Indoor Cycling at Berkhamsted Cycling Club

Winter weather is proving even more unpredictable than usual, driving many of us into our “pain caves” for indoor cycling sessions.  This post will guide you through the essential equipment you need to get started with indoor cycling, explain the difference between smart and dumb trainers, and run through some of the popular virtual cycling platforms used by BCC members.

Essential Equipment

  • Bike & Smart Turbo Trainer or a Dedicated “Smart” stationary bike.
    Most smart turbo trainers are now “direct drive” where you remove your bike’s back wheel and mount your frame directly on to the trainer, which has its own cassette.  Dedicated “Smart” stationary bikes, like the Wattbike Atom or Wahoo Kickr Bike or Zwift Bike are becoming increasingly popular as they are “always ready”, but they do require more dedicated space (and budget!).   
  • Device: 
    Most of the platforms now support, IOS (iPad), Apple TV and Windows PC.
  • An internet connection

Smart vs. Dumb Trainers

  • Smart trainers are interactive trainers that connect to your device via Bluetooth or ANT+. They allow you to control resistance, simulate climbs, and download training programs. Smart trainers provide a more realistic and engaging riding experience.
  • Dumb trainers are a more basic option that do not connect to your device. They offer a fixed level of resistance or allow you to manually adjust resistance. Dumb trainers are a good option for those on a budget or who are new to indoor cycling, however virtual riding apps require a smart trainer.   If your budget only stretches to a dumb trainer, then peddle away while watching your favourite netflix series, or one of the many Cycling POV videos on YouTube!   While Peloton bikes are not “dumb”, they are tied to the Peloton ecosystem, so can’t be used on virtual cycling platforms

Virtual Cycling Platforms

The most common virtual platforms used by BCC members are

  • Zwift is the market leading gamified virtual cycling platform that allows you to ride in virtual worlds with other cyclists. Zwift offers a variety of training programs, races, and group rides.  Zwift membership costs £17.99pcm, but you can ride 25km per month for free without membership. 
    We do have a BCC club on Zwift.  You can find out how to join our Zwift club here.
    If you are interested in racing on Zwift, you will also need to join Zwift Power which you can do here.
    You will then need to join the BCC Zwift Power team, which you can do here.
  • TrainingPeaks Virtual (was IndieVelo) has many similar features to Zwift but is perhaps a little less graphically refined.  HOWEVER you can ride in your BCC kit!  Also, TPV is free until the end of March. ie A free athlete account in Training Peaks gives you access to TPV.
    How to get your TPV BCC club kit.  Once you complete filling out your details you’ll see an option to  join a club.  Filter the list to human clubs and scroll down to Berkhamsted Cycling Club. Click on the “Send Email” box to request to join.  Once your application is approved you can make Berkhamsted CC your Active Team in the profile section and you will be kitted up!

Other virtual platforms include Rouvy, FulGaz, MyWhoosh while those looking for structured training plans might like to consider TrainerRoad or whichever app came with their trainer/training bike (WahooX or Wattbike Hub for example).

Indoor Cycling Group.

BCC has an Indoor Cycling WhatsApp community group open to members for indoor cycling chat and for arranging virtual club rides and racing.