Picture This:
Its pouring rain outside, about 10 degrees, massive puddles everywhere, and the wind is blowing a gale…. Not exactly a good day for training, or is it?
The weather outside today was crap, not somewhere i wanted to be. but my training schedule called for 2 hours on the bike then i remembered the box set DVD’s of Hawaii Rides by Global ride.
Hawaii Rides Review
The concept behind the DVD’s is great. for those who have never used an indoor video training partner i will briefly explain what they are.
Somebody goes out and videos a ride and turns the footage into a DVD. simple concept, that can be done really well, or just look really bad, either way it makes your indoor training sessions so much better than “myth busters on discovery channel”
With this set, Global Rides has nailed it. These particular DVD’s are shot on some of the most beautiful roads around Hawaii. The pace the car sets is spot on. when you are climbing its nice and slow, and then naturally speeds up when you hit the downhills and the flats. I am lucky enough to have a 42″ plasma TV at home and this makes the riding/viewing experience even better. My indoor trainer of choice was my set of rollers, however i should have chosen the stationary trainer so that i could adjust resistance when the road went up hill.
Within minutes of the first disk i watched (Oceanside road) i found myself completely immersed in what was happening in front of me. I even waved at the man with the dog…. lucky no one saw me…
45 or so minutes later the disk was done, and left me wanting more. so i quickly hopped off the bike (well that’s not true, i was already off the bike and you will see why later) and chucked in another one. The next disk in was StrenDurance.
Its here where i should explain how each disk is setup. They all come with three main cycling sections. It seems the first and the last are shorter than the middle. when you put the disk in you are given the option of music on or music off, i chose to put it on. you are also given the choice of having a coach talk you through the “stages” on the first disk i chose the Australian coach and had a lady telling me what gear i should be in and when to rest and when to drink. i stopped the disk returned to the menu and then turned her off. I found her a little frustrating, felt like she was holding me back, but i can that other riders who need added motivation to train indoors will want to have her there. The music is great, keeps you nice and energized to help keep up the motivation.
before the first stage and after the final “stage” you are shown some lovely still images from the area you have just ridden. it gives you time to cool off at your own pace. When the images at the end are done you get the chance to do either a Yoga, Pilates or strength training plan. Each disk has a different one. (This is why i was off the bike already)
Knowing nothing about pilates and having never ever done it before i decided to give it a try. My Mrs was home from work just before the riding finished and saw that the Pilates section was up next, she asked if i was going to do cause she would like to join me, so we did it together. she really enjoyed it and says that she will be skipping forward to do it again. she is also looking forward to trying out the yoga that comes on the Maui Rollers disk
Its difficult to find anything negative about these DVD’s. They are so well shot, the scenery and roads are fantastic, the camera even drives in the bike lane to give added authenticity.
But if i have to nit pick, I would like to see more of the rider in front of the camera, when he is there you get a better feeling on just how steep the road is. During most rides he is obviously following the camera car cause you get the occasional shot of him shot out the back of the car. having him there gives it a slightly more personal feel as well. Sort of like having a trainer buddy with you
Another feature i would like to see would be to have a small graphic in the corner that shows the road grade as a % and also how many minutes are left till the ride is over
Conclusion
I kind of feel like i have been on a cycling holiday in Hawaii today riding around with some dude. We rode some great roads, waved at some locals watched the sunset, powered up some hills, cruised down a few hills, took in the stunning cliffs that seem to drop off into the sea… i could go on and on….
If you cant afford to head to Hawaii this weekend to do a few rides… like most of us. then head over to amazon.com and buy this box set. I highly recommend it and give it 4.5 stars out of 5
This post is tagged Global Ride, Hawaii, Part Reviews, Training, Virtual
