A place called home

There was once a time when our team feared we would show up to USAT Collegiate Nationals with a severe disadvantage in our biking and running. While the pretty-boy Californians would be out eating up miles of road, our planned speed workout was being decimated by a foul combination of rain, snow and wind. Forced to spin on trainers inside, we soon realized that it was crucial to maintain the team-practice atmosphere. The spinning studio was born.

The original studio was affectionately known as "The Swamp," a name suiting of the stench and damp air that greeted you every time you ducked your head to carefully descend the rotting stairs. Today's spinning room is slightly nicer. The carpeting and five-speaker sound system are certain upgrades. But some of the original charm still remains. We continue to use the same 15 year old TV with a harsh yellow tint. Things don't quite smell right. And the walls sweat almost as much as the triathletes.

Here's a brief photo tour from the regular Tuesday morning ride:

People claim that triathletes can't bike in packs or pelotons, but I think this proves otherwise. Twelve people are crammed into the main spinning area. Once you're in your spot and the legs start moving, you're pretty much stuck there until everyone else is done spinning. Buddhist prayer flags and movie posters watch over us.

Showing up late is a sure way to sentence yourself to some time in the laundry room. Ventilation is non-existant, the floor is more uneven and there is absolutely no chance you'll catch any bit of what's showing on the TV that day. If people are feeling nice, they'll at least share the workout with you.

The workouts follow our team's long-term training plan. There's everything from 1-minute builds to three-hour steady rides.

The Christmas lights and string of floral decoration? Left overs from our Tri Formal this past fall.

The view from the back row isn't the prettiest, but it's made better by our custom TV stand made from scrap wood. Our favorite spinning entertainment includes last year's Tour de France, Spinervals and comedies for long rides. Fans are hung from the ceiling in the corners to keep the sweat to a level that is just marginally below disgusting.

It may not be much, but it serves its singular purpose: giving us a snow-free place for good team workouts.

-Eric Tingwall