Pass the time, keep fit… or just feed your cycling needs this winter! All it takes? A few simple activities, both indoors or outdoors. 

Anthony Barr, Mobile Cyclist, and Sally Collins, Sundance Mountain Bike Skills Clinic, share how each activity balances OR trades off COST / CONVENIENCE  / FUN!

Options for INDOOR Bicycling activities:

Lowest-Cost Option: Group Spinning Class 
•    (FUN / LOW-COST / NOT CONVENIENT) 
•    Instructor led, high-energy, music used on specific, purpose built bicycle
•    You just pay and show up, they do the rest! Other folks doing with you can be motivating 
•    COST: $15-$25 – per class plus need own shoes / water bottle / towel / bike shorts 

Medium-Cost Option:  Your Own Bicycle at home / connected to a “Bike Trainer” 
•    (FUN VARIES / MEDIUM COST / VERY CONVENIENT ) 
•    Virtually any road bike (Mountain bike / cruiser can be used/ not as comfortable) connected to a stationary trainer
2 Options: 
1.    “Non-Smart” trainers Pedal your bike while watching TV
•    Recommend download workout plans from Websites or a Coach 
2.    “Smart / Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Connected Trainers”  – Can connect to variety of online cycling software.  Allows you to ride virtually with friends and groups others.  Some devices automatically adjust difficulty to according to workout or / simulated conditions  
•    Zwift is popular online bicycling training community – Like Facebook for bicycling 
•    Cost: Bike ($300 to $800) depending new or used  PLUS 
•    NON-SMART TRAINER ($300)
•    SMART / CONNECTED TRAINERS ( $600 – $1,200 )

Highest Cost Option:  PELETON “Smart” Stationary Spin Bike – 
•    (FUN  / HIGH COST / VERY CONVENIENT)
•    PELETON is home-based, very high quality spin bike with built-in video screen for streaming live studio classes as well as 5,000 on-demand workouts.
•    Very popular option for home-based fitness.  Video classes hosted by professionally trained, high-energy instructors / motivating music,  tracks data, offers scheduled online training plans.
•    Audience is growing fast with 1 million plus users on their network  & 250,000 bikes sold US.
•    NOTE;  Peleton Bike needed for cycling workouts… but can just use only Peleton App for running / yoga
•    Cost: $2K for bike and then $40 monthly fee to access online classes. 

Options for OUTDOOR Bicycling activities:    

Riding your Bike Outside in the snow!
•    Yes, if you can’t stand riding inside and MUST be outside, then it is possible to ride a bicycle in the snow.   
•    Depending on the “fluffiness quotient” (how deep) of the snow, you can ride a regular mountain bike OR if snow is deep, you may need a super wide tire, like  FAT BIKE.   
•    “Fat Bike” typically have very wide tires 4 inches on average. Can ride basically “on top” of snow or even crush trails down for other riders
•    Brown County has amazing MTB trails, but you ride in Indianapolis surrounding areas:
•    Town Run Trail Park, Fort Benjamin Harrison Park or Southwestway Park just to name a few.

To learn more, visit:
•    Fat Tire Bike – courtesy of The Bike Line:   https://www.thebikeline.com/
•    Sally Collins of Sundance Mountain Bike Skills Clinics:  https://sundancemtbskillsclinic.com/

History of the Mobile Cyclist:

•    Barr enjoyed discovering how people could enjoy bicycling no matter where they were or what type of bike they used.
•    His curiosity and creativity led to the idea of showcasing the personal stories of fellow cyclists, the sights and sounds of places that make up the diverse cultures of cycling cities and the people who bring it to life. 
•    After a 20+-year career in the health care industry, Anthony decided to combine his passion and purpose by starting his own production company, Two Wheel Films, Inc. and creating “Mobile Cyclist.”
•    “Mobile Cyclist” has now launched episodes in 12 cities, including Cincinnati, Ohio, San Francisco, Calif., Sun Valley, Idaho, Asheville, N.C. and the Katy Trail, the longest greenway in the U.S. that stretches across Missouri.

Head to www.mobilecyclist.com to learn more, to sign up for the newsletter for news on episode releases and to watch other Mobile Cyclist episodes. The Mobile Cyclist website also includes additional content for the Indianapolis episode, as well as a free downloadable map. The Indianapolis episode can be easily accessed at www.mobilecyclist/location/indianapolis.

UPCOMING RIDES & EVENTS:  February
Saturday, Feb 2nd 
Buffalo Soldiers Winter Ride – Recognizing Black History Month
•    When: Saturday, Feb 2nd 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m
•    Where:  Griffin Bike Park: 10700 Bono Rd. Terre Haute, Indiana 47802
•    What: (Trail Ride – Family Pace)  In Celebration of Black History Month. Sundance Mountain Bike Skills Clinic and Trek Women Advocates will be honoring our fallen soldiers by hosting a fundraising winter ride.
•    How: Register Onsite /  $10 Per Rider
o    All Ages & Skill Levels  /  Ages 18 and under free! /  
o    Hot chocolate and coffee, Cookies/Brownies/Cupcakes
•    More Info: https://griffinbikepark.com/2019-griffin-bike-park-schedule/

Friday, Feb 8th 
Bikeparty February Ride
•    When: Friday, Feb 8th 7:30pm
•    Where:  Indianapolis City Market – 222 E. Market St.,  Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
•    What: (Social Ride – Slow)  Bike Party We ride a different route (usually with a theme) the second Friday of every month. Rides are 8-12 miles / pace: 10 mph with two or three stops. 
•    We obey traffic laws. Bike lights and party attitude (but responsible riding) required; helmets and costumes strongly encouraged. 
•    How:  Show up at City Market Address at 7pm, roll out at 7:30pm
•    https://www.facebook.com/events/254496808836688/?notif_t=event_calendar_create&notif_id=1548280760996291

Sunday, Feb 17th 
The February Century p/b Midwest Devo – Hosted by Indiana Gravel / 
•    When: Sunday, Feb 17th  8:30am – 4:30pm
•    Where: Mulberry Fields – 9645 Whitestown Rd. Zionsville, IN 46077
•    What: (Moderate Pace Ride on Gravel Roads) Gravel century 100 miles or 55 miles. 
o    Very easy pace with a stop mid way for lunch, and maybe a coffee/cookie stop.
o    If 100 is too much, we may have a split point for people wanting to go back and maybe do only 50-60 miles
•    How: Show up at address listed 
•    More Info:  https://www.facebook.com/events/408405303235500/