[Rant] Can anyone think of a stupider way to recognize Bike to Work week than...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bill P on June 11, 2013 at 8:54pm

See The New Yorker Magazine cover from last week:

http://www.condenaststore.com/-sp/The-New-Yorker-Cover-June-3-2013-...

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on June 12, 2013 at 7:47am

I'm all for spinning or any other type of exercise.  I look around my office at all the 30 - 50 age co-workers that are pushing hard for an early cardiac event.

Yeah, spin, walk, run, whatever.  Just do it!

Permalink Reply by yai danche on June 12, 2013 at 8:16am

It's not terrible!  It's like those driving simulators before you get into a car.  Actually not really.  Spinning isn't a very accurate introduction to bike commuting.  For one thing, there's less physical exertion.  I hope their stationary bike mile counter at least encourages them to think they could physically bike commute.  

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 12, 2013 at 8:23am

Depending on where you live and the time of day, the Kennedy Expressway or the Outer Drive may be your best bet.

Jennifer on the lake said:

What's the best route to spin class?

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 12, 2013 at 8:54am

Spinning class does absolutely nothing to promote the idea of cycling for transportation (the primary goal of Bike to Work Week Chicago Bike Week) so therefore it has no place being here.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 12, 2013 at 9:22am

Wait; you think riding a trainer requires less physical exertion?

Have you ever even been on one?

yai danche said:

It's not terrible!  It's like those driving simulators before you get into a car.  Actually not really.  Spinning isn't a very accurate introduction to bike commuting.  For one thing, there's less physical exertion.  I hope their stationary bike mile counter at least encourages them to think they could physically bike commute.  

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 12, 2013 at 9:24am

A trainer is not a spin machine. AFAIK, they all have adjustable resistance, so perhaps yai danche was riding on the lowest setting?

notoriousDUG said:

Wait; you think riding a trainer requires less physical exertion?

Have you ever even been on one?

yai danche said:

It's not terrible!  It's like those driving simulators before you get into a car.  Actually not really.  Spinning isn't a very accurate introduction to bike commuting.  For one thing, there's less physical exertion.  I hope their stationary bike mile counter at least encourages them to think they could physically bike commute.  

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 12, 2013 at 9:29am

People pay a membership to ride a spin bike or on a Computrainer because it provides them with a better workout in less time than riding on the street or path.  With a trainer people can set resistence and maintain a certain power output and cadence because there is no traffic to contend with.  You also get a better workout in less time so it makes training for an event fit into the rest of life easier.  There is also usually a coach or trainer involved to help them with form and push them towards goals and help create a program that will result in strength and endurance gains they would not be able to realize riding outside under uncontrolled conditions.

Riding a trainer is not for me and is no substitute for riding outside when it comes to bike handling skills and traffic experience.  It is, however, a far better way to gain strength and endurance on the bike.  

Riding indoors on a trainer is not crazy, stupid or bad in any way; in fact I would rather have people training there than on the LFP passing everyone super close at 20mph...  

Mike Zumwalt said:

I don't know anyone pays for a gym membership to ride a stationary, it's not like real riding just pedaling.

If you have children at home or are in some type of muscle rehab. then yeah but even then you can get a simple stand that raises your back wheel off the ground or you want to watch a loop video of Pee Wee or E.T. flying, or you love texting while pedaling.

I saw a kid on training wheels get his rear wheel just off the ground so he was pedaling like crazy going nowhere and it was fun, if you're 5.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 12, 2013 at 9:30am

A trainer and a spin bike are not the same but go do a spin class and let me know how your legs feel after compared to after your commute...

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

A trainer is not a spin machine. AFAIK, they all have adjustable resistance, so perhaps yai danche was riding on the lowest setting?

notoriousDUG said:

Wait; you think riding a trainer requires less physical exertion?

Have you ever even been on one?

yai danche said:

It's not terrible!  It's like those driving simulators before you get into a car.  Actually not really.  Spinning isn't a very accurate introduction to bike commuting.  For one thing, there's less physical exertion.  I hope their stationary bike mile counter at least encourages them to think they could physically bike commute.  

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 12, 2013 at 9:39am

No one is saying that spinning/training is stupid. It clearly has its purposes. The point we are trying to make is that it has no place at an event that is promoting bike riding for transportation.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 12, 2013 at 11:47am

I see a lot of people claiming it is not cycling and that it is not as good a work out; same thing to me based on the tone of this whole thread.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

No one is saying that spinning/training is stupid. It clearly has its purposes. The point we are trying to make is that it has no place at an event that is promoting bike riding for transportation.

Permalink Reply by Melissa on June 12, 2013 at 11:56am

++1

Michael B said:

Spinning can be a gateway drug to regular biking.

I've been doing the spin class at my YMCA for years. It allows me to push myself hard safely & I like the music one particular instructor plays during the class. Quite a few times people in the class, after they find out that I'm a cyclist start asking me for advice about bikes, shops, equipment etc. The next thing you know they're biking themselves. 

A lot of people who start spinning haven't been on a bike in years & it's an ideal way for them to get their feet wet without having to deal with the dangers of actually riding on the street.

So I believe it is an appropriate way promote cycling.

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