From the Spin Studio to Cycling on the Street
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
Heart pounding, sweat producing, calorie burning, fat busting, exhausting, invigorating: Spinning is all these things and more. No wonder the Spinning® classes at APOGEE Bedford Hills are among the most popular.
If you’ve spent the winter on a Spin bike, though, cycling on a road bike can be a bit of a shock. Yes, your legs are pushing the pedals, but that’s about all that a Spin bike and a road bike have in common. APOGEE Spin instructor Jennnifer Cromie, an experienced bike racer and national class biathlete (run-bike-run) has advice for Spin class devotees who want to ride on the road.
Be aware! When you’re out of the studio and on the road, you have to be mindful of what’s going on around you. Keep your eyes on the road and not on your cycling computer or heart rate monitor. Gaze about 50 yards ahead of you and be mindful of traffic signs and lights, potholes, and other road hazards. No matter what the road is like, you should ride a predictable, straight line.
Use the proper gear. In the Spin studio you can ride a high gear with no repercussions. But on the road, you should select a gear you can spin at 80 to 100 revolutions per minute (rpm’s) on the flats and 60 to 80 rpms on the hills. Your Spinning instructor can help you learn what these spin rates feel like.
Practice handling your bike. Even if you’ve been Spinning with clip-in pedals, don’t be discouraged if you have a low-speed fall when you clip in and out of your pedals on the road. “It’s a rite of passage!” says Jennifer. “Understand that this is not a permanent problem.” After a few rides, you’ll be clipping in and out like a pro.
To learn more about road cycling in Bedford Hills and Westchester County, join Jennifer Cromie and other instructors at workshop “Cycling From Studio to Street,” on Monday, June 21 at APOGEE Bedford Hills. Learn more.
