After three years of highly successful indoor Winter Training locally, Cycling Fusion (formerly Global Ride Training Center) is taking the program nationally through the use of today’s broadcast technology and the internet. Starting January 15th, fitness facilities across the country from Pittsburgh, PA to Denver, CO will be training together, albeit virtually, to get ready for the Spring season.
Pittsburgh, PA, December 20, 2010 — Every cyclist goes through the same drill. Hang up the bike in the winter, and suffer through the winter pounds and deconditioned body in the spring to get back to form. The ambitious rider invests in a trainer, puts their “beater” bike on it (the good bike never goes on the trainer) and finds a spare boom box / DVD player and slogs through another season of basement cycling. Why not go to a Spinning® class you may ask? Aren’t they known for super high intensity, kick your ass suffer-fests?
Even though that is true, the serious cyclists know two things about those classes. First they are not taught by cyclists, and consequently the training does not really resemble riding on an actual bike. Secondly, the winter season is the time to do serious Base Building. That’s a type of training based on principles of periodization that simply mean the athlete needs to spend more time in the lower heart rates to build aerobic capacity and endurance. Without this type of training at least once per year, riders risk starting the season with the ability to go hard for about 60 minutes and then finding little reserves to call upon.
Cycling Fusion™ will be broadcasting Winter Training from two separate locations every weekend for 12 weeks. You can join their Simulcast real time, or at your convenience by watching the archive anytime after each session is completed. If you live near one of the participating fitness clubs or riding studios, you can secure a bike and experience the comradarie of a group of riders all pulling together for the otherwise long 12 weeks of winter. Experts in the field of cycling and related disciplines will be leading classes via a Live Broadcast from Pittsburgh and Denver. Those who do not live near these cities can still join them from home. The requirement is a high speed internet connection, a computer or other display device, a bike, and the desire to become a better rider.
“This has been a long time coming from my point of view. We were ready to do this in 2010, but we wanted to wait until we had some supporting technology to help us communicate and maintain continuity among the different participating cities. We have added both an integrated chat window to our video screen as well as web software for tracking everyone’s workout data. No matter what city or state in which participants are located, we can respond to questions real time and see the weekly progress of each of their riders.” Said Gene Nacey, founder of Cycling Fusion.
The program consists of a 4 hour session every Saturday (if you tune in live). If you miss the live broadcast, you can make up the session later through the archived session on-line. Each session begins with an hour of classroom style education, covering a vast array of topics related to the science of training and fitness in general, and cycling specific skills in particular. This is followed by 60 to 120 minutes of on-bike training that typically put into practice what was taught in the lecture. The final hour consists of a Yoga/Pilates combination for flexibility and core strength.
“I’ve known the principles of periodization and tried to follow them on my own over the years, but the structure and guidance this program provided really opened my eyes. Our team had better performances across the board, and especially early in the season, we knew it was directly related to the work we did in Winter Training.” Said Chris Hays, Captain of the Pittsburgh branch of Stage5 Cycling’s Race Team.
While race teams will enjoy the possibility of training together during the doldrums of winter, the program is not targeting competitive cyclists alone. Club members who have toyed with the idea of doing a charity ride like the MS 150 or a ride for the Diabetes foundation will find they are in good company. Approximately 30 percent of the Winter Training participants have never ridden anything more difficult than a flat rail trail. In between these two ends of the riding spectrum (competitive and leisure riders) are the remaining riders; avid cyclists who want to improve their riding.
“Before I trained with Cycling Fusion, I felt that I really didn’t need the structure and education, but now that I’ve been through the program, I can’t believe how much I learned and how much I’ve improved in just one season.” Said Chris Dinnen, participant in the 2009 Winter Training program.
If you are interested in participating live at one of the host facilities, or joining in from home on your own bike and trainer, more information and rider stories can be found at the company’s website: http://www.cyclingfusion.com/winter-training/
About Cycling Fusion™
Cycling Fusion™ is a company dedicated to bringing the best of indoor and outdoor cycling together through technology, education and certification for indoor cycling. Cycling Fusion™ certifies both facilities as well as Indoor Cycling instructors for implementing and teaching Indoor Cycling. Cycling Fusion™ aims to bring more outdoor cyclists inside to train, and encourages and equips indoor cyclists to experience the joys and adventure of riding outside.
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Contact:
Laura Smith
Cycling Fusion™
2809 Leechburg Road
Lower Burrell, PA 15068
724-594-0229
[email protected]
http://www.cyclingfusion.com/winter-training/
