GETTING READY FOR ESPORTS SEASON
Photo: Nick Wammes
As temperatures drop and days seem to be getting shorter, it may be harder to find the motivation or time to go for an outdoor ride. Luckily, there are several ways to keep up your fitness while staying in the comfort of your home, one of them being indoor cycling. Contrary to popular belief, esports encompasses much more than just video games; it also includes real-life workouts, particularly through virtual cycling where participants can ride on existing courses and experience real-time resistance during efforts.
If you are interested in giving it a try this season or are curious as to what it entails, here are a few ways to get started and get the most out of your ride!
The Pain Cave set up
You don’t need a huge amount of space to ride indoors. In fact, you can simply use that corner where you usually keep random items or a space that’s been empty like a basement or garage. If you are looking for inspiration, see how para-cyclist Lowell Taylor and dual Olympian Vincent de Haître set up theirs.
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First and foremost, your set up should include, you guessed it: a trainer (we have a big preference for the Wahoo KICKR) and a bike. You will also need a computer, phone or tablet and a subscription to an indoor cycling app such as Zwift, RGT or FulGaz. Other essentials include riding gear, cycling shoes and a fan to help you cool off during your ride because believe us, indoor riding can be just as hard as riding outdoors.
Here’s a breakdown of some other things you may want to spice up your pain cave:
- Water bottles – remember to hydrate. A good rule of thumb is to drink whenever your avatar is drinking
- Towel – as mentioned, you will likely be sweating during your ride so remember to have a towel nearby
- Speakers or headphones – jamming to music can definitely help you push through those tougher climbs. If podcasts are more your thing, we recommend listening to Canuck Crosscast (Jenn Jackson & Michael van den Ham) Coffee Chatter (James Palmer & Tory Nyhaug) and Obstacles and Opportunities (Lowell Taylor & his wife Julie).
- Snacks – if you’re going on a longer ride, it’s important to fuel just like you would during an outdoor ride. We suggest keeping a CLIF bar or gel close by in case you get hungry or need some extra energy
Choose your course
One of the many benefits to indoor riding is getting to choose a course that fits your fitness and energy levels on any given day. Zwift offers a wide array of courses, ranging from flat, short loops to steep climbs and even offers the possibility of riding on real Road World Championships courses! RGT cycling offers a basic membership which provides access to a variety of real road courses and offers the ability to take advantage of structured workouts, group rides and races – all for free! Lastly, give the Fulgaz virtual cycling app a try and preview some of the world’s most iconic cycling destinations using real-life footage, including a few from our own backyard.
Whether you want to go for an easy spin or challenge yourself by climbing a virtual volcano, these platforms have something for everyone.
You’re never riding alone
We all have those days where motivation is a little harder to come by, and that’s where our wonderful community comes in.
The amazing thing about esports is that you can ride solo, with friends or join a ride with people from all over the world. An easy way to meet new people is to join our weekly Zwift rides offered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays or if you’re feeling a bit more competitive, join us on Wednesdays for our race night series. If you’re looking to connect with other riders, feel free to use the chat function or join our Discord Channel to talk with ride leaders and participants. Every two weeks, participants also get the chance to ride and engage with a featured guest rider, including past and present Olympians and Paralympians such as Leah Kirchmann, Curt Harnett, Tara Whitten and Robbi Weldon to name a few.
Goal setting
Sometimes, we may feel like we need to work towards a goal when we are riding, whether it be achieving a certain distance, elevation gain or time on the trainer.
Setting goals can be an important part of building up your fitness for the summer months and can be as simple as riding X times a week or joining X number of races throughout the season. Whatever your goals may be, indoor rides are sure to be a great complement to your training.
Remember, it’s about having fun
While it’s great to work towards goals, it’s also important to remember to enjoy the ride and to be kind to yourself. Start small, go at your own pace and work your way up to where you want to be. Engage with your community, try new things & make sure to have fun!
