Turbo Trainer: Let the Sufferfest begin

I could never imagine cycling on a turbo trainer but a winter on the Carrera TDF my cheap Halfords bike was so demoralising I decided to get a turbo trainer. Jill made me sell my 1yr old Carrera TDF which I did for £200 to a mate I included a load of stuff with the bike so we both got a good deal. I waited with my finger poised on the "Proceed with order button" on TREDZ website for Alex to call saying the monies in my account. As soon as I got the call in went the order for next day delivery A Minoura B60-R and Schwalbe trainer tyre came in at £150 (with a free Lunar R2 rear light).........
Variety is the name of the turbo trainer game. BUT: How boring and easy it it to give up on a turbo? For me very easy.

Having recently moved I had my own piece of manspace a turbo and my pride and joy my TREK

Next Motivation: after much cyber surfing I discovered THE SUFFERFEST.
The Starter Kit for £23 was what I went for as they said: New to Sufferlandria and not sure where to start? Our Starter Pack includes three essential videos: 1. The Downward Spiral: Short, sharp and ultra-high-intensity intervals. 2. Angels: Long climbs with brutal attacks and 3. The Long Scream: A 30:00 time trial requiring maximum concentration.
The Downward Spiral I did first 

I think the bottom right pic of me shows what doing what the video says (well displays) will do to a person.

I've completed all 3 now and wow enterPAINment is what it is. So: IWBMATTKYT (look it up on Sufferfest).

I think this winter I am going to make massive strides in my cycling prowess. Its such hard work and you only get what you put in obviously, but I am motivated by what's on the screen so it will work for me. Some are motivated by stats on the computer screen to get them through a turbo ride but again how boring. All in all I'm looking forward to this winter. Thanks Sufferfest, Minoura, Schwalbe & TREDZ.

New bike and a new era in cycling.

I decided at the back end of 2012 that if I continued to ride that I would get myself a better bike. Jill agreed that I could spend £800-900, which would give me an upgrade to probably a Specialized Allez. However the more I learned the more I thought that by punching through the £1k budget I could get a much better grade of equipment to an Aluminium with carbon forks or even a full carbon bike.
   So over many a month of cycling and browsing the interweb I came across the TREK Domane with IsoSpeed according to TREK: IsoSpeed decoupler gives you an incredibly smooth ride. It was described on youtube as "when you get punched in the face you get the pain of impact with fist and the force of your head going back. IsoSpeed on your face you would feel the force of going back BUT NO PAIN. With all my ailments and injuries this seemed like a brilliant idea.
   Then I discovered PEDALON a shop in TADLEY that stock the bike I was interested in and if you bought from them you get podium points. The more you spend the more points you earn and what do points mean? Yep prizes!

I ordered the bike which after the sizing I was told the 54cm Halfords bike was too big as I am a 52cm cyclist. No wonder I was never comfortable.

Oh the podium points came to 24 from the choice I had I went for the following equipment:

Shimano R540 SPD SL Black - 4 Points 39.99

Shimano R088 Road Shoes white - 9 Points 79.99

Pair of Bontrager Race All Weather HC Tyre - 5PP 53.98

6 Bontrager Innertubes - 1 Point 32.94

Pair of SIS Bottles 600ml - 1  Point 1.89

Pair of Bontrager Race Lite Bottle Cages - 1 Point 16.99

Cannondale Airport Nitro Floor Pump - 3 Points 29.99 The total price to pay £1200 just the price of the bike WOW! All pictured above.