I have no cell phone, palm pilot, ipod, or whatever electronic gizmo out there, but yet I work as a computer network administrator. It's not that I fear the use of those things, but the cost of any of them does not justify the need.
What I do have is a polar s120 heart rate monitor watch of which I only use the time and distance and mile splits for my runs. I think I only used the heart rate monitor a couple times just to see how much my heart beats while I run a 6 or 7 minute mile pace.
For my bike I have a cheap computer that only displays time, speed, and distance and that's all I needed or wanted. Until recently, I came to realize all my workouts on the bike trainer where I use DVD's and online workouts, all indicate a cadence to train at. I decided to buy a Cateye Astrale 8 for 30 bucks so that I can train using cadence to monitor my performance and progress. I think it'll be worth the 30 bucks. If anything it'll make my workouts more honest.
Today's workout from fasttendem.com had most of the spinning at 100 RPM and let me tell you if anyone can keep up with that pace has to be a tour de France champion. I think I kept most of the RPM's around 80, which was hard enough, and boy did I sweat. The numbers I gathered from today's bike workout were as follows: Max Speed = 25.7 MPH, Av Speed = 18.0 MPH, Trip Distance = 18 miles, and Elapsed Time = 1 hour. I wish the computer would have some cadence results. Maybe the higher priced ones have it but for now I'm happy with what I have. And hey, I like all the new fancy numbers that are displayed on my new bike computer.
7 comments:
I have that same bike computer and love it. I started out with a computer that didn't record cadence, and I soon realized that I was riding a cadence much too low. And I know what you are saying about sweating on the trainer - whew - those DVDs really wear me out!
I sweat more on the trainer than riding usually.
$30 is reasonable and it would be nice to know cadence.
Wow... none of what most of us consider 'must haves'...that is very admirable. I sometimes wich for those days again where we all weren't SO accessible.
No cell phone????
I also have that computer and have been happy with it.
Ok the no cellphone IS weird. :o) I still think you are pretty cool though.
Yeah I have the Astrale 8 too. I do the bulk of my winter training with cadences. Spinning at 100 rpms on your bike should not be difficult. You may want to click into an easier gear. FYI, last winter I did cadence ladders that would peak at 140-150 rpms; it's tough.
I just have a generic bike computer as well...I don't need it to tell me much! I think not having a cell phone is admirable!
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