Today is about “tongue in cheek” fun on a climb. At 63 rpm’s, it is versatile enough to use for a seated or standing climb. It also has the perfect feel for “lifts” while simulating getting out of the saddle for pretend potholes in the road. You could even tell a little story about riding with John and Amy on springtime roads in Minnesota after a horribly cold (is there any other kind here?) winter. The potholes here are legendary! Quick reflexes out of the saddle are necessary and much appreciated. We use high load and bring workload to AT by the end of the song at 3:19. Enjoy “Sway”, the bonus track from The Pussycat Dolls album:
Today is simply all about fun. And climbing. With lots of load. 3 minutes and 52 seconds of climbing with lots of load at rpm’s of 58. When this song comes on, we get up out of the saddle with a smile on our face and pretty much just crank it up. In good form of course. With the stress of the holidays, my students really appreciate the opportunity to work some of it out without a lot of cueing or coaching. Never did I think I would use Elvis in my cycle class, but this really works well. Enjoy Elvis and “A Little Less Conversation”:
Here is is in Spotify – If you do a search for “A Little Less Conversation” you will find over 100 versions to choose from; many different remixes – at various lengths – so I'm confident you will find the perfect version for your next class!
Are you looking for that certain something to inspire your class during speed work? This could be it. Super high intensity with rpm’s at 98 and no vocals, you can coach them through and remind them (thanks MI Cameron Chinatti) that speed work is not just about pedal speed, but BIKE speed. There is a fabulous “pull back” at 1:30 and a 42 second build to a big musical pop at 2:12 that pushes to the finish at 3:33. From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack,” Fast Five”, check out track #3, “Assembling the Team”.
Here's the link to the track in Spotify Brian Tyler — Assembling the Team There's a lot of additional music from composer Brian Tyler that you can explore. Let me know if you find another jewel we should be using.
Today’s Friday Favorite might feel a bit “risky” in that it is edgier and heavier than things suggested in the past. It is great for a mid-class flat road push at AT. What is really different is that this 81 rpm flat starts out intense and then mellows out at :30. Intensity gradually builds back over the next minute and pulls back at 1:26. 2:05 brings back intensity and then at 2:35 there is almost quiet. This time is fantastic to queue your students to tune into what their bodies are really doing and how they are really responding. The vocals during this time are beautiful and corresponding guitar licks at 3:30 are amazing to the 4:59 end of Alter Bridge’s “Open Your Eyes” from their One Day Remains CD.
Here’s hoping you like this group as much as I do:
Completely unrelated, but essential for any Instructor, is a good intro track. You know, one that sets the mood and doesn't have lyrics you'll need to talk over. John posed last week about Chicane, a new band he had been using. Here's a remix of Chicane's “Off Shore” that maybe something you would like to lead with next week. Chicane – Offshore by LynnValleyJazz
John saw this track recommended by Keith Skowron Skowron over at the Team Spinning Facebook page. He knew instantly that I would love it… and he was right!
A 64 rpm climb with a mellow piano opening, (but adequate drums) and this Scottish singer-song writer’s fabulous raspy voice is today’s Friday Favorite. 1:27 in, the song breaks open and a driving drumbeat takes over giving great energy. Perhaps try an out of the saddle lift here until 3:00 where the music backs off and have them go back to the saddle for 20 seconds until 3:20 where you could cue to lift out of the saddle and climb strong until the end of the road at 4:07. Listen for the great “ethereal” female vocals in the background of Calvin Harris’ “Feel So Close” single from his yet to be released CD (due out in 2012).
Enjoy!
Today is about “tongue in cheek” fun on a climb. At 63 rpm’s, it is versatile enough to use for a seated or standing climb. It also has the perfect feel for “lifts” while simulating getting out of the saddle for pretend potholes in the road. You could even tell a little story about riding with John and Amy on springtime roads in Minnesota after a horribly cold (is there any other kind here?) winter. The potholes here are legendary! Quick reflexes out of the saddle are necessary and much appreciated. We use high load and bring workload to AT by the end of the song at 3:19. Enjoy “Sway”, the bonus track from The Pussycat Dolls album: