Tools Old And New: Fitness Trainer

 "When he offered ten grand to any climber who could keep
up with him for one day, most of us figured it was all about man versus
man, dramatic but primitive game. When we realized that he did most of 
his soloing in private, nobody watching, we elevated his game to man
against nature. Only after knowing him for years did we understand
that his was the greatest show on earth - man against himself.

                                                          - Climber/author John Long on his friend John Bachar

Enlightening words, Long. Adversity comes from within.

(Internet Image)

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Picked up a "fitness trainer"a few weeks back to supplement road bike training from the comfort of the sanctum. Primarily for days of inclement weather. As well, achieved a pretty decent level of fitness daily riding for the past few months. Don't want to reverse order if stuck indoors be it a sh*tty winter.

Was more interested in a variable resistance-type machine than a high intensity "assault-style" trainer. No desire to go at the thing workin' like a madman. Years of experience has taught us that if ya' can run two and a half miles you can run twenty five. The magnetic resistance technology is pretty interesting - what'll they think of next. Up to this point have kept it set at (low to medium in) high range. Ya' work up a pretty good sweat well into an hour on that thing. Came with some extras we could have done without - twin 1.5kg dumbbells and water bottle holders. Also have no need for the attached computer console (not interested in a machine telling us how we're functioning) - have yet to power it up. We're content listnin' to Joe Rogan interview Rob Zombie and such (gotta' like a guy who can lucidly comment on all the "Jekyll and Hyde" film versions off the top of his head). They could probably have knocked off $200 on the cost by eliminating that stuff. After two weeks on that thing noticed a significant upgrade in the road bike performance - felt like ridin' at least one gear lower in the normal range of gears. 

Hadn't been on a "real" MTB ride in darn near a year. Was out this past weekend with these two guys who regularly provide a beatin':

Distanced 'em once or twice, including the "big hill climb" of the route

Probably just pissed 'em off, though. They subsequently smoked this long, technical (leaf hidden) downhill, long ago washed, rutted and fissured, including a rocky drop into a short, washed and rocky chasm, that I'd made the mistake of calling now unrideable considering the deteriorated condition of the past few years. Go f*k'n figure.