Chrono Sport Jersey is now an even stronger choice for recreational riders and teams, thanks to a slightly relaxed fit and Renew Series stretch wicking polyester fabric with mesh back and side panels that enhance ventilation.

WOMEN’S New Road Jersey: The right choice when you want simple, casual style with fit and performance that won’t slow you down. The nylon blend looks casual, but under the hood it’s a performance-oriented fabric with great moisture management and a soft feel against your skin.

Bibs

Men’s Chrono PRO Bib Short: Keep focused on your indoor ride with the solid foundation on the Chrono Bib Short. The Gradient Stretch Woven material offers high durability, improved compression, dries fast, and offers impressive breathability.

Men’s Chrono Expert Bib Short: Powered by ultimate breathability, premium Italian materials, and a custom chamois that is anatomically shaped for comfort, the Men’s Chrono Expert Bib Short makes hours on the saddle that much more comfortable.

Women’s Chrono Expert Halter Bib Short: Convenience is number one with the Women’s Chrono Expert Halter Bib. Its construction allows you to quickly pull it over your head and pull down the bibs so when nature calls, there’s less fuss.

Men’s Chrono Sport Bib Short: This bib is an affordable option that has many of the design features of its higher end companions, including breathable mesh straps, leg grippers so they stay in place, and a chamois that improves blood flow and reduces pressure.

Men’s Base Liner Bib Short: Constructed with lightweight, breathable materials, and a moisture-wicking side panel mesh, the Base Liner Bib Shorts offer a more comfortable connection to the saddle. And since you gotta go when you gotta go, the Men’s Base Liner Bib Short features a fly opening for added convenience.

Women’s Base Liner Halter Bib Short: Get ready for all-day indoor riding and virtual adventures with the Base Liner Halter Bib Short. Their lightweight and breathable materials help with temperature regulation as you clock in the miles.

Step 3: Get going!

Now that you have your gear, and indoor trainer of choice, it’s time to hit it! Whether you choose to pedal out to your favorite Spotify playlist on your traditional trainer, call up your pals for a virtual race on Zwift, or opt for the motivation from your own personal coach, have fun with it, and be sure to let us know how it’s going on Instagram at @girocycling.