Our set up for the rollers is pretty interesting. In case I haven't mentioned it before, we're two people with 3 bikes, multiple wheelsets and an angry cat shoved into a 1br apartment that is about the size of a walk-in closet. The only real place to set up rollers is in the kitchen. There's just enough room for you to squeeze in with your bike once the rollers are down. There's a stove on the right and the kitchen sink on the left. I supposed it'd be a good spot to learn to ride rollers as there's no possible way to actually fall off of them. There's simply not enough room.
There's a window directly in front of you, which is admittedly handy for creating some air movement or, on chilly January days, moving cold air into the apartment while you're dripping with sweat. We usually set up a fan (or two) in that area. The boy likes to set up his laptop on top of the trash can, which has a slightly curved lid that gives me heart palpitations when there's a computer sitting on it. I tend to rely on my ipod and playing math games with my SRM, my ipod and the microwave clock. The clock is about 3 mins off, no, about 2mins, 37 seconds, so I should be finished with this interval when the microwave says 7:17 but my SRM timer will say 1:15. I have 15 minutes left so that means about 4 1/2 songs. Good lord this song is long, make that 3 more songs. Yes, I'm a complete nerd. Yes, these are the things I use to occupy my mind. Much like the other Occupy movements, there's really no direct stated purpose.
Anyway. I have had to make a real effort to stop saying how great of a set-up I had at my townhouse, how the basement was an open space dedicated to workouts complete with a flat screen TV, several windows and a fantastic sound system. The TV and sound system are ... wait for it ... in storage. We can't play music any louder than a whisper because we're in an apartment and we've complained about other people playing loud music (amongst other things - but that's another story). I refuse to propose a TV on the trash can. So, we do what we can with what we have. The silver lining here is that roller/trainer rides are much more efficient than riding out of doors. Not nearly as much fun and absolutely de-motivating after any length of time, but they do quell the 6 hour time suck (for a 3.5 or 4 hour ride - think about travel time, time to get your michelin-man layers on, time lost at stop lights or for mechanicals etc). The 1-2 hour roller ride requires little or no prep and, before you know it, you're done.
I am a little sad that I won't be able to ride in the out-of-doors this weekend because I absolutely heart my new thermal jacket. Recall most of my stuff is about 8 years old so my birthday present from the boy was well-timed. I've always liked Castelli stuff and this piece did not disappoint. Despite the cold winds last weekend and temps in the high 20's, I actually had to peel out of one layer because I was overheating. This jacket along with one Under Armour Cold-Gear under layer will pretty much cover me most of the winter. SCORE!!! That said, I can wait to sport my new jacket on dry roads rather than to find out how well it holds up against asphalt and ice.
Stay safe and warm this weekend - Happy Friday!!
