Welcome to the Indoor Cycling Association
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…
Interview with Cameron Chinatti of Stages Indoor Cycling
I took the Stages Indoor Cycling certification at the end of June in Boulder, Colorado. Here are my impressions, as well as a quick interview with Cameron Chinatti about the new layout for their cert and about their impressive new app.Read more…
Take Your Indoor Cycling Class Outdoors, Part 2
If you read the first article in this series and are excited about starting an outdoor program for your indoor students, I have one important piece of advice: “Wait, proceed with caution.” There are some important issues which you should address before you begin to discuss your plans with others.Read more…
How to Cue Riding on Cobblestones: Visualization at its Finest!
If you have been watching or reading about the Tour de France this year, you would know that Stage 4 had a section over the cobblestones of Northern France. Last year as well there were nine segments of brutal cobbles in Stage 5. Prior to that, there were just aRead more…
OCD: Pressure Cooker
Welcome to our first installment of our newest series: OCD—Obsessed with Cycling Drills. Yes, we are definitely obsessive about everything to do with indoor cycling drills including the music, cues, and objective. Pressure Cooker does exactly what the name implies: it places the body under continuous and increasing pressure. You get to choose whether to put the muscles or lungs in the pressure cooker.Read more…
An Indoor Cycling Program for Teens
I asked Angela Amedio of Saratoga Cycling Studio to share with ICA how she created a successful program for local teens at her studio in Saratoga Springs, New York. You are sure to get some ideas for your program!Read more…
Take Your Indoor Cycling Class Outdoors, Part 1
In this series of articles, Christine Nielsen will discuss the steps involved to create an outdoor cycling program. Her advice is largely based on her experience and the population she works with. Although your circumstances and demographic may be different, we hope you will be inspired to extend your indoor classes by creating an outdoor cycling program of your own.Read more…
America (Grace on Thee Rewerk), Peter G ReWerk
Peter G, an instructor in Connecticut, has made a name for himself amongst indoor cycling instructors as their DJ of choice. If you haven’t yet heard of Peter G yet…mark my words, you will soon! For your 4th of July playlist, you can purchase this fun “rewerk” of Prince’s “America”Read more…
Ask The Expert: Is Your Recovery Working?
Tom, do you have a litmus test to tell if recoveries are too short for the efforts you are asking? For example, if you are asking for a 5-minute, 4-minute, 2-minute, and 1-minute best effort, one right after the other in that order, how much recovery would you give in between each? Thanks.
– Julie Zweck-BronnerRead more…