Welcome to the Indoor Cycling Association
Using Google Maps to Design an Indoor Ride
You don’t need a fancy GPS or cycling training software to design a realistic outdoor ride. Check out this short video that demonstrates how I use Google Maps to dynamically design the route for my indoor cycling profile.Read more…
Back-to-School and End-of-Summer Playlist
Every year I am shocked when it’s back-to-school time, believing that it seems to get earlier and earlier every year. The truth is probably closer to my own denial that summer is getting close to being over! So when I saw on Facebook all the talk about school starting and peopleRead more…
Group Ride Profile—DIY
A couple of weeks ago I posted a ride profile called, “Group Ride—4 Hills,” which followed one of the routes used by my bike club. Do you want to create your own outdoor profile? Here are four tips to help you create a fun group ride profile, even if you are not an outdoor cyclist.Read more…
Instructor Spotlight: Angie Asmann Believes Everyone Should FEEL GOOD!
The everyday language and words we choose to use say a lot about who we are as a person. Whether you’re a man of many words or a woman of a few (or vice versa!), when you listen closely you can gather valuable insight into a person’s passion and convictions.Read more…
Why Do You Bounce in the Saddle?
You may have noticed how some people seem to bounce in the saddle on an indoor bike. But do you know why this happens and what you can do about it?Read more…
Why You Shouldn’t Do an Upper-Body Workout While Pedaling in Your Indoor Cycling Class
Suppose you hired a personal trainer. At your first session, your trainer, Jack, hands you 1 lb weights. You look at him doubtfully, but he smiles and says, “Trust me!” So you do dozens of biceps curls and shoulder presses and a few other exercises until your shoulder muscles areRead more…
Chris Plourde Takes Jennifer Through the Power Zones on the IC7
I finally got to ride one of the Indoor Cycling Group IC7 bikes at IDEA last week and it was every bit as wonderful as I expected. I sat and pedaled (easily for the most part) on the bike in the booth for about 45 minutes, while Chris Plourde explained the bike and the program.Read more…
Dramatic Finish on Alpe d’Huez Will Make For an Exciting Class Profile!
Did you watch Stage 20 of the Tour? Take this description of what actually happened on this very exciting stage to create a dramatic storyline for your own class. Also, in this post are some resources for articles and videos for you to use in your Tour de France profiles, whether you are creating your own, or using the ICA profiles. Enjoy!Read more…
Ask The Expert: How Can I Tell If My Class Is Too Easy or Too Hard? Part 1
A new instructor posed this excellent question, and because it depends on so many caveats, I am creating a series out of this topic. Part 1 provides the most basic, short-term way to assess how hard or easy your class is for your riders. But instructors, get ready to do a little self-analysis—I’ve got some homework for you. This series may very well pave the path to tremendous personal growth!Read more…
Profile: Group Ride—4 Hills
Outdoor cyclists use the term “group ride” to describe organized (and not so organized) rides that often leave from predetermined destinations. These rides may start at a local bike shop or a convenient coffee shop. In many cases, group rides run on a regular weekly schedule, each with their own specific route. This profile follows one of the many routes my club and I use. Riding at a moderate to hard pace, it literally takes an hour to complete. With the exception of the warm-up and cool-down on Massachusetts Avenue, it is a loop. The first hill (Grove Street), third hill (Woods Street), and last hill (Mass Ave) are between a 5.5% and 6% grade. The second hill (South Road) is a 2.5% to 3% grade. The smaller grades make for very aggressive and fast climbing; one needs to be on alert for random attacks of kindness.Read more…