How Indoor Cycling Helped Me Train for My Summer Tour—and Made Me Stronger
Indoor cycling, also known as spinning, is a high-intensity, low-impact workout done on a stationary bike. It’s a popular fitness activity for good reason: it strengthens the cardiovascular system, burns calories, builds muscle, and boosts mood. While I’ve always preferred riding outdoors—feeling the wind, seeing the changing landscape, and hearing the sound of tires rolling over pavement or gravel—this past year I came to appreciate the real power of indoor cycling. I had a major summer cycling tour planned, with long, back-to-back riding days across changing terrain. But when weather and schedule made consistent outdoor training difficult, I turned to indoor cycling—not with excitement, but out of necessity. What happened surprised me. Not only did it keep me riding through rain and wind, but it actually made me stronger than I expected. Pushing the Limits Indoors When I ride outside, terrain and weather dictate intensity. Indoors, I controlled everything—resistance, cadence, int...
