The Super Trainer
So I'm back on the bike, sort of. I got the okay yesterday to start walking without crutches and to begin riding indoors. It'll be 3 more weeks until I can safely ride outdoors, but until then I'll be trying to stave off insanity, and maybe gain some fitness as well, by riding on the Super Trainer. What's that, you say?
The Super Trainer was created by Larry Papadopoulos, a bike rider/machinist based out of North Plains, Oregon. It's basically an oversized treadmill for bikes, but that description is far too simplistic. It has a fairly sophisticated computer control system that adjusts the speed of the treadmill to prevent the rider from either accelerating off the front or falling off the back of the belt. That means that all the rider has to do is pedal naturally. I was able to stand up and do some extended efforts and it felt almost like being on the road. It even has a hydraulic lift at the front that adjusts the grade. I rode a pre-programmed course that automatically adjusted the grade at set intervals, but it's also possible to adjust manually with a switch mounted to the side rail. Best of all, there's a whole array of optical sensors that automatically shut off the machine if the rider moves too far to the side or grabs the hand rail. So even I will have trouble hurting myself on it. Good news. This will obviously be much better than spending the next 3 weeks riding a trainer in my apartment. I did that for an hour yesterday and that was one hour too many. So, a big thanks to Larry for allowing me access to his Super Trainer.
And while I'm on the topic, Larry's new creation is also worth noting. Realizing that the market for oversized treadmills with price tags in excess of many people's yearly incomes (mine especially) have a fairly limited market, he designed a set of rollers that provide a similar experience. He calls them E-Motion Rollers. They're different from regular rollers in that the roller drums are mounted to a frame which is free to move fore and aft with respect to the base. This allows the rollers to move underneath the rider and prevents the bike from shooting off the back when the rider gets out of the saddle. I rode these over the winter when Larry was showing them off at a 'cross race. I managed not to fall off and hurt myself, which is probably the best endorsement possible. Check out Larry's website here: www.emotionrollers.com. And buy some rollers.
Other than that there's not much to report. I've done very little in the last week but lay around and try to heal. The crutches made my armpits hurt. I also found that all kids, and most adults too, tended to stare at me a lot. So, between my aversion to unwanted attention and sore armpits, I found it much better to stay in the apartment and read. I did a lot of that in the last week. But fortunately I feel much better now.
Here're some pictures from the treadmill.
That skinny balding guy with the confused look on his face is me.
Me again. I got to watch the rain out the window while I dripped sweat all over the place.
This is the view I'll have for the next 3 weeks.
And the dreaded trainer. Sort of like gouging an eye out with a spoon.
The Super Trainer was created by Larry Papadopoulos, a bike rider/machinist based out of North Plains, Oregon. It's basically an oversized treadmill for bikes, but that description is far too simplistic. It has a fairly sophisticated computer control system that adjusts the speed of the treadmill to prevent the rider from either accelerating off the front or falling off the back of the belt. That means that all the rider has to do is pedal naturally. I was able to stand up and do some extended efforts and it felt almost like being on the road. It even has a hydraulic lift at the front that adjusts the grade. I rode a pre-programmed course that automatically adjusted the grade at set intervals, but it's also possible to adjust manually with a switch mounted to the side rail. Best of all, there's a whole array of optical sensors that automatically shut off the machine if the rider moves too far to the side or grabs the hand rail. So even I will have trouble hurting myself on it. Good news. This will obviously be much better than spending the next 3 weeks riding a trainer in my apartment. I did that for an hour yesterday and that was one hour too many. So, a big thanks to Larry for allowing me access to his Super Trainer.
And while I'm on the topic, Larry's new creation is also worth noting. Realizing that the market for oversized treadmills with price tags in excess of many people's yearly incomes (mine especially) have a fairly limited market, he designed a set of rollers that provide a similar experience. He calls them E-Motion Rollers. They're different from regular rollers in that the roller drums are mounted to a frame which is free to move fore and aft with respect to the base. This allows the rollers to move underneath the rider and prevents the bike from shooting off the back when the rider gets out of the saddle. I rode these over the winter when Larry was showing them off at a 'cross race. I managed not to fall off and hurt myself, which is probably the best endorsement possible. Check out Larry's website here: www.emotionrollers.com. And buy some rollers.
Other than that there's not much to report. I've done very little in the last week but lay around and try to heal. The crutches made my armpits hurt. I also found that all kids, and most adults too, tended to stare at me a lot. So, between my aversion to unwanted attention and sore armpits, I found it much better to stay in the apartment and read. I did a lot of that in the last week. But fortunately I feel much better now.
Here're some pictures from the treadmill.
That skinny balding guy with the confused look on his face is me.
Me again. I got to watch the rain out the window while I dripped sweat all over the place.
This is the view I'll have for the next 3 weeks.
And the dreaded trainer. Sort of like gouging an eye out with a spoon.
6 Comments:
I think your saddle looks a touch nose up!!!
Happy to hear you are riding.
doug, what happened to your hair? you used to be so hot, but now... i just dont know
dougy fresh is the coolest kid i know. and clearly the most patient for reasons beyond the obvious... :)
Barry: I'm going bald. It's true. It's also sad, but I try not to dwell on it too much. The alternative is here: http://www.combover.com/gallery.htm
Those rollers are dope. MUCH cooler than any trainer I've seen. Except that Super Trainer thing-a-ma-gogg. That's the burrito ultimo; enchilado style.
Doug, there is no excuse, i am going bald and I am rocking a mullett with a faux hawk, the peaks compliment the hawk, you gave up too soon.
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